NGN HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY REAL EXAMS
4 CERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT 2026 TESTED
QUESTIONS
◉ The nurse plans to obtain health assessment information from a
primary source. Which option is a primary source for the completion
of the health assessment?
A) Client.
B) Healthcare provider.
C) A family member.
D) Previous medical records Answer: A) Client
A primary source of information for a health assessment is the client
(A). (B, C, and D) are considered secondary sources about the
client's health history, but other details, such as subjective data, can
only be provided directly from the client.
◉ The nurse is instructing a client with high cholesterol about diet
and life style modification. What comment from the client indicates
that the teaching has been effective?
,A) If I exercise at least two times weekly for one hour, I will lower my
cholesterol.
B) I need to avoid eating proteins, including red meat.
C) I will limit my intake of beef to 4 ounces per week.
D) My blood level of low density lipoproteins needs to increase.
Answer: C) I will limit my intake of beef to 4 ounces per week
Limiting saturated fat from animal food sources to no more than 4
ounces per week (C) is an important diet modification for lowering
cholesterol. To be effective in reducing cholesterol, the client should
exercise 30 minutes per day, or at least 4 to 6 times per week (A).
Red meat and all proteins do not need to be eliminated (B) to lower
cholesterol, but should be restricted to lean cuts of red meat and
smaller portions (2-ounce servings). The low density lipoproteins
(D) need to decrease rather than increase
◉ Examination of a client complaining of itching on his right arm
reveals a rash made up of multiple flat areas of redness ranging from
pinpoint to 0.5 cm in diameter. How should the nurse record this
finding?
A) Multiple vesicular areas surrounded by redness, ranging in size
from 1 mm to 0.5 cm.
B) Localized red rash comprised of flat areas, pinpoint to 0.5 cm in
diameter.
,C) Several areas of red, papular lesions from pinpoint to 0.5 cm in
size.
D) Localized petechial areas, ranging in size from pinpoint to 0.5 cm
in diameter. Answer: B) Localized red rash comprised of flat areas,
pinpoint to 0.5 cm in diameter
Macules are localized flat skin discolorations less than 1 cm in
diameter. However, when recording such a finding the nurse should
describe the appearance (B) rather than simply naming the
condition. (A) identifies vesicles -- fluid filled blisters -- an incorrect
description given the symptoms listed. (C) identifies papules -- solid
elevated lesions, again not correctly identifying the symptoms. (D)
identifies petechiae -- pinpoint red to purple skin discolorations that
do not itch, again an incorrect identification
◉ A client who is 5' 5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for
surgery the next day. What question is most important for the nurse
to include during the preoperative assessment?
A) What is your daily calorie consumption?
B) What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?
C) Do you feel that you are overweight?
D) Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery? Answer: A) What is
your daily calorie consumption?
, Vitamin and mineral supplements (B) may impact medications used
during the operative period. (A and C) are appropriate questions for
long-term dietary counseling. The nature of the surgery and
anesthesia will determine the need for a clear liquid diet (D), rather
than the client's preference
◉ The nurse is performing nasotracheal suctioning. After suctioning
the client's trachea for fifteen seconds, large amounts of thick yellow
secretions return. What action should the nurse implement next?
A) Encourage the client to cough to help loosen secretions.
B) Advise the client to increase the intake of oral fluids.
C) Rotate the suction catheter to obtain any remaining secretions.
D) Re-oxygenate the client before attempting to suction again.
Answer: D) Re-oxygenate the client before attempting to suction
again
Suctioning should not be continued for longer than ten to fifteen
seconds, since the client's oxygenation is compromised during this
time (D). (A, B, and C) may be performed after the client is re-
oxygenated and additional suctioning is performed.
◉ A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings
via a small-bore tube and a continuous pump infusion. He reports
4 CERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT 2026 TESTED
QUESTIONS
◉ The nurse plans to obtain health assessment information from a
primary source. Which option is a primary source for the completion
of the health assessment?
A) Client.
B) Healthcare provider.
C) A family member.
D) Previous medical records Answer: A) Client
A primary source of information for a health assessment is the client
(A). (B, C, and D) are considered secondary sources about the
client's health history, but other details, such as subjective data, can
only be provided directly from the client.
◉ The nurse is instructing a client with high cholesterol about diet
and life style modification. What comment from the client indicates
that the teaching has been effective?
,A) If I exercise at least two times weekly for one hour, I will lower my
cholesterol.
B) I need to avoid eating proteins, including red meat.
C) I will limit my intake of beef to 4 ounces per week.
D) My blood level of low density lipoproteins needs to increase.
Answer: C) I will limit my intake of beef to 4 ounces per week
Limiting saturated fat from animal food sources to no more than 4
ounces per week (C) is an important diet modification for lowering
cholesterol. To be effective in reducing cholesterol, the client should
exercise 30 minutes per day, or at least 4 to 6 times per week (A).
Red meat and all proteins do not need to be eliminated (B) to lower
cholesterol, but should be restricted to lean cuts of red meat and
smaller portions (2-ounce servings). The low density lipoproteins
(D) need to decrease rather than increase
◉ Examination of a client complaining of itching on his right arm
reveals a rash made up of multiple flat areas of redness ranging from
pinpoint to 0.5 cm in diameter. How should the nurse record this
finding?
A) Multiple vesicular areas surrounded by redness, ranging in size
from 1 mm to 0.5 cm.
B) Localized red rash comprised of flat areas, pinpoint to 0.5 cm in
diameter.
,C) Several areas of red, papular lesions from pinpoint to 0.5 cm in
size.
D) Localized petechial areas, ranging in size from pinpoint to 0.5 cm
in diameter. Answer: B) Localized red rash comprised of flat areas,
pinpoint to 0.5 cm in diameter
Macules are localized flat skin discolorations less than 1 cm in
diameter. However, when recording such a finding the nurse should
describe the appearance (B) rather than simply naming the
condition. (A) identifies vesicles -- fluid filled blisters -- an incorrect
description given the symptoms listed. (C) identifies papules -- solid
elevated lesions, again not correctly identifying the symptoms. (D)
identifies petechiae -- pinpoint red to purple skin discolorations that
do not itch, again an incorrect identification
◉ A client who is 5' 5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for
surgery the next day. What question is most important for the nurse
to include during the preoperative assessment?
A) What is your daily calorie consumption?
B) What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?
C) Do you feel that you are overweight?
D) Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery? Answer: A) What is
your daily calorie consumption?
, Vitamin and mineral supplements (B) may impact medications used
during the operative period. (A and C) are appropriate questions for
long-term dietary counseling. The nature of the surgery and
anesthesia will determine the need for a clear liquid diet (D), rather
than the client's preference
◉ The nurse is performing nasotracheal suctioning. After suctioning
the client's trachea for fifteen seconds, large amounts of thick yellow
secretions return. What action should the nurse implement next?
A) Encourage the client to cough to help loosen secretions.
B) Advise the client to increase the intake of oral fluids.
C) Rotate the suction catheter to obtain any remaining secretions.
D) Re-oxygenate the client before attempting to suction again.
Answer: D) Re-oxygenate the client before attempting to suction
again
Suctioning should not be continued for longer than ten to fifteen
seconds, since the client's oxygenation is compromised during this
time (D). (A, B, and C) may be performed after the client is re-
oxygenated and additional suctioning is performed.
◉ A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings
via a small-bore tube and a continuous pump infusion. He reports
