MEDICAL SURGICAL B ACTUAL EXAM
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ D. A low-dose aspirin given daily.
Answer: 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?
◉ A. Pain relief after ear drainage begins.
Answer: 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?
◉ C. Continue to monitor client's blood pressure.
Answer: 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?
,◉ D. Reports the hospital room is an office.
Answer: 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?
◉ D. It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that
causes the change.
Answer: 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?
◉ A. 500/mm3.
Answer: 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?
◉ C. Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or
glasses.
Answer: 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?
, ◉ D. Elevate the arm above the level of the heart.
Answer: 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?
◉ 1. Maintain the client's airway
2. Apply pads to the bedside rails.
3. Avoid stimulation during post-ictal phase.
4. Observe the client for incontinence.
Answer: 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?
◉ B. Sitting upright in a tripod position leaning on an overbed table.
Answer: The practical nurse (PN) should place a client in which
position for a thoracentesis?
◉ A. Implement standard precautions with the CSF specimen.
Answer: Which action should the practical nurse take when handling
a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected for diagnostic testing
from a client?
◉ C. Avoid using ice packs on the exposed area.
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ D. A low-dose aspirin given daily.
Answer: 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?
◉ A. Pain relief after ear drainage begins.
Answer: 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?
◉ C. Continue to monitor client's blood pressure.
Answer: 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?
,◉ D. Reports the hospital room is an office.
Answer: 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?
◉ D. It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that
causes the change.
Answer: 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?
◉ A. 500/mm3.
Answer: 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?
◉ C. Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or
glasses.
Answer: 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?
, ◉ D. Elevate the arm above the level of the heart.
Answer: 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?
◉ 1. Maintain the client's airway
2. Apply pads to the bedside rails.
3. Avoid stimulation during post-ictal phase.
4. Observe the client for incontinence.
Answer: 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?
◉ B. Sitting upright in a tripod position leaning on an overbed table.
Answer: The practical nurse (PN) should place a client in which
position for a thoracentesis?
◉ A. Implement standard precautions with the CSF specimen.
Answer: Which action should the practical nurse take when handling
a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected for diagnostic testing
from a client?
◉ C. Avoid using ice packs on the exposed area.
