QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH WELL-ELABORATED
RATIONALES/ EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025
1. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension.
The client asks, "Why do I need to take medicine for high blood
pressure? I feel fine." Which of the following is the best response by the
nurse?
a) "The medication will make you feel better."
b) "You need to take medication to prevent damage to your heart,
kidneys, and blood vessels."
c) "You can stop taking the medication once your blood pressure is
normal."
d) "High blood pressure causes headaches, and this medication will
prevent them."
Answer: b) "You need to take medication to prevent damage to your
heart, kidneys, and blood vessels."
Rationale:
Hypertension can cause damage to vital organs, such as the heart,
kidneys, and blood vessels, even if the patient doesn't feel symptoms.
The purpose of medication is to manage blood pressure and prevent
long-term complications such as heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure.
2. Question:
A nurse is assessing a postoperative client who has a wound infection.
The nurse notes that the client's temperature is 101°F (38.3°C) and the
wound has purulent drainage. Which of the following interventions
,should the nurse prioritize?
a) Administer an antipyretic medication
b) Obtain a wound culture
c) Change the wound dressing
d) Encourage the client to drink more fluids
Answer: b) Obtain a wound culture
Rationale:
Before administering antibiotics, it is important to obtain a culture of
the wound to identify the causative organism. This will guide
appropriate antibiotic therapy. While antipyretics and fluids are
important, the priority action is to identify the infection's source.
3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client with a history of heart failure who is
prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which of the following lab results should
the nurse review before administering the medication?
a) Potassium
b) Hemoglobin
c) Sodium
d) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: a) Potassium
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia (low
potassium). The nurse should monitor potassium levels before
administration and ensure they are within a safe range to prevent
potential cardiac arrhythmias.
, 4. Question:
A nurse is teaching a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) about the importance of pursed-lip breathing. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates understanding of the
teaching?
a) "Pursed-lip breathing helps to open the airways in my lungs."
b) "Pursed-lip breathing increases the amount of oxygen I can take in."
c) "Pursed-lip breathing helps me to cough up mucus more easily."
d) "Pursed-lip breathing helps slow down my breathing rate and
prevents air trapping."
Answer: d) "Pursed-lip breathing helps slow down my breathing rate
and prevents air trapping."
Rationale:
Pursed-lip breathing helps to slow the exhalation phase of breathing,
reducing air trapping and preventing hyperinflation of the lungs. This
technique is especially useful for patients with COPD.
5. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin via continuous IV
infusion. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse
monitor to assess the effectiveness of the medication?
a) Prothrombin time (PT)
b) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
c) Hematocrit
d) Platelet count
Answer: b) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Rationale:
Heparin therapy is monitored by the aPTT, which measures the time it