BSN HESI 266 Exam ( Update)
Questions & Verified Answers, 100% Guaranteed
Pass || Complete A+ Guide – Nightingale College
BSN HESI 266 Comprehensive Practice Exam (Original)
• ✅ 100% original questions (not copied from HESI or Nightingale)
• ✅ HESI/NCLEX-style difficulty
• ✅ Four answer choices (A–D)
• ✅ One correct answer per question
• ✅ Detailed rationale for every question
• ✅ Covers all major Med-Surg topics
• ✅ Includes prioritization, delegation, pharmacology, and patient safety
1. A nurse is caring for a patient admitted with left-sided heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Fine crackles at the lung bases
C. Pink, frothy sputum
D. Weight gain of 2 lb in 24 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Pink, frothy sputum indicates pulmonary edema, a life-threatening
complication requiring immediate intervention. Crackles, edema, and weight gain are
expected findings but are less urgent.
2. A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
,C. Platelet count
D. White blood cell count
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss, increasing the
risk of dysrhythmias.
3. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient with BP 138/84 mm Hg awaiting discharge
B. Patient with chest pain rated 9/10 unrelieved by nitroglycerin
C. Patient with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) after surgery
D. Patient requesting pain medication for chronic arthritis
Answer: B
Rationale: Unrelieved chest pain may indicate an acute myocardial infarction and
requires immediate assessment.
4. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. What oxygen saturation goal is
appropriate?
A. 100%
B. 98–100%
C. 94–98%
D. 88–92%
Answer: D
Rationale: Patients with COPD often have a target oxygen saturation of 88–92% to
avoid suppressing their respiratory drive while maintaining adequate oxygenation.
5. A nurse teaches a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I will use it only when I feel short of breath."
B. "I should inhale slowly and deeply."
, C. "I should exhale forcefully into the device."
D. "I only need to use it once daily."
Answer: B
Rationale: The patient should inhale slowly and deeply to maximize lung expansion
and prevent atelectasis.
6. A patient with diabetes reports sweating, shakiness, and confusion. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer insulin.
B. Check the blood glucose level.
C. Encourage exercise.
D. Restrict carbohydrates.
Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms suggest hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be checked
immediately to guide treatment.
7. Which finding is expected in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid respirations that compensate for
metabolic acidosis in DKA.
8. A patient with hyperkalemia is at greatest risk for which complication?
A. Fractures
Questions & Verified Answers, 100% Guaranteed
Pass || Complete A+ Guide – Nightingale College
BSN HESI 266 Comprehensive Practice Exam (Original)
• ✅ 100% original questions (not copied from HESI or Nightingale)
• ✅ HESI/NCLEX-style difficulty
• ✅ Four answer choices (A–D)
• ✅ One correct answer per question
• ✅ Detailed rationale for every question
• ✅ Covers all major Med-Surg topics
• ✅ Includes prioritization, delegation, pharmacology, and patient safety
1. A nurse is caring for a patient admitted with left-sided heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Fine crackles at the lung bases
C. Pink, frothy sputum
D. Weight gain of 2 lb in 24 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Pink, frothy sputum indicates pulmonary edema, a life-threatening
complication requiring immediate intervention. Crackles, edema, and weight gain are
expected findings but are less urgent.
2. A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
,C. Platelet count
D. White blood cell count
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss, increasing the
risk of dysrhythmias.
3. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient with BP 138/84 mm Hg awaiting discharge
B. Patient with chest pain rated 9/10 unrelieved by nitroglycerin
C. Patient with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) after surgery
D. Patient requesting pain medication for chronic arthritis
Answer: B
Rationale: Unrelieved chest pain may indicate an acute myocardial infarction and
requires immediate assessment.
4. A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. What oxygen saturation goal is
appropriate?
A. 100%
B. 98–100%
C. 94–98%
D. 88–92%
Answer: D
Rationale: Patients with COPD often have a target oxygen saturation of 88–92% to
avoid suppressing their respiratory drive while maintaining adequate oxygenation.
5. A nurse teaches a patient how to use an incentive spirometer. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I will use it only when I feel short of breath."
B. "I should inhale slowly and deeply."
, C. "I should exhale forcefully into the device."
D. "I only need to use it once daily."
Answer: B
Rationale: The patient should inhale slowly and deeply to maximize lung expansion
and prevent atelectasis.
6. A patient with diabetes reports sweating, shakiness, and confusion. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer insulin.
B. Check the blood glucose level.
C. Encourage exercise.
D. Restrict carbohydrates.
Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms suggest hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be checked
immediately to guide treatment.
7. Which finding is expected in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Hypertension
Answer: C
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid respirations that compensate for
metabolic acidosis in DKA.
8. A patient with hyperkalemia is at greatest risk for which complication?
A. Fractures
