MED SURG HESI V1 EXAM Q&A 2026 STUDY
GUIDE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ A male client comes into the clinic with a history of penile
discharge with painful, burning urination. Which action should the
nurse implement?
A: Collect a culture of the penile discharge.
B: Palpate the inguinal lymph nodes gently.
C: Observe for scrotal swelling and redness.
D: Express the discharge to determine color. Answer: A: Collect a
culture of the penile discharge.
(Penile discharge with painful urination is commonly associated
with gonorrhea. The nurse should collect a culture of the penile
discharge to determine the cause of these symptoms. The cause
must be determined or confirmed through culture to identify the
organism and ensure effective treatment.)
◉ A client with history of atrial fibrillation is admitted to the
telemetry unit with sudden onset of shortness of breath. The nurse
observes a new irregular heart rhythm and should perform which
assessment at this time?
A: Check for a pulse deficit.
B: Palpate the apical impulse.
,C: Inspect jugular vein pulse.
D: Examine for a carotid bruit. Answer: A: Check for a pulse deficit.
(A client with a past history of atrial fibrillation may return to that
rhythm. Any signs of atrial fibrillation, such as sudden onset
shortness of breath, requires further investigation. The nurse should
assess this client for a pulse deficit because this condition occurs
with atrial fibrillation.)
◉ Which client should be further assessed for an ectopic pregnancy?
A: A 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal quadrant pain.
B: A 33-year-old with intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
C: A 20-year-old with fever and right lower abdominal colic.
D: A 40-year-old with jaundice and right lower abdominal pain.
Answer: A: A 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal
quadrant pain.
(A 24-year-old with sudden onset of lower abdominal quadrant pain
should be assessed for an ectopic pregnancy. The pain can also be
referred to the shoulder and may be associated with vaginal
bleeding.)
◉ Which dietary assessment finding is most important for the nurse
to address when caring for a client with diabetic nephropathy?
,A: Drinks a six pack of beer every day.
B: Enjoys a hamburger once a month.
C: Eats fortified breakfast cereal daily.
D: Consumes beans and rice every day. Answer: A: Drinks a six pack
of beer every day.
(Drinking six beers every day is the dietary assessment finding most
important for the nurse to address when caring for a client with
diabetic nephropathy. The usual can of beer is 12 ounces (355 mL).
Clients with diabetes are recommended to drink no more than 12
ounces of beer per day because beer contains carbohydrates that
can create unhealthy fluctuations in blood glucose and promote
poorglucose control. Nephropathy is exacerbated by poor blood
glucose control.)
◉ Which assessment finding is of greatest concern to the nurse who
is caring for a client with stomatitis?
A: Cough brought on by swallowing.
B: Sore throat caused by speaking.
C: Painful and dry oral cavity.
D: Unintended weight loss. Answer: A: Cough brought on by
swallowing.
A cough brought on by swallowing is a sign of dysphagia, which is a
finding of particular concern in a client with stomatitis. Dysphagia
, can cause numerous problems, including airway obstruction, and
should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.
◉ The nurse is teaching a client diagnosed with peripheral arterial
disease. Which genitourinary system complication should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A: Altered sexual response.
B: Sterility.
C: Urinary incontinence.
D: Decreased pelvic muscle tone. Answer: A: Altered sexual
response.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a cardiovascular condition
characterized by narrowing of the arteries and reduced blood flow
to the extremities. PAD is known to alter the blood flow to the male's
penis and is associated with erectile dysfunction in men.
◉ A 40-year-old female client has a history of smoking. Which
finding should the nurse identify as a risk factor for myocardia
infarction?
A: Oral contraceptives.
B: Senile osteopenia.
C: Levothyroxine therapy.
D: Pernicious anemia. Answer: A: Oral contraceptives.
GUIDE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉ A male client comes into the clinic with a history of penile
discharge with painful, burning urination. Which action should the
nurse implement?
A: Collect a culture of the penile discharge.
B: Palpate the inguinal lymph nodes gently.
C: Observe for scrotal swelling and redness.
D: Express the discharge to determine color. Answer: A: Collect a
culture of the penile discharge.
(Penile discharge with painful urination is commonly associated
with gonorrhea. The nurse should collect a culture of the penile
discharge to determine the cause of these symptoms. The cause
must be determined or confirmed through culture to identify the
organism and ensure effective treatment.)
◉ A client with history of atrial fibrillation is admitted to the
telemetry unit with sudden onset of shortness of breath. The nurse
observes a new irregular heart rhythm and should perform which
assessment at this time?
A: Check for a pulse deficit.
B: Palpate the apical impulse.
,C: Inspect jugular vein pulse.
D: Examine for a carotid bruit. Answer: A: Check for a pulse deficit.
(A client with a past history of atrial fibrillation may return to that
rhythm. Any signs of atrial fibrillation, such as sudden onset
shortness of breath, requires further investigation. The nurse should
assess this client for a pulse deficit because this condition occurs
with atrial fibrillation.)
◉ Which client should be further assessed for an ectopic pregnancy?
A: A 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal quadrant pain.
B: A 33-year-old with intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
C: A 20-year-old with fever and right lower abdominal colic.
D: A 40-year-old with jaundice and right lower abdominal pain.
Answer: A: A 24-year-old with shoulder and lower abdominal
quadrant pain.
(A 24-year-old with sudden onset of lower abdominal quadrant pain
should be assessed for an ectopic pregnancy. The pain can also be
referred to the shoulder and may be associated with vaginal
bleeding.)
◉ Which dietary assessment finding is most important for the nurse
to address when caring for a client with diabetic nephropathy?
,A: Drinks a six pack of beer every day.
B: Enjoys a hamburger once a month.
C: Eats fortified breakfast cereal daily.
D: Consumes beans and rice every day. Answer: A: Drinks a six pack
of beer every day.
(Drinking six beers every day is the dietary assessment finding most
important for the nurse to address when caring for a client with
diabetic nephropathy. The usual can of beer is 12 ounces (355 mL).
Clients with diabetes are recommended to drink no more than 12
ounces of beer per day because beer contains carbohydrates that
can create unhealthy fluctuations in blood glucose and promote
poorglucose control. Nephropathy is exacerbated by poor blood
glucose control.)
◉ Which assessment finding is of greatest concern to the nurse who
is caring for a client with stomatitis?
A: Cough brought on by swallowing.
B: Sore throat caused by speaking.
C: Painful and dry oral cavity.
D: Unintended weight loss. Answer: A: Cough brought on by
swallowing.
A cough brought on by swallowing is a sign of dysphagia, which is a
finding of particular concern in a client with stomatitis. Dysphagia
, can cause numerous problems, including airway obstruction, and
should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.
◉ The nurse is teaching a client diagnosed with peripheral arterial
disease. Which genitourinary system complication should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A: Altered sexual response.
B: Sterility.
C: Urinary incontinence.
D: Decreased pelvic muscle tone. Answer: A: Altered sexual
response.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a cardiovascular condition
characterized by narrowing of the arteries and reduced blood flow
to the extremities. PAD is known to alter the blood flow to the male's
penis and is associated with erectile dysfunction in men.
◉ A 40-year-old female client has a history of smoking. Which
finding should the nurse identify as a risk factor for myocardia
infarction?
A: Oral contraceptives.
B: Senile osteopenia.
C: Levothyroxine therapy.
D: Pernicious anemia. Answer: A: Oral contraceptives.
