PN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
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1. C. 50-year-old with Prinzmetal's angina.: Which client should the practical nurse question a PRN
prescription for sumatriptan (Imitrex) for migraine headaches?
2. D. A low-dose aspirin given daily.: The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing information to a older male
client with a history of coronary artery disease about his prescribed daily medication regimen. Which medication is
most likely to reduce the client's risk factors?
3. A. Pain relief after ear drainage begins.: An adult client with otitis media has thick, yellow drainage
from the right ear canal. What additional findings should the practical nurse (PN) expect to identify?
4. C. Continue to monitor client's blood pressure.: 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 Sp02 of 99%. What
action is most important for the PN to implement?
5. D. Reports the hospital room is an office.: A client who was hit in the head with a baseball
is admitted to the hospital for observation. Which finding requires the practical nurse (PN) to follow-up with further
assessment?
6. D. It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that causes the
change.: An older female client with osteoporosis asks the practical nurse (PN) to explain why she is now 2 inches
shorter than when she was younger. What information is best for the practical nurse (PN) to provide?
7. A. 500/mm3.: A practical nurse (PN) is coordinating the care of four clients on an oncology unit. Which
neutrophil count should the PN identify as a risk for a life-threatening infection in one of the clients?
8. C. Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or glasses.: An older
client who has had a cataract in the right eye for several years tells the practical nurse (PN), "Now I have lost the sight
in my right eye because I waited too long for treatment." What information should the PN provide?
9. D. Elevate the arm above the level of the heart.: The practical nurse (PN) is visiting a male
client with diabetes who has a new cast on his arm. The client's fingers are pale, cool, slightly swollen, and the radial
pulse is strong. What should the PN do first?
10. 1. Maintain the client's airway
2. Apply pads to the bedside rails.
3 Observe the client for incontinence. 4. Avoid stimulation during post-ictal
phase.: A client with epilepsy is having bilateral rhythmic jerking movements of all extremities. After calling for help,
which action should the practical nurse (PN) do next?
1/9
, PN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fxznvw
11. B. Sitting upright in a tripod position leaning on an overbed table.: The practical
nurse (PN) should place a client in which position for a thoracentesis?
12. A. Implement standard precautions with the CSF specimen.: Which action should the
practical nurse take when handling a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected for diagnostic testing from a client?
13. C. Avoid using ice packs on the exposed area.: Which instruction should the practical nurse
(PN) reinforce with a female client about skin care after her first radiotherapy treatment?
14. D. Sleeps with two additional pillows.: A client with heart failure (HF) takes a daily tablet of
furosemide (Lasix) and lisinopril (Zestril). Which finding during the clinic visit should indicate to the practical nurse that
the client's condition is worsening?
15. D. Report the change in condition to the healthcare provider.: A client who is 3 days
postoperative after a laminectomy is coughing up thick green sputum and wheezing. What action is most important
for the practical nurse (PN) to implement?
16. B. Offer the client the commode or urinal every two hours.: A male client who had a
stroke is incontinent of urine. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement in providing bladder training?
17. C. Change the transparent dressing every 72 hours.: Which action should the practical
nurse (PN) implement to reduce the risk of infection for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?
18. B. Hemoglobin of 10 grams/dl: Which finding should the practical nurse (PN) identify as typical for
a client who is hypoxic?
19. A. High pitched expiratory sound.: Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a
partial thyroidectomy requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)?
20. B. Smooth, beefy-red oral cavity.
D. Paresthesia of hands and feet.: Which findings should the practical nurse identify in a client with
anemia due to a vitamin B12 deficiency? (Select all)
21. A. Right calf is 24 cm and left calf is 21 cm.: 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?
22. B. Check the respiratory effort and pulse oximeter reading.: A client is admitted with
a C4 spinal cord injury (SCI) after falling from a roof at a construction site. After returning to the unit for a CT scan to
confirm the vertebral fracture, which assessment by the practical nurse has the highest priority?
23. D. Apply oxygen and inspect the chest wall.: An adult male who is covered with "road rash"
after falling off his bicycle arrives at the clinic. He holds his hand to his chest and tells the practical nurse (PN) that
he hurts when he breathes. The PN hears an audible "slurping" sound each time the client takes a breath. Which
intervention should the PN implement first?
2/9
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fxznvw
1. C. 50-year-old with Prinzmetal's angina.: Which client should the practical nurse question a PRN
prescription for sumatriptan (Imitrex) for migraine headaches?
2. D. A low-dose aspirin given daily.: The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing information to a older male
client with a history of coronary artery disease about his prescribed daily medication regimen. Which medication is
most likely to reduce the client's risk factors?
3. A. Pain relief after ear drainage begins.: An adult client with otitis media has thick, yellow drainage
from the right ear canal. What additional findings should the practical nurse (PN) expect to identify?
4. C. Continue to monitor client's blood pressure.: 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 Sp02 of 99%. What
action is most important for the PN to implement?
5. D. Reports the hospital room is an office.: A client who was hit in the head with a baseball
is admitted to the hospital for observation. Which finding requires the practical nurse (PN) to follow-up with further
assessment?
6. D. It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that causes the
change.: An older female client with osteoporosis asks the practical nurse (PN) to explain why she is now 2 inches
shorter than when she was younger. What information is best for the practical nurse (PN) to provide?
7. A. 500/mm3.: A practical nurse (PN) is coordinating the care of four clients on an oncology unit. Which
neutrophil count should the PN identify as a risk for a life-threatening infection in one of the clients?
8. C. Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or glasses.: An older
client who has had a cataract in the right eye for several years tells the practical nurse (PN), "Now I have lost the sight
in my right eye because I waited too long for treatment." What information should the PN provide?
9. D. Elevate the arm above the level of the heart.: The practical nurse (PN) is visiting a male
client with diabetes who has a new cast on his arm. The client's fingers are pale, cool, slightly swollen, and the radial
pulse is strong. What should the PN do first?
10. 1. Maintain the client's airway
2. Apply pads to the bedside rails.
3 Observe the client for incontinence. 4. Avoid stimulation during post-ictal
phase.: A client with epilepsy is having bilateral rhythmic jerking movements of all extremities. After calling for help,
which action should the practical nurse (PN) do next?
1/9
, PN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fxznvw
11. B. Sitting upright in a tripod position leaning on an overbed table.: The practical
nurse (PN) should place a client in which position for a thoracentesis?
12. A. Implement standard precautions with the CSF specimen.: Which action should the
practical nurse take when handling a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected for diagnostic testing from a client?
13. C. Avoid using ice packs on the exposed area.: Which instruction should the practical nurse
(PN) reinforce with a female client about skin care after her first radiotherapy treatment?
14. D. Sleeps with two additional pillows.: A client with heart failure (HF) takes a daily tablet of
furosemide (Lasix) and lisinopril (Zestril). Which finding during the clinic visit should indicate to the practical nurse that
the client's condition is worsening?
15. D. Report the change in condition to the healthcare provider.: A client who is 3 days
postoperative after a laminectomy is coughing up thick green sputum and wheezing. What action is most important
for the practical nurse (PN) to implement?
16. B. Offer the client the commode or urinal every two hours.: A male client who had a
stroke is incontinent of urine. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement in providing bladder training?
17. C. Change the transparent dressing every 72 hours.: Which action should the practical
nurse (PN) implement to reduce the risk of infection for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?
18. B. Hemoglobin of 10 grams/dl: Which finding should the practical nurse (PN) identify as typical for
a client who is hypoxic?
19. A. High pitched expiratory sound.: Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a
partial thyroidectomy requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)?
20. B. Smooth, beefy-red oral cavity.
D. Paresthesia of hands and feet.: Which findings should the practical nurse identify in a client with
anemia due to a vitamin B12 deficiency? (Select all)
21. A. Right calf is 24 cm and left calf is 21 cm.: 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?
22. B. Check the respiratory effort and pulse oximeter reading.: A client is admitted with
a C4 spinal cord injury (SCI) after falling from a roof at a construction site. After returning to the unit for a CT scan to
confirm the vertebral fracture, which assessment by the practical nurse has the highest priority?
23. D. Apply oxygen and inspect the chest wall.: An adult male who is covered with "road rash"
after falling off his bicycle arrives at the clinic. He holds his hand to his chest and tells the practical nurse (PN) that
he hurts when he breathes. The PN hears an audible "slurping" sound each time the client takes a breath. Which
intervention should the PN implement first?
2/9
