MED SURG HESI PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
COMPLETE EXAM PREP WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ 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.*
-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 being compliant in recording
the menstrual diary is the basis of the calendar method
◉ A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of
symptoms, including paresthesias, diplopia, and nystagmus. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
,A. Stay out of direct sunlight.
B. Restrict intake of high protein foods.
C. Schedule extra rest periods.
D. Go to the emergency room immediately.
Answer: *C. Schedule extra rest periods.*
-Exacerbations of the symptoms of MS occur most commonly as the
result of fatigue and stress
-The client should be encouraged to schedule extra rest periods to help
reduce the symptoms
◉ How should the nurse position the electrodes for modified chest lead
one (MCL I) telemetry monitoring?
A. Positive polarity right shoulder, negative polarity left shoulder,
ground left chest nipple line.
B. Positive polarity left shoulder, negative polarity right chest nipple
line, ground left chest nipple line.
C. Positive polarity right chest nipple line, negative polarity left chest
nipple line, ground left shoulder.
D. Negative polarity left shoulder, positive polarity right chest nipple
line, ground left chest nipple line.
Answer: *D. Negative polarity left shoulder, positive polarity right chest
nipple line, ground left chest nipple line.*
,-In MCL I monitoring, the positive electrode is placed on the client's
mid-chest to the right of the sternum, and the negative electrode is
placed on the upper left part of the chest
-The ground may be placed anywhere, but is usually placed on the lower
left portion of the chest.
◉ An elderly client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia.
The nurse's assessment of the client will most likely reveal which
sign/symptom?
A. Leukocytosis and febrile.
B. Polycythemia and crackles.
C. Pharyngitis and sputum production.
D. Confusion and tachycardia.
Answer: *D. Confusion and tachycardia.*
-The onset of pneumonia in the elderly may be signaled by general
deterioration, confusion, increased heart rate or increased respiratory
rate due to the decreased oxygen- carbon dioxide exchange at the
alveoli, known as the V-Q mismatch
◉ The nurse is providing dietary instructions to a 68-year-old client who
is at high risk for development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Which
information should the nurse include?
, A. Limit dietary selection of cholesterol to 300 mg per day.
B. Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.
C. Decrease plant stanols and sterols to less than 2 grams/day.
D. Ensure saturated fat is less than 30% of total caloric intake.
Answer: *B. Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.*
-To reduce risk factors associated with coronary heart disease, the daily
intake of soluble fiber should be increased to between 10 and 25 gm
-According to the American Heart Association, soluble fibers helps
reduce the LDL cholesterol levels
◉ The nurse working on a telemetry unit finds a client unconscious and
in pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). The client has an implanted
automatic defibrillator. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Prepare the client for transcutaneous pacemaker.
B. Shock the client with 200 joules per hospital policy.
C. Use a magnet to deactivate the implanted pacemaker.
D. Observe the monitor until the onset of ventricular fibrillation.
Answer: *B. Shock the client with 200 joules per hospital policy.*
-The client must be externally shocked 200 joules per hospital policy to
restore an effective cardiac rhythm
-The automatic defibrillator is obviously malfunctioning.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
COMPLETE EXAM PREP WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ 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.*
-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 being compliant in recording
the menstrual diary is the basis of the calendar method
◉ A client with multiple sclerosis has experienced an exacerbation of
symptoms, including paresthesias, diplopia, and nystagmus. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
,A. Stay out of direct sunlight.
B. Restrict intake of high protein foods.
C. Schedule extra rest periods.
D. Go to the emergency room immediately.
Answer: *C. Schedule extra rest periods.*
-Exacerbations of the symptoms of MS occur most commonly as the
result of fatigue and stress
-The client should be encouraged to schedule extra rest periods to help
reduce the symptoms
◉ How should the nurse position the electrodes for modified chest lead
one (MCL I) telemetry monitoring?
A. Positive polarity right shoulder, negative polarity left shoulder,
ground left chest nipple line.
B. Positive polarity left shoulder, negative polarity right chest nipple
line, ground left chest nipple line.
C. Positive polarity right chest nipple line, negative polarity left chest
nipple line, ground left shoulder.
D. Negative polarity left shoulder, positive polarity right chest nipple
line, ground left chest nipple line.
Answer: *D. Negative polarity left shoulder, positive polarity right chest
nipple line, ground left chest nipple line.*
,-In MCL I monitoring, the positive electrode is placed on the client's
mid-chest to the right of the sternum, and the negative electrode is
placed on the upper left part of the chest
-The ground may be placed anywhere, but is usually placed on the lower
left portion of the chest.
◉ An elderly client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia.
The nurse's assessment of the client will most likely reveal which
sign/symptom?
A. Leukocytosis and febrile.
B. Polycythemia and crackles.
C. Pharyngitis and sputum production.
D. Confusion and tachycardia.
Answer: *D. Confusion and tachycardia.*
-The onset of pneumonia in the elderly may be signaled by general
deterioration, confusion, increased heart rate or increased respiratory
rate due to the decreased oxygen- carbon dioxide exchange at the
alveoli, known as the V-Q mismatch
◉ The nurse is providing dietary instructions to a 68-year-old client who
is at high risk for development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Which
information should the nurse include?
, A. Limit dietary selection of cholesterol to 300 mg per day.
B. Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.
C. Decrease plant stanols and sterols to less than 2 grams/day.
D. Ensure saturated fat is less than 30% of total caloric intake.
Answer: *B. Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.*
-To reduce risk factors associated with coronary heart disease, the daily
intake of soluble fiber should be increased to between 10 and 25 gm
-According to the American Heart Association, soluble fibers helps
reduce the LDL cholesterol levels
◉ The nurse working on a telemetry unit finds a client unconscious and
in pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). The client has an implanted
automatic defibrillator. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Prepare the client for transcutaneous pacemaker.
B. Shock the client with 200 joules per hospital policy.
C. Use a magnet to deactivate the implanted pacemaker.
D. Observe the monitor until the onset of ventricular fibrillation.
Answer: *B. Shock the client with 200 joules per hospital policy.*
-The client must be externally shocked 200 joules per hospital policy to
restore an effective cardiac rhythm
-The automatic defibrillator is obviously malfunctioning.
