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Red HESI Test bank Med-Surg (2025) EXAM 2025 PRACTICE GRADED A+ QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2025-2026 VERIFIED
The nurse on a medical-surgical unit is receiving a client from the
postanesthesia care unit (PACU) with a Penrose drain. Before choosing a
room for this client, which information is most important for the nurse to
obtain?
A. If suctioning will be needed for drainage of the wound
B. If the family would prefer a private or semiprivate room
C. If the client also has a Hemovac in place
D. If the client's wound is infected
D. If the client's wound is infected
The fact that the client has a Penrose drain should alert the nurse to the possibility
that the surgical wound is infected. Penrose drains provide a sinus tract or opening
and are often used to provide drainage of an abscess. To avoid contamination of
another postoperative client, it is most important to place any client with an infected
wound in a private room. A Penrose drain does not require option A. Although option
B is helpful information, it does not have the priority of option D. A Hemovac is used
to drain fluid from a dead space and is not a determinant for the room assignment.
The nurse is assessing a client who presents with jaundice. Which
assessment finding is most important for the nurse to follow up?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.03
B. Frothy, tea-colored urine
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C. Clay-colored stools
D. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels
D. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels
Rationale:
Obstructive cholelithiasis and alcoholism are the two major causes of pancreatitis,
and elevated serum amylase and lipase levels indicate pancreatic injury. Option A is
a normal finding. Options B and C are expected findings related to jaundice.
A client with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation develops
ventricular ectopy with a pattern of 8 ectopic beats/min. Which action should
the nurse take based on this observation?
A. Assess for bilateral jugular vein distention.
B. Increase oxygen flow via nasal cannula.
C. Administer PRN furosemide (Lasix).
D.Auscultate for a pleural friction rub.
B. Increase oxygen flow via nasal cannula.
Rationale:
This client should have the oxygen flow immediately increased to promote
oxygenation of the myocardium. Ventricular ectopy, characterized by multiple PVCs,
is often caused by myocardial ischemia exacerbated by hypokalemia. The nurse
would expect the client in congestive heart failure to have some degree of option A,
which does not exacerbate the ectopy. Option C could create a more severe
hypokalemia, which could increase the ectopy. The client is not exhibiting signs of
option D.
The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a group of healthy adults. Which
individual is most likely to maintain optimum health?
A. A teacher whose blood glucose levels average 126 mg/dL daily with oral
antidiabetic drugs
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B.An accountant whose blood pressure averages 140/96 mm Hg and who
says he does not have time to exercise
C. A stock broker whose total serum cholesterol level dropped to 290 mg/dL
with diet modifications
D. A recovering IV heroin user who contracted hepatitis more than 10 years
ago
A. A teacher whose blood glucose levels average 126 mg/dL daily with oral
antidiabetic drugs
Rationale:
The diabetic teacher has assumed responsibility for self-care, so among those listed,
he or she is the most likely to maintain optimum health. Option B has expressed a
lack of interest in health promotion. Option C continues to demonstrate a high-risk
cholesterol level despite a reported attempt at dietary modifications. Previous IV drug
use and a history of hepatitis make this individual a health risk despite the fact that
the individual is in recovery.
Based on the clinical manifestations of Cushing syndrome, which nursing
intervention would be appropriate for a client who is newly diagnosed with
Cushing syndrome?
A. Monitor blood glucose levels daily.
B. Increase intake of fluids high in potassium.
C. Encourage adequate rest between activities.
D. Offer the client a sodium-enriched menu.
A. Monitor Blood Glucose Levels
Cushing syndrome results from a hypersecretion of glucocorticoids in the adrenal
cortex. Clients with Cushing syndrome often develop diabetes mellitus. Monitoring of
serum glucose levels assesses for increased blood glucose levels so that treatment
can begin early. A common finding in Cushing syndrome is generalized edema.
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Although potassium is needed, it is generally obtained from food intake, not by
offering potassium-enhanced fluids. Fatigue is usually not an overwhelming factor in
Cushing syndrome, so an emphasis on the need for rest is not indicated A low-
calorie, low-carbohydrate, low-sodium diet is not recommended.
The nurse is assessing a male client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding
requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. The client's amylase level is three times higher than the normal level.
B.While the nurse is taking the client's blood pressure, he has a carpal
spasm.
C.On a 1 to 10 scale, the client tells the nurse that his epigastric pain is at 7.
D.The client states that he will continue to drink alcohol after going home.
B.While the nurse is taking the client's blood pressure, he has a carpal spasm.
Rationale:
A positive Trousseau sign indicates hypocalcemia and always requires further
assessment and intervention, regardless of the cause (40% to 75% of those with
acute pancreatitis experience hypocalcemia, which can have serious, systemic
effects). A key diagnostic finding of pancreatitis is serum amylase and lipase levels
that are two to five times higher than the normal value. Severe boring pain is an
expected symptom for this diagnosis, but dealing with the hypocalcemia is a priority
over administering an analgesic. Long-term planning and teaching do not have the
same immediate importance as a positive Trousseau sign.
The nurse is completing an admission interview for a client with Parkinson
disease. Which question will provide additional information about
manifestations that the client is likely to experience?
A. "Have you ever experienced any paralysis of your arms or legs?"
B. "Do you have frequent blackout spells?"
Red HESI Test bank Med-Surg (2025) EXAM 2025 PRACTICE GRADED A+ QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS 2025-2026 VERIFIED
The nurse on a medical-surgical unit is receiving a client from the
postanesthesia care unit (PACU) with a Penrose drain. Before choosing a
room for this client, which information is most important for the nurse to
obtain?
A. If suctioning will be needed for drainage of the wound
B. If the family would prefer a private or semiprivate room
C. If the client also has a Hemovac in place
D. If the client's wound is infected
D. If the client's wound is infected
The fact that the client has a Penrose drain should alert the nurse to the possibility
that the surgical wound is infected. Penrose drains provide a sinus tract or opening
and are often used to provide drainage of an abscess. To avoid contamination of
another postoperative client, it is most important to place any client with an infected
wound in a private room. A Penrose drain does not require option A. Although option
B is helpful information, it does not have the priority of option D. A Hemovac is used
to drain fluid from a dead space and is not a determinant for the room assignment.
The nurse is assessing a client who presents with jaundice. Which
assessment finding is most important for the nurse to follow up?
A. Urine specific gravity of 1.03
B. Frothy, tea-colored urine
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C. Clay-colored stools
D. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels
D. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels
Rationale:
Obstructive cholelithiasis and alcoholism are the two major causes of pancreatitis,
and elevated serum amylase and lipase levels indicate pancreatic injury. Option A is
a normal finding. Options B and C are expected findings related to jaundice.
A client with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation develops
ventricular ectopy with a pattern of 8 ectopic beats/min. Which action should
the nurse take based on this observation?
A. Assess for bilateral jugular vein distention.
B. Increase oxygen flow via nasal cannula.
C. Administer PRN furosemide (Lasix).
D.Auscultate for a pleural friction rub.
B. Increase oxygen flow via nasal cannula.
Rationale:
This client should have the oxygen flow immediately increased to promote
oxygenation of the myocardium. Ventricular ectopy, characterized by multiple PVCs,
is often caused by myocardial ischemia exacerbated by hypokalemia. The nurse
would expect the client in congestive heart failure to have some degree of option A,
which does not exacerbate the ectopy. Option C could create a more severe
hypokalemia, which could increase the ectopy. The client is not exhibiting signs of
option D.
The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a group of healthy adults. Which
individual is most likely to maintain optimum health?
A. A teacher whose blood glucose levels average 126 mg/dL daily with oral
antidiabetic drugs
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B.An accountant whose blood pressure averages 140/96 mm Hg and who
says he does not have time to exercise
C. A stock broker whose total serum cholesterol level dropped to 290 mg/dL
with diet modifications
D. A recovering IV heroin user who contracted hepatitis more than 10 years
ago
A. A teacher whose blood glucose levels average 126 mg/dL daily with oral
antidiabetic drugs
Rationale:
The diabetic teacher has assumed responsibility for self-care, so among those listed,
he or she is the most likely to maintain optimum health. Option B has expressed a
lack of interest in health promotion. Option C continues to demonstrate a high-risk
cholesterol level despite a reported attempt at dietary modifications. Previous IV drug
use and a history of hepatitis make this individual a health risk despite the fact that
the individual is in recovery.
Based on the clinical manifestations of Cushing syndrome, which nursing
intervention would be appropriate for a client who is newly diagnosed with
Cushing syndrome?
A. Monitor blood glucose levels daily.
B. Increase intake of fluids high in potassium.
C. Encourage adequate rest between activities.
D. Offer the client a sodium-enriched menu.
A. Monitor Blood Glucose Levels
Cushing syndrome results from a hypersecretion of glucocorticoids in the adrenal
cortex. Clients with Cushing syndrome often develop diabetes mellitus. Monitoring of
serum glucose levels assesses for increased blood glucose levels so that treatment
can begin early. A common finding in Cushing syndrome is generalized edema.
, Page 4 of 58
Although potassium is needed, it is generally obtained from food intake, not by
offering potassium-enhanced fluids. Fatigue is usually not an overwhelming factor in
Cushing syndrome, so an emphasis on the need for rest is not indicated A low-
calorie, low-carbohydrate, low-sodium diet is not recommended.
The nurse is assessing a male client with acute pancreatitis. Which finding
requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. The client's amylase level is three times higher than the normal level.
B.While the nurse is taking the client's blood pressure, he has a carpal
spasm.
C.On a 1 to 10 scale, the client tells the nurse that his epigastric pain is at 7.
D.The client states that he will continue to drink alcohol after going home.
B.While the nurse is taking the client's blood pressure, he has a carpal spasm.
Rationale:
A positive Trousseau sign indicates hypocalcemia and always requires further
assessment and intervention, regardless of the cause (40% to 75% of those with
acute pancreatitis experience hypocalcemia, which can have serious, systemic
effects). A key diagnostic finding of pancreatitis is serum amylase and lipase levels
that are two to five times higher than the normal value. Severe boring pain is an
expected symptom for this diagnosis, but dealing with the hypocalcemia is a priority
over administering an analgesic. Long-term planning and teaching do not have the
same immediate importance as a positive Trousseau sign.
The nurse is completing an admission interview for a client with Parkinson
disease. Which question will provide additional information about
manifestations that the client is likely to experience?
A. "Have you ever experienced any paralysis of your arms or legs?"
B. "Do you have frequent blackout spells?"
