MED/SURG NCLEX-RN HESI PRACTICE LATEST 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH FULL
RATIONALES | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
The nurse assesses a postoperative client whose skin is cool, pale, and moist. The client is very
restless and has scant urine output. Oxygen is being administered at 2 L/min, and a saline lock is
in place. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A.Measure the urine specific gravity.
B.Obtain IV fluids for infusion per protocol.
C.Prepare for insertion of a central venous catheter.
D.Auscultate the client's breath sounds. - correct answer -B
The client is at risk for hypovolemic shock because of the postoperative status and is exhibiting
early signs of shock. A priority intervention is the initiation of IV fluids (B) to restore tissue
perfusion. (A, C, and D) are all important interventions, but are of less priority than (B).
During a health fair, a male client with emphysema tells the nurse that he fatigues easily.
Assessment reveals marked clubbing of the fingernails and an increased anteroposterior chest
diameter. Which instruction is best to provide the client?
A."Pace your activities and schedule rest periods."
B."Increase the amount of oxygen you use at night."
C."Obtain medical evaluation for antibiotic therapy."
D."Reduce your intake of fluids containing caffeine." - correct answer -A
Manifestations of emphysema include an increase in AP diameter (referred to as a barrel chest),
nail bed clubbing, and fatigue. The nurse can provide instructions to promote energy
management, such as pacing activities and scheduling rest periods (A). (B) may result in a
decreased drive to breathe. The client is not exhibiting any symptoms of infection, so (C) is not
necessary. (D) is less beneficial than (A).
,During the change of shift report, the charge nurse reviews the infusions being received by
clients on the oncology unit. The client receiving which infusion should be assessed first?
A.Continuous IV infusion of magnesium
B.One-time infusion of albumin
C.Continuous epidural infusion of morphine
D.Intermittent infusion of IV vancomycin - correct answer -C
All four of these clients have the potential to have significant complications. The client with the
morphine epidural infusion (C) is at highest risk for respiratory depression and should be
assessed first. (A) can cause hypotension. The client receiving (B) is at lowest risk for serious
complications. Although (D) can cause nephrotoxicity and phlebitis, these problems are not as
immediately life threatening as (C).
The nurse is planning care for a client with diabetes mellitus who has gangrene of the toes to
the midfoot. Which goal should be included in this client's plan of care?
A.Restore skin integrity.
B.Prevent infection.
C.Promote healing.
D.Improve nutrition. - correct answer -B
The prevention of infection is a priority goal for this client (B). Gangrene is the result of necrosis
(tissue death). If infection develops, there is insufficient circulation to fight the infection and the
infection can result in osteomyelitis or sepsis. Because tissue death has already occurred, (A and
C) are unattainable goals. (D) is important but of less priority than (B).
The nurse is conducting an osteoporosis screening clinic at a health fair. What information
should the nurse provide to individuals who are at risk for osteoporosis? (Select all that apply.)
,A.Encourage alcohol and smoking cessation.
B.Suggest supplementing diet with vitamin E.
C.Promote regular weight-bearing exercises.
D.Implement a home safety plan to prevent falls.
E.Propose a regular sleep pattern of 8 hours nightly. - correct answer -A, C, D
(A, C, and D) are factors that decrease the risk for developing osteoporosis. Vitamin D and
calcium are important supplements to aid in the decrease of bone loss (B). Regular sleep
patterns are important to overall health but are not identified with a decreasing risk for
osteoporosis (E).
An 81-year-old male client has emphysema. He lives at home with his cat and manages self-care
with no difficulty. When making a home visit, the nurse notices that this client's tongue is
somewhat cracked and his eyeballs appear sunken into his head. Which nursing intervention is
indicated?
A.Help the client determine ways to increase his fluid intake.
B.Obtain an appointment for the client to have an eye examination.
C.Instruct the client to use oxygen at night and increase the humidification.
D.Schedule the client for tests to determine his sensitivity to cat hair. - correct answer -A
Clients with COPD should ingest 3 L of fluids daily but may experience a fluid deficit because of
shortness of breath. The nurse should suggest creative methods to increase the intake of fluids
(A), such as having fruit juices in disposable containers readily available. (B) is not indicated.
Humidified oxygen will not effectively treat the client's fluid deficit, and there is no indication
that the client needs supplemental oxygen at night (C). These symptoms are not indicative of (D)
and may unnecessarily upset the client, who depends on his pet for socialization.
The nurse is assessing a client who presents with jaundice. Which assessment finding is most
important for the nurse to follow up?
A.Urine specific gravity of 1.03
, B.Frothy, tea-colored urine
C.Clay-colored stools
D.Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels - correct answer -D
Obstructive cholelithiasis and alcoholism are the two major causes of pancreatitis, and elevated
serum amylase and lipase levels (D) indicate pancreatic injury. (A) is a normal finding. (B and C)
are expected findings related to jaundice.
Which content about self-care should the nurse include in the teaching plan of a female client
who has genital herpes? (Select all that apply.)
A.Encourage annual physical and Pap smear.
B.Take antiviral medication as prescribed.
C.Use condoms to avoid transmission to others.
D.Warm sitz baths may relieve itching.
E.Use Nystatin suppositories to control itching.
F.Use a douche with weak vinegar solution to decrease itching. - correct answer -A, B, C, D
The nurse should include (A, B, C, and D) in the teaching plan of a female client with genital
herpes. (E) is specific for Candida infections, and (F) is used to treat Trichomonas.
The nurse is interviewing a client who is taking interferon-alfa-2a (Roferon-A) and ribavirin
(Virazole) combination therapy for hepatitis C. The client reports experiencing overwhelming
feelings of depression. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A.Recommend mental health counseling.
B.Review the medication actions and interactions.
C.Assess for the client's daily activity level.
D.Provide information regarding a support group. - correct answer -B
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH FULL
RATIONALES | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
The nurse assesses a postoperative client whose skin is cool, pale, and moist. The client is very
restless and has scant urine output. Oxygen is being administered at 2 L/min, and a saline lock is
in place. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A.Measure the urine specific gravity.
B.Obtain IV fluids for infusion per protocol.
C.Prepare for insertion of a central venous catheter.
D.Auscultate the client's breath sounds. - correct answer -B
The client is at risk for hypovolemic shock because of the postoperative status and is exhibiting
early signs of shock. A priority intervention is the initiation of IV fluids (B) to restore tissue
perfusion. (A, C, and D) are all important interventions, but are of less priority than (B).
During a health fair, a male client with emphysema tells the nurse that he fatigues easily.
Assessment reveals marked clubbing of the fingernails and an increased anteroposterior chest
diameter. Which instruction is best to provide the client?
A."Pace your activities and schedule rest periods."
B."Increase the amount of oxygen you use at night."
C."Obtain medical evaluation for antibiotic therapy."
D."Reduce your intake of fluids containing caffeine." - correct answer -A
Manifestations of emphysema include an increase in AP diameter (referred to as a barrel chest),
nail bed clubbing, and fatigue. The nurse can provide instructions to promote energy
management, such as pacing activities and scheduling rest periods (A). (B) may result in a
decreased drive to breathe. The client is not exhibiting any symptoms of infection, so (C) is not
necessary. (D) is less beneficial than (A).
,During the change of shift report, the charge nurse reviews the infusions being received by
clients on the oncology unit. The client receiving which infusion should be assessed first?
A.Continuous IV infusion of magnesium
B.One-time infusion of albumin
C.Continuous epidural infusion of morphine
D.Intermittent infusion of IV vancomycin - correct answer -C
All four of these clients have the potential to have significant complications. The client with the
morphine epidural infusion (C) is at highest risk for respiratory depression and should be
assessed first. (A) can cause hypotension. The client receiving (B) is at lowest risk for serious
complications. Although (D) can cause nephrotoxicity and phlebitis, these problems are not as
immediately life threatening as (C).
The nurse is planning care for a client with diabetes mellitus who has gangrene of the toes to
the midfoot. Which goal should be included in this client's plan of care?
A.Restore skin integrity.
B.Prevent infection.
C.Promote healing.
D.Improve nutrition. - correct answer -B
The prevention of infection is a priority goal for this client (B). Gangrene is the result of necrosis
(tissue death). If infection develops, there is insufficient circulation to fight the infection and the
infection can result in osteomyelitis or sepsis. Because tissue death has already occurred, (A and
C) are unattainable goals. (D) is important but of less priority than (B).
The nurse is conducting an osteoporosis screening clinic at a health fair. What information
should the nurse provide to individuals who are at risk for osteoporosis? (Select all that apply.)
,A.Encourage alcohol and smoking cessation.
B.Suggest supplementing diet with vitamin E.
C.Promote regular weight-bearing exercises.
D.Implement a home safety plan to prevent falls.
E.Propose a regular sleep pattern of 8 hours nightly. - correct answer -A, C, D
(A, C, and D) are factors that decrease the risk for developing osteoporosis. Vitamin D and
calcium are important supplements to aid in the decrease of bone loss (B). Regular sleep
patterns are important to overall health but are not identified with a decreasing risk for
osteoporosis (E).
An 81-year-old male client has emphysema. He lives at home with his cat and manages self-care
with no difficulty. When making a home visit, the nurse notices that this client's tongue is
somewhat cracked and his eyeballs appear sunken into his head. Which nursing intervention is
indicated?
A.Help the client determine ways to increase his fluid intake.
B.Obtain an appointment for the client to have an eye examination.
C.Instruct the client to use oxygen at night and increase the humidification.
D.Schedule the client for tests to determine his sensitivity to cat hair. - correct answer -A
Clients with COPD should ingest 3 L of fluids daily but may experience a fluid deficit because of
shortness of breath. The nurse should suggest creative methods to increase the intake of fluids
(A), such as having fruit juices in disposable containers readily available. (B) is not indicated.
Humidified oxygen will not effectively treat the client's fluid deficit, and there is no indication
that the client needs supplemental oxygen at night (C). These symptoms are not indicative of (D)
and may unnecessarily upset the client, who depends on his pet for socialization.
The nurse is assessing a client who presents with jaundice. Which assessment finding is most
important for the nurse to follow up?
A.Urine specific gravity of 1.03
, B.Frothy, tea-colored urine
C.Clay-colored stools
D.Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels - correct answer -D
Obstructive cholelithiasis and alcoholism are the two major causes of pancreatitis, and elevated
serum amylase and lipase levels (D) indicate pancreatic injury. (A) is a normal finding. (B and C)
are expected findings related to jaundice.
Which content about self-care should the nurse include in the teaching plan of a female client
who has genital herpes? (Select all that apply.)
A.Encourage annual physical and Pap smear.
B.Take antiviral medication as prescribed.
C.Use condoms to avoid transmission to others.
D.Warm sitz baths may relieve itching.
E.Use Nystatin suppositories to control itching.
F.Use a douche with weak vinegar solution to decrease itching. - correct answer -A, B, C, D
The nurse should include (A, B, C, and D) in the teaching plan of a female client with genital
herpes. (E) is specific for Candida infections, and (F) is used to treat Trichomonas.
The nurse is interviewing a client who is taking interferon-alfa-2a (Roferon-A) and ribavirin
(Virazole) combination therapy for hepatitis C. The client reports experiencing overwhelming
feelings of depression. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A.Recommend mental health counseling.
B.Review the medication actions and interactions.
C.Assess for the client's daily activity level.
D.Provide information regarding a support group. - correct answer -B
