1
MED SURG TEST BANK HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026
A 43-year-old homeless, malnourished female client with a history of alcoholism is
transferred to the ICU. She is placed on telemetry, and the rhythm strip shown is
obtained. The nurse palpates a heart rate of 160 beats/min, and the client's blood
pressure is 90/54 mm Hg. Based on these findings, which IV medication should
the nurse administer?
,2
A. Amiodarone (Cordarone)
B. Magnesium sulfate
C. Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
D. Procainamide (Pronestyl)
B.Magnesium sulfate
Rationale:
Because the client has chronic alcoholism, she is likely to have
hypomagnesemia. Option B is the recommended drug for torsades de pointes,
which is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) usually associated
with a prolonged QT interval that occurs with hypomagnesemia. Options A and
D increase the QT interval, which can cause the torsades to worsen. Option C is
the antiarrhythmic of choice in most cases of drug-induced monomorphic VT,
not torsades.
The nurse notes that the client's drainage has decreased from 50 to 5 mL/hr 12
hours after chest tube insertion for hemothorax. What is the best initial action for
the nurse to take?
A. Document this expected decrease in drainage.
B. Clamp the chest tube while assessing for air leaks. C. Milk the tube to remove
any excessive blood clot buildup.
D. Assess for kinks or dependent loops in the tubing.
D.Assess for kinks or dependent loops in the tubing.
,3
Rationale:
The least invasive nursing action should be performed first to determine why
the drainage has diminished. Option A is completed after assessing for any
problems causing the decrease in drainage. Option B is no longer considered
standard protocol because the increase in pressure may be harmful to the
client. Option C is an appropriate nursing action after the tube has been
assessed for kinks or dependent loops.
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 Rationale:
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. 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
, 4
is not indicated A low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, lowsodium 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.
MED SURG TEST BANK HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026
A 43-year-old homeless, malnourished female client with a history of alcoholism is
transferred to the ICU. She is placed on telemetry, and the rhythm strip shown is
obtained. The nurse palpates a heart rate of 160 beats/min, and the client's blood
pressure is 90/54 mm Hg. Based on these findings, which IV medication should
the nurse administer?
,2
A. Amiodarone (Cordarone)
B. Magnesium sulfate
C. Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
D. Procainamide (Pronestyl)
B.Magnesium sulfate
Rationale:
Because the client has chronic alcoholism, she is likely to have
hypomagnesemia. Option B is the recommended drug for torsades de pointes,
which is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) usually associated
with a prolonged QT interval that occurs with hypomagnesemia. Options A and
D increase the QT interval, which can cause the torsades to worsen. Option C is
the antiarrhythmic of choice in most cases of drug-induced monomorphic VT,
not torsades.
The nurse notes that the client's drainage has decreased from 50 to 5 mL/hr 12
hours after chest tube insertion for hemothorax. What is the best initial action for
the nurse to take?
A. Document this expected decrease in drainage.
B. Clamp the chest tube while assessing for air leaks. C. Milk the tube to remove
any excessive blood clot buildup.
D. Assess for kinks or dependent loops in the tubing.
D.Assess for kinks or dependent loops in the tubing.
,3
Rationale:
The least invasive nursing action should be performed first to determine why
the drainage has diminished. Option A is completed after assessing for any
problems causing the decrease in drainage. Option B is no longer considered
standard protocol because the increase in pressure may be harmful to the
client. Option C is an appropriate nursing action after the tube has been
assessed for kinks or dependent loops.
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 Rationale:
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. 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
, 4
is not indicated A low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, lowsodium 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.
