HESI PN MED-SURG EXAM 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS ASSURED SUCCESS A+ SCORE SOLUTION
A client diagnosed with epilepsy is admitted to the unit. What
intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement if the
client experiences a seizure?
A. Observe the length and activity of the seizure.
B. Insert an oral airway.
C. Gently restrain the client to prevent harm.
D. Call the code team.
A. Observe the length and activity of the seizure.
Rationale:
The PN should observe the client as they have their seizure.
The length of time and movement by the client needs to be
observed and then documented once the client is stable. The
client should be placed on their side to help prevent aspiration.
A client diagnosed with a brain tumor is receiving radiation
beam treatments to the right frontal area. The practical nurse
(PN) should observe this client for which problem during the
early post-therapy days?
A. Hemiplegia
B. Headache
,C. Hearing loss
D. Dysphagia
B. Headache
Rationale:
Radiotherapy is a local treatment, and most side effects are
site-specific, such as inflammation of surrounding brain
tissue, swelling, headache, and fatigue.
The practical nurse (PN) is assigned a client diagnosed with a
hemothorax who had a chest tube inserted 36 hours ago; upon
entering the room, the PN observes the client resting
comfortably in the semi-Fowler position; respirations appear
even and unlabored; the water in the suction chamber is
bubbling; and there is serous drainage noted in the collection
chamber. What is the best initial action for the PN to take?
A. Measure and document in the drainage in the chamber.
B. Clamp the chest tube while assessing for air leaks.
C. "Milk" the tube to remove any excessive blood clot buildup.
D. Decrease the bubbling in the suction chamber.
D. Decrease the bubbling in the suction chamber.
Rationale:
Follow the ABC's (airway, breathing, and circulation) to
determine that the airway and breathing are stable, and the
,next step is to evaluate the extent of the bleeding. It is not
necessary to change the amount of bubbling in the suction
chamber.
The nurse has reinforced teaching regarding postoperative
care for a client who has had a prostatectomy. Which
statements indicate the need for further instructions? (Select
all that apply.)
A. "If I feel the need to void while the catheter is still in, I
should try to void around the catheter."
B. "I should drink about 12 glasses of water a day, once the
indwelling catheter is removed."
C. "I should only have intercourse twice weekly once I return
home after surgery."
D. "I should report bright red blood and large clots in my urine
to my surgeon."
E. "I can expect to have urine that is lightly tinged with blood
when I get home."
A. "If I feel the need to void while the catheter is still in, I
should try to void around the catheter."
C. "I should only have intercourse twice weekly once I return
home after surgery."
Rationale:
, After prostatectomy, the client should not try to void around
the catheter. It is common to feel pressure inside the bladder
while the irrigating catheter is still in the bladder. The client
should not have intercourse immediately after surgery. The
client should drink 12 to 14 glasses of fluid once the catheter is
removed. Urine that is lightly blood tinged is common; bright
red blood in the urine should be reported to the surgeon.
A client is walking in the hallway and begins experiencing an
acute angina attack. Which is the first action for the nurse to
take?
A. Administer a nitroglycerine tablet sublingually.
B. Notify the local emergency medical services. (EMS).
C. Assist the client to walk back to the client's room.
D. Ask the client if this attack occurred at the same time as
yesterday's.
A. Administer a nitroglycerine tablet sublingually.
Rationale:
The first action is to administer nitroglycerine sublingually, in
order to dilate the coronary arteries so that more oxygenated
blood can be provided to the myocardium. It is not necessary
to notify EMS unless the angina pain is unrelieved by three
nitroglycerine tablets. The client should rest immediately, not
walk back to the room. It is not a priority to determine whether
or not the attack occurred at the same time as yesterday's.
ANSWERS ASSURED SUCCESS A+ SCORE SOLUTION
A client diagnosed with epilepsy is admitted to the unit. What
intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement if the
client experiences a seizure?
A. Observe the length and activity of the seizure.
B. Insert an oral airway.
C. Gently restrain the client to prevent harm.
D. Call the code team.
A. Observe the length and activity of the seizure.
Rationale:
The PN should observe the client as they have their seizure.
The length of time and movement by the client needs to be
observed and then documented once the client is stable. The
client should be placed on their side to help prevent aspiration.
A client diagnosed with a brain tumor is receiving radiation
beam treatments to the right frontal area. The practical nurse
(PN) should observe this client for which problem during the
early post-therapy days?
A. Hemiplegia
B. Headache
,C. Hearing loss
D. Dysphagia
B. Headache
Rationale:
Radiotherapy is a local treatment, and most side effects are
site-specific, such as inflammation of surrounding brain
tissue, swelling, headache, and fatigue.
The practical nurse (PN) is assigned a client diagnosed with a
hemothorax who had a chest tube inserted 36 hours ago; upon
entering the room, the PN observes the client resting
comfortably in the semi-Fowler position; respirations appear
even and unlabored; the water in the suction chamber is
bubbling; and there is serous drainage noted in the collection
chamber. What is the best initial action for the PN to take?
A. Measure and document in the drainage in the chamber.
B. Clamp the chest tube while assessing for air leaks.
C. "Milk" the tube to remove any excessive blood clot buildup.
D. Decrease the bubbling in the suction chamber.
D. Decrease the bubbling in the suction chamber.
Rationale:
Follow the ABC's (airway, breathing, and circulation) to
determine that the airway and breathing are stable, and the
,next step is to evaluate the extent of the bleeding. It is not
necessary to change the amount of bubbling in the suction
chamber.
The nurse has reinforced teaching regarding postoperative
care for a client who has had a prostatectomy. Which
statements indicate the need for further instructions? (Select
all that apply.)
A. "If I feel the need to void while the catheter is still in, I
should try to void around the catheter."
B. "I should drink about 12 glasses of water a day, once the
indwelling catheter is removed."
C. "I should only have intercourse twice weekly once I return
home after surgery."
D. "I should report bright red blood and large clots in my urine
to my surgeon."
E. "I can expect to have urine that is lightly tinged with blood
when I get home."
A. "If I feel the need to void while the catheter is still in, I
should try to void around the catheter."
C. "I should only have intercourse twice weekly once I return
home after surgery."
Rationale:
, After prostatectomy, the client should not try to void around
the catheter. It is common to feel pressure inside the bladder
while the irrigating catheter is still in the bladder. The client
should not have intercourse immediately after surgery. The
client should drink 12 to 14 glasses of fluid once the catheter is
removed. Urine that is lightly blood tinged is common; bright
red blood in the urine should be reported to the surgeon.
A client is walking in the hallway and begins experiencing an
acute angina attack. Which is the first action for the nurse to
take?
A. Administer a nitroglycerine tablet sublingually.
B. Notify the local emergency medical services. (EMS).
C. Assist the client to walk back to the client's room.
D. Ask the client if this attack occurred at the same time as
yesterday's.
A. Administer a nitroglycerine tablet sublingually.
Rationale:
The first action is to administer nitroglycerine sublingually, in
order to dilate the coronary arteries so that more oxygenated
blood can be provided to the myocardium. It is not necessary
to notify EMS unless the angina pain is unrelieved by three
nitroglycerine tablets. The client should rest immediately, not
walk back to the room. It is not a priority to determine whether
or not the attack occurred at the same time as yesterday's.
