BSN HESI 266 MED SURG EXAM
2026 PRACTICE TEST
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
WITH 100+ HIGH YIELD QUESTIONS
EXAM
Body mass index (BMI) – answer A measurement that may be assessed in
relation to elevated TSH levels.
Skin elasticity and turgor - answerAn assessment that may be made in
relation to elevated TSH levels.
Thought processes and speech - answerAn assessment that may be made
in relation to elevated TSH levels.
Exposure to cold environmental temperatures - answerA condition that
stimulates the hypothalamus to secrete thyrotropin-releasing hormone,
increasing TSH release.
Topical anesthetic application - answerThe action of applying a liberal
amount of cream into the skin thoroughly to maximize therapeutic effect.
Gauze dressing - answerA covering that may be used after applying topical
anesthetic cream.
Radiation therapy consequences - answerChronic esophagitis with
gastroesophageal reflux is a potential consequence of radiation therapy for
breast cancer.
Pathologic fracture - answerFractures that occur without evidence of
trauma, often due to loss of bone density from radiation damage.
,Sexual activity after myocardial infarction - answerSexual intercourse after
an MI requires no more energy expenditure or cardiac stress than walking
briskly up two flights of stairs.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube - answerA type of
feeding tube that differs from a gastrostomy tube primarily in the method of
insertion.
PEG tube - answerA tube inserted endoscopically through the esophagus
into the stomach, held in place by a bumper and a water-filled balloon.
GT - answerA tube inserted through an incision in the abdomen and
sutured to the gastric wall.
Proctosigmoidoscopy preparation - answerIncludes obtaining consent, a
clear-liquid diet for 24 to 48 hours prior, administration of an enema, and
fasting on the morning of the procedure.
Dysuria in diabetes - answerElevated fingerstick glucose levels (e.g., 300
mg/dl) need to be reported to adjust the care plan.
Right renal calculi nursing diagnosis priority - answerAcute pain related to
movement of the stone.
Chemotherapy initiation - answerStarting chemotherapy early increases the
chance of eradicating cancer cells, as 50% of tumor cells are killed with
each dose.
Asterixis - answerA clinical sign of liver disease characterized by a flapping
tremor of the hands.
Clear-liquid diet - answerA diet consisting of clear fluids, often required 24
to 48 hours before certain medical procedures.
Enema - answerA procedure to introduce liquid into the rectum to stimulate
a bowel movement or cleanse the bowel before a procedure.
Fasting protocol - answerRefraining from all food and drink for a specified
period, often required before medical procedures.
,Suprapubic pain - answerPain located in the lower abdomen, often
associated with urinary issues.
Bounding pulse - answerA pulse that feels strong and full, often measured
at 100 beats/minute in this context.
Small vesicular perineal lesions - answerFluid-filled blisters in the perineal
area, which may indicate an infection or other medical condition.
Acute pain - answerSevere discomfort that arises suddenly, often related to
conditions like renal calculi.
Impaired urinary elimination - answerDifficulty in passing urine, often due to
obstruction.
Risk for infection - answerIncreased likelihood of developing an infection,
often due to conditions like urinary stasis.
Deficient knowledge - answerA lack of understanding or information
regarding a specific health condition or its management.
Collateral circulation - answerAlternative pathways of blood flow that
develop as a response to blockage or narrowing of blood vessels.
Cell cycle rate - answerThe speed at which a cell progresses through the
phases of growth and division, impacting its sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Tumor cell count reduction - answerThe process by which chemotherapy
reduces the number of cancer cells, with each dose killing approximately
50%.
Asterixis - answerA hand-flapping tremor that is often seen frequently in
hepatic encephalopathy, induced by extending the arm and dorsiflexing the
wrist.
Postoperative Observation - answerThe observation of a pulse change
from 85 to 160 beats/minute lasting more than 10 minutes should alert the
nurse to call the Rapid Response Team (RRT).
, Rapid Response Team (RRT) - answerA team called to intervene for a
client with an acute life-threatening change.
Valsalva Maneuver - answerStraining with bowel movements while holding
one's breath, which increases intracerebral pressure (ICP) and may induce
bleeding or rupture of cerebral blood vessels.
HIV Post-Test Counseling - answerEncouraging retesting supports hope
and gives the client time to cope with the diagnosis.
Safety Checklist for Surgery - answerItems such as nail polish, contact
lenses, and partial dentures should be removed to provide accurate pulse
oximetry readings and prevent damage during surgery.
Nail Polish Removal - answerRemoval provides a more accurate pulse
oximetry reading and evaluation of capillary refill.
Monitoring for Battle's Sign - answerA nursing action that should be
included in the plan of care for a client admitted with a hemorrhagic stroke.
Active Range of Motion - answerPerforming active range of motion three
times daily is a nursing action for post-stroke care.
Temperature and WBC Count - answerA temperature of 103.1 F and a
white blood cell (WBC) count of 16,000 mm3 are significant observations
postoperatively.
Surgical Wound Dressing - answerFresh bleeding noted on abdominal
surgical wound dressing is a concerning observation for a postoperative
client.
Diaphoresis and Weakness - answerWeakness, diaphoresis, and
complaints of feeling faint with BP 100/56 mm Hg are signs that may
indicate a need for urgent care.
Dorsiflexing the Wrist - answerA movement that induces asterixis when
attempting to hold the position.
Client's Arm Position for Asterixis Test - answerThe client should extend
the arm, dorsiflex the wrist, and extend the fingers.
2026 PRACTICE TEST
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
WITH 100+ HIGH YIELD QUESTIONS
EXAM
Body mass index (BMI) – answer A measurement that may be assessed in
relation to elevated TSH levels.
Skin elasticity and turgor - answerAn assessment that may be made in
relation to elevated TSH levels.
Thought processes and speech - answerAn assessment that may be made
in relation to elevated TSH levels.
Exposure to cold environmental temperatures - answerA condition that
stimulates the hypothalamus to secrete thyrotropin-releasing hormone,
increasing TSH release.
Topical anesthetic application - answerThe action of applying a liberal
amount of cream into the skin thoroughly to maximize therapeutic effect.
Gauze dressing - answerA covering that may be used after applying topical
anesthetic cream.
Radiation therapy consequences - answerChronic esophagitis with
gastroesophageal reflux is a potential consequence of radiation therapy for
breast cancer.
Pathologic fracture - answerFractures that occur without evidence of
trauma, often due to loss of bone density from radiation damage.
,Sexual activity after myocardial infarction - answerSexual intercourse after
an MI requires no more energy expenditure or cardiac stress than walking
briskly up two flights of stairs.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube - answerA type of
feeding tube that differs from a gastrostomy tube primarily in the method of
insertion.
PEG tube - answerA tube inserted endoscopically through the esophagus
into the stomach, held in place by a bumper and a water-filled balloon.
GT - answerA tube inserted through an incision in the abdomen and
sutured to the gastric wall.
Proctosigmoidoscopy preparation - answerIncludes obtaining consent, a
clear-liquid diet for 24 to 48 hours prior, administration of an enema, and
fasting on the morning of the procedure.
Dysuria in diabetes - answerElevated fingerstick glucose levels (e.g., 300
mg/dl) need to be reported to adjust the care plan.
Right renal calculi nursing diagnosis priority - answerAcute pain related to
movement of the stone.
Chemotherapy initiation - answerStarting chemotherapy early increases the
chance of eradicating cancer cells, as 50% of tumor cells are killed with
each dose.
Asterixis - answerA clinical sign of liver disease characterized by a flapping
tremor of the hands.
Clear-liquid diet - answerA diet consisting of clear fluids, often required 24
to 48 hours before certain medical procedures.
Enema - answerA procedure to introduce liquid into the rectum to stimulate
a bowel movement or cleanse the bowel before a procedure.
Fasting protocol - answerRefraining from all food and drink for a specified
period, often required before medical procedures.
,Suprapubic pain - answerPain located in the lower abdomen, often
associated with urinary issues.
Bounding pulse - answerA pulse that feels strong and full, often measured
at 100 beats/minute in this context.
Small vesicular perineal lesions - answerFluid-filled blisters in the perineal
area, which may indicate an infection or other medical condition.
Acute pain - answerSevere discomfort that arises suddenly, often related to
conditions like renal calculi.
Impaired urinary elimination - answerDifficulty in passing urine, often due to
obstruction.
Risk for infection - answerIncreased likelihood of developing an infection,
often due to conditions like urinary stasis.
Deficient knowledge - answerA lack of understanding or information
regarding a specific health condition or its management.
Collateral circulation - answerAlternative pathways of blood flow that
develop as a response to blockage or narrowing of blood vessels.
Cell cycle rate - answerThe speed at which a cell progresses through the
phases of growth and division, impacting its sensitivity to chemotherapy.
Tumor cell count reduction - answerThe process by which chemotherapy
reduces the number of cancer cells, with each dose killing approximately
50%.
Asterixis - answerA hand-flapping tremor that is often seen frequently in
hepatic encephalopathy, induced by extending the arm and dorsiflexing the
wrist.
Postoperative Observation - answerThe observation of a pulse change
from 85 to 160 beats/minute lasting more than 10 minutes should alert the
nurse to call the Rapid Response Team (RRT).
, Rapid Response Team (RRT) - answerA team called to intervene for a
client with an acute life-threatening change.
Valsalva Maneuver - answerStraining with bowel movements while holding
one's breath, which increases intracerebral pressure (ICP) and may induce
bleeding or rupture of cerebral blood vessels.
HIV Post-Test Counseling - answerEncouraging retesting supports hope
and gives the client time to cope with the diagnosis.
Safety Checklist for Surgery - answerItems such as nail polish, contact
lenses, and partial dentures should be removed to provide accurate pulse
oximetry readings and prevent damage during surgery.
Nail Polish Removal - answerRemoval provides a more accurate pulse
oximetry reading and evaluation of capillary refill.
Monitoring for Battle's Sign - answerA nursing action that should be
included in the plan of care for a client admitted with a hemorrhagic stroke.
Active Range of Motion - answerPerforming active range of motion three
times daily is a nursing action for post-stroke care.
Temperature and WBC Count - answerA temperature of 103.1 F and a
white blood cell (WBC) count of 16,000 mm3 are significant observations
postoperatively.
Surgical Wound Dressing - answerFresh bleeding noted on abdominal
surgical wound dressing is a concerning observation for a postoperative
client.
Diaphoresis and Weakness - answerWeakness, diaphoresis, and
complaints of feeling faint with BP 100/56 mm Hg are signs that may
indicate a need for urgent care.
Dorsiflexing the Wrist - answerA movement that induces asterixis when
attempting to hold the position.
Client's Arm Position for Asterixis Test - answerThe client should extend
the arm, dorsiflex the wrist, and extend the fingers.
