HESI Med-Surg Practice Questions: 25 Questions to Review
Med-Surg exams require more than memorization. Students are often expected to identify important assessment findings, recognize changes in patient condition, prioritize care, and choose safe nursing interventions. Here are 25 original practice questions.
1. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
- A. Patient requesting a snack
- B. Patient with new difficulty breathing
- C. Patient asking about discharge
- D. Patient requesting a blanket
- Answer: B
- Rationale: A new respiratory problem may represent an urgent change in condition.
2. Which assessment finding requires prompt attention?
- A. New confusion
- B. Stable appetite
- C. Patient reading
- D. Patient requesting water
- Answer: A
3. Which finding may indicate impaired oxygenation?
- A. Cyanosis
- B. Warm hands
- C. Normal speech
- D. Good appetite
- Answer: A
4. What is the purpose of monitoring vital signs?
- A. To identify changes in the patient's condition
- B. To replace assessment
- C. To determine patient preference
- D. To eliminate documentation
- Answer: A
5. Which symptom is commonly associated with respiratory difficulty?
- A. Shortness of breath
- B. Improved vision
- C. Increased appetite
- D. Clear handwriting
- Answer: A
6. A patient reports sudden chest discomfort. What should the nurse do?
- A. Ignore the complaint
- B. Assess the patient promptly
- C. Tell the patient to sleep
- D. Delay reporting it until discharge
- Answer: B
7. Which intervention can help reduce the risk of complications from immobility?
- A. Appropriate mobility and repositioning
- B. Complete bed rest for every patient
- C. Avoiding assessment
- D. Restricting fluids for every patient
- Answer: A
8. What does edema refer to?
- A. Accumulation of excess fluid in tissues
- B. Low body temperature
- C. Loss of vision
- D. Increased appetite
- Answer: A
9. Which finding may suggest infection?
- A. Fever
- B. Normal temperature
- C. Improved appetite
- D. Normal activity
- Answer: A
10. Which nursing action is important for a patient at risk for falls?
- A. Keep the environment safe
- B. Remove the call light
- C. Keep the room dark
- D. Encourage walking without assistance
- Answer: A
11. Which symptom should be taken seriously in a patient with a cardiovascular condition?
- A. New chest pain
- B. Asking for water
- C. Reading
- D. Mild boredom
- Answer: A
12. What is the purpose of monitoring intake and output?
- A. To help evaluate fluid balance
- B. To measure intelligence
- C. To determine patient satisfaction
- D. To replace vital signs
- Answer: A
13. Which finding may indicate dehydration?
- A. Dry mucous membranes
- B. Increased skin moisture
- C. Improved appetite
- D. Clear speech
- Answer: A
14. What should a nurse do when a patient's condition suddenly deteriorates?
- A. Reassess the patient and follow emergency/clinical procedures
- B. Wait until the next shift
- C. Ignore the change
- D. Delete the previous assessment
- Answer: A
15. Why is pain assessment important?
- A. Pain is an important part of evaluating patient status and response to care
- B. Pain should always be ignored
- C. Pain is never documented
- D. Pain automatically means medication is required
- Answer: A
16. Which patient statement requires additional assessment?
- A. “I suddenly feel like I can't breathe.”
- B. “I want to watch television.”
- C. “I would like some water.”
- D. “I am ready for lunch.”
- Answer: A
17. What is an important component of discharge teaching?
- A. Ensuring the patient understands relevant instructions
- B. Giving instructions without explanation
- C. Avoiding questions
- D. Assuming the patient understands everything
- Answer: A
18. Which action helps prevent infection?
- A. Appropriate hand hygiene
- B. Reusing contaminated equipment
- C. Skipping assessment
- D. Sharing personal equipment
- Answer: A
19. What is the purpose of patient repositioning?
- A. Promote comfort and help reduce complications associated with immobility
- B. Increase patient confusion
- C. Eliminate assessment
- D. Replace nutrition
- Answer: A
20. Which finding should be documented?
- A. Relevant assessment findings
- B. Personal opinions about the patient
- C. Insults about the patient
- D. Unverified assumptions
- Answer: A
21. Which nursing action demonstrates prioritization?
- A. Addressing an unstable patient before a stable patient
- B. Completing paperwork before addressing an emergency
- C. Ignoring changes in condition
- D. Treating every concern as identical
- Answer: A
22. Why should nurses compare current findings with previous assessments?
- A. To identify changes in condition
- B. To eliminate documentation
- C. To avoid talking to patients
- D. To increase paperwork
- Answer: A
23. Which finding can be associated with impaired circulation?
- A. Cool extremity
- B. Normal skin color
- C. Strong normal pulse
- D. Warm skin
- Answer: A
24. Which action promotes patient safety during hospitalization?
- A. Communicating important changes to the appropriate healthcare team
- B. Keeping changes secret
- C. Avoiding documentation
- D. Guessing treatment plans
- Answer: A
25. What is a major goal of Med-Surg nursing care?
- A. Safe, coordinated care based on patient needs
- B. Completing tasks without assessment
- C. Avoiding patient education
- D. Treating every patient identically
- Answer: A
