BSN 246 HESI Exam | Questions and
Verified Answers Rated A+ | 100%
Correct | 2025/2026 Guide
1. The nurse is administering a saturated solution of potassium iodide
(SSKI). The nurse should:
1. Pour the solution over ice chips.
2. Mix the solution with an antacid.
3. Dilute the solution with water, milk, or fruit juice and have the client
drink it with a straw.
4. Disguise the solution in a pureed fruit or vegetable.
- Correct Answer - 3. SSKI should be diluted well in milk, water, juice, or
a carbonated beverage before administration to help disguise the strong,
bitter taste. Also, this drug is irritating to mucosa if taken undiluted. The
client should sip the diluted preparation through a drinking straw to help
prevent staining of the teeth. Pouring the solution over ice chips will not
sufficiently dilute the SSKI or cover the taste. Antacids are not used to
dilute or cover the taste of SSKI. Mixing in a puree would put the SSKI in
contact with the teeth.
CN: Pharmacological and parenteral therapies; CL: Apply
2. Following a subtotal thyroidectomy, the nurse asks the client to speak
,immediately upon regaining consciousness. The nurse does this to
monitor for signs of which of the following?
1. Internal hemorrhage.
2. Decreasing level of consciousness.
3. Laryngeal nerve damage.
4. Upper airway obstruction.
- Correct Answer - 3. Laryngeal nerve damage is a potential complication
of thyroid surgery because of the proximity of the thyroid gland to the
recurrent laryngeal nerve. Asking the client to speak helps assess for
signs of laryngeal nerve damage. Persistent or worsening hoarseness
and weak voice are signs of laryngeal nerve damage and should be
reported to the physician immediately. Internal hemorrhage is detected
by changes in vital signs. The client's level of consciousness can be
partially assessed by asking her to speak, but that is not the primary
reason for doing so in this situation. Upper airway obstruction is detected
by color and respiratory rate and pattern.
CN: Reduction of risk potential; CL: Analyze
3. A client who has undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy is subject to
complications in the first 48 hours after surgery. The nurse should obtain
and keep at the bedside equipment to:
1. Begin total parenteral nutrition.
2. Start a cutdown infusion.
3. Administer tube feedings.
,4. Perform a tracheotomy. - Correct Answer - 4. Equipment for an
emergency tracheotomy should be kept in the room, in case
tracheal edema and airway occlusion occur. Laryngeal nerve damage
can result in vocal cord spasm and respiratory obstruction. A
tracheostomy set, oxygen and suction equipment, and a suture removal
set (for respiratory distress from hemorrhage) make up the emergency
equipment that should be readily available. Total parenteral nutrition is
not anticipated for the client undergoing thyroidectomy. Intravenous
infusion via a cutdown is not an expected possible treatment after
thyroidectomy. Tube feedings are not anticipated emergency care.
CN: Reduction of risk potential; CL: Synthesize
4. One day following a subtotal thyroidectomy, a client begins to have
tingling in
the fingers and toes. The nurse should first:
1. Encourage the client to flex and extend the fingers and toes.
2. Notify the physician.
3. Assess the client for thrombophlebitis.
4. Ask the client to speak.
- Correct Answer - 2. Tetany may occur after thyroidectomy if the
parathyroid glands are accidentally injured or removed during surgery.
This would cause a disturbance inserum calcium levels. An early sign of
tetany is numbness and tingling of the fingers or toes and in the
circumoral region. Tetany may occur from 1 to 7 days postoperatively.
, Late signs and symptoms of tetany include seizures, contraction of the
glottis, and respiratory obstruction. The nurse should notify the
physician. Exercising the joints in the fingers and toes will not relieve the
tetany. The client is not exhibiting signs of thrombophlebitis. There is no
indication of nerve damage that would cause the client not to be able to
speak.
CN: Physiological adaptation; CL: Synthesize
5. Which of the following medications should be available to provide
emergency treatment if a client develops tetany after a subtotal
thyroidectomy?
1. Sodium phosphate.
2. Calcium gluconate.
3. Echothiophate iodide.
4. Sodium bicarbonate. - Correct Answer - 2. The client with tetany is
suffering from hypocalcemia, which is treated by administering an IV
preparation of calcium, such as calcium gluconate or calcium chloride.
Oral calcium is then necessary until normal parathyroid function returns.
Sodium phosphate is a laxative. Echothiophate iodide is an eye
preparation used as a miotic for an antiglaucoma effect. Sodium
bicarbonate is a potent systemic antacid.
CN: Pharmacological and parenteral therapies; CL: Apply
6. A 60-year-old female is diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The nurse
should assess the client for which of the following?
Verified Answers Rated A+ | 100%
Correct | 2025/2026 Guide
1. The nurse is administering a saturated solution of potassium iodide
(SSKI). The nurse should:
1. Pour the solution over ice chips.
2. Mix the solution with an antacid.
3. Dilute the solution with water, milk, or fruit juice and have the client
drink it with a straw.
4. Disguise the solution in a pureed fruit or vegetable.
- Correct Answer - 3. SSKI should be diluted well in milk, water, juice, or
a carbonated beverage before administration to help disguise the strong,
bitter taste. Also, this drug is irritating to mucosa if taken undiluted. The
client should sip the diluted preparation through a drinking straw to help
prevent staining of the teeth. Pouring the solution over ice chips will not
sufficiently dilute the SSKI or cover the taste. Antacids are not used to
dilute or cover the taste of SSKI. Mixing in a puree would put the SSKI in
contact with the teeth.
CN: Pharmacological and parenteral therapies; CL: Apply
2. Following a subtotal thyroidectomy, the nurse asks the client to speak
,immediately upon regaining consciousness. The nurse does this to
monitor for signs of which of the following?
1. Internal hemorrhage.
2. Decreasing level of consciousness.
3. Laryngeal nerve damage.
4. Upper airway obstruction.
- Correct Answer - 3. Laryngeal nerve damage is a potential complication
of thyroid surgery because of the proximity of the thyroid gland to the
recurrent laryngeal nerve. Asking the client to speak helps assess for
signs of laryngeal nerve damage. Persistent or worsening hoarseness
and weak voice are signs of laryngeal nerve damage and should be
reported to the physician immediately. Internal hemorrhage is detected
by changes in vital signs. The client's level of consciousness can be
partially assessed by asking her to speak, but that is not the primary
reason for doing so in this situation. Upper airway obstruction is detected
by color and respiratory rate and pattern.
CN: Reduction of risk potential; CL: Analyze
3. A client who has undergone a subtotal thyroidectomy is subject to
complications in the first 48 hours after surgery. The nurse should obtain
and keep at the bedside equipment to:
1. Begin total parenteral nutrition.
2. Start a cutdown infusion.
3. Administer tube feedings.
,4. Perform a tracheotomy. - Correct Answer - 4. Equipment for an
emergency tracheotomy should be kept in the room, in case
tracheal edema and airway occlusion occur. Laryngeal nerve damage
can result in vocal cord spasm and respiratory obstruction. A
tracheostomy set, oxygen and suction equipment, and a suture removal
set (for respiratory distress from hemorrhage) make up the emergency
equipment that should be readily available. Total parenteral nutrition is
not anticipated for the client undergoing thyroidectomy. Intravenous
infusion via a cutdown is not an expected possible treatment after
thyroidectomy. Tube feedings are not anticipated emergency care.
CN: Reduction of risk potential; CL: Synthesize
4. One day following a subtotal thyroidectomy, a client begins to have
tingling in
the fingers and toes. The nurse should first:
1. Encourage the client to flex and extend the fingers and toes.
2. Notify the physician.
3. Assess the client for thrombophlebitis.
4. Ask the client to speak.
- Correct Answer - 2. Tetany may occur after thyroidectomy if the
parathyroid glands are accidentally injured or removed during surgery.
This would cause a disturbance inserum calcium levels. An early sign of
tetany is numbness and tingling of the fingers or toes and in the
circumoral region. Tetany may occur from 1 to 7 days postoperatively.
, Late signs and symptoms of tetany include seizures, contraction of the
glottis, and respiratory obstruction. The nurse should notify the
physician. Exercising the joints in the fingers and toes will not relieve the
tetany. The client is not exhibiting signs of thrombophlebitis. There is no
indication of nerve damage that would cause the client not to be able to
speak.
CN: Physiological adaptation; CL: Synthesize
5. Which of the following medications should be available to provide
emergency treatment if a client develops tetany after a subtotal
thyroidectomy?
1. Sodium phosphate.
2. Calcium gluconate.
3. Echothiophate iodide.
4. Sodium bicarbonate. - Correct Answer - 2. The client with tetany is
suffering from hypocalcemia, which is treated by administering an IV
preparation of calcium, such as calcium gluconate or calcium chloride.
Oral calcium is then necessary until normal parathyroid function returns.
Sodium phosphate is a laxative. Echothiophate iodide is an eye
preparation used as a miotic for an antiglaucoma effect. Sodium
bicarbonate is a potent systemic antacid.
CN: Pharmacological and parenteral therapies; CL: Apply
6. A 60-year-old female is diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The nurse
should assess the client for which of the following?
