MEDSURG-HESI COMPLETE EXAM LATEST VERSION
2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When
making a home visit, which nursing function is of greatest importance to this client? Assess the client's
A) pulse rate, both apically and radially.
B) blood pressure, both standing and sitting.
C) temperature.
D) skin color and turgor. - answer>>C) temperature.
Rationale: It is very important to check the client's temperature (C). Infection is the most common factor
precipitating respiratory distress. Clients with COPD who are on maintenance doses of corticosteroids are
particularly predisposed to infection. (A and B) are important data for baseline and ongoing assessment, but they
are not as important as temperature measurement for this client who is taking steroids. Assessment of skin color
and turgor is less important (D).
The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing the risk for toxic shock
syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A) Remove the diaphragm immediately after intercourse.
B) Wash the diaphragm with an alcohol solution.
C) Use the diaphragm to prevent conception during the menstrual cycle.
D) Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse.
E) Contact a healthcare provider a sudden onset of fever grater than 101º F appears.
F) Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months. - answer>>Correct selections are (D and E).
Rationale: The diaphragm needs to remain against the cervix for 6 to 8 hours to prevent pregnancy but should not
remain for longer than 8 hours (D) to avoid the risk of TSS. If a sudden fever occurs, the client should notify the
healthcare provider (E). (A) increases the risk of pregnancy, and (B) can reduce the integrity of the barrier
contraceptive but neither prevents the risk of TSS. The diaphragm should not be used during menses (C) because it
,obstructs the menstrual flow and is not indicated because conception does not occur during this time. (F) is not
necessary.
A middle-aged male client with diabetes continues to eat an abundance of foods that are high in sugar and fat.
According to the Health Belief Model, which event is most likely to increase the client's willingness to become
compliant with the prescribed diet?
A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected foot.
B) He is provided with the most current information about the dangers of untreated diabetes.
C) He comments on the community service announcements about preventing complications associated with
diabetes.
D) His wife expresses a sincere willingness to prepare meals that are within his prescribed diet. - answer>>A) He
visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected foot.
Rationale: The loss of a limb by a family member (A) will be the strongest event or "cue to action" and is most
likely to increase the perceived seriousness of the disease. (B, C, and D) may influence his behavior but do not
have the personal impact of (A).
A female client taking oral contraceptives reports to the nurse that she is experiencing calf pain. What action
should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has also experienced breast tenderness and weight gain.
B) Encourage the client to begin a regular, daily program of walking and exercise.
C) Advise the client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical attention.
D) Tell the client to stop taking the medication for a week to see if symptoms subside. - answer>>C) Advise the
client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical attention.
Rationale: Calf pain is indicative of thrombophlebitis, a serious, life-threatening complication associated with the
use of oral contraceptives which requires further assessment and possibly immediate medical intervention (C). (A)
are symptoms of oral contraceptive use, but are of less immediacy than (C). (B) may cause an embolism if
thrombophlebitis is present. By not seeking immediate attention, (D) is potentially dangerous to the client.
A female client requests information about using the calendar method of contraception. Which assessment is most
important for the nurse to obtain?
,A) Amount of weight gain or weight loss during the previous year.
B) An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.
C) Skin pigmentation and hair texture for evidence of hormonal changes.
D) Previous birth-control methods and beliefs about the calendar method. - answer>>B) An accurate menstrual
cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.
Rationale: The fertile period, which occurs 2 weeks prior to the onset of menses, is determined using an accurate
record of the number of days of the menstrual cycles for the past 6 months, so it is most important to emphasize
to the client that accuracy and compliancy of a menstrual diary (B) is the basis of the calendar method. (A and C)
may be partially related to hormonal fluctuations but are not indicators for using the calendar method. (D) may
demonstrate client understanding and compliancy but is not the most important aspect.
The nurse knows that lab values sometimes vary for the older client. Which data should the nurse expect to find
when reviewing laboratory values of an 80-year-old male?
A) Increased WBC, decreased RBC.
B) Increased serum bilirubin, slightly increased liver enzymes.
C) Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum glucose levels.
D) Decreased serum sodium, an increased urine specific gravity. - answer>>C) Increased protein in the urine,
slightly increased serum glucose levels.
Rationale: In older adults, the protein found in urine slightly rises probably as a result of kidney changes or
subclinical urinary tract infections. The serum glucose increases slightly due to changes in the kidney. The specific
gravity declines by age 80 from 1.032 to 1.024.
Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer to the healthcare provider?
A) Breasts feel lumpy when palpated.
B) History of white nipple discharge.
C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding.
D) Excessive diaphoresis occurs at night. - answer>>C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding.
, Rationale: Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding (C) may be an indication of endometrial cancer, which should be
reported to the healthcare provider. Compared to a new-onset of a single lump, breasts that feel lumpy (A) overall
may be a normal variant or a finding consistent with nonmalignant fibrocystic disease. Up to 80% of women
experience (B), depending on sexual stimulation or hormonal levels, and is no longer recommended as a
reportable symptom when discovered during breast self-exam (BSE). The client may need further teaching
concerning (D), a disturbing symptom, but it is not as important as (C).
The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. What action should the nurse do first?
A) Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside.
B) Encourage deep breathing prior to standing.
C) Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed.
D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position. - answer>>D) Allow the client to sit with the bed
in a high Fowler's position.
Rationale: The first step is to raise the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position (D), which allow venous return to
compensate from lying flat and vasodilating effects of perioperative drugs. (A, B, and C) are implemented after (D).
The nurse is receiving report from surgery about a client with a penrose drain who is to be admitted to the
postoperative unit. 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 semi-private room.
C) If the client also has a Hemovac® in place.
D) If the client's wound is infected. - answer>>D) If the client's wound is infected.
Rationale: Penrose drains provide a sinus tract or opening and are often used to provide drainage of an abscess.
The fact that the client has a penrose drain should alert the nurse to the possibility that the client is infected. To
avoid contamination of another postoperative client, it is most important to place an infected client in a private
room (D). A penrose drain does not require (A). Although (B) is information that should be considered, it does not
have the priority of (D). (C) is used to drain fluid from a dead space and is not important in choosing a room.
2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When
making a home visit, which nursing function is of greatest importance to this client? Assess the client's
A) pulse rate, both apically and radially.
B) blood pressure, both standing and sitting.
C) temperature.
D) skin color and turgor. - answer>>C) temperature.
Rationale: It is very important to check the client's temperature (C). Infection is the most common factor
precipitating respiratory distress. Clients with COPD who are on maintenance doses of corticosteroids are
particularly predisposed to infection. (A and B) are important data for baseline and ongoing assessment, but they
are not as important as temperature measurement for this client who is taking steroids. Assessment of skin color
and turgor is less important (D).
The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing the risk for toxic shock
syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A) Remove the diaphragm immediately after intercourse.
B) Wash the diaphragm with an alcohol solution.
C) Use the diaphragm to prevent conception during the menstrual cycle.
D) Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse.
E) Contact a healthcare provider a sudden onset of fever grater than 101º F appears.
F) Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months. - answer>>Correct selections are (D and E).
Rationale: The diaphragm needs to remain against the cervix for 6 to 8 hours to prevent pregnancy but should not
remain for longer than 8 hours (D) to avoid the risk of TSS. If a sudden fever occurs, the client should notify the
healthcare provider (E). (A) increases the risk of pregnancy, and (B) can reduce the integrity of the barrier
contraceptive but neither prevents the risk of TSS. The diaphragm should not be used during menses (C) because it
,obstructs the menstrual flow and is not indicated because conception does not occur during this time. (F) is not
necessary.
A middle-aged male client with diabetes continues to eat an abundance of foods that are high in sugar and fat.
According to the Health Belief Model, which event is most likely to increase the client's willingness to become
compliant with the prescribed diet?
A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected foot.
B) He is provided with the most current information about the dangers of untreated diabetes.
C) He comments on the community service announcements about preventing complications associated with
diabetes.
D) His wife expresses a sincere willingness to prepare meals that are within his prescribed diet. - answer>>A) He
visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected foot.
Rationale: The loss of a limb by a family member (A) will be the strongest event or "cue to action" and is most
likely to increase the perceived seriousness of the disease. (B, C, and D) may influence his behavior but do not
have the personal impact of (A).
A female client taking oral contraceptives reports to the nurse that she is experiencing calf pain. What action
should the nurse implement?
A) Determine if the client has also experienced breast tenderness and weight gain.
B) Encourage the client to begin a regular, daily program of walking and exercise.
C) Advise the client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical attention.
D) Tell the client to stop taking the medication for a week to see if symptoms subside. - answer>>C) Advise the
client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical attention.
Rationale: Calf pain is indicative of thrombophlebitis, a serious, life-threatening complication associated with the
use of oral contraceptives which requires further assessment and possibly immediate medical intervention (C). (A)
are symptoms of oral contraceptive use, but are of less immediacy than (C). (B) may cause an embolism if
thrombophlebitis is present. By not seeking immediate attention, (D) is potentially dangerous to the client.
A female client requests information about using the calendar method of contraception. Which assessment is most
important for the nurse to obtain?
,A) Amount of weight gain or weight loss during the previous year.
B) An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.
C) Skin pigmentation and hair texture for evidence of hormonal changes.
D) Previous birth-control methods and beliefs about the calendar method. - answer>>B) An accurate menstrual
cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.
Rationale: The fertile period, which occurs 2 weeks prior to the onset of menses, is determined using an accurate
record of the number of days of the menstrual cycles for the past 6 months, so it is most important to emphasize
to the client that accuracy and compliancy of a menstrual diary (B) is the basis of the calendar method. (A and C)
may be partially related to hormonal fluctuations but are not indicators for using the calendar method. (D) may
demonstrate client understanding and compliancy but is not the most important aspect.
The nurse knows that lab values sometimes vary for the older client. Which data should the nurse expect to find
when reviewing laboratory values of an 80-year-old male?
A) Increased WBC, decreased RBC.
B) Increased serum bilirubin, slightly increased liver enzymes.
C) Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum glucose levels.
D) Decreased serum sodium, an increased urine specific gravity. - answer>>C) Increased protein in the urine,
slightly increased serum glucose levels.
Rationale: In older adults, the protein found in urine slightly rises probably as a result of kidney changes or
subclinical urinary tract infections. The serum glucose increases slightly due to changes in the kidney. The specific
gravity declines by age 80 from 1.032 to 1.024.
Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer to the healthcare provider?
A) Breasts feel lumpy when palpated.
B) History of white nipple discharge.
C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding.
D) Excessive diaphoresis occurs at night. - answer>>C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding.
, Rationale: Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding (C) may be an indication of endometrial cancer, which should be
reported to the healthcare provider. Compared to a new-onset of a single lump, breasts that feel lumpy (A) overall
may be a normal variant or a finding consistent with nonmalignant fibrocystic disease. Up to 80% of women
experience (B), depending on sexual stimulation or hormonal levels, and is no longer recommended as a
reportable symptom when discovered during breast self-exam (BSE). The client may need further teaching
concerning (D), a disturbing symptom, but it is not as important as (C).
The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. What action should the nurse do first?
A) Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside.
B) Encourage deep breathing prior to standing.
C) Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed.
D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position. - answer>>D) Allow the client to sit with the bed
in a high Fowler's position.
Rationale: The first step is to raise the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position (D), which allow venous return to
compensate from lying flat and vasodilating effects of perioperative drugs. (A, B, and C) are implemented after (D).
The nurse is receiving report from surgery about a client with a penrose drain who is to be admitted to the
postoperative unit. 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 semi-private room.
C) If the client also has a Hemovac® in place.
D) If the client's wound is infected. - answer>>D) If the client's wound is infected.
Rationale: Penrose drains provide a sinus tract or opening and are often used to provide drainage of an abscess.
The fact that the client has a penrose drain should alert the nurse to the possibility that the client is infected. To
avoid contamination of another postoperative client, it is most important to place an infected client in a private
room (D). A penrose drain does not require (A). Although (B) is information that should be considered, it does not
have the priority of (D). (C) is used to drain fluid from a dead space and is not important in choosing a room.
