MED SURG HESI PRACTICE TEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
UPDATED VERSION VERIFIED A+
◉ Which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial
assessment of a client who presents to the emergency department with a
painful ankle injury? (Select all that apply.)
Quality of the pain.
Signs of inflammation.
Ankle range of motion.
Muscle strength testing.
Visible deformities of the joint.
Answer: Quality of the pain.
Signs of inflammation.
Ankle range of motion.
Visible deformities of the joint.
Initial assessment of a joint injury is performed to determine the extent
of the damage. The nurse's initial assessment of a painful ankle injury
should include pain quality, the presence of deformities, evidence of
inflammation, and range of motion.
Jarvis Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 7th ed. p. 586-8
,◉ Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of
rheumatoid arthritis?
Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints.
Joint pain is better in the morning and worsens throughout the day.
Joint pain is consistent throughout the day and is relieved by pain
medication.
Joint pain is worse during the day and involves unilateral joints.
Answer: Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric
joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes joint
pain and swelling. RA is characterized by pain that is worse when
arising and involves symmetric joints.
Jarvis. (2016), Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 7th Ed.,
Chapter 22; p. 586
◉ Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a
client with long-term gastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD)?
Hoarseness.
Dry mouth.
Mouth ulcers.
Weight loss.
Answer: Hoarseness.
,Dyspepsia and regurgitation are the main symptoms of gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD); however, hoarseness is one of the most common
long-term symptoms of GERD due to the irritation of the reflux of
gastric secretions.
Ignatavicius, (2016). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered
collaborative care, eight edition., Ch. 49, p. 1111.
◉ A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which
assessment finding should the nurse anticipate?
Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis.
Clubbing of fingers and toes.
Intermittent claudication.
Peripheral cyanosis.
Answer: Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis.
Clients who suffer from chroninc venous insufficiency often develop
statsis dermatitis in the lower extremities. Statis dermatitis appear as
brownish-red discoloration on the lower extremities at the ankles which
can develop into stasis ulcers due to the pooling of the venous blood
flow back to the heart.
Ignatavicius, (2013). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered
collaborative care, 7th ed.., Ch. 33, p. 803.
, ◉ A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being
treated with traction. Which action by the nurse is the priority when
caring for this client?
Assess neurovascular status.
Change the client's position.
Inspect the traction equipment.
Review pain medication orders.
Answer: Assess neurovascular status.
The use of traction for long bone fractures reduces the potential for
damage to the surrounding tissues. Reports of increased pain may
indicate circulatory compromise or tissue damage (compartment
syndrome). Assessing the client's neurovascular status is the nurse's
highest priority.
Ignatavicius, (2016). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered
collaborative care, eight edition., Ch. 51, pp. 1051-80.
◉ Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates
that further education is needed?
I will cut back on smoking cigarettes daily.
I will avoid drinking caffeinated beverages.
I will rest frequently and avoid vigorous exercise.
I will eat a bland, low-fat, high-protein diet.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
UPDATED VERSION VERIFIED A+
◉ Which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial
assessment of a client who presents to the emergency department with a
painful ankle injury? (Select all that apply.)
Quality of the pain.
Signs of inflammation.
Ankle range of motion.
Muscle strength testing.
Visible deformities of the joint.
Answer: Quality of the pain.
Signs of inflammation.
Ankle range of motion.
Visible deformities of the joint.
Initial assessment of a joint injury is performed to determine the extent
of the damage. The nurse's initial assessment of a painful ankle injury
should include pain quality, the presence of deformities, evidence of
inflammation, and range of motion.
Jarvis Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 7th ed. p. 586-8
,◉ Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of
rheumatoid arthritis?
Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints.
Joint pain is better in the morning and worsens throughout the day.
Joint pain is consistent throughout the day and is relieved by pain
medication.
Joint pain is worse during the day and involves unilateral joints.
Answer: Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric
joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes joint
pain and swelling. RA is characterized by pain that is worse when
arising and involves symmetric joints.
Jarvis. (2016), Physical Examination and Health Assessment, 7th Ed.,
Chapter 22; p. 586
◉ Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a
client with long-term gastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD)?
Hoarseness.
Dry mouth.
Mouth ulcers.
Weight loss.
Answer: Hoarseness.
,Dyspepsia and regurgitation are the main symptoms of gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD); however, hoarseness is one of the most common
long-term symptoms of GERD due to the irritation of the reflux of
gastric secretions.
Ignatavicius, (2016). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered
collaborative care, eight edition., Ch. 49, p. 1111.
◉ A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which
assessment finding should the nurse anticipate?
Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis.
Clubbing of fingers and toes.
Intermittent claudication.
Peripheral cyanosis.
Answer: Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis.
Clients who suffer from chroninc venous insufficiency often develop
statsis dermatitis in the lower extremities. Statis dermatitis appear as
brownish-red discoloration on the lower extremities at the ankles which
can develop into stasis ulcers due to the pooling of the venous blood
flow back to the heart.
Ignatavicius, (2013). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered
collaborative care, 7th ed.., Ch. 33, p. 803.
, ◉ A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being
treated with traction. Which action by the nurse is the priority when
caring for this client?
Assess neurovascular status.
Change the client's position.
Inspect the traction equipment.
Review pain medication orders.
Answer: Assess neurovascular status.
The use of traction for long bone fractures reduces the potential for
damage to the surrounding tissues. Reports of increased pain may
indicate circulatory compromise or tissue damage (compartment
syndrome). Assessing the client's neurovascular status is the nurse's
highest priority.
Ignatavicius, (2016). Medical-surgical nursing: Patient-centered
collaborative care, eight edition., Ch. 51, pp. 1051-80.
◉ Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates
that further education is needed?
I will cut back on smoking cigarettes daily.
I will avoid drinking caffeinated beverages.
I will rest frequently and avoid vigorous exercise.
I will eat a bland, low-fat, high-protein diet.
