NURS 216 ADV MEDSURG EXAM REVIEW
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ A female client requests information about using the calendar
method of contraception. Which assessment is most important for
the nurse to obtain?
A) Amount of weight gain or weight loss during the previous year.
B) An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.
C) Skin pigmentation and hair texture for evidence of hormonal
changes.
D) Previous birth-control methods and beliefs about the calendar
method..
Answer: B) An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12
months.
Rationale: The fertile period, which occurs 2 weeks prior to the
onset of menses, is determined using an accurate record of the
number of days of the menstrual cycles for the past 6 months, so it is
most important to emphasize to the client that accuracy and
compliancy of a menstrual diary (B) is the basis of the calendar
method. (A and C) may be partially related to hormonal fluctuations
but are not indicators for using the calendar method. (D) may
,demonstrate client understanding and compliancy but is not the
most important aspect.
◉ The nurse knows that lab values sometimes vary for the older
client. Which data should the nurse expect to find when reviewing
laboratory values of an 80-year-old male?
A) Increased WBC, decreased RBC.
B) Increased serum bilirubin, slightly increased liver enzymes.
C) Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum glucose
levels.
D) Decreased serum sodium, an increased urine specific gravity..
Answer: C) Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum
glucose levels.
Rationale: In older adults, the protein found in urine slightly rises
probably as a result of kidney changes or subclinical urinary tract
infections. The serum glucose increases slightly due to changes in
the kidney. The specific gravity declines by age 80 from 1.032 to
1.024.
◉ Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer
to the healthcare provider?
,A) Breasts feel lumpy when palpated.
B) History of white nipple discharge.
C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding.
D) Excessive diaphoresis occurs at night..
Answer: C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding.
Rationale: Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding (C) may be an
indication of endometrial cancer, which should be reported to the
healthcare provider. Compared to a new-onset of a single lump,
breasts that feel lumpy (A) overall may be a normal variant or a
finding consistent with nonmalignant fibrocystic disease. Up to 80%
of women experience (B), depending on sexual stimulation or
hormonal levels, and is no longer recommended as a reportable
symptom when discovered during breast self-exam (BSE). The client
may need further teaching concerning (D), a disturbing symptom,
but it is not as important as (C).
◉ 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..
, Answer: D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's
position.
Rationale: 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).
◉ The nurse is receiving report from surgery about a client with a
penrose drain who is to be admitted to the postoperative unit.
Before choosing a room for this client, which information is most
important for the nurse to obtain?
A) If suctioning will be needed for drainage of the wound.
B) If the family would prefer a private or semi-private room.
C) If the client also has a Hemovac® in place.
D) If the client's wound is infected..
Answer: D) If the client's wound is infected.
Rationale: Penrose drains provide a sinus tract or opening and are
often used to provide drainage of an abscess. The fact that the client
has a penrose drain should alert the nurse to the possibility that the
client is infected. To avoid contamination of another postoperative
client, it is most important to place an infected client in a private
room (D). A penrose drain does not require (A). Although (B) is
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ A female client requests information about using the calendar
method of contraception. Which assessment is most important for
the nurse to obtain?
A) Amount of weight gain or weight loss during the previous year.
B) An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months.
C) Skin pigmentation and hair texture for evidence of hormonal
changes.
D) Previous birth-control methods and beliefs about the calendar
method..
Answer: B) An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12
months.
Rationale: The fertile period, which occurs 2 weeks prior to the
onset of menses, is determined using an accurate record of the
number of days of the menstrual cycles for the past 6 months, so it is
most important to emphasize to the client that accuracy and
compliancy of a menstrual diary (B) is the basis of the calendar
method. (A and C) may be partially related to hormonal fluctuations
but are not indicators for using the calendar method. (D) may
,demonstrate client understanding and compliancy but is not the
most important aspect.
◉ The nurse knows that lab values sometimes vary for the older
client. Which data should the nurse expect to find when reviewing
laboratory values of an 80-year-old male?
A) Increased WBC, decreased RBC.
B) Increased serum bilirubin, slightly increased liver enzymes.
C) Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum glucose
levels.
D) Decreased serum sodium, an increased urine specific gravity..
Answer: C) Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum
glucose levels.
Rationale: In older adults, the protein found in urine slightly rises
probably as a result of kidney changes or subclinical urinary tract
infections. The serum glucose increases slightly due to changes in
the kidney. The specific gravity declines by age 80 from 1.032 to
1.024.
◉ Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer
to the healthcare provider?
,A) Breasts feel lumpy when palpated.
B) History of white nipple discharge.
C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding.
D) Excessive diaphoresis occurs at night..
Answer: C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding.
Rationale: Postmenopausal vaginal bleeding (C) may be an
indication of endometrial cancer, which should be reported to the
healthcare provider. Compared to a new-onset of a single lump,
breasts that feel lumpy (A) overall may be a normal variant or a
finding consistent with nonmalignant fibrocystic disease. Up to 80%
of women experience (B), depending on sexual stimulation or
hormonal levels, and is no longer recommended as a reportable
symptom when discovered during breast self-exam (BSE). The client
may need further teaching concerning (D), a disturbing symptom,
but it is not as important as (C).
◉ 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..
, Answer: D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's
position.
Rationale: 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).
◉ The nurse is receiving report from surgery about a client with a
penrose drain who is to be admitted to the postoperative unit.
Before choosing a room for this client, which information is most
important for the nurse to obtain?
A) If suctioning will be needed for drainage of the wound.
B) If the family would prefer a private or semi-private room.
C) If the client also has a Hemovac® in place.
D) If the client's wound is infected..
Answer: D) If the client's wound is infected.
Rationale: Penrose drains provide a sinus tract or opening and are
often used to provide drainage of an abscess. The fact that the client
has a penrose drain should alert the nurse to the possibility that the
client is infected. To avoid contamination of another postoperative
client, it is most important to place an infected client in a private
room (D). A penrose drain does not require (A). Although (B) is
