HESI MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM – QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS |
PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Cardiovascular Alterations
Respiratory Function and Gas Exchange
Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Disorders
Neurological System Integrity
Renal and Urinary Function
Endocrine Regulation
Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Care
Perioperative Nursing Care
Oncology and Palliative Care
The HESI Medical-Surgical Exam is a comprehensive
assessment designed to evaluate the clinical competence
and critical thinking skills of nursing students. This exam
focuses on the adult patient population experiencing complex
,health alterations. It assesses the ability to prioritize care,
manage acute and chronic conditions, and apply evidence-
based interventions. The assessment utilizes multiple-choice
and scenario-based questions to mirror real-world clinical
challenges. Students must demonstrate proficiency in
pharmacological integration, pathophysiology, and patient
education. The exam emphasizes clinical decision-making
and the application of the nursing process to ensure safe,
high-quality patient outcomes in diverse healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal
cannula. The nurse notes the patient's oxygen
saturation is 89% and the patient is slightly short of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min.
B. Assist the patient to a high-Fowler's position.
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D. Perform a rapid physical assessment of the lungs.
,🟢 B. Assist the patient to a high-Fowler's position.
🔴 Explanation: Elevating the head of the bed to a high-
Fowler's position allows for maximum chest expansion and
improves gas exchange, which is the most immediate non-
invasive intervention for dyspnea.
2. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most
closely for a patient receiving a heparin infusion for
deep vein thrombosis?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
🟢 C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
🔴 Explanation: aPTT is the standard laboratory test used to
monitor the effectiveness and safety of unfractionated
heparin therapy.
3. A patient is 24 hours postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which finding requires immediate
intervention by the nurse?
, A. Pain level of 5 on a scale of 1–10.
B. Redness and warmth in the calf area.
C. Serosanguinous drainage on the dressing.
D. Use of an incentive spirometer every 2 hours.
🟢 B. Redness and warmth in the calf area.
🔴 Explanation: Redness and warmth in the calf are classic
signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious postoperative
complication that requires immediate medical evaluation to
prevent pulmonary embolism.
4. A patient with Type 1 diabetes mellitus is found
unconscious and clammy. The nurse suspects
hypoglycemia. After checking the blood glucose level,
which medication should the nurse be prepared to
administer if the patient cannot swallow?
A. Regular insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Glyburide
D. Metformin
🟢 B. Glucagon
ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS |
PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
Cardiovascular Alterations
Respiratory Function and Gas Exchange
Gastrointestinal and Metabolic Disorders
Neurological System Integrity
Renal and Urinary Function
Endocrine Regulation
Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Care
Perioperative Nursing Care
Oncology and Palliative Care
The HESI Medical-Surgical Exam is a comprehensive
assessment designed to evaluate the clinical competence
and critical thinking skills of nursing students. This exam
focuses on the adult patient population experiencing complex
,health alterations. It assesses the ability to prioritize care,
manage acute and chronic conditions, and apply evidence-
based interventions. The assessment utilizes multiple-choice
and scenario-based questions to mirror real-world clinical
challenges. Students must demonstrate proficiency in
pharmacological integration, pathophysiology, and patient
education. The exam emphasizes clinical decision-making
and the application of the nursing process to ensure safe,
high-quality patient outcomes in diverse healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal
cannula. The nurse notes the patient's oxygen
saturation is 89% and the patient is slightly short of
breath. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min.
B. Assist the patient to a high-Fowler's position.
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D. Perform a rapid physical assessment of the lungs.
,🟢 B. Assist the patient to a high-Fowler's position.
🔴 Explanation: Elevating the head of the bed to a high-
Fowler's position allows for maximum chest expansion and
improves gas exchange, which is the most immediate non-
invasive intervention for dyspnea.
2. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most
closely for a patient receiving a heparin infusion for
deep vein thrombosis?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
🟢 C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
🔴 Explanation: aPTT is the standard laboratory test used to
monitor the effectiveness and safety of unfractionated
heparin therapy.
3. A patient is 24 hours postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which finding requires immediate
intervention by the nurse?
, A. Pain level of 5 on a scale of 1–10.
B. Redness and warmth in the calf area.
C. Serosanguinous drainage on the dressing.
D. Use of an incentive spirometer every 2 hours.
🟢 B. Redness and warmth in the calf area.
🔴 Explanation: Redness and warmth in the calf are classic
signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious postoperative
complication that requires immediate medical evaluation to
prevent pulmonary embolism.
4. A patient with Type 1 diabetes mellitus is found
unconscious and clammy. The nurse suspects
hypoglycemia. After checking the blood glucose level,
which medication should the nurse be prepared to
administer if the patient cannot swallow?
A. Regular insulin
B. Glucagon
C. Glyburide
D. Metformin
🟢 B. Glucagon
