Medsurg HESI Questions with Detailed Verified
Answers
A 73 year old patient with end stage cancer is in the hospital for pain control and
rates pain at a "12" on the numeric rating scale of 0 to 10. What is the appropriate
method of pain control for this patient?
A. Alternate acetaminophen & ibuprofen
B. Only give PO medications on a scheduled basis
C. Alternate IV & IM medications
D. Wait for patient to request medication each time Ans: Alternate IV & IM
medications
What physical assessment findings would a nurse expect to find in a client with COPD?
Ans: Dyspnea
Barrel chest
Tripod position
Pursed-lip breathing
What is the priority nursing intervention in helping a patient expectorate thick lung
secretions?
A. Humidify the oxygen as able
,B. Administer cough suppressant Q24HR
C. Teach patient to splint the affected area
D. Increase fluid intake to 3L/Day if tolerated Ans: Increase fluid intake to 3L/day if
tolerated
Risk factors for hypertension Ans: Obesity
Smoking
Diabetes
Cholesterol
Stress
What interventions do you plan to include w/ a pt who has renal calculi? Ans:
Decrease calcium (milk, cheese, tofood)
Want them to get up and ambulate to get those stones down
Increase water/fluid intake
Strain urine
What are dietary considerations for renal calculi? Ans: Increase water/fluid intake
Decrease calcium
Limit coffee, tea, & cola
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,A patient is admitted to the ER with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Which nursing
assessment warrants immediate intervention?
A. Muscle spasms
B. Severe constipation
C. Weak cough
D. Slow urine stream Ans: C. Weak cough
Indicators of nephrotic syndrome Ans: massive protein in urine
hypoalbunemia (low protein in the blood)
hyperlipidemia
edema (anasarca; in ankles in feet)
Weight gain
make sure to do daily weights
monitor edema in lower legs and in abdomen (ascites occurs commonly w/ nephrotic
syndrome)
A patient is admitted to the ER with expressive aphasia. To further assess the patient,
the nurse should include which of the following techniques:
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
, A. Speak slower to communicate
B. Speak louder to communicate
C. Use picture charts to communicate
D. Type on computer screen to communicate Ans: C. Use picture charts to
communicate (they can point out what they are trying to say)
condition of progressive deterioration of motor nerve cells resulting in total loss of
voluntary muscle control; symptoms advance from muscle weakness in the arms and
legs, to the muscles of speech, swallowing, and breathing, to total paralysis and death;
also known as Lou Gehrig disease Ans: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
slurred speech or inability to speak; they're unable to get out what they want to say
Ans: expressive aphasia
Cataract extraction surgery education Ans: No heavy lifting or bending over at the
waste (nothing that will increase IOP )
Wear bandage or shield to protect the eye
Eyes will feel like scratchy sand-like feeling in their eyes
Need to have someone to drive for them
1st 24 hrs after surgery, they just need to relax (they can watch TV & read; nothing
that will cause pressure)
Don't want patient rubbing or pressing on their eye
Shouldn't drink alcohol for at least 24 hours
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
Answers
A 73 year old patient with end stage cancer is in the hospital for pain control and
rates pain at a "12" on the numeric rating scale of 0 to 10. What is the appropriate
method of pain control for this patient?
A. Alternate acetaminophen & ibuprofen
B. Only give PO medications on a scheduled basis
C. Alternate IV & IM medications
D. Wait for patient to request medication each time Ans: Alternate IV & IM
medications
What physical assessment findings would a nurse expect to find in a client with COPD?
Ans: Dyspnea
Barrel chest
Tripod position
Pursed-lip breathing
What is the priority nursing intervention in helping a patient expectorate thick lung
secretions?
A. Humidify the oxygen as able
,B. Administer cough suppressant Q24HR
C. Teach patient to splint the affected area
D. Increase fluid intake to 3L/Day if tolerated Ans: Increase fluid intake to 3L/day if
tolerated
Risk factors for hypertension Ans: Obesity
Smoking
Diabetes
Cholesterol
Stress
What interventions do you plan to include w/ a pt who has renal calculi? Ans:
Decrease calcium (milk, cheese, tofood)
Want them to get up and ambulate to get those stones down
Increase water/fluid intake
Strain urine
What are dietary considerations for renal calculi? Ans: Increase water/fluid intake
Decrease calcium
Limit coffee, tea, & cola
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
,A patient is admitted to the ER with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Which nursing
assessment warrants immediate intervention?
A. Muscle spasms
B. Severe constipation
C. Weak cough
D. Slow urine stream Ans: C. Weak cough
Indicators of nephrotic syndrome Ans: massive protein in urine
hypoalbunemia (low protein in the blood)
hyperlipidemia
edema (anasarca; in ankles in feet)
Weight gain
make sure to do daily weights
monitor edema in lower legs and in abdomen (ascites occurs commonly w/ nephrotic
syndrome)
A patient is admitted to the ER with expressive aphasia. To further assess the patient,
the nurse should include which of the following techniques:
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
, A. Speak slower to communicate
B. Speak louder to communicate
C. Use picture charts to communicate
D. Type on computer screen to communicate Ans: C. Use picture charts to
communicate (they can point out what they are trying to say)
condition of progressive deterioration of motor nerve cells resulting in total loss of
voluntary muscle control; symptoms advance from muscle weakness in the arms and
legs, to the muscles of speech, swallowing, and breathing, to total paralysis and death;
also known as Lou Gehrig disease Ans: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
slurred speech or inability to speak; they're unable to get out what they want to say
Ans: expressive aphasia
Cataract extraction surgery education Ans: No heavy lifting or bending over at the
waste (nothing that will increase IOP )
Wear bandage or shield to protect the eye
Eyes will feel like scratchy sand-like feeling in their eyes
Need to have someone to drive for them
1st 24 hrs after surgery, they just need to relax (they can watch TV & read; nothing
that will cause pressure)
Don't want patient rubbing or pressing on their eye
Shouldn't drink alcohol for at least 24 hours
© Get it right 2025 Getaway - Stuvia US All rights reserved
