MED-SURG HESI PN LATEST 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH FULL RATIONALES | INSTANT
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During a clinic visit, a client reports to the practical nurse (PN) that they felt a solid mass in their
breast during self-examination, but it was not painful. What instruction should the PN reinforce
with the client?
A. Continue to monitor the mass until the next scheduled annual exam.
B. Notify the PCP if the mass becomes soft or painful or starts to drain.
C. Schedule an appointment with the PCP for evaluation
D. Breast masses are usually insignificant if they feel soft or are easily moveable. - correct
answer -c. Schedule an appointment with the health care provider for evaluation.
A painless breast mass is an abnormal finding, and the PN should instruct the client to obtain
prompt medical evaluation.
The health care provider informed a client diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer that the cancer
has spread to their spine. The client states to the practical nurse, "I have a cancer, but it is not
malignant." What is the best initial nursing action?
A. Encourage the client to attend a cancer education program
B. Perform a complete history and physical assessment
C. Ask the client to explain his understanding of the term malignancy.
D. Offer the client emotional support to deal with the diagnosis
Submit - correct answer -c. Ask the client to explain his understanding of the term malignancy.
,The best initial action is to assess the client's knowledge of the term malignancy when used to
describe cancer. The client appears to have inaccurate knowledge. Stage 4 cancer means the
cancer has spread (metastasized) from where it has started to another body part.
A client diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Which intervention should the practical nurse implement
to help relieve joint pain and stiffness?
a. Encourage the client to perform weight-bearing exercises.
b. Teach the client how to perform range-of-motion exercises.
c. Explain the use of ice and massage for pain relief.
d. Instruct the client to take an analgesic before walking daily - correct answer -d. Instruct the
client to take an analgesic before walking daily.
Adequate pain management is important for the success of an exercise program. Keeping the
joints active decreases pain, so taking an analgesic and walking daily is likely to help decrease
joint pain and stiffness.
A client diagnosed with prostate cancer is prescribed radioactive seed implantation
(brachytherapy). What is the most important nursing action for the practical nurse (PN) to do?
a. Follow radiation exposure precautions
b. Encourage regular meals
c. Collect all urine in sealed containers
d. Avoid touching the client. - correct answer -a. Follow radiation exposure precautions.
Clients being treated for prostate cancer with brachytherapy (radioactive seeds implant) should
be placed on radiation exposure precautions. The PN needs to follow the institution's protocols
put in place regarding the amount of time and distance needed to prevent excessive exposure
that would pose a hazard to others.
,A client diagnosed with emphysema that is oxygen-dependent lives alone at home and manages
self-care with no difficulty. Which finding should prompt the home health practical nurse to
consult the registered nurse case manager?
a. A pulse oximetry reading of 91% on oxygen at 2 L/m
b. A weight loss of 5 pounds since the last monthly home visit
c. The client reports feeling as tired as at the last visit by the nurse
d. Upon entering the home, the PN noticed dirty dishes and clothing scattered around the
home. - correct answer -b. A weight loss of 5 pounds since the last monthly home visit
A weight loss of 5 pounds in 1 month is a concern. Clients with COPD need additional calorie
intake because they are using up a lot from the energy they are using to breath. The practical
nurse needs to consult with the registered nurse case manager for a nutrition consult
The nurse has reinforced instructions to a client with diabetes mellitus on how to self-monitor
for symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The nurse realizes the instructions have been
effective if the client can list which symptoms? (Select all that apply.)
a. Fruity breath odor
b. Rapid, weak pulse
c. Cold, clammy skin
d. Extreme thirst
e. Urinary frequency
f. Protruding eyeballs - correct answer -a. Fruity breath odor
b. Rapid, weak pulse
d. Extreme thirst
e. Urinary frequency
, Diabetic ketoacidosis is caused by a profound deficiency of insulin. Some common
characteristics include a sweet, fruity breath odor, a rapid weak pulse, extreme thirst, urinary
frequency, and sunken-appearing eyeballs.
A client mentions using garlic daily as an herb to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Which
nursing action is a priority?
a. Monitor the client for signs of bleeding.
b. Instruct the client that garlic tends to cause hypertension.
c. This may relieve fever in the same way that acetaminophen does.
d. Remind the patient to use tooth brushing and mouthwash to prevent garlic odor. - correct
answer -a. Monitor the client for signs of bleeding.
Garlic inhibits platelet aggregation in the same way that aspirin works, and the client should be
monitored for bleeding. Garlic can lower the blood pressure, not raise it. It does not relieve
fever. While the client will likely want to avoid garlic odor, it is not a priority.
The practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the health histories of assigned clients. Which factors have
a potential for development of throat cancer? (Select all that apply.)
a. Tobacco use
b. Excessive intake of alcohol
c. Intake of hot and spicy foods
d. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
e. Lack of exercise
f. Lack of dietary fiber - correct answer -a. Tobacco use
b. Excessive intake of alcohol
d. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
AND ANSWERS WITH FULL RATIONALES | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
During a clinic visit, a client reports to the practical nurse (PN) that they felt a solid mass in their
breast during self-examination, but it was not painful. What instruction should the PN reinforce
with the client?
A. Continue to monitor the mass until the next scheduled annual exam.
B. Notify the PCP if the mass becomes soft or painful or starts to drain.
C. Schedule an appointment with the PCP for evaluation
D. Breast masses are usually insignificant if they feel soft or are easily moveable. - correct
answer -c. Schedule an appointment with the health care provider for evaluation.
A painless breast mass is an abnormal finding, and the PN should instruct the client to obtain
prompt medical evaluation.
The health care provider informed a client diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer that the cancer
has spread to their spine. The client states to the practical nurse, "I have a cancer, but it is not
malignant." What is the best initial nursing action?
A. Encourage the client to attend a cancer education program
B. Perform a complete history and physical assessment
C. Ask the client to explain his understanding of the term malignancy.
D. Offer the client emotional support to deal with the diagnosis
Submit - correct answer -c. Ask the client to explain his understanding of the term malignancy.
,The best initial action is to assess the client's knowledge of the term malignancy when used to
describe cancer. The client appears to have inaccurate knowledge. Stage 4 cancer means the
cancer has spread (metastasized) from where it has started to another body part.
A client diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Which intervention should the practical nurse implement
to help relieve joint pain and stiffness?
a. Encourage the client to perform weight-bearing exercises.
b. Teach the client how to perform range-of-motion exercises.
c. Explain the use of ice and massage for pain relief.
d. Instruct the client to take an analgesic before walking daily - correct answer -d. Instruct the
client to take an analgesic before walking daily.
Adequate pain management is important for the success of an exercise program. Keeping the
joints active decreases pain, so taking an analgesic and walking daily is likely to help decrease
joint pain and stiffness.
A client diagnosed with prostate cancer is prescribed radioactive seed implantation
(brachytherapy). What is the most important nursing action for the practical nurse (PN) to do?
a. Follow radiation exposure precautions
b. Encourage regular meals
c. Collect all urine in sealed containers
d. Avoid touching the client. - correct answer -a. Follow radiation exposure precautions.
Clients being treated for prostate cancer with brachytherapy (radioactive seeds implant) should
be placed on radiation exposure precautions. The PN needs to follow the institution's protocols
put in place regarding the amount of time and distance needed to prevent excessive exposure
that would pose a hazard to others.
,A client diagnosed with emphysema that is oxygen-dependent lives alone at home and manages
self-care with no difficulty. Which finding should prompt the home health practical nurse to
consult the registered nurse case manager?
a. A pulse oximetry reading of 91% on oxygen at 2 L/m
b. A weight loss of 5 pounds since the last monthly home visit
c. The client reports feeling as tired as at the last visit by the nurse
d. Upon entering the home, the PN noticed dirty dishes and clothing scattered around the
home. - correct answer -b. A weight loss of 5 pounds since the last monthly home visit
A weight loss of 5 pounds in 1 month is a concern. Clients with COPD need additional calorie
intake because they are using up a lot from the energy they are using to breath. The practical
nurse needs to consult with the registered nurse case manager for a nutrition consult
The nurse has reinforced instructions to a client with diabetes mellitus on how to self-monitor
for symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The nurse realizes the instructions have been
effective if the client can list which symptoms? (Select all that apply.)
a. Fruity breath odor
b. Rapid, weak pulse
c. Cold, clammy skin
d. Extreme thirst
e. Urinary frequency
f. Protruding eyeballs - correct answer -a. Fruity breath odor
b. Rapid, weak pulse
d. Extreme thirst
e. Urinary frequency
, Diabetic ketoacidosis is caused by a profound deficiency of insulin. Some common
characteristics include a sweet, fruity breath odor, a rapid weak pulse, extreme thirst, urinary
frequency, and sunken-appearing eyeballs.
A client mentions using garlic daily as an herb to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Which
nursing action is a priority?
a. Monitor the client for signs of bleeding.
b. Instruct the client that garlic tends to cause hypertension.
c. This may relieve fever in the same way that acetaminophen does.
d. Remind the patient to use tooth brushing and mouthwash to prevent garlic odor. - correct
answer -a. Monitor the client for signs of bleeding.
Garlic inhibits platelet aggregation in the same way that aspirin works, and the client should be
monitored for bleeding. Garlic can lower the blood pressure, not raise it. It does not relieve
fever. While the client will likely want to avoid garlic odor, it is not a priority.
The practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the health histories of assigned clients. Which factors have
a potential for development of throat cancer? (Select all that apply.)
a. Tobacco use
b. Excessive intake of alcohol
c. Intake of hot and spicy foods
d. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
e. Lack of exercise
f. Lack of dietary fiber - correct answer -a. Tobacco use
b. Excessive intake of alcohol
d. Human papillomavirus (HPV)
