Medical Surgical Exam Question
with 100% Correct Answer
2026/2027
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.
Correct Answer: 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?
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: 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.
Capillary refill is 4 seconds.
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: 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 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.
Correct Answer: 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.
with 100% Correct Answer
2026/2027
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.
Correct Answer: 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?
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: 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.
Capillary refill is 4 seconds.
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: 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 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.
Correct Answer: 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.
