Medical-Surgical Practice Exam Questions and Accurate Answers

Medical-Surgical Practice Exam Which client should the practical nurse question a PRN prescription for sumatriptan (Imitrex) for migraine headaches? - C. 50-year-old with Prinzmetal's angina. 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? - D. A low-dose aspirin given daily. 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? - A. Pain relief after ear drainage begins. 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? - C. Continue to monitor client's blood pressure. 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. Reports the hospital room is an office. 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? - D. It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that causes the change. 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? - A. 500/mm3. 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? - C. Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or glasses. 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? - D. Elevate the arm above the level of the heart. 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. 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. The practical nurse (PN) should place a client in which position for a thoracentesis? - B. Sitting upright in a tripod position leaning on an overbed table. Which action should the practical nurse take when handling a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected for diagnostic testing from a client? - A. Implement standard precautions with the CSF specimen. Which instruction should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce with a female client about skin care after her first radiotherapy treatment? - C. Avoid using ice packs on the exposed area. 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? - D. Sleeps with two additional pillows. 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? - D. Report the change in condition to the healthcare provider. A male client who had a stroke is incontinent of urine. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) implement in providing bladder training? - B. Offer the client the commode or urinal every two 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)? - C. Change the transparent dressing every 72 hours. Which finding should the practical nurse (PN) identify as typical for a client who is hypoxic? - B. Hemoglobin of 10 grams/dl Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a partial thyroidectomy requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)? - A. High pitched expiratory sound. Which findings should the practical nurse identify in a client with anemia due to a vitamin B12 deficiency? (Select all) - B. Smooth, beefy-red oral cavity. D. Paresthesia of hands and feet. 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? - A. Right calf is 24 cm and left calf is 21 cm. 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? - B. Check the respiratory effort and pulse oximeter reading.