BSN 246 HESI HEALTH ASSESSMENT 138
CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ A client is diagnoses w/ external otitis. Which finding would the nurse
expect to note on assessment of the client?
A. a wider-than-normal ear canal
B. a peraly gray tympanic membrane
C. Redness and swelling in the ear canal
D. an excessive amount of serumen lodged in the ear canal.
Answer: C. Redness and swelling in the ear canalRationale:external otitis is
a painful condition caused when irritating or infective agents come into
contact w/ the skin of the external ear. Affected skin becomes red, swollen,
and tender to touch or movement. Swelling of the ear canal narrows the
canal and can lead to temporary hearing loss from obstruction
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a male client who arrives at the clinic
with severe abdominal cramping, pain, tenesmus, and dehydration. The RN
discovers that the client has had 14 to 20 loose stools with rectal bleeding.
Which condition should the RN ask the client about his medical
history?Irritable bowel syndrome.Diverticulitis.Crohn's disease.Ulcerative
colitis..
Answer: D.The RN should ask the client if he has a history of ulcerative
colitis, which is characterized by severe abdominal cramping, pain,
tenesmus, and dehydration .
◍ 46. While interviewing an elderly client, the nurse observes that the client's
hands tremble uncontrollably while reaching for a glass of water. How
should the nurse document this finding?
A. Sensory dysfunction.
, B. Transient ischemic attack.
C. Muscle flaccidity.
D. Intention tremor..
Answer: D. Intention tremor.
◍ A chest x-ray report states that the client has a left apical pneumothorax.
The nurse caring for the clinet monitors the status of breath sounds in that
area by placing a stehoscope at which location?
A. near the lateral 12th rib
B. Just under the left clavicle
C. in the fifth intercostal space
D. Posteriorly under the left scapula.
Answer: B. Just under the left clavicle. Rationale:the apex of the lung is the
rounded, uppermost part of the lung. The nurse would place the stethoscope
just under the left clavicle.
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2
years. The healthcare provider recently changed the medication to
enalaprilto manage the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the
RN provide the client regarding the new medication?Take the medication at
bedtime.Report presence of increased bruising.Check pulse before taking
medication.Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair..
Answer: D.The client's new medication is an angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitor, which has the side effect oforthostatic hypotension.
Instructing the client to rise slowly from a sitting or lying down position is
important to teach the client to avoid dizziness and potentially falling.
◍ the nurse is documenting the findings of a physical examination in a client's
record. Which of the findings would the nurse determine to be objective
data?
A. the client experiences migraine headaches
B. the client has a rash on the chest and arms
C. the clinet reports having difficulty urinating
D. the client reports taking atenolol for BP.
, Answer: B. the client has a rash on the chest and armsRationale:Subjective
data, collected during the health hx, consist of infomation that the client
provides. Objective data are obtained through the physical examination and
vital sign measurements, what the nurse observes, and lab study and
diagnostic test results.
◍ 61. The nurse is teaching an older adult client newly diagnosed with type 2
diabetes mellitus about symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia. Which
action should the nurse implement while teaching the client?
A. Stand behind the client to avoid intimidation.
B. Turn on overhead lights while giving instructions.
C. Provide handouts written at a 12th grade reading level.
D. Use background music to promote relaxation..
Answer: B. Turn on overhead lights while giving instructions.
◍ A group of postmenopausal women are learning to do breast
self-examination (BSE) in a teaching session at the clinic. The clinic nurse
would teach the group which point about the procedure
A. do the exam on the same day every month
B. Do the exam 7 days after the start of the menstrual cycle.
C. Examine the left breast withthe left hand and vice versa
D. Us the tips of the fingers to increase the liklelihood of feeling lumps. A.
Answer: A. do the exam on the same day every monthRationale:women who
are postmenopausal are taught to do BSE on the same day every month.
Before menopause, women would do the procedure 7 days after the start of
the menstrual cycle, when the breasts are least tender. Each breast is
examined w/ the opposite hand. the pads of the fingers, not the fingertips
would be used for palpation. The client may use a circular, up and down, or
wedge method of assessment. Consistency of use of the same method is
more important than the actual method used.
◍ Which coniditon is consistent w/ poor sleep quality and
quanity?InsomniaSleep apneaCircadian rhythmsRapid-eye-movements
(REM) sleep.
, Answer: A. People w/ insomnia report an overall dissatisfaction with sleep
quality and quantity. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the patient briefly
stops breathing multiple times while asleep. Circadian rhythms are
controlled by internal clocks in environments free of time cues; these are
also no abnormal conditions. REM sleep is a stage during effect sleep
cycles; it is not abnormal condition
◍ Which cognitive changes are characteristic of a pt experiencing hypoxia?
(SATA).RestlessnessApprehensionImproved moodMemory changesPursed
lip breathingImproved concentration.
Answer: A. B. D. A pt, who is hypoxic may have neurologic symptoms that
include apprehension, restlessness, irritability, and memory changes. Mood
will worsen rather than improve. Pursed lip breathing is not a COGNITIVE
symptoms. Concentration will be poor w/ hypoxia rather than improved.
◍ Which term is used to describe a group of adult Jewish family members who
want to participate in a religous ceremony at the bedside of a dying
patient?MassMinyanCongregationSacrament of the Sick.
Answer: B. A minyan is a large group of adult Jewish people who may
gather to pray at the bedside of a dying patient. Mass is a catholic religious
service. A congregation is the group of members who belong ito a religious
establishment liks a synagogue or church. Sacrament of the Sick is a
religous practive carried out for Catholics during illness
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a client with a newly placed
nasogastric tube (NGT). Once the placement of the NG tube is verified by
x-ray, which technique should the RN use as a reliable method to ensure the
NGT is not displaced?Check pH of aspirated stomach contents obtained
from the NG
T. Auscultate over the epigastrium while injecting air into the NG
T. Disconnect and place the end of NGT in water to see if bubbles
appear.Listen for hyperactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants of
abdomen..
Answer: A.Checking the pH of the aspirate is the best method to validate
CERTIFICATION SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ A client is diagnoses w/ external otitis. Which finding would the nurse
expect to note on assessment of the client?
A. a wider-than-normal ear canal
B. a peraly gray tympanic membrane
C. Redness and swelling in the ear canal
D. an excessive amount of serumen lodged in the ear canal.
Answer: C. Redness and swelling in the ear canalRationale:external otitis is
a painful condition caused when irritating or infective agents come into
contact w/ the skin of the external ear. Affected skin becomes red, swollen,
and tender to touch or movement. Swelling of the ear canal narrows the
canal and can lead to temporary hearing loss from obstruction
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a male client who arrives at the clinic
with severe abdominal cramping, pain, tenesmus, and dehydration. The RN
discovers that the client has had 14 to 20 loose stools with rectal bleeding.
Which condition should the RN ask the client about his medical
history?Irritable bowel syndrome.Diverticulitis.Crohn's disease.Ulcerative
colitis..
Answer: D.The RN should ask the client if he has a history of ulcerative
colitis, which is characterized by severe abdominal cramping, pain,
tenesmus, and dehydration .
◍ 46. While interviewing an elderly client, the nurse observes that the client's
hands tremble uncontrollably while reaching for a glass of water. How
should the nurse document this finding?
A. Sensory dysfunction.
, B. Transient ischemic attack.
C. Muscle flaccidity.
D. Intention tremor..
Answer: D. Intention tremor.
◍ A chest x-ray report states that the client has a left apical pneumothorax.
The nurse caring for the clinet monitors the status of breath sounds in that
area by placing a stehoscope at which location?
A. near the lateral 12th rib
B. Just under the left clavicle
C. in the fifth intercostal space
D. Posteriorly under the left scapula.
Answer: B. Just under the left clavicle. Rationale:the apex of the lung is the
rounded, uppermost part of the lung. The nurse would place the stethoscope
just under the left clavicle.
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2
years. The healthcare provider recently changed the medication to
enalaprilto manage the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the
RN provide the client regarding the new medication?Take the medication at
bedtime.Report presence of increased bruising.Check pulse before taking
medication.Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair..
Answer: D.The client's new medication is an angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitor, which has the side effect oforthostatic hypotension.
Instructing the client to rise slowly from a sitting or lying down position is
important to teach the client to avoid dizziness and potentially falling.
◍ the nurse is documenting the findings of a physical examination in a client's
record. Which of the findings would the nurse determine to be objective
data?
A. the client experiences migraine headaches
B. the client has a rash on the chest and arms
C. the clinet reports having difficulty urinating
D. the client reports taking atenolol for BP.
, Answer: B. the client has a rash on the chest and armsRationale:Subjective
data, collected during the health hx, consist of infomation that the client
provides. Objective data are obtained through the physical examination and
vital sign measurements, what the nurse observes, and lab study and
diagnostic test results.
◍ 61. The nurse is teaching an older adult client newly diagnosed with type 2
diabetes mellitus about symptoms and treatment of hypoglycemia. Which
action should the nurse implement while teaching the client?
A. Stand behind the client to avoid intimidation.
B. Turn on overhead lights while giving instructions.
C. Provide handouts written at a 12th grade reading level.
D. Use background music to promote relaxation..
Answer: B. Turn on overhead lights while giving instructions.
◍ A group of postmenopausal women are learning to do breast
self-examination (BSE) in a teaching session at the clinic. The clinic nurse
would teach the group which point about the procedure
A. do the exam on the same day every month
B. Do the exam 7 days after the start of the menstrual cycle.
C. Examine the left breast withthe left hand and vice versa
D. Us the tips of the fingers to increase the liklelihood of feeling lumps. A.
Answer: A. do the exam on the same day every monthRationale:women who
are postmenopausal are taught to do BSE on the same day every month.
Before menopause, women would do the procedure 7 days after the start of
the menstrual cycle, when the breasts are least tender. Each breast is
examined w/ the opposite hand. the pads of the fingers, not the fingertips
would be used for palpation. The client may use a circular, up and down, or
wedge method of assessment. Consistency of use of the same method is
more important than the actual method used.
◍ Which coniditon is consistent w/ poor sleep quality and
quanity?InsomniaSleep apneaCircadian rhythmsRapid-eye-movements
(REM) sleep.
, Answer: A. People w/ insomnia report an overall dissatisfaction with sleep
quality and quantity. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the patient briefly
stops breathing multiple times while asleep. Circadian rhythms are
controlled by internal clocks in environments free of time cues; these are
also no abnormal conditions. REM sleep is a stage during effect sleep
cycles; it is not abnormal condition
◍ Which cognitive changes are characteristic of a pt experiencing hypoxia?
(SATA).RestlessnessApprehensionImproved moodMemory changesPursed
lip breathingImproved concentration.
Answer: A. B. D. A pt, who is hypoxic may have neurologic symptoms that
include apprehension, restlessness, irritability, and memory changes. Mood
will worsen rather than improve. Pursed lip breathing is not a COGNITIVE
symptoms. Concentration will be poor w/ hypoxia rather than improved.
◍ Which term is used to describe a group of adult Jewish family members who
want to participate in a religous ceremony at the bedside of a dying
patient?MassMinyanCongregationSacrament of the Sick.
Answer: B. A minyan is a large group of adult Jewish people who may
gather to pray at the bedside of a dying patient. Mass is a catholic religious
service. A congregation is the group of members who belong ito a religious
establishment liks a synagogue or church. Sacrament of the Sick is a
religous practive carried out for Catholics during illness
◍ The registered nurse (RN) is caring for a client with a newly placed
nasogastric tube (NGT). Once the placement of the NG tube is verified by
x-ray, which technique should the RN use as a reliable method to ensure the
NGT is not displaced?Check pH of aspirated stomach contents obtained
from the NG
T. Auscultate over the epigastrium while injecting air into the NG
T. Disconnect and place the end of NGT in water to see if bubbles
appear.Listen for hyperactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants of
abdomen..
Answer: A.Checking the pH of the aspirate is the best method to validate
