Med Surg Test bank ( HESI Test bank Med-Surg)
MED SURG TEST BANK ( HESI TEST BANK MED-SURG) 300+ VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+ -
BRAND NEW Q&ANS LATEST 2025 UPDATE
The nurse is caring for a client who is one day post-acute myocardial infarction. The client is
receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula and has a peripheral saline lock. The nurse notes
that the client is having eight premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) per minute. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A.Obtain an IV pump for antiarrhythmic infusion.
B.Increase the client's oxygen flow rate.
C.Prepare for immediate countershock.
D.Gather equipment for endotracheal intubation. - ANSWER-B.Increase the client's oxygen flow
rate.
Rationale:
Increasing the oxygen flow rate provides more oxygen to the client's myocardium and may
decrease myocardial irritability as manifested by the frequent PVCs. Option A can be delegated
and is a lower priority action than option B. Defibrillation may eventually be necessary, but
option C is not the immediate treatment for frequent PVCs. Option D may become necessary if
the client stops breathing but is not indicated at this time.
The nurse is conducting an osteoporosis screening clinic at a health fair. What information
should the nurse provide to individuals who are at risk for osteoporosis? (Select all that apply.)
A.Encourage alcohol and smoking cessation.
B.Suggest supplementing diet with vitamin E.
C. Promote regular weight-bearing exercises.
D.Implement a home safety plan to prevent falls.
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, Med Surg Test bank ( HESI Test bank Med-Surg)
E.Propose a regular sleep pattern of 8 hours nightly. - ANSWER-A.Encourage alcohol and
smoking cessation.
C.Promote regular weight-bearing exercises.
D.Implement a home safety plan to prevent falls.
Rationale:
Options A, C, and D are factors that decrease the risk for developing osteoporosis. Vitamin D
and calcium are important supplements to aid in the decrease of bone loss. Regular sleep
patterns are important to overall health but are not identified with a decreasing risk for
osteoporosis.
A client with chronic asthma is admitted to the PACU complaining of pain at a level of 8 on a 1 to
10 scale, with a blood pressure of 124/78 mm Hg, pulse of 88 beats/min, and respirations of 20
breaths/min. The PACU recovery prescription is "Morphine, 2 to 4 mg IV push, while in recovery
for pain level over 5." Which intervention should the nurse implement?
AGive the medication as prescribed to decrease the client's pain.
B.Call the anesthesia provider for a different medication for pain.
C.Use nonpharmacologic techniques before giving the medication.
D.Reassess the pain level in 30 minutes and medicate if it remains elevated. - ANSWER-B. Call
the anesthesia provider for a different medication for pain.
Rationale:
The nurse should call the provider for a different medication because morphine is a histamine-
releasing opioid and should be avoided when the client has asthma. Option A is unsafe because
it puts the client at risk for an asthma exacerbation. Even if the drug were safe for the client,
options C and D both disregard the prescription and the client's need for pain relief in the
immediate postoperative period.
The nurse is caring for a critically ill client with cirrhosis of the liver who has a nasogastric tube
draining bright red blood. The nurse notes that the client's serum hemoglobin and hematocrit
levels are decreased. Which additional change in laboratory data should the nurse expect?
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, Med Surg Test bank ( HESI Test bank Med-Surg)
A.Increased serum albumin level
B.Decreased serum creatinine
C.Decreased serum ammonia level
D.Increased liver function test results - ANSWER-C.Decreased serum ammonia level
Rationale:
The breakdown of glutamine in the intestine and the increased activity of colonic bacteria from
the digestion of proteins increase ammonia levels in clients with advanced liver disease, so
removal of blood, a protein source, from the intestine results in a reduced level of ammonia.
Options A, B, and D will not be significantly affected by the removal of blood.
During assessment of a client in the intensive care unit, the nurse notes that the client's breath
sounds are clear on auscultation, but jugular vein distention and muffled heart sounds are
present. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A.Prepare the client for a pericardial tap.
B.Administer intravenous furosemide (Lasix).
C.Assist the client to cough and breathe deeply.
D.Instruct the client to restrict oral fluid intake. - ANSWER-A.Prepare the client for a pericardial
tap.
Rationale:
The client is exhibiting symptoms of cardiac tamponade, a collection of fluid in the pericardial
sac that results in a reduction in cardiac output, which is a potentially fatal complication of
pericarditis. Treatment for tamponade is a pericardial tap. Lasix IV is not indicated for treatment
of pericarditis. Because the client's breath sounds are clear, option C is not a priority. Fluids are
frequently increased in the initial treatment of tamponade to compensate for the decrease in
cardiac output, but this is not the same priority as option A.
During report, the nurse learns that a client with tumor lysis syndrome is receiving an IV
infusion containing insulin. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?
A.Review the client's history for diabetes mellitus.
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, Med Surg Test bank ( HESI Test bank Med-Surg)
B.Observe the extremity distal to the IV site
C.Monitor the client's serum potassium and blood glucose levels.
D.Evaluate the client's oxygen saturation and breath sounds. - ANSWER-C.Monitor the client's
serum potassium and blood glucose levels.
Rationale:
Clients with tumor lysis syndrome may experience hyperkalemia, requiring the addition of
insulin to the IV solution to reduce the serum potassium level. It is most important for the nurse
to monitor the client's serum potassium and blood glucose levels to ensure that they are not at
dangerous levels. Options A, B, and D provide valuable assessment data but are of less priority
than option C.
The nurse is giving preoperative instructions to a 14-year-old client scheduled for surgery to
correct a spinal curvature. Which statement by the client best demonstrates that learning has
taken place?
A."I will read all the teaching booklets you gave me before surgery."
B."I have had surgery before, so I know what to expect afterward."
C."All the things people have told me will help me take care of my back."
D."Let me show you the method of turning I will use after surgery." - ANSWER-D."Let me show
you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
Rationale:
The outcome of learning is best demonstrated when the client not only verbalizes an
understanding but can also provide a return demonstration. A 14-year-old client may or may not
follow through with option A, and there is no measurement of learning. Option B may help the
client understand the surgical process, but the type of surgery may have been very different,
with differing postoperative care. In option C, the client may be saying what the nurse wants to
hear without expressing any real understanding of what to do after surgery
In caring for a client with acute diverticulitis, which assessment data warrants immediate
nursing intervention?
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MED SURG TEST BANK ( HESI TEST BANK MED-SURG) 300+ VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+ -
BRAND NEW Q&ANS LATEST 2025 UPDATE
The nurse is caring for a client who is one day post-acute myocardial infarction. The client is
receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula and has a peripheral saline lock. The nurse notes
that the client is having eight premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) per minute. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A.Obtain an IV pump for antiarrhythmic infusion.
B.Increase the client's oxygen flow rate.
C.Prepare for immediate countershock.
D.Gather equipment for endotracheal intubation. - ANSWER-B.Increase the client's oxygen flow
rate.
Rationale:
Increasing the oxygen flow rate provides more oxygen to the client's myocardium and may
decrease myocardial irritability as manifested by the frequent PVCs. Option A can be delegated
and is a lower priority action than option B. Defibrillation may eventually be necessary, but
option C is not the immediate treatment for frequent PVCs. Option D may become necessary if
the client stops breathing but is not indicated at this time.
The nurse is conducting an osteoporosis screening clinic at a health fair. What information
should the nurse provide to individuals who are at risk for osteoporosis? (Select all that apply.)
A.Encourage alcohol and smoking cessation.
B.Suggest supplementing diet with vitamin E.
C. Promote regular weight-bearing exercises.
D.Implement a home safety plan to prevent falls.
1|Page
, Med Surg Test bank ( HESI Test bank Med-Surg)
E.Propose a regular sleep pattern of 8 hours nightly. - ANSWER-A.Encourage alcohol and
smoking cessation.
C.Promote regular weight-bearing exercises.
D.Implement a home safety plan to prevent falls.
Rationale:
Options A, C, and D are factors that decrease the risk for developing osteoporosis. Vitamin D
and calcium are important supplements to aid in the decrease of bone loss. Regular sleep
patterns are important to overall health but are not identified with a decreasing risk for
osteoporosis.
A client with chronic asthma is admitted to the PACU complaining of pain at a level of 8 on a 1 to
10 scale, with a blood pressure of 124/78 mm Hg, pulse of 88 beats/min, and respirations of 20
breaths/min. The PACU recovery prescription is "Morphine, 2 to 4 mg IV push, while in recovery
for pain level over 5." Which intervention should the nurse implement?
AGive the medication as prescribed to decrease the client's pain.
B.Call the anesthesia provider for a different medication for pain.
C.Use nonpharmacologic techniques before giving the medication.
D.Reassess the pain level in 30 minutes and medicate if it remains elevated. - ANSWER-B. Call
the anesthesia provider for a different medication for pain.
Rationale:
The nurse should call the provider for a different medication because morphine is a histamine-
releasing opioid and should be avoided when the client has asthma. Option A is unsafe because
it puts the client at risk for an asthma exacerbation. Even if the drug were safe for the client,
options C and D both disregard the prescription and the client's need for pain relief in the
immediate postoperative period.
The nurse is caring for a critically ill client with cirrhosis of the liver who has a nasogastric tube
draining bright red blood. The nurse notes that the client's serum hemoglobin and hematocrit
levels are decreased. Which additional change in laboratory data should the nurse expect?
2|Page
, Med Surg Test bank ( HESI Test bank Med-Surg)
A.Increased serum albumin level
B.Decreased serum creatinine
C.Decreased serum ammonia level
D.Increased liver function test results - ANSWER-C.Decreased serum ammonia level
Rationale:
The breakdown of glutamine in the intestine and the increased activity of colonic bacteria from
the digestion of proteins increase ammonia levels in clients with advanced liver disease, so
removal of blood, a protein source, from the intestine results in a reduced level of ammonia.
Options A, B, and D will not be significantly affected by the removal of blood.
During assessment of a client in the intensive care unit, the nurse notes that the client's breath
sounds are clear on auscultation, but jugular vein distention and muffled heart sounds are
present. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A.Prepare the client for a pericardial tap.
B.Administer intravenous furosemide (Lasix).
C.Assist the client to cough and breathe deeply.
D.Instruct the client to restrict oral fluid intake. - ANSWER-A.Prepare the client for a pericardial
tap.
Rationale:
The client is exhibiting symptoms of cardiac tamponade, a collection of fluid in the pericardial
sac that results in a reduction in cardiac output, which is a potentially fatal complication of
pericarditis. Treatment for tamponade is a pericardial tap. Lasix IV is not indicated for treatment
of pericarditis. Because the client's breath sounds are clear, option C is not a priority. Fluids are
frequently increased in the initial treatment of tamponade to compensate for the decrease in
cardiac output, but this is not the same priority as option A.
During report, the nurse learns that a client with tumor lysis syndrome is receiving an IV
infusion containing insulin. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?
A.Review the client's history for diabetes mellitus.
3|Page
, Med Surg Test bank ( HESI Test bank Med-Surg)
B.Observe the extremity distal to the IV site
C.Monitor the client's serum potassium and blood glucose levels.
D.Evaluate the client's oxygen saturation and breath sounds. - ANSWER-C.Monitor the client's
serum potassium and blood glucose levels.
Rationale:
Clients with tumor lysis syndrome may experience hyperkalemia, requiring the addition of
insulin to the IV solution to reduce the serum potassium level. It is most important for the nurse
to monitor the client's serum potassium and blood glucose levels to ensure that they are not at
dangerous levels. Options A, B, and D provide valuable assessment data but are of less priority
than option C.
The nurse is giving preoperative instructions to a 14-year-old client scheduled for surgery to
correct a spinal curvature. Which statement by the client best demonstrates that learning has
taken place?
A."I will read all the teaching booklets you gave me before surgery."
B."I have had surgery before, so I know what to expect afterward."
C."All the things people have told me will help me take care of my back."
D."Let me show you the method of turning I will use after surgery." - ANSWER-D."Let me show
you the method of turning I will use after surgery."
Rationale:
The outcome of learning is best demonstrated when the client not only verbalizes an
understanding but can also provide a return demonstration. A 14-year-old client may or may not
follow through with option A, and there is no measurement of learning. Option B may help the
client understand the surgical process, but the type of surgery may have been very different,
with differing postoperative care. In option C, the client may be saying what the nurse wants to
hear without expressing any real understanding of what to do after surgery
In caring for a client with acute diverticulitis, which assessment data warrants immediate
nursing intervention?
4|Page
