HESI Med-Surg Practice Questions
Med-Surg questions often test whether you can recognize important findings, identify priorities, and connect symptoms with basic nursing concepts.
Questions
1. Which finding should receive the most immediate attention?
- A. Mild fatigue
- B. New severe shortness of breath
- C. Decreased appetite
- D. Difficulty sleeping
Answer: B Rationale: Airway and breathing concerns require prompt attention.
2. Which finding may indicate impaired oxygenation?
- A. New confusion
- B. Improved appetite
- C. Warm hands
- D. Increased interest in television
Answer: A Rationale: A change in mental status can occur when oxygenation is inadequate.
3. Which position can help a patient who is experiencing breathing difficulty?
- A. Upright
- B. Flat
- C. Prone without assessment
- D. Trendelenburg
Answer: A
4. What is an important nursing responsibility when monitoring fluid balance?
- A. Ignoring intake
- B. Comparing intake and output as appropriate
- C. Recording only meals
- D. Avoiding weight measurements
Answer: B
5. Which symptom can be associated with dehydration?
- A. Increased thirst
- B. Excessive fluid retention
- C. Sudden weight gain from fluid
- D. Improved skin moisture
Answer: A
6. A patient develops sudden chest discomfort. What should the nurse do?
- A. Ignore it
- B. Assess promptly and follow the appropriate response protocol
- C. Tell the patient to sleep
- D. Wait until discharge
Answer: B
7. Why is accurate vital-sign measurement important?
- A. It provides information about the patient's current condition
- B. It replaces all assessments
- C. It guarantees diagnosis
- D. It eliminates documentation
Answer: A
8. Which finding should be reported as a potential change in condition?
- A. New confusion
- B. Stable appetite
- C. Normal sleep
- D. Familiar routine
Answer: A
9. Why are mobility assessments important for hospitalized patients?
- A. They help identify fall and functional risks
- B. They replace medication review
- C. They eliminate the need for assistance
- D. They guarantee independence
Answer: A
10. Which intervention helps reduce complications of immobility?
- A. Appropriate repositioning and mobility as ordered
- B. Keeping every patient in bed continuously
- C. Avoiding assessment
- D. Restricting all movement
Answer: A
11. Which symptom may require further cardiovascular assessment?
- A. New unexplained swelling
- B. Normal appetite
- C. Mild boredom
- D. Normal sleep
Answer: A
12. Which assessment finding is objective?
- A. "I feel weak."
- B. Blood pressure reading
- C. "I feel anxious."
- D. "I have pain."
Answer: B
13. What is a major goal of postoperative assessment?
- A. Detect complications early
- B. Prevent communication
- C. Avoid vital signs
- D. Eliminate patient questions
Answer: A
14. Which finding after a procedure requires prompt assessment?
- A. Sudden change in mental status
- B. Mild hunger
- C. Request for a pillow
- D. Desire to watch television
Answer: A
15. Why is pain assessment important?
- A. It helps evaluate the patient's condition and response to interventions
- B. Pain is never subjective
- C. It eliminates the need for documentation
- D. It always identifies the diagnosis
Answer: A
16. Which action promotes respiratory health in an appropriate patient situation?
- A. Encouraging appropriate deep breathing exercises when ordered or taught
- B. Keeping the patient completely flat
- C. Avoiding assessment
- D. Restricting communication
Answer: A
17. Which finding could suggest infection and deserves assessment?
- A. New fever
- B. Normal temperature
- C. Normal appetite
- D. Stable condition
Answer: A
18. Why should nurses compare current findings with previous findings?
- A. To identify meaningful changes
- B. To avoid assessment
- C. To remove old information
- D. To replace patient communication
Answer: A
19. Which patient should be prioritized?
- A. Patient with new difficulty breathing
- B. Patient requesting a newspaper
- C. Patient asking about lunch
- D. Patient requesting a blanket
Answer: A
20. Which factor can increase fall risk?
- A. Weakness
- B. Stable gait
- C. Appropriate footwear
- D. Clear pathways
Answer: A
21. Why should patients with mobility limitations be assessed before ambulation?
- A. To determine the safest level of assistance
- B. To delay care
- C. To avoid documentation
- D. To guarantee independence
Answer: A
22. Which symptom may be associated with electrolyte imbalance?
- A. Muscle weakness
- B. Perfectly stable condition
- C. Normal hydration
- D. Improved strength
Answer: A
23. Why is nutrition important during illness and recovery?
- A. Nutrients support body functions and recovery
- B. Nutrition has no effect on health
- C. Patients never need nutritional assessment
- D. It replaces medical treatment
Answer: A
24. What should a nurse do when a patient reports a significant new symptom?
- A. Assess the symptom and communicate appropriately
- B. Ignore it
- C. Wait several days
- D. Tell the patient it is probably nothing
Answer: A
25. What is one of the most useful skills for Med-Surg questions?
- A. Recognizing changes in condition and prioritizing safety
- B. Memorizing room numbers
- C. Ignoring vital signs
- D. Choosing the longest answer automatically
Answer: A
Quick Review
When practicing Med-Surg questions, ask:
- What changed?
- Is there an immediate safety concern?
- Does the patient have an airway, breathing, circulation, or neurological concern?
- What assessment should happen first?
- What information needs to be reported?
