BSN 266 Medical-Surgical Nursing – HESI
Review #1 – 150+ Numbered Questions,
Answers & Rationales (2026 Updated Exam
Prep)
A client with acute osteomyelitis has undergone surgical
debridement of the diseased bone and asks the nurse how long will
antibiotics have to be administered. Which information should the
nurse communicate?
A. Oral antibiotics for 2 to 4 months, then for dental procedure
prophylaxis.
B. Parenteral antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks, then oral antibiotics for up to 1
year.
C. Parenteral antibiotics for 4 to 8 weeks, then oral antibiotics for 4 to 8
weeks. Parenteral antibiotics for 2 to 3 weeks, then oral antibiotics for
4 weeks C
Treatment of acute osteomyelitis requires the administration of high
doses of parenteral antibiotics for 4 to 8 weeks, followed by oral
antibiotics for another 4 to 8 weeks
In planning care for a client with an acute stroke resulting in right-
sided hemiplegia, which positioning should the nurse should use to
maintain optimal functioning? A. Mid-Fowlers with knees supported.
B. Supine with trochanter rolls to the hips.
C. Sim's position alternated with right lateral position q2 hours.
Left lateral, supine, brief periods on the right side, and prone
D
Rationale
,After an acute stroke, a positioning and turning schedule that
minimizes lying on the affected side, which can impair circulation
and cause pain, and includes the prone position to help prevent
flexion contractures of the hips, prepares the client for optimal
functioning and ambulation.
Which preexisting diagnosis places a client at the greatest risk of
developing superior vena cava syndrome?
A. Carotid stenosis.
B. Steatosis hepatitis.
C. Metastatic cancer.
D. Clavicular fracture.
C
Rationale
Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when the superior vena cava
(SVC) is compressed by outside structures, such as a growing tumor
that impedes the return blood flow to the heart. Superior vena cava
syndrome is likely to occur with metastatic cancer from a primary
tumor in the upper lobe of the right lung that compresses the
superior vena cava.
The nurse is giving discharge instructions to a client with chronic
prostatitis. What instruction should the nurse provide the client to
reduce the risk of spreading the infection to other areas of the
client's urinary tract?
A. Wear a condom when having sexual intercourse.
B. Avoid consuming alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
C. Empty the bladder completely with each voiding.
D. Have intercourse or masturbate at least twice a week.
D
Rationale
,The prostate is not easily penetrated by antibiotics and can serve as
a reservoir for microorganisms, which can infect other areas of the
genitourinary tract. Draining the prostate regularly through
intercourse or masturbation decreases the number of
microorganisms present and reduces the risk for further infection
from stored contaminated seminal fluids
During the initial outbreak of genital herpes simplex for a female
client, what should be the nurse's primary focus in planning care?
A. Promotion of comfort.
B. Prevention of pregnancy.
C. Instruction in condom use.
Information about transmission
A
Rationale
The initial outbreak of genital herpes simplex in a woman causes
severe discomfort. Promotion of comfort is the first priority
A client who has a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum
returns to the unit after a bronchoscopy. What nursing
interventions should be implemented in the immediate
postprocedural period?
A. Keep the client on bed rest for eight hours.
B. Check vital signs every 15 minutes for two hours.
C. Allow the client nothing by mouth until the gag reflex returns.
D. Encourage fluid intake to promote elimination of the contrast media.
C
Rationale
The nasal pharynx and oral pharynx are anesthetized with local
anesthetic spray prior to bronchoscopy, and the bronchoscope is
coated with lidocaine (Xylocaine) gel to inhibit the gag reflex and
prevent laryngeal spasm during insertion. The client should be NPO
, until the client's gag reflex returns to prevent aspiration from any
oral intake or secretions.
The nurse is assessing a client admitted from the emergency room
with gastrointestinal bleeding related to peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
Which physiological factors can produce ulceration? (Select all that
apply.)
Select all that apply
A. Vagal stimulation.
B. An increased level of stress.
C. Decreased duodenal inhibition.
D. Hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid.
An increased number of parietal cells
D,E
Rationale
Hypersecretion of gastric juices and an increased number of parietal
cells that stimulate secretion are most often the causes of ulceration.
Vagal stimulation and decreased duodenal inhibition also increase
the secretion of caustic fluids.
The nurse is caring for a client with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who
is receiving chemotherapy. Laboratory results reveal a platelet
count of 10,000/ml. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Encourage fluids to 3000 ml/day.
B. Check stools for occult blood.
C. Provide oral hygiene every 2 hours.
Check for fever every 4 hours
B
Rationale
Platelet counts less than 100,000/mm3 are indicative of
thrombocytopenia, a common side effect of chemotherapy. A client
Review #1 – 150+ Numbered Questions,
Answers & Rationales (2026 Updated Exam
Prep)
A client with acute osteomyelitis has undergone surgical
debridement of the diseased bone and asks the nurse how long will
antibiotics have to be administered. Which information should the
nurse communicate?
A. Oral antibiotics for 2 to 4 months, then for dental procedure
prophylaxis.
B. Parenteral antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks, then oral antibiotics for up to 1
year.
C. Parenteral antibiotics for 4 to 8 weeks, then oral antibiotics for 4 to 8
weeks. Parenteral antibiotics for 2 to 3 weeks, then oral antibiotics for
4 weeks C
Treatment of acute osteomyelitis requires the administration of high
doses of parenteral antibiotics for 4 to 8 weeks, followed by oral
antibiotics for another 4 to 8 weeks
In planning care for a client with an acute stroke resulting in right-
sided hemiplegia, which positioning should the nurse should use to
maintain optimal functioning? A. Mid-Fowlers with knees supported.
B. Supine with trochanter rolls to the hips.
C. Sim's position alternated with right lateral position q2 hours.
Left lateral, supine, brief periods on the right side, and prone
D
Rationale
,After an acute stroke, a positioning and turning schedule that
minimizes lying on the affected side, which can impair circulation
and cause pain, and includes the prone position to help prevent
flexion contractures of the hips, prepares the client for optimal
functioning and ambulation.
Which preexisting diagnosis places a client at the greatest risk of
developing superior vena cava syndrome?
A. Carotid stenosis.
B. Steatosis hepatitis.
C. Metastatic cancer.
D. Clavicular fracture.
C
Rationale
Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when the superior vena cava
(SVC) is compressed by outside structures, such as a growing tumor
that impedes the return blood flow to the heart. Superior vena cava
syndrome is likely to occur with metastatic cancer from a primary
tumor in the upper lobe of the right lung that compresses the
superior vena cava.
The nurse is giving discharge instructions to a client with chronic
prostatitis. What instruction should the nurse provide the client to
reduce the risk of spreading the infection to other areas of the
client's urinary tract?
A. Wear a condom when having sexual intercourse.
B. Avoid consuming alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
C. Empty the bladder completely with each voiding.
D. Have intercourse or masturbate at least twice a week.
D
Rationale
,The prostate is not easily penetrated by antibiotics and can serve as
a reservoir for microorganisms, which can infect other areas of the
genitourinary tract. Draining the prostate regularly through
intercourse or masturbation decreases the number of
microorganisms present and reduces the risk for further infection
from stored contaminated seminal fluids
During the initial outbreak of genital herpes simplex for a female
client, what should be the nurse's primary focus in planning care?
A. Promotion of comfort.
B. Prevention of pregnancy.
C. Instruction in condom use.
Information about transmission
A
Rationale
The initial outbreak of genital herpes simplex in a woman causes
severe discomfort. Promotion of comfort is the first priority
A client who has a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum
returns to the unit after a bronchoscopy. What nursing
interventions should be implemented in the immediate
postprocedural period?
A. Keep the client on bed rest for eight hours.
B. Check vital signs every 15 minutes for two hours.
C. Allow the client nothing by mouth until the gag reflex returns.
D. Encourage fluid intake to promote elimination of the contrast media.
C
Rationale
The nasal pharynx and oral pharynx are anesthetized with local
anesthetic spray prior to bronchoscopy, and the bronchoscope is
coated with lidocaine (Xylocaine) gel to inhibit the gag reflex and
prevent laryngeal spasm during insertion. The client should be NPO
, until the client's gag reflex returns to prevent aspiration from any
oral intake or secretions.
The nurse is assessing a client admitted from the emergency room
with gastrointestinal bleeding related to peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
Which physiological factors can produce ulceration? (Select all that
apply.)
Select all that apply
A. Vagal stimulation.
B. An increased level of stress.
C. Decreased duodenal inhibition.
D. Hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid.
An increased number of parietal cells
D,E
Rationale
Hypersecretion of gastric juices and an increased number of parietal
cells that stimulate secretion are most often the causes of ulceration.
Vagal stimulation and decreased duodenal inhibition also increase
the secretion of caustic fluids.
The nurse is caring for a client with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who
is receiving chemotherapy. Laboratory results reveal a platelet
count of 10,000/ml. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Encourage fluids to 3000 ml/day.
B. Check stools for occult blood.
C. Provide oral hygiene every 2 hours.
Check for fever every 4 hours
B
Rationale
Platelet counts less than 100,000/mm3 are indicative of
thrombocytopenia, a common side effect of chemotherapy. A client
