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Medical-surgical practice exam Questions And Rationale
Comprehensive 2026 Questions Exam Latest Version
Solved Questions & Answers Verified 100 %
A male client with diabetes mellitus calls the clinic to report left calf pain after
walking around the block. Which additional information should the PN report
to the healthcare provider?
Muscle cramps occur at night when sleeping.
Muscles are deconditioned from lack of regular exercise.
Shooting pain occurs down the back of one leg when walking.
The pain is immediately relieved when he sits down.
The pain is immediately relieved when he sits down.
Rationale
Atherosclerosis secondary to diabetes mellitus increases the client's risk for
peripheral arterial disease, which is manifested by pain precipitated by walking. The
pain is immediately relieved when the clients sits down to rest(intermittent
claudication) (D) and should be reported. (A, B, and C) occur from different
problems.
The practical nurse (PN) is reviewing preoperative instructions with a male
client who is having surgery today. What question should the PN ask the client
to best evaluate his understanding of the surgery?
Do you understand why you are having surgery?
Have you undergone this type of surgery in the past?
What do you know about the surgery you are having?
What symptoms brought you to the hospital for surgery?
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What do you know about the surgery you are having?
Rationale
Although it is the surgeon's responsibility to explain the surgery to the client, it is a
nursing responsibility to determine whether the client understands what he has been
told about his surgery. Asking open-ended questions is an important step in eliciting
what the client understands (C). (A and B) are closed end questions and will elicit
one word responses. (D) asks the client to explain the admission related to his need
for surgery, but not his understanding about the procedure.
Which finding is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to explore further
for a client who had a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral
oophorectomy yesterday?
Right calf is 24 cm and the left calf is 21 cm.
No bowel sounds or gurgles auscultated in the abdomen.
No urine output 3 hours after the catheter is removed.
Dried blood 3 cm in size noted on the abdominal dressing.
Right calf is 24 cm and the left calf is 21 cm.
Rationale
A client with major abdominal surgery is at risk for the complication of deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) due to immobility, dehydration, and manipulation of
major vessels. Unilateral leg swelling (A) is a classic sign of a DVT. Not having
bowel sounds one day postoperatively (B) after a major abdominal surgery is
an expected finding. (C) is not unexpected 3 hours after removal of a urinary
catheter, and the PN should encourage the client to void 6 to 8 hours after the
removal of a catheter before taking more aggressive actions. A small amount
of dried blood is an expected finding (D).
Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a partial
thyroidectomy requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)?
Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a partial
thyroidectomy requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)?
High pitched expiratory sound.
Throat pain rated "9."
Voice is hoarse.
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Capillary refill is 4 seconds.
High pitched expiratory sound.
Rationale
Stridor indicates airway obstruction, which is a postoperative complication
after thyroidectomy (A). (B, C, and D) should be addressed after preparing for
interventions related to airway obstruction.
The practical nurse (PN) is evaluating the self-care of a client who is
recovering at home after a laryngectomy. Which finding indicates to the PN
that the client needs additional information?
A cool mist humidifier is at the bedside.
The salt water solution is dated 3 days ago.
A Medic Alert bracelet is on the client's wrist.
The client's stoma is covered with a crocheted scarf.
The salt water solution is dated 3 days ago.
Rationale
Salt water solution (B) should be changed daily to prevent bacterial growth. (A,
C, and D) are within accepted parameters for care.
Which information should the practical nurse (PN) offer a female client who is
at risk for recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI)? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply
Use vinegar solution douche regularly.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting jeans.
Limit caffeine and alcohol.
Void before and after intercourse.
Wipe the perineum from front to back.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting jeans.
Limit caffeine and alcohol.
Void before and after intercourse.
Wipe the perineum from front to back.
Rationale
Correct selections are (B, C, D, and E). Voiding before and after intercourse
(D), avoiding caffeine and alcohol (C), and not wearing tight jeans (B), as well
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as wiping the perineal area from front to back (E), reduce UTI risk. Frequent
douching (A) does not reduce a client's risk for frequent UTIs.
The practical nurse is caring for a client who is admitted with signs of possible
acute brain attack (stroke) three hours ago. The client's blood pressure is
170/96, regular radial pulse 76 beats/minute, respirations are nonlabored at 11
breaths/minute, and a SpO2 of 99%. What action is most important for the PN
to implement?
Call healthcare provider for antihypertensive.
Assess the client for Brudzinski's sign.
Continue to monitor client's blood pressure.
Monitor client's IV fluid intake and urine output.
Continue to monitor client's blood pressure.
Rationale
The goals for management of a client with a suspected stroke is continuous
monitor of blood pressure (C) and neurological deterioration to determine
eligibility for reperfusion therapy. Antihypertensives are indicated if the
systolic is 180- 230 or diastolic is 105-140, so (A) is not indicated at this time.
(B) is most likely associated with meningeal irritation related to meningitis.
Although (D) is a basic component of client care, the priority is monitoring the
client's blood pressure.
A client with cholelithiasis is admitted with jaundice due to obstruction of the
common bile duct. Which finding is most important for the practical nurse to
report to the healthcare provider?
Pain radiating to the right shoulder.
Clay-colored stool.
Hard, rigid abdomen.
Vomiting bile-stained emesis.
Hard, rigid abdomen.
Rationale
As bile accumulates due to obstruction of the common bile duct, the
gallbladder distends and can perforate, which is manifested by a distended,
hard, rigid abdomen (C) that should be reported immediately to the healthcare
Medical-surgical practice exam Questions And Rationale
Comprehensive 2026 Questions Exam Latest Version
Solved Questions & Answers Verified 100 %
A male client with diabetes mellitus calls the clinic to report left calf pain after
walking around the block. Which additional information should the PN report
to the healthcare provider?
Muscle cramps occur at night when sleeping.
Muscles are deconditioned from lack of regular exercise.
Shooting pain occurs down the back of one leg when walking.
The pain is immediately relieved when he sits down.
The pain is immediately relieved when he sits down.
Rationale
Atherosclerosis secondary to diabetes mellitus increases the client's risk for
peripheral arterial disease, which is manifested by pain precipitated by walking. The
pain is immediately relieved when the clients sits down to rest(intermittent
claudication) (D) and should be reported. (A, B, and C) occur from different
problems.
The practical nurse (PN) is reviewing preoperative instructions with a male
client who is having surgery today. What question should the PN ask the client
to best evaluate his understanding of the surgery?
Do you understand why you are having surgery?
Have you undergone this type of surgery in the past?
What do you know about the surgery you are having?
What symptoms brought you to the hospital for surgery?
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What do you know about the surgery you are having?
Rationale
Although it is the surgeon's responsibility to explain the surgery to the client, it is a
nursing responsibility to determine whether the client understands what he has been
told about his surgery. Asking open-ended questions is an important step in eliciting
what the client understands (C). (A and B) are closed end questions and will elicit
one word responses. (D) asks the client to explain the admission related to his need
for surgery, but not his understanding about the procedure.
Which finding is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to explore further
for a client who had a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral
oophorectomy yesterday?
Right calf is 24 cm and the left calf is 21 cm.
No bowel sounds or gurgles auscultated in the abdomen.
No urine output 3 hours after the catheter is removed.
Dried blood 3 cm in size noted on the abdominal dressing.
Right calf is 24 cm and the left calf is 21 cm.
Rationale
A client with major abdominal surgery is at risk for the complication of deep
vein thrombosis (DVT) due to immobility, dehydration, and manipulation of
major vessels. Unilateral leg swelling (A) is a classic sign of a DVT. Not having
bowel sounds one day postoperatively (B) after a major abdominal surgery is
an expected finding. (C) is not unexpected 3 hours after removal of a urinary
catheter, and the PN should encourage the client to void 6 to 8 hours after the
removal of a catheter before taking more aggressive actions. A small amount
of dried blood is an expected finding (D).
Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a partial
thyroidectomy requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)?
Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a partial
thyroidectomy requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)?
High pitched expiratory sound.
Throat pain rated "9."
Voice is hoarse.
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Capillary refill is 4 seconds.
High pitched expiratory sound.
Rationale
Stridor indicates airway obstruction, which is a postoperative complication
after thyroidectomy (A). (B, C, and D) should be addressed after preparing for
interventions related to airway obstruction.
The practical nurse (PN) is evaluating the self-care of a client who is
recovering at home after a laryngectomy. Which finding indicates to the PN
that the client needs additional information?
A cool mist humidifier is at the bedside.
The salt water solution is dated 3 days ago.
A Medic Alert bracelet is on the client's wrist.
The client's stoma is covered with a crocheted scarf.
The salt water solution is dated 3 days ago.
Rationale
Salt water solution (B) should be changed daily to prevent bacterial growth. (A,
C, and D) are within accepted parameters for care.
Which information should the practical nurse (PN) offer a female client who is
at risk for recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI)? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply
Use vinegar solution douche regularly.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting jeans.
Limit caffeine and alcohol.
Void before and after intercourse.
Wipe the perineum from front to back.
Avoid wearing tight-fitting jeans.
Limit caffeine and alcohol.
Void before and after intercourse.
Wipe the perineum from front to back.
Rationale
Correct selections are (B, C, D, and E). Voiding before and after intercourse
(D), avoiding caffeine and alcohol (C), and not wearing tight jeans (B), as well
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as wiping the perineal area from front to back (E), reduce UTI risk. Frequent
douching (A) does not reduce a client's risk for frequent UTIs.
The practical nurse is caring for a client who is admitted with signs of possible
acute brain attack (stroke) three hours ago. The client's blood pressure is
170/96, regular radial pulse 76 beats/minute, respirations are nonlabored at 11
breaths/minute, and a SpO2 of 99%. What action is most important for the PN
to implement?
Call healthcare provider for antihypertensive.
Assess the client for Brudzinski's sign.
Continue to monitor client's blood pressure.
Monitor client's IV fluid intake and urine output.
Continue to monitor client's blood pressure.
Rationale
The goals for management of a client with a suspected stroke is continuous
monitor of blood pressure (C) and neurological deterioration to determine
eligibility for reperfusion therapy. Antihypertensives are indicated if the
systolic is 180- 230 or diastolic is 105-140, so (A) is not indicated at this time.
(B) is most likely associated with meningeal irritation related to meningitis.
Although (D) is a basic component of client care, the priority is monitoring the
client's blood pressure.
A client with cholelithiasis is admitted with jaundice due to obstruction of the
common bile duct. Which finding is most important for the practical nurse to
report to the healthcare provider?
Pain radiating to the right shoulder.
Clay-colored stool.
Hard, rigid abdomen.
Vomiting bile-stained emesis.
Hard, rigid abdomen.
Rationale
As bile accumulates due to obstruction of the common bile duct, the
gallbladder distends and can perforate, which is manifested by a distended,
hard, rigid abdomen (C) that should be reported immediately to the healthcare
