LPN Midterm — Med-Surg II + Mental Health 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A client with Diabetes Insipidus is receiving Desmopressin. Which finding
indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased heart rate and blood pressure
B. Increased blood glucose levels
C. Decreased peripheral edema
D. Decreased urine output and increased specific gravity
Answer: D
Rationale: Desmopressin is an antidiuretic hormone replacement; effectiveness is shown
by a decrease in the excessive urine output characteristic of DI and a concentration of the
urine.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying
B. Tell the client that the voices are not real
C. Administer a PRN sedative immediately
D. Leave the client alone to reduce stimulation
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is priority; the nurse must determine if the voices are command
hallucinations that might instruct the client to harm themselves or others.
,3. When suctioning a client with a tracheostomy, what is the maximum amount
of time the nurse should apply suction?
A. 5 seconds
B. 20 to 30 seconds
C. 10 to 15 seconds
D. 1 minute
Answer: C
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and mucosal
damage.
4. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder. Which dietary
instruction is most important?
A. Maintain a low-sodium diet
B. Maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake
C. Restrict fluid intake to 1 liter per day
D. Avoid all dairy products
Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium is a salt; a decrease in sodium intake can lead to lithium retention and
toxicity, while excessive sodium can lead to subtherapeutic levels.
5. A nurse observes a client’s surgical wound has eviscerated. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Call the surgeon immediately
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Cover the protruding organs with sterile, saline-soaked gauze
Answer: D
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The first action is to protect the organs
from drying and infection using sterile saline-soaked dressings.
, 6. Which symptom is most characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Shortness of breath
C. Frothy pink sputum
D. Peripheral edema and jugular vein distension
Answer: D
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion, leading to edema in the
extremities and distended neck veins.
7. A client taking Phenelzine (an MAOI) should avoid which of the following
foods?
A. Fresh green salads
B. Skim milk
C. Whole grain breads
D. Aged cheeses and smoked meats
Answer: D
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, smoked meats, wine),
which can trigger a hypertensive crisis.
8. A client post-thyroidectomy develops tingling in the fingers and toes. The
nurse suspects which complication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Thyroid storm
Answer: B
Rationale: Accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy
can cause hypocalcemia, manifested by tetany and tingling.
1. A client with Diabetes Insipidus is receiving Desmopressin. Which finding
indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased heart rate and blood pressure
B. Increased blood glucose levels
C. Decreased peripheral edema
D. Decreased urine output and increased specific gravity
Answer: D
Rationale: Desmopressin is an antidiuretic hormone replacement; effectiveness is shown
by a decrease in the excessive urine output characteristic of DI and a concentration of the
urine.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory
hallucinations. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Ask the client what the voices are saying
B. Tell the client that the voices are not real
C. Administer a PRN sedative immediately
D. Leave the client alone to reduce stimulation
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is priority; the nurse must determine if the voices are command
hallucinations that might instruct the client to harm themselves or others.
,3. When suctioning a client with a tracheostomy, what is the maximum amount
of time the nurse should apply suction?
A. 5 seconds
B. 20 to 30 seconds
C. 10 to 15 seconds
D. 1 minute
Answer: C
Rationale: Suctioning should be limited to 10-15 seconds to prevent hypoxia and mucosal
damage.
4. A client is prescribed Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder. Which dietary
instruction is most important?
A. Maintain a low-sodium diet
B. Maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake
C. Restrict fluid intake to 1 liter per day
D. Avoid all dairy products
Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium is a salt; a decrease in sodium intake can lead to lithium retention and
toxicity, while excessive sodium can lead to subtherapeutic levels.
5. A nurse observes a client’s surgical wound has eviscerated. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Call the surgeon immediately
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Push the organs back into the abdominal cavity
D. Cover the protruding organs with sterile, saline-soaked gauze
Answer: D
Rationale: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The first action is to protect the organs
from drying and infection using sterile saline-soaked dressings.
, 6. Which symptom is most characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles in the lungs
B. Shortness of breath
C. Frothy pink sputum
D. Peripheral edema and jugular vein distension
Answer: D
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion, leading to edema in the
extremities and distended neck veins.
7. A client taking Phenelzine (an MAOI) should avoid which of the following
foods?
A. Fresh green salads
B. Skim milk
C. Whole grain breads
D. Aged cheeses and smoked meats
Answer: D
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, smoked meats, wine),
which can trigger a hypertensive crisis.
8. A client post-thyroidectomy develops tingling in the fingers and toes. The
nurse suspects which complication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Thyroid storm
Answer: B
Rationale: Accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy
can cause hypocalcemia, manifested by tetany and tingling.
