LEWIS MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
PRACTICE TEST 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥The nurse is caring for a client who is disoriented as the result of a
stroke. Which action does the nurse implement to help orient this client?
A) Turn on the television to a 24-hour news station.
B) Provide auditory and visual stimulation simultaneously.
C) Ask the family to bring in pictures familiar to the client.
D) Maintain a calm and quite environment by minimizing visitors.
Answer: C
For the client with disorientation, the nurse can request that the family
bring in pictures or objects that are familiar to the client. The nurse
explains what the object or picture represents in simple terms. These
stimuli can be presented several times daily. Visitors can also be familiar
stimuli to reorient the client. Too much stimuli and constant stimuli can
lead to further confusion.
⩥The nurse is caring for an anorexic client who is severely
malnourished. A nasogastric feeding tube is inserted, and tube feedings
are started. Which laboratory finding is the best indication that the
client's nutritional status is improving?
,A) Creatinine has dropped from 1.9 to 0.5 mg/dL.
B) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level has dropped from 15 to 11 mg/dL.
C) Prealbumin level has risen from 9 to 13 mg/dL.
D) Sodium has risen from 130 to 144 mg/dL..
Answer: C
The prealbumin level is a good measure of nutritional status because its
half-life is only 2 days, so it reflects current nutritional status. The
client's prealbumin level is rising and almost normal, indicating that the
client's nutritional status is improving. The other laboratory values are
more reflective of fluid balance and kidney function.
⩥When conducting a health history assessment, the nurse would want to
know what important information about the patient's elimination status?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Time of day patient defecates
B) Patient's preferences for toileting
C) List of medications taken by patient
D) Recent changes in elimination patterns
E) Changes in color, consistency, or odor of stool or urine
F) Discomfort or pain with elimination.
Answer: C,D,E,F
,Recent changes in elimination patterns, color, consistency, or odor are
important for the nurse to know concerning elimination. Discomfort or
pain during elimination is important for the nurse to know. A nurse
should also know which medications the patient is on as this may affect
elimination. Time of day is not important, nor is the patient's preferences
for toileting. They are personal preferences and do not affect
elimination.
⩥A confused client is hospitalized for possible pneumonia and is
admitted from the emergency department with an indwelling catheter in
place. During interdisciplinary rounds the following day, what question
by the nurse takes priority?
A) "Can we discontinue the in-dwelling catheter?"
B) "Will the client be able to return home?"
C) "Should we get another chest x-ray today?"
D) "Do you want daily weights on this client?".
Answer: A
An in-dwelling catheter dramatically increases the risks of urinary tract
infection and urosepsis. Nursing staff should ensure that catheters are
left in place only as long as they are medically needed. The nurse should
inquire about removing the catheter. All other questions might be
appropriate, but because of client safety, this question takes priority.
, ⩥The nurse is assessing a client who had a stroke in the right cerebral
hemisphere. Which neurologic deficit does the nurse assess for in this
client?
A) Agraphia
B) Aphasia
C) Impaired olfaction
D) Impaired proprioception.
Answer: D
A stroke to the right cerebral hemisphere causes impaired visual and
spatial awareness. The client may present with impaired proprioception
and may be disoriented as to time and place. The right cerebral
hemisphere does not control speech, smell, or the client's ability to write.
⩥A client has newly diagnosed diabetes. To delay the onset of
microvascular and macrovascular complications in this client, the nurse
stresses that the client take which action?
A) Restrict fluid intake.
B) Prevent ketosis.
C) Control hyperglycemia.
D) Prevent hypoglycemia..
Answer: C
PRACTICE TEST 2026 QUESTIONS ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥The nurse is caring for a client who is disoriented as the result of a
stroke. Which action does the nurse implement to help orient this client?
A) Turn on the television to a 24-hour news station.
B) Provide auditory and visual stimulation simultaneously.
C) Ask the family to bring in pictures familiar to the client.
D) Maintain a calm and quite environment by minimizing visitors.
Answer: C
For the client with disorientation, the nurse can request that the family
bring in pictures or objects that are familiar to the client. The nurse
explains what the object or picture represents in simple terms. These
stimuli can be presented several times daily. Visitors can also be familiar
stimuli to reorient the client. Too much stimuli and constant stimuli can
lead to further confusion.
⩥The nurse is caring for an anorexic client who is severely
malnourished. A nasogastric feeding tube is inserted, and tube feedings
are started. Which laboratory finding is the best indication that the
client's nutritional status is improving?
,A) Creatinine has dropped from 1.9 to 0.5 mg/dL.
B) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level has dropped from 15 to 11 mg/dL.
C) Prealbumin level has risen from 9 to 13 mg/dL.
D) Sodium has risen from 130 to 144 mg/dL..
Answer: C
The prealbumin level is a good measure of nutritional status because its
half-life is only 2 days, so it reflects current nutritional status. The
client's prealbumin level is rising and almost normal, indicating that the
client's nutritional status is improving. The other laboratory values are
more reflective of fluid balance and kidney function.
⩥When conducting a health history assessment, the nurse would want to
know what important information about the patient's elimination status?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Time of day patient defecates
B) Patient's preferences for toileting
C) List of medications taken by patient
D) Recent changes in elimination patterns
E) Changes in color, consistency, or odor of stool or urine
F) Discomfort or pain with elimination.
Answer: C,D,E,F
,Recent changes in elimination patterns, color, consistency, or odor are
important for the nurse to know concerning elimination. Discomfort or
pain during elimination is important for the nurse to know. A nurse
should also know which medications the patient is on as this may affect
elimination. Time of day is not important, nor is the patient's preferences
for toileting. They are personal preferences and do not affect
elimination.
⩥A confused client is hospitalized for possible pneumonia and is
admitted from the emergency department with an indwelling catheter in
place. During interdisciplinary rounds the following day, what question
by the nurse takes priority?
A) "Can we discontinue the in-dwelling catheter?"
B) "Will the client be able to return home?"
C) "Should we get another chest x-ray today?"
D) "Do you want daily weights on this client?".
Answer: A
An in-dwelling catheter dramatically increases the risks of urinary tract
infection and urosepsis. Nursing staff should ensure that catheters are
left in place only as long as they are medically needed. The nurse should
inquire about removing the catheter. All other questions might be
appropriate, but because of client safety, this question takes priority.
, ⩥The nurse is assessing a client who had a stroke in the right cerebral
hemisphere. Which neurologic deficit does the nurse assess for in this
client?
A) Agraphia
B) Aphasia
C) Impaired olfaction
D) Impaired proprioception.
Answer: D
A stroke to the right cerebral hemisphere causes impaired visual and
spatial awareness. The client may present with impaired proprioception
and may be disoriented as to time and place. The right cerebral
hemisphere does not control speech, smell, or the client's ability to write.
⩥A client has newly diagnosed diabetes. To delay the onset of
microvascular and macrovascular complications in this client, the nurse
stresses that the client take which action?
A) Restrict fluid intake.
B) Prevent ketosis.
C) Control hyperglycemia.
D) Prevent hypoglycemia..
Answer: C
