Med Surg HESI Practice Questions and well elaborated answers
The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. What action should
the nurse do first?
A) Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside.
B) Encourage deep breathing prior to standing.
C) Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed.
D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position. - correct answer-D) Allow
the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position.
The first step is to raise the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position (D), which allow
venous return to compensate from lying flat and vasodilating effects of perioperative
drugs. (A, B, and C) are implemented after (D).
A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of symptoms, including
paresthesias, diplopia, and nystagmus. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A) Stay out of direct sunlight.
B) Restrict intake of high protein foods.
C) Schedule extra rest periods.
D) Go to the emergency room immediately. - correct answer-C) Schedule extra rest
periods.
Exacerbations of the symptoms of MS occur most commonly as the result of fatigue and
stress. Extra rest periods should be scheduled (C) to reduce the symptoms. (A, B, and D)
are not necessary.
During a health fair, a 72-year-old male client tells the nurse that he is experiencing
shortness of breath. Auscultation reveals crackles and wheezing in both lungs. Suspecting
that the client might have chronic bronchitis, which classic symptom should the nurse
expect this client to have?
A) Racing pulse with exertion.
B) Clubbing of the fingers.
C) An increased chest diameter.
, D) Productive cough with grayish-white sputum. - correct answer-D) Productive cough with
grayish-white sputum.
Chronic bronchitis, one of the diseases comprising the diagnosis of COPD, is
characterized by a productive cough with grayish-white sputum (D), which usually occurs
in the morning and is often ignored by smokers. (A) is not related to chronic bronchitis;
however, it is indicative of other problems such as ventricular tachycardia and should be
explored. (B and C) are symptoms of emphysema and are not consistent with the other
symptoms. (C) is usually referred to as a "barrel chest."
The nurse is assessing a client who smokes cigarettes and has been diagnosed with
emphysema. Which finding should the nurse expect this client to exhibit?
A) A decreased total lung capacity.
B) Normal arterial blood gases.
C) Normal skin coloring.
D) An absence of sputum. - correct answer-C) Normal skin coloring.
The differentiation between the "pink puffer" and the "blue bloater" is a well-known method
of differentiating clients exhibiting symptoms of emphysema (normal color but puffing
respirations) from those exhibiting symptoms of chronic bronchitis (edematous, cyanotic,
shallow respirations) (C). Total lung capacity is increased in emphysema since these
clients have hyperinflated lungs (A). Arterial blood gases are typically abnormal (B). (D) is
indicative of bronchitis, while clients with emphysema usually have copious amounts of
thick, white sputum.
A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). When making a home visit, which nursing function is of greatest
importance to this client? Assess the client's
A) pulse rate, both apically and radially.
B) blood pressure, both standing and sitting.
C) temperature.
D) skin color and turgor. - correct answer-C) temperature.
The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. What action should
the nurse do first?
A) Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside.
B) Encourage deep breathing prior to standing.
C) Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed.
D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position. - correct answer-D) Allow
the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position.
The first step is to raise the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position (D), which allow
venous return to compensate from lying flat and vasodilating effects of perioperative
drugs. (A, B, and C) are implemented after (D).
A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of symptoms, including
paresthesias, diplopia, and nystagmus. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A) Stay out of direct sunlight.
B) Restrict intake of high protein foods.
C) Schedule extra rest periods.
D) Go to the emergency room immediately. - correct answer-C) Schedule extra rest
periods.
Exacerbations of the symptoms of MS occur most commonly as the result of fatigue and
stress. Extra rest periods should be scheduled (C) to reduce the symptoms. (A, B, and D)
are not necessary.
During a health fair, a 72-year-old male client tells the nurse that he is experiencing
shortness of breath. Auscultation reveals crackles and wheezing in both lungs. Suspecting
that the client might have chronic bronchitis, which classic symptom should the nurse
expect this client to have?
A) Racing pulse with exertion.
B) Clubbing of the fingers.
C) An increased chest diameter.
, D) Productive cough with grayish-white sputum. - correct answer-D) Productive cough with
grayish-white sputum.
Chronic bronchitis, one of the diseases comprising the diagnosis of COPD, is
characterized by a productive cough with grayish-white sputum (D), which usually occurs
in the morning and is often ignored by smokers. (A) is not related to chronic bronchitis;
however, it is indicative of other problems such as ventricular tachycardia and should be
explored. (B and C) are symptoms of emphysema and are not consistent with the other
symptoms. (C) is usually referred to as a "barrel chest."
The nurse is assessing a client who smokes cigarettes and has been diagnosed with
emphysema. Which finding should the nurse expect this client to exhibit?
A) A decreased total lung capacity.
B) Normal arterial blood gases.
C) Normal skin coloring.
D) An absence of sputum. - correct answer-C) Normal skin coloring.
The differentiation between the "pink puffer" and the "blue bloater" is a well-known method
of differentiating clients exhibiting symptoms of emphysema (normal color but puffing
respirations) from those exhibiting symptoms of chronic bronchitis (edematous, cyanotic,
shallow respirations) (C). Total lung capacity is increased in emphysema since these
clients have hyperinflated lungs (A). Arterial blood gases are typically abnormal (B). (D) is
indicative of bronchitis, while clients with emphysema usually have copious amounts of
thick, white sputum.
A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). When making a home visit, which nursing function is of greatest
importance to this client? Assess the client's
A) pulse rate, both apically and radially.
B) blood pressure, both standing and sitting.
C) temperature.
D) skin color and turgor. - correct answer-C) temperature.
