Page | 1 VERIFIED HESI EXIT MED-SURG 2025/2026 (140 Qs) –
GUARANTEED PASS – A+ Test Bank – EVOLVE Elsevier
Questions, Answers & Rationales
QUESTION 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with pneumonia.
Which type of isolation precaution is most appropriate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Protective precautions
Correct Answer: C. Droplet precautions
Rationale: Pneumonia is transmitted via respiratory droplets;
droplet precautions prevent spread through coughing, sneezing,
and close contact.
QUESTION 2:
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab
value should the nurse monitor closely?
, A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
Page | 2
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases
potassium excretion, placing the patient at risk for hypokalemia.
QUESTION 3:
Which assessment finding in a post-op abdominal surgery
patient requires immediate action?
A. Pain at the incision site
B. Absent bowel sounds
C. Distended, firm abdomen
D. Mild nausea
Correct Answer: C. Distended, firm abdomen
Rationale: Abdominal distension and firmness may indicate
internal bleeding or paralytic ileus, both of which are medical
emergencies.
QUESTION 4:
A patient with a history of COPD reports increasing shortness of
breath. What should the nurse do first?
, A. Call respiratory therapy
B. Increase oxygen flow
C. Raise the head of the bed
Page | 3
D. Administer albuterol
Correct Answer: C. Raise the head of the bed
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed improves lung
expansion and oxygenation, making it the priority action.
QUESTION 5:
What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient
experiencing chest pain unrelieved by rest?
A. Administer morphine
B. Provide oxygen
C. Notify the physician
D. Perform ECG
Correct Answer: B. Provide oxygen
Rationale: Administering oxygen increases tissue perfusion and
is the immediate priority in suspected cardiac events.
QUESTION 6:
Which finding indicates effective treatment for a patient with
deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Pain in the calf
B. Warmth over the affected area
, C. Decreased leg circumference
D. Positive Homans’ sign
Page | 4
Correct Answer: C. Decreased leg circumference
Rationale: Reduction in swelling shows decreased
inflammation and improved venous return, indicating effective
therapy.
QUESTION 7:
A patient with cirrhosis has a serum ammonia level of 115
mcg/dL. What symptom is expected?
A. Jaundice
B. Confusion
C. Hematemesis
D. Pruritus
Correct Answer: B. Confusion
Rationale: Elevated ammonia levels affect brain function and
may lead to hepatic encephalopathy, presenting as confusion.
QUESTION 8:
Which electrolyte imbalance is most concerning in a patient
with chronic kidney disease?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
GUARANTEED PASS – A+ Test Bank – EVOLVE Elsevier
Questions, Answers & Rationales
QUESTION 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with pneumonia.
Which type of isolation precaution is most appropriate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Protective precautions
Correct Answer: C. Droplet precautions
Rationale: Pneumonia is transmitted via respiratory droplets;
droplet precautions prevent spread through coughing, sneezing,
and close contact.
QUESTION 2:
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab
value should the nurse monitor closely?
, A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
Page | 2
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases
potassium excretion, placing the patient at risk for hypokalemia.
QUESTION 3:
Which assessment finding in a post-op abdominal surgery
patient requires immediate action?
A. Pain at the incision site
B. Absent bowel sounds
C. Distended, firm abdomen
D. Mild nausea
Correct Answer: C. Distended, firm abdomen
Rationale: Abdominal distension and firmness may indicate
internal bleeding or paralytic ileus, both of which are medical
emergencies.
QUESTION 4:
A patient with a history of COPD reports increasing shortness of
breath. What should the nurse do first?
, A. Call respiratory therapy
B. Increase oxygen flow
C. Raise the head of the bed
Page | 3
D. Administer albuterol
Correct Answer: C. Raise the head of the bed
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed improves lung
expansion and oxygenation, making it the priority action.
QUESTION 5:
What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient
experiencing chest pain unrelieved by rest?
A. Administer morphine
B. Provide oxygen
C. Notify the physician
D. Perform ECG
Correct Answer: B. Provide oxygen
Rationale: Administering oxygen increases tissue perfusion and
is the immediate priority in suspected cardiac events.
QUESTION 6:
Which finding indicates effective treatment for a patient with
deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Pain in the calf
B. Warmth over the affected area
, C. Decreased leg circumference
D. Positive Homans’ sign
Page | 4
Correct Answer: C. Decreased leg circumference
Rationale: Reduction in swelling shows decreased
inflammation and improved venous return, indicating effective
therapy.
QUESTION 7:
A patient with cirrhosis has a serum ammonia level of 115
mcg/dL. What symptom is expected?
A. Jaundice
B. Confusion
C. Hematemesis
D. Pruritus
Correct Answer: B. Confusion
Rationale: Elevated ammonia levels affect brain function and
may lead to hepatic encephalopathy, presenting as confusion.
QUESTION 8:
Which electrolyte imbalance is most concerning in a patient
with chronic kidney disease?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
