EVOLVE ELSEVIER HESI MED SURG ACTUAL EXAM WITH 150
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
WELL-ELABORATED RATIONALES/ EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL
SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025 (BRAND NEW!!)
Question 1
An adult client who is hospitalized after surgery reports sudden onset of
chest pain and dyspnea. The client appears anxious, restless, and mildly
cyanotic. The nurse should further assess the client for which condition?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Pneumonia
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pleurisy
E) Angina pectoris
Correct Answer: C) Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Sudden onset of chest pain, dyspnea, anxiety,
restlessness, and cyanosis are classic symptoms of a pulmonary
embolism, which is a life-threatening complication that can occur
post-surgery.
Question 2
Which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial
assessment of a client who presents to the emergency department with a
painful ankle injury? (Select all that apply)
A) Quality of the pain
B) Signs of inflammation
C) Ankle range of motion
D) Visible deformities of the joint
E) Client's weight history
Correct Answer: A) Quality of the pain, B) Signs of inflammation,
C) Ankle range of motion, D) Visible deformities of the joint
Rationale: When assessing an ankle injury, it's crucial to gather
details about the pain, inspect for signs of inflammation (swelling,
,redness, warmth), evaluate range of motion (though cautiously if
pain is severe), and note any visible deformities to determine the
extent and nature of the injury.
Question 3
Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of rheumatoid
arthritis?
A) Joint pain is worse with activity and improves with rest.
B) Joint pain is worse in the evening and involves asymmetric joints.
C) Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints.
D) Joint pain is localized to one joint and accompanied by redness.
E) Joint pain is relieved by NSAIDs only.
Correct Answer: C) Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves
symmetric joints
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by chronic,
symmetrical joint inflammation, often with significant morning
stiffness that improves throughout the day.
Question 4
Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a client
with long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
A) Abdominal distension
B) Increased bowel sounds
C) Hoarseness
D) Jaundice
E) Weight gain
Correct Answer: C) Hoarseness
Rationale: Long-term GERD can lead to chronic irritation of the vocal
cords and larynx due to reflux of stomach acid, resulting in
symptoms like hoarseness, chronic cough, and laryngitis.
Question 5
A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which assessment finding
, should the nurse anticipate?
A) Cold, pale extremities
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis
D) Absent peripheral pulses
E) Hair loss on the lower legs
Correct Answer: C) Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis
Rationale: Chronic venous insufficiency leads to venous hypertension,
causing fluid and blood components to leak into the interstitial
tissue, resulting in characteristic skin changes like stasis dermatitis
(reddish-brown discoloration) in the lower legs.
Question 6
A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being treated with
traction. Which action by the nurse is the priority when caring for this client?
A) Provide pain medication as ordered.
B) Assess neurovascular status.
C) Ensure proper body alignment.
D) Monitor skin integrity around pins.
E) Encourage deep breathing and coughing.
Correct Answer: B) Assess neurovascular status
Rationale: Neurovascular compromise (impaired circulation,
sensation, or movement) is a critical and potentially limb-
threatening complication of fractures and traction. Therefore,
frequent neurovascular assessment is the highest priority.
Question 7
Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates that
further education is needed?
A) I will eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
B) I will avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.
C) I will take my pancreatic enzyme supplements with meals.
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
WELL-ELABORATED RATIONALES/ EVOLVE HESI MEDICAL
SURGICAL LATEST EXAM 2025 (BRAND NEW!!)
Question 1
An adult client who is hospitalized after surgery reports sudden onset of
chest pain and dyspnea. The client appears anxious, restless, and mildly
cyanotic. The nurse should further assess the client for which condition?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Pneumonia
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pleurisy
E) Angina pectoris
Correct Answer: C) Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Sudden onset of chest pain, dyspnea, anxiety,
restlessness, and cyanosis are classic symptoms of a pulmonary
embolism, which is a life-threatening complication that can occur
post-surgery.
Question 2
Which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial
assessment of a client who presents to the emergency department with a
painful ankle injury? (Select all that apply)
A) Quality of the pain
B) Signs of inflammation
C) Ankle range of motion
D) Visible deformities of the joint
E) Client's weight history
Correct Answer: A) Quality of the pain, B) Signs of inflammation,
C) Ankle range of motion, D) Visible deformities of the joint
Rationale: When assessing an ankle injury, it's crucial to gather
details about the pain, inspect for signs of inflammation (swelling,
,redness, warmth), evaluate range of motion (though cautiously if
pain is severe), and note any visible deformities to determine the
extent and nature of the injury.
Question 3
Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of rheumatoid
arthritis?
A) Joint pain is worse with activity and improves with rest.
B) Joint pain is worse in the evening and involves asymmetric joints.
C) Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints.
D) Joint pain is localized to one joint and accompanied by redness.
E) Joint pain is relieved by NSAIDs only.
Correct Answer: C) Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves
symmetric joints
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by chronic,
symmetrical joint inflammation, often with significant morning
stiffness that improves throughout the day.
Question 4
Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a client
with long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
A) Abdominal distension
B) Increased bowel sounds
C) Hoarseness
D) Jaundice
E) Weight gain
Correct Answer: C) Hoarseness
Rationale: Long-term GERD can lead to chronic irritation of the vocal
cords and larynx due to reflux of stomach acid, resulting in
symptoms like hoarseness, chronic cough, and laryngitis.
Question 5
A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which assessment finding
, should the nurse anticipate?
A) Cold, pale extremities
B) Intermittent claudication
C) Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis
D) Absent peripheral pulses
E) Hair loss on the lower legs
Correct Answer: C) Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis
Rationale: Chronic venous insufficiency leads to venous hypertension,
causing fluid and blood components to leak into the interstitial
tissue, resulting in characteristic skin changes like stasis dermatitis
(reddish-brown discoloration) in the lower legs.
Question 6
A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being treated with
traction. Which action by the nurse is the priority when caring for this client?
A) Provide pain medication as ordered.
B) Assess neurovascular status.
C) Ensure proper body alignment.
D) Monitor skin integrity around pins.
E) Encourage deep breathing and coughing.
Correct Answer: B) Assess neurovascular status
Rationale: Neurovascular compromise (impaired circulation,
sensation, or movement) is a critical and potentially limb-
threatening complication of fractures and traction. Therefore,
frequent neurovascular assessment is the highest priority.
Question 7
Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates that
further education is needed?
A) I will eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
B) I will avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.
C) I will take my pancreatic enzyme supplements with meals.
