BSN HESI 266 Medical-Surgical Nursing
Exam 2025–2026 | Questions with
Rationales Latest Updated Version
| High-Yield Med-Surg Questions with
solutions
What intervention should the nurse implement for an older adult
client with COPD experiencing shortness of breath?
Answer: Assist client to an upright position
What action should the nurse take to reduce fall risk in a client with
multiple sclerosis?
Answer Provide frequent rest periods
What procedure should the nurse prepare for a client with absent
breath sounds on the left side after a motor vehicle collision?
Answer Chest tube insertion
,What is the most important instruction for a client discharged after a
TURP with an indwelling urinary catheter?
Answer Drink 3 liters of water each day
What is the most important action for a nurse caring for a client with
severe dehydration and malnutrition?
Answer Maintain a patent intravenous site
What action should the nurse take for a client experiencing burning on
urination after recent sexual intercourse?
Answer Obtain a specimen of urethral drainage for culture
What diagnostic procedure should the nurse prepare a client for with
a tentative diagnosis of bacterial meningitis?
Answer Lumbar puncture
Which assessments should be completed to determine long-term
complications in a client with type 2 diabetes?
Answer Sensation in feet and legs, skin condition of lower extremities,
visual acuity, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
,What mechanism contributes to edema and ascites in a client with
cirrhosis?
Answer Hypoalbuminemia that results in decreased colloidal oncotic
pressure
What is a common compensatory mechanism in cirrhosis related to
sodium and water retention?
Answer Activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
What intervention should the nurse implement for a client with
expressive aphasia?
Answer Encourage the client's use of picture charts
Which client has the highest risk for developing skin cancer?
Answer A 65 year old fair skinned client who works as a construction
worker
What intervention should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a
client with pruritis?
Answer Answer Instruct the client to keep fingernails trimmed short
, What should the nurse do first if a post-operative client has a BP drop
from 136/80 to 114/72?
Answer Check the abdominal surgical dressing
What dietary instruction should be included for a client with acute
glomerulonephritis?
Answer Restrict sodium intake
What assessment should the nurse implement for a client reporting
abdominal pressure and nausea two days after nephrectomy?
Answer Auscultate bowel sounds
What intervention should be included in discharge instructions for a
client after lithotripsy?
Answer Monitor urinary stream for decrease in output
What action should the nurse take first if a client feels like their
insides spilled out after abdominal surgery?
Answer Visualize the abdominal incision
What should the nurse describe to a client with Crohn's disease
regarding dietary restrictions?
Exam 2025–2026 | Questions with
Rationales Latest Updated Version
| High-Yield Med-Surg Questions with
solutions
What intervention should the nurse implement for an older adult
client with COPD experiencing shortness of breath?
Answer: Assist client to an upright position
What action should the nurse take to reduce fall risk in a client with
multiple sclerosis?
Answer Provide frequent rest periods
What procedure should the nurse prepare for a client with absent
breath sounds on the left side after a motor vehicle collision?
Answer Chest tube insertion
,What is the most important instruction for a client discharged after a
TURP with an indwelling urinary catheter?
Answer Drink 3 liters of water each day
What is the most important action for a nurse caring for a client with
severe dehydration and malnutrition?
Answer Maintain a patent intravenous site
What action should the nurse take for a client experiencing burning on
urination after recent sexual intercourse?
Answer Obtain a specimen of urethral drainage for culture
What diagnostic procedure should the nurse prepare a client for with
a tentative diagnosis of bacterial meningitis?
Answer Lumbar puncture
Which assessments should be completed to determine long-term
complications in a client with type 2 diabetes?
Answer Sensation in feet and legs, skin condition of lower extremities,
visual acuity, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
,What mechanism contributes to edema and ascites in a client with
cirrhosis?
Answer Hypoalbuminemia that results in decreased colloidal oncotic
pressure
What is a common compensatory mechanism in cirrhosis related to
sodium and water retention?
Answer Activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
What intervention should the nurse implement for a client with
expressive aphasia?
Answer Encourage the client's use of picture charts
Which client has the highest risk for developing skin cancer?
Answer A 65 year old fair skinned client who works as a construction
worker
What intervention should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a
client with pruritis?
Answer Answer Instruct the client to keep fingernails trimmed short
, What should the nurse do first if a post-operative client has a BP drop
from 136/80 to 114/72?
Answer Check the abdominal surgical dressing
What dietary instruction should be included for a client with acute
glomerulonephritis?
Answer Restrict sodium intake
What assessment should the nurse implement for a client reporting
abdominal pressure and nausea two days after nephrectomy?
Answer Auscultate bowel sounds
What intervention should be included in discharge instructions for a
client after lithotripsy?
Answer Monitor urinary stream for decrease in output
What action should the nurse take first if a client feels like their
insides spilled out after abdominal surgery?
Answer Visualize the abdominal incision
What should the nurse describe to a client with Crohn's disease
regarding dietary restrictions?
