MED-SURG HESI PN EXAMINATION
/GRADED ANSWERS/2025/2026
During a clinic visit, a client reports to the practical nurse (PN) that they
felt a solid mass in their breast during self-examination, but it was not
painful. What instruction should the PN reinforce with the client?
A. Continue to monitor the mass until the next scheduled annual exam.
B. Notify the PCP if the mass becomes soft or painful or starts to drain.
C. Schedule an appointment with the PCP for evaluation
D. Breast masses are usually insignificant if they feel soft or are easily
moveable. - ANSWER-c. Schedule an appointment with the health care
provider for evaluation.
A painless breast mass is an abnormal finding, and the PN should
instruct the client to obtain prompt medical evaluation.
The health care provider informed a client diagnosed with stage 4 liver
cancer that the cancer has spread to their spine. The client states to the
practical nurse, "I have a cancer, but it is not malignant." What is the
best initial nursing action?
,A. Encourage the client to attend a cancer education program
B. Perform a complete history and physical assessment
C. Ask the client to explain his understanding of the term malignancy.
D. Offer the client emotional support to deal with the diagnosis
Submit - ANSWER-c. Ask the client to explain his understanding of the
term malignancy.
The best initial action is to assess the client's knowledge of the term
malignancy when used to describe cancer. The client appears to have
inaccurate knowledge. Stage 4 cancer means the cancer has spread
(metastasized) from where it has started to another body part.
A client diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Which intervention should the
practical nurse implement to help relieve joint pain and stiffness?
a. Encourage the client to perform weight-bearing exercises.
b. Teach the client how to perform range-of-motion exercises.
c. Explain the use of ice and massage for pain relief.
d. Instruct the client to take an analgesic before walking daily -
ANSWER-d. Instruct the client to take an analgesic before walking
daily.
,Adequate pain management is important for the success of an exercise
program. Keeping the joints active decreases pain, so taking an analgesic
and walking daily is likely to help decrease joint pain and stiffness.
A client diagnosed with prostate cancer is prescribed radioactive seed
implantation (brachytherapy). What is the most important nursing action
for the practical nurse (PN) to do?
a. Follow radiation exposure precautions
b. Encourage regular meals
c. Collect all urine in sealed containers
d. Avoid touching the client. - ANSWER-a. Follow radiation exposure
precautions.
Clients being treated for prostate cancer with brachytherapy (radioactive
seeds implant) should be placed on radiation exposure precautions. The
PN needs to follow the institution's protocols put in place regarding the
amount of time and distance needed to prevent excessive exposure that
would pose a hazard to others.
A client diagnosed with emphysema that is oxygen-dependent lives
alone at home and manages self-care with no difficulty. Which finding
should prompt the home health practical nurse to consult the registered
nurse case manager?
, a. A pulse oximetry reading of 91% on oxygen at 2 L/m
b. A weight loss of 5 pounds since the last monthly home visit
c. The client reports feeling as tired as at the last visit by the nurse
d. Upon entering the home, the PN noticed dirty dishes and clothing
scattered around the home. - ANSWER-b. A weight loss of 5 pounds
since the last monthly home visit
A weight loss of 5 pounds in 1 month is a concern. Clients with COPD
need additional calorie intake because they are using up a lot from the
energy they are using to breath. The practical nurse needs to consult with
the registered nurse case manager for a nutrition consult
The nurse has reinforced instructions to a client with diabetes mellitus
on how to self-monitor for symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
The nurse realizes the instructions have been effective if the client can
list which symptoms? (Select all that apply.)
a. Fruity breath odor
b. Rapid, weak pulse
c. Cold, clammy skin
d. Extreme thirst
e. Urinary frequency
f. Protruding eyeballs - ANSWER-a. Fruity breath odor
b. Rapid, weak pulse
/GRADED ANSWERS/2025/2026
During a clinic visit, a client reports to the practical nurse (PN) that they
felt a solid mass in their breast during self-examination, but it was not
painful. What instruction should the PN reinforce with the client?
A. Continue to monitor the mass until the next scheduled annual exam.
B. Notify the PCP if the mass becomes soft or painful or starts to drain.
C. Schedule an appointment with the PCP for evaluation
D. Breast masses are usually insignificant if they feel soft or are easily
moveable. - ANSWER-c. Schedule an appointment with the health care
provider for evaluation.
A painless breast mass is an abnormal finding, and the PN should
instruct the client to obtain prompt medical evaluation.
The health care provider informed a client diagnosed with stage 4 liver
cancer that the cancer has spread to their spine. The client states to the
practical nurse, "I have a cancer, but it is not malignant." What is the
best initial nursing action?
,A. Encourage the client to attend a cancer education program
B. Perform a complete history and physical assessment
C. Ask the client to explain his understanding of the term malignancy.
D. Offer the client emotional support to deal with the diagnosis
Submit - ANSWER-c. Ask the client to explain his understanding of the
term malignancy.
The best initial action is to assess the client's knowledge of the term
malignancy when used to describe cancer. The client appears to have
inaccurate knowledge. Stage 4 cancer means the cancer has spread
(metastasized) from where it has started to another body part.
A client diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Which intervention should the
practical nurse implement to help relieve joint pain and stiffness?
a. Encourage the client to perform weight-bearing exercises.
b. Teach the client how to perform range-of-motion exercises.
c. Explain the use of ice and massage for pain relief.
d. Instruct the client to take an analgesic before walking daily -
ANSWER-d. Instruct the client to take an analgesic before walking
daily.
,Adequate pain management is important for the success of an exercise
program. Keeping the joints active decreases pain, so taking an analgesic
and walking daily is likely to help decrease joint pain and stiffness.
A client diagnosed with prostate cancer is prescribed radioactive seed
implantation (brachytherapy). What is the most important nursing action
for the practical nurse (PN) to do?
a. Follow radiation exposure precautions
b. Encourage regular meals
c. Collect all urine in sealed containers
d. Avoid touching the client. - ANSWER-a. Follow radiation exposure
precautions.
Clients being treated for prostate cancer with brachytherapy (radioactive
seeds implant) should be placed on radiation exposure precautions. The
PN needs to follow the institution's protocols put in place regarding the
amount of time and distance needed to prevent excessive exposure that
would pose a hazard to others.
A client diagnosed with emphysema that is oxygen-dependent lives
alone at home and manages self-care with no difficulty. Which finding
should prompt the home health practical nurse to consult the registered
nurse case manager?
, a. A pulse oximetry reading of 91% on oxygen at 2 L/m
b. A weight loss of 5 pounds since the last monthly home visit
c. The client reports feeling as tired as at the last visit by the nurse
d. Upon entering the home, the PN noticed dirty dishes and clothing
scattered around the home. - ANSWER-b. A weight loss of 5 pounds
since the last monthly home visit
A weight loss of 5 pounds in 1 month is a concern. Clients with COPD
need additional calorie intake because they are using up a lot from the
energy they are using to breath. The practical nurse needs to consult with
the registered nurse case manager for a nutrition consult
The nurse has reinforced instructions to a client with diabetes mellitus
on how to self-monitor for symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
The nurse realizes the instructions have been effective if the client can
list which symptoms? (Select all that apply.)
a. Fruity breath odor
b. Rapid, weak pulse
c. Cold, clammy skin
d. Extreme thirst
e. Urinary frequency
f. Protruding eyeballs - ANSWER-a. Fruity breath odor
b. Rapid, weak pulse
