NIGHTINGALE COLLEGE
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
BSN 366 HESI RN Exit Exam 2026–2027
Comprehensive Question Bank Verified Questions & Answers
Question 1
What should the nurse determine in post-operative care for a client after knee
replacement?
A. If the wound drainage device is functioning correctly
B. If the client can ambulate
C. If the client is in pain
D. If the client has fever
CORRECT ANSWER A. If the wound drainage device is functioning correctly
RATIONALE
Ensuring the drainage device is functioning prevents complications like hematoma formation
and promotes healing.
Question 2
Which client behavior indicates the highest risk for acting on suicidal thoughts?
A. Begins to show signs of improvement in affect
B. Expresses feelings of sadness and loneliness
C. Neglects personal hygiene
D. Lacks interest in family and friends
CORRECT ANSWER A. Begins to show signs of improvement in affect
RATIONALE
Sudden improvement in affect may indicate the client has made a decision to attempt suicide
and feels relief. This is a critical warning sign.
, Question 3
Change of shift report is a communication process where:
A. Incoming nurses receive information about patient care from outgoing nurses
B. Nurses discuss personal matters
C. Patient families are updated
D. New orders are written
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Incoming nurses receive information about patient care from outgoing nurses
RATIONALE
Change of shift report ensures continuity of care by transferring essential patient information.
Question 4
Allopurinol works by:
A. Reducing uric acid production
B. Increasing uric acid excretion
C. Blocking pain receptors
D. Reducing inflammation
CORRECT ANSWER A. Reducing uric acid production
RATIONALE
Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase, reducing uric acid synthesis and preventing gout attacks.
, Question 5
Which is a closed question about chest pain?
A. "Describe your chest pain."
B. "Does your pain occur when walking short distances?"
C. "What makes the pain better or worse?"
D. "How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?"
CORRECT ANSWER B. "Does your pain occur when walking short distances?"
RATIONALE
A closed question requires a yes/no answer. This limits the client's response and is useful for
confirming specific information quickly.
Question 6
Sublingual nitroglycerine is used to:
A. Relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels
B. Reduce heart rate
C. Lower blood pressure permanently
D. Prevent blood clots
CORRECT ANSWER A. Relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels
RATIONALE
Nitroglycerine is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, reducing preload and afterload to
relieve angina.
, Question 7
A client with low back pain is taking cyclobenzaprine. What instruction should the nurse
include?
A. Use cold and allergy medications only as directed by a health care provider
B. Avoid all over-the-counter medications
C. Take with grapefruit juice
D. Discontinue if drowsy
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Use cold and allergy medications only as directed by a health care provider
RATIONALE
Cyclobenzaprine can interact with other CNS depressants. Cold and allergy medications may
contain sedating antihistamines that increase sedation risk.
Question 8
A client with a scopolamine patch reports nausea and vomiting. The nurse should:
A. Notify the healthcare provider of the vomiting
B. Remove the patch immediately
C. Administer an antiemetic
D. Document as expected side effect
CORRECT ANSWER A. Notify the healthcare provider of the vomiting
RATIONALE
Nausea and vomiting may indicate medication reaction or ineffectiveness. The HCP should be
notified for further orders.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
BSN 366 HESI RN Exit Exam 2026–2027
Comprehensive Question Bank Verified Questions & Answers
Question 1
What should the nurse determine in post-operative care for a client after knee
replacement?
A. If the wound drainage device is functioning correctly
B. If the client can ambulate
C. If the client is in pain
D. If the client has fever
CORRECT ANSWER A. If the wound drainage device is functioning correctly
RATIONALE
Ensuring the drainage device is functioning prevents complications like hematoma formation
and promotes healing.
Question 2
Which client behavior indicates the highest risk for acting on suicidal thoughts?
A. Begins to show signs of improvement in affect
B. Expresses feelings of sadness and loneliness
C. Neglects personal hygiene
D. Lacks interest in family and friends
CORRECT ANSWER A. Begins to show signs of improvement in affect
RATIONALE
Sudden improvement in affect may indicate the client has made a decision to attempt suicide
and feels relief. This is a critical warning sign.
, Question 3
Change of shift report is a communication process where:
A. Incoming nurses receive information about patient care from outgoing nurses
B. Nurses discuss personal matters
C. Patient families are updated
D. New orders are written
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Incoming nurses receive information about patient care from outgoing nurses
RATIONALE
Change of shift report ensures continuity of care by transferring essential patient information.
Question 4
Allopurinol works by:
A. Reducing uric acid production
B. Increasing uric acid excretion
C. Blocking pain receptors
D. Reducing inflammation
CORRECT ANSWER A. Reducing uric acid production
RATIONALE
Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase, reducing uric acid synthesis and preventing gout attacks.
, Question 5
Which is a closed question about chest pain?
A. "Describe your chest pain."
B. "Does your pain occur when walking short distances?"
C. "What makes the pain better or worse?"
D. "How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?"
CORRECT ANSWER B. "Does your pain occur when walking short distances?"
RATIONALE
A closed question requires a yes/no answer. This limits the client's response and is useful for
confirming specific information quickly.
Question 6
Sublingual nitroglycerine is used to:
A. Relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels
B. Reduce heart rate
C. Lower blood pressure permanently
D. Prevent blood clots
CORRECT ANSWER A. Relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels
RATIONALE
Nitroglycerine is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, reducing preload and afterload to
relieve angina.
, Question 7
A client with low back pain is taking cyclobenzaprine. What instruction should the nurse
include?
A. Use cold and allergy medications only as directed by a health care provider
B. Avoid all over-the-counter medications
C. Take with grapefruit juice
D. Discontinue if drowsy
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Use cold and allergy medications only as directed by a health care provider
RATIONALE
Cyclobenzaprine can interact with other CNS depressants. Cold and allergy medications may
contain sedating antihistamines that increase sedation risk.
Question 8
A client with a scopolamine patch reports nausea and vomiting. The nurse should:
A. Notify the healthcare provider of the vomiting
B. Remove the patch immediately
C. Administer an antiemetic
D. Document as expected side effect
CORRECT ANSWER A. Notify the healthcare provider of the vomiting
RATIONALE
Nausea and vomiting may indicate medication reaction or ineffectiveness. The HCP should be
notified for further orders.
