HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM 2025 SPRING-
SUMMER VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE GRADED A+ NEWEST
A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT
for a patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning
this diagnostic test?
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation.
C) Right hip replacement.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that metal-containing items
are strongly attracted to the magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a lead
shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood pressure, an allergy to
shell fish, and a history of atrial fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
An ER nurse is completing an assessment on a patient that is alert but struggles to
answer questions. When she attempts to talk, she slurs her speech and appears very
frightened. What additional clinical manifestation does the nurse expect to find if
nacy's sysmptoms have been caused by a brain attack (stroke)?
,HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
A. A carotid bruit
B. A hypotensive blood pressure
C. hyperreflexic deep tendon relexes.
D. Decreased bowel sounds
A) A carotid bruit.
Rationale: the carotid artery (artery to the brain) is narrowed in clients with a brain
attack. A bruit is an abnormal sound heard on auscultation resulting from
interference with normal blood flow. Usually the blood pressure is hypertensive.
Initially flaccid paralysis occurs, resulting in hyporefkexic deep tendon reflexes.
Bowel sounds are not indicative of a brain attack.
Which clinical manifestation further supports an assessment of a left-sided brain
attack?
A) Visual field deficit on the left side.
B) Spatial-perceptual deficits.
C) Paresthesia of the left side.
D) Global aphasia.
D) Global aphasia.
D) Global aphasia.
Rationale: Global aphasia refers to difficulty speaking, listening, and
understanding, as well as difficulty reading and writing. Symptoms vary from
,HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
person to person. Aphasia may occur secondary to any brain injury involving the
left hemisphere. Visual field deficits, spatial-perceptual deficits, and paresthsia of
the left side usually occur with right-sided brain attack.
When preparing a patient for a noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan
STAT, what nursing intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has any allergies to iodine
B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT
scan.
C) Premedicate the client to decrease pain prior to having the procedure.
D) Provide an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure.
B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT
scan.
Rationale: Because head motion will distort the images, Nancy will have to remain
still throughout the procedure. Allergies to iodine is important if contrast dye is
being used for the CT scan. Premedicating the client to decrease pain prior to the
procedure is unnecessary because CT scanning is a noninvasive and painless
procedure. Providing an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure
is a worthwhile intervention to decrease anxiety but is not of highest priority.
, HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently transferred
to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states "I don't understand what a brain attack is.
The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition and they are
going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What happened to my
mother?" What is the best response by the nurse?
A) "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting
Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information."
B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
C) "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?"
D) "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your mother's
serious condition."
B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
Rationale: The nurse can discuss what a diagnosis means. Nancy is unable to make
decisions, so the next of kin, her daughter, Gail, needs sufficient information to
make informed decisions. The nurse has the knowledge, and the responsibility, to
explain Nancy's condition to Gail. The nurse should give facts first, and then
address her feelings after the information is provided.
What is the normal range for cardiac output?
The normal range for cardiac output to ensure cerebral blood flow and oxygen
delivery is 4 to 8 L/min.
HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM 2025 SPRING-
SUMMER VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE GRADED A+ NEWEST
A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT
for a patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning
this diagnostic test?
A) Elevated blood pressure.
B) Allergy to shell fish.
C) Right hip replacement.
D) History of atrial fibrillation.
C) Right hip replacement.
The magnetic field generated by the MRI is so strong that metal-containing items
are strongly attracted to the magnet. Because the hip joint is made of metal, a lead
shield must be used during the procedure. Elevated blood pressure, an allergy to
shell fish, and a history of atrial fibrillation would not affect the MRI.
An ER nurse is completing an assessment on a patient that is alert but struggles to
answer questions. When she attempts to talk, she slurs her speech and appears very
frightened. What additional clinical manifestation does the nurse expect to find if
nacy's sysmptoms have been caused by a brain attack (stroke)?
,HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
A. A carotid bruit
B. A hypotensive blood pressure
C. hyperreflexic deep tendon relexes.
D. Decreased bowel sounds
A) A carotid bruit.
Rationale: the carotid artery (artery to the brain) is narrowed in clients with a brain
attack. A bruit is an abnormal sound heard on auscultation resulting from
interference with normal blood flow. Usually the blood pressure is hypertensive.
Initially flaccid paralysis occurs, resulting in hyporefkexic deep tendon reflexes.
Bowel sounds are not indicative of a brain attack.
Which clinical manifestation further supports an assessment of a left-sided brain
attack?
A) Visual field deficit on the left side.
B) Spatial-perceptual deficits.
C) Paresthesia of the left side.
D) Global aphasia.
D) Global aphasia.
D) Global aphasia.
Rationale: Global aphasia refers to difficulty speaking, listening, and
understanding, as well as difficulty reading and writing. Symptoms vary from
,HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
person to person. Aphasia may occur secondary to any brain injury involving the
left hemisphere. Visual field deficits, spatial-perceptual deficits, and paresthsia of
the left side usually occur with right-sided brain attack.
When preparing a patient for a noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan
STAT, what nursing intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has any allergies to iodine
B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT
scan.
C) Premedicate the client to decrease pain prior to having the procedure.
D) Provide an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure.
B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT
scan.
Rationale: Because head motion will distort the images, Nancy will have to remain
still throughout the procedure. Allergies to iodine is important if contrast dye is
being used for the CT scan. Premedicating the client to decrease pain prior to the
procedure is unnecessary because CT scanning is a noninvasive and painless
procedure. Providing an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure
is a worthwhile intervention to decrease anxiety but is not of highest priority.
, HESI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM
A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently transferred
to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states "I don't understand what a brain attack is.
The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition and they are
going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What happened to my
mother?" What is the best response by the nurse?
A) "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting
Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information."
B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
C) "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?"
D) "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your mother's
serious condition."
B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been
blocked."
Rationale: The nurse can discuss what a diagnosis means. Nancy is unable to make
decisions, so the next of kin, her daughter, Gail, needs sufficient information to
make informed decisions. The nurse has the knowledge, and the responsibility, to
explain Nancy's condition to Gail. The nurse should give facts first, and then
address her feelings after the information is provided.
What is the normal range for cardiac output?
The normal range for cardiac output to ensure cerebral blood flow and oxygen
delivery is 4 to 8 L/min.
