Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8np9fk
1. Which client should the practical nurse question a PRN prescription for suma-
triptan (Imitrex) for migraine headaches?: C. 50-year-old with Prinzmetal's angina.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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-threat-
ening infection in one of the clients?: A. 500/mm3.
8. 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.
9. 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.
, Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8np9fk
10. 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.
11. The practical nurse (PN) should place a client in which position for a thora-
centesis?: B. Sitting upright in a tripod position leaning on an overbed table.
12. Which action should the practical nurse take when handling a sample of cere-
brospinal fluid (CSF) collected for diagnostic testing from a client?: A. Implement
standard precautions with the CSF specimen.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Which finding should the practical nurse (PN) identify as typical for a client
who is hypoxic?: B. Hemoglobin of 10 grams/dl
19. Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a partial thyroidecto-
my requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)?: A. High pitched expiratory
sound.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8np9fk
1. Which client should the practical nurse question a PRN prescription for suma-
triptan (Imitrex) for migraine headaches?: C. 50-year-old with Prinzmetal's angina.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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-threat-
ening infection in one of the clients?: A. 500/mm3.
8. 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.
9. 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.
, Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8np9fk
10. 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.
11. The practical nurse (PN) should place a client in which position for a thora-
centesis?: B. Sitting upright in a tripod position leaning on an overbed table.
12. Which action should the practical nurse take when handling a sample of cere-
brospinal fluid (CSF) collected for diagnostic testing from a client?: A. Implement
standard precautions with the CSF specimen.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Which finding should the practical nurse (PN) identify as typical for a client
who is hypoxic?: B. Hemoglobin of 10 grams/dl
19. Which finding for a client who is 1-day postoperative for a partial thyroidecto-
my requires immediate follow-up by the practical nurse (PN)?: A. High pitched expiratory
sound.
