PN HESI Med Surg Exam
Practical Nursing Test Bank
2026/2027 | Practice Questions
& Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Nursing Exam
Study Guide PDF Guaranteed
Pass (GRADED A+)
Question 1
A practical nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which
finding should be reported to the healthcare provider
immediately?
A. Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1 lb) in one week
B. Bilateral ankle edema
C. Crackles heard in both lung bases
D. Fatigue after activity
Answer: C. Crackles heard in both lung bases
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs and
may signal worsening heart failure requiring prompt
intervention.
,Question 2
A client with diabetes mellitus reports shakiness and sweating.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Check the blood pressure
B. Administer insulin
C. Check the blood glucose level
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: C. Check the blood glucose level
Rationale: Shakiness and sweating are common signs of
hypoglycemia. The nurse should first assess blood glucose to
determine appropriate treatment.
Question 3
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client
receiving opioid pain medication?
A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
B. Pain rating of 4/10
C. Heart rate of 88 beats/minute
D. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious adverse effect of
opioids and requires immediate intervention.
Question 4
,A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
should be placed in which position to improve breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler's
D. Prone
Answer: C. High Fowler's
Rationale: High Fowler's position maximizes lung expansion
and reduces the work of breathing.
Question 5
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely in
a client receiving warfarin therapy?
A. Hemoglobin
B. INR
C. Sodium
D. Potassium
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) evaluates
the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client after a thyroidectomy. Which
finding requires immediate attention?
, A. Hoarse voice
B. Neck swelling
C. Mild pain at incision site
D. Drowsiness from anesthesia
Answer: B. Neck swelling
Rationale: Neck swelling may indicate hemorrhage or airway
obstruction, which is a medical emergency.
Question 7
Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing pressure
injuries in an immobile client?
A. Restrict fluid intake
B. Massage reddened areas
C. Reposition every two hours
D. Elevate the head of the bed continuously
Answer: C. Reposition every two hours
Rationale: Frequent repositioning reduces prolonged pressure
and helps prevent skin breakdown.
Question 8
A client with pneumonia is prescribed antibiotics. Which
assessment finding indicates improvement?
A. Increased sputum production
B. Oxygen saturation of 96%
C. Respiratory rate of 30/minute
D. Persistent fever
Practical Nursing Test Bank
2026/2027 | Practice Questions
& Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Nursing Exam
Study Guide PDF Guaranteed
Pass (GRADED A+)
Question 1
A practical nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which
finding should be reported to the healthcare provider
immediately?
A. Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1 lb) in one week
B. Bilateral ankle edema
C. Crackles heard in both lung bases
D. Fatigue after activity
Answer: C. Crackles heard in both lung bases
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs and
may signal worsening heart failure requiring prompt
intervention.
,Question 2
A client with diabetes mellitus reports shakiness and sweating.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Check the blood pressure
B. Administer insulin
C. Check the blood glucose level
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: C. Check the blood glucose level
Rationale: Shakiness and sweating are common signs of
hypoglycemia. The nurse should first assess blood glucose to
determine appropriate treatment.
Question 3
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client
receiving opioid pain medication?
A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
B. Pain rating of 4/10
C. Heart rate of 88 beats/minute
D. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a serious adverse effect of
opioids and requires immediate intervention.
Question 4
,A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
should be placed in which position to improve breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High Fowler's
D. Prone
Answer: C. High Fowler's
Rationale: High Fowler's position maximizes lung expansion
and reduces the work of breathing.
Question 5
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely in
a client receiving warfarin therapy?
A. Hemoglobin
B. INR
C. Sodium
D. Potassium
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) evaluates
the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client after a thyroidectomy. Which
finding requires immediate attention?
, A. Hoarse voice
B. Neck swelling
C. Mild pain at incision site
D. Drowsiness from anesthesia
Answer: B. Neck swelling
Rationale: Neck swelling may indicate hemorrhage or airway
obstruction, which is a medical emergency.
Question 7
Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing pressure
injuries in an immobile client?
A. Restrict fluid intake
B. Massage reddened areas
C. Reposition every two hours
D. Elevate the head of the bed continuously
Answer: C. Reposition every two hours
Rationale: Frequent repositioning reduces prolonged pressure
and helps prevent skin breakdown.
Question 8
A client with pneumonia is prescribed antibiotics. Which
assessment finding indicates improvement?
A. Increased sputum production
B. Oxygen saturation of 96%
C. Respiratory rate of 30/minute
D. Persistent fever
