EVOLVE ELSEVIER HESI MED SURG ACTUAL EXAM WITH 50 REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH WELL-ELABORATED RATIONALES/
EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which of the following findings is
the most significant indicator of fluid retention?
a) Weight loss
b) Increased urine output
c) Decreased blood pressure
d) Sudden weight gain
Answer: d) Sudden weight gain
Rationale:
A sudden weight gain of 2-3 pounds in one day is a significant indicator of fluid
retention in clients with heart failure. This occurs due to fluid accumulation, which
can worsen heart failure and requires immediate intervention to prevent
complications.
Question 2:
A client has been prescribed a potassium-sparing diuretic. Which of the following
foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
a) Bananas
b) Oranges
c) Spinach
d) Tomatoes
Answer: a) Bananas
Rationale:
Potassium-sparing diuretics, like spironolactone, increase potassium levels in the
blood. Foods high in potassium, such as bananas, should be avoided as they can
lead to hyperkalemia, which can be dangerous and cause cardiac arrhythmias.
,Question 3:
A nurse is teaching a client about the use of an inhaler for asthma. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I should inhale deeply before I press the inhaler."
b) "I should wait 2 minutes between inhalations if I need a second dose."
c) "I should exhale through the inhaler."
d) "I should only use the inhaler when I am having an asthma attack."
Answer: b) "I should wait 2 minutes between inhalations if I need a second
dose."
Rationale:
When using an inhaler, the client should wait 2 minutes between inhalations of
the same medication to allow the first dose to be fully absorbed and to prevent
adverse effects. Deep inhalation should occur after pressing the inhaler, not
before.
Question 4:
A nurse is assessing a postoperative client who had a cholecystectomy. The nurse
notes that the client is experiencing increasing abdominal distention, nausea, and
vomiting. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?
a) Infection
b) Bowel obstruction
c) Acute pancreatitis
d) Hemorrhage
Answer: b) Bowel obstruction
Rationale:
Abdominal distention, nausea, and vomiting are classic signs of bowel obstruction,
which can occur after a cholecystectomy. It may be caused by adhesions, a
common complication after abdominal surgery.
, Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Which
of the following signs and symptoms is most commonly associated with a
duodenal ulcer?
a) Weight loss
b) Nausea and vomiting
c) Epigastric pain that is relieved by eating
d) Hematemesis
Answer: c) Epigastric pain that is relieved by eating
Rationale:
Duodenal ulcers typically cause epigastric pain that is relieved by eating. The pain
occurs when the stomach is empty and worsens before meals, but eating provides
temporary relief. Weight loss is more common with gastric ulcers.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous (IV) fluids for dehydration.
Which of the following is an early sign of fluid overload?
a) Weight loss
b) Decreased urine output
c) Increased blood pressure
d) Tachypnea
Answer: c) Increased blood pressure
Rationale:
Fluid overload often leads to increased blood pressure as the body tries to
manage the excess fluid. Other signs can include edema, dyspnea, and crackles in
the lungs, but the early indicator is often elevated blood pressure.
Question 7:
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH WELL-ELABORATED RATIONALES/
EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which of the following findings is
the most significant indicator of fluid retention?
a) Weight loss
b) Increased urine output
c) Decreased blood pressure
d) Sudden weight gain
Answer: d) Sudden weight gain
Rationale:
A sudden weight gain of 2-3 pounds in one day is a significant indicator of fluid
retention in clients with heart failure. This occurs due to fluid accumulation, which
can worsen heart failure and requires immediate intervention to prevent
complications.
Question 2:
A client has been prescribed a potassium-sparing diuretic. Which of the following
foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
a) Bananas
b) Oranges
c) Spinach
d) Tomatoes
Answer: a) Bananas
Rationale:
Potassium-sparing diuretics, like spironolactone, increase potassium levels in the
blood. Foods high in potassium, such as bananas, should be avoided as they can
lead to hyperkalemia, which can be dangerous and cause cardiac arrhythmias.
,Question 3:
A nurse is teaching a client about the use of an inhaler for asthma. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I should inhale deeply before I press the inhaler."
b) "I should wait 2 minutes between inhalations if I need a second dose."
c) "I should exhale through the inhaler."
d) "I should only use the inhaler when I am having an asthma attack."
Answer: b) "I should wait 2 minutes between inhalations if I need a second
dose."
Rationale:
When using an inhaler, the client should wait 2 minutes between inhalations of
the same medication to allow the first dose to be fully absorbed and to prevent
adverse effects. Deep inhalation should occur after pressing the inhaler, not
before.
Question 4:
A nurse is assessing a postoperative client who had a cholecystectomy. The nurse
notes that the client is experiencing increasing abdominal distention, nausea, and
vomiting. What is the most likely cause of these symptoms?
a) Infection
b) Bowel obstruction
c) Acute pancreatitis
d) Hemorrhage
Answer: b) Bowel obstruction
Rationale:
Abdominal distention, nausea, and vomiting are classic signs of bowel obstruction,
which can occur after a cholecystectomy. It may be caused by adhesions, a
common complication after abdominal surgery.
, Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Which
of the following signs and symptoms is most commonly associated with a
duodenal ulcer?
a) Weight loss
b) Nausea and vomiting
c) Epigastric pain that is relieved by eating
d) Hematemesis
Answer: c) Epigastric pain that is relieved by eating
Rationale:
Duodenal ulcers typically cause epigastric pain that is relieved by eating. The pain
occurs when the stomach is empty and worsens before meals, but eating provides
temporary relief. Weight loss is more common with gastric ulcers.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous (IV) fluids for dehydration.
Which of the following is an early sign of fluid overload?
a) Weight loss
b) Decreased urine output
c) Increased blood pressure
d) Tachypnea
Answer: c) Increased blood pressure
Rationale:
Fluid overload often leads to increased blood pressure as the body tries to
manage the excess fluid. Other signs can include edema, dyspnea, and crackles in
the lungs, but the early indicator is often elevated blood pressure.
Question 7:
