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PN HESI Review Questions Med Surge
Questions with Correct Answers | Updated
(100% Correct Answers)
Three days after surgery, a male client suddenly grabs his right
chest and becomes short of breath, pale, and diaphoretic. The
practical nurse (PN) immediately assesses his vital signs and obtains
100/80 mm Hg blood pressure, 110 beats/min heart rate, and 36
breaths/min respiratory rate. What action is most important for the
PN to take next? Answer: Apply oxygen at 2 liters per nasal
cannula.
An elderly female client with dementia is transferred from a long-
term care unit to an acute care unit. The client's children express
concern that their mother's confusion is worsening. How should the
practical nurse (PN) respond? Answer: Confusion in an older person
often follows relocation to new surroundings."
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complains of
extreme fatigue after coughing. Which self-care measures should
the practical nurse (PN) suggest to minimize dyspnea? (Select all
that apply.) Answer: 1.Assume a sitting position with shoulders
relaxed and knees flexed.
© 2025 All rights reserved
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2.Support forearms with a pillow and place both feet flat on the
floor.
3.Slightly drop the head, bend forward, and slowly exhale with
pursed lips.
4.Resume sitting up straight, using diaphragmatic breathing to
inhale slowly and deeply
A practical nurse (PN) is monitoring a client with diabetes. The nurse
recognizes which of the following symptoms as possible signs of
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? (Select all that apply.) Answer: Fruity
breath odor
Rapid, weak pulse
Extreme thirst
Urinary frequency
The practical nurse (PN) recognizes which of the following
characteristics considered high-risk factors for developing type 2
diabetes? (Select all that apply.) Answer: Age 40 years or older
African American
Obesity
Hispanic
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, 3
The women's health nurse practitioner and the clinic practical nurse
(PN) are developing a plan of care for a 56-year-old female client
who has been diagnosed with osteopenia. The plan is focused on
preventing further bone resorption and increasing bone mass.
Which outcome statement should be included in the plan of care?
Answer: The client will decrease the number of cigarettes smoked
by 50% within 2 weeks.
A practical nurse (PN) has reinforced teaching a client with asthma
to use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following actions
determines that the client understands the correct procedure?
(Select all that apply.) Answer: Sit or stand.
Shake the inhaler.
Attach the canister of medication to the mouthpiece.
Use a spacer attachment and place the mouthpiece in the mouth.
Close the lips around the mouthpiece.
After inhaling the medication, hold the breath 10 seconds.
Three days following surgery, a male client observes his colostomy
for the first time. He becomes quite upset and tells the practical
nurse (PN) that it is much bigger than he expected. What is the best
response by the PN? Answer: Inform the client that the stoma will
become smaller when the initial swelling diminishes.
© 2025 All rights reserved
PN HESI Review Questions Med Surge
Questions with Correct Answers | Updated
(100% Correct Answers)
Three days after surgery, a male client suddenly grabs his right
chest and becomes short of breath, pale, and diaphoretic. The
practical nurse (PN) immediately assesses his vital signs and obtains
100/80 mm Hg blood pressure, 110 beats/min heart rate, and 36
breaths/min respiratory rate. What action is most important for the
PN to take next? Answer: Apply oxygen at 2 liters per nasal
cannula.
An elderly female client with dementia is transferred from a long-
term care unit to an acute care unit. The client's children express
concern that their mother's confusion is worsening. How should the
practical nurse (PN) respond? Answer: Confusion in an older person
often follows relocation to new surroundings."
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complains of
extreme fatigue after coughing. Which self-care measures should
the practical nurse (PN) suggest to minimize dyspnea? (Select all
that apply.) Answer: 1.Assume a sitting position with shoulders
relaxed and knees flexed.
© 2025 All rights reserved
,2
2.Support forearms with a pillow and place both feet flat on the
floor.
3.Slightly drop the head, bend forward, and slowly exhale with
pursed lips.
4.Resume sitting up straight, using diaphragmatic breathing to
inhale slowly and deeply
A practical nurse (PN) is monitoring a client with diabetes. The nurse
recognizes which of the following symptoms as possible signs of
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)? (Select all that apply.) Answer: Fruity
breath odor
Rapid, weak pulse
Extreme thirst
Urinary frequency
The practical nurse (PN) recognizes which of the following
characteristics considered high-risk factors for developing type 2
diabetes? (Select all that apply.) Answer: Age 40 years or older
African American
Obesity
Hispanic
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3
The women's health nurse practitioner and the clinic practical nurse
(PN) are developing a plan of care for a 56-year-old female client
who has been diagnosed with osteopenia. The plan is focused on
preventing further bone resorption and increasing bone mass.
Which outcome statement should be included in the plan of care?
Answer: The client will decrease the number of cigarettes smoked
by 50% within 2 weeks.
A practical nurse (PN) has reinforced teaching a client with asthma
to use a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following actions
determines that the client understands the correct procedure?
(Select all that apply.) Answer: Sit or stand.
Shake the inhaler.
Attach the canister of medication to the mouthpiece.
Use a spacer attachment and place the mouthpiece in the mouth.
Close the lips around the mouthpiece.
After inhaling the medication, hold the breath 10 seconds.
Three days following surgery, a male client observes his colostomy
for the first time. He becomes quite upset and tells the practical
nurse (PN) that it is much bigger than he expected. What is the best
response by the PN? Answer: Inform the client that the stoma will
become smaller when the initial swelling diminishes.
© 2025 All rights reserved
