HESI Nursing Exam, Nursing Program
2026 — 50 must-study Exam Questions
with Answers and Detailed Explanations
Question one
Which organ is the primary site of nutrient absorption in the digestive system?
A stomach,
B small intestine,
C large intestine,
D esophagus.
Answer: B, small intestine.
This question tests your understanding of the major functions of the digestive organs. The key
word is nutrient absorption which is the main job of the small intestine due to its vast surface
area created by folds villi and microvilli. While the stomach breaks down food and the large
intestine absorbs water, the small intestine is where the vast majority of vitamins, minerals, and
other nutrients pass into the bloodstream. Think of the small intestine as the body's ultimate
sponge for soaking up all the good stuff from your food. A good way to remember this is that
small intestine has the largest role in absorption.
Question two.
A patient's chart states that a medication should be administered PRN. What does this
abbreviation mean?
A at bedtime.
B as needed.
C by mouth.
D immediately.
,Answer B as needed.
This question tests knowledge of common medical abbreviations used in prescriptions and
patient charting. The abbreviation PRN comes from the Latin phrase pro-inata which translates
to for an occasion that has arisen. In a clinical setting, a PRN medication is one that a patient can
receive whenever it is necessary up to a certain frequency for a specific symptom like pain or
nausea. For instance, a doctor might order pain medication every 4 to 6 hours PRN for a patient's
headache. Remember, if a patient asks for something PRN, they're telling you they need it right
now.
Question three
Solve for X 3X 7 is equal to 14.
A 3,
B 5,
C 7,
D 9.
Answer C7.
This question tests basic algebra skills which are essential for dosage calculations. The goal is to
isolate the variable X by performing opposite operations on both sides of the equation. First you
add 7 to both sides to cancel out the minus 7. 3x = 14 + 7 which gives you 3x = 21. Then you
divide both sides by 3 to isolate x. x = 21/3 resulting in x= 7. Always remember to perform the
same action on both sides of the equals sign to keep the equation balanced.
Question four.
In which phase of mitosis do the chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell?
A proase,
B metaphase,
C anaphase,
D tilophase.
, Answer B metaphase.
This question tests your knowledge of the stages of mitosis, the process of cell division. The key
phrase line up in the middle points directly to metaphase. During this specific stage, the
duplicated chromosomes align along the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary line down the
center of the cell, preparing for separation. For example, this precise alignment ensures that
when the cell divides, each new daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. A
helpful pneumonic to remember this is M4 metaphase and M4 middle.
Question five.
Which of the following sentences uses the correct subject verb agreement?
A. The team of doctors are ready for the surgery.
B. Each of the nurses have a patient to monitor.
C. The list of symptoms was long and confusing.
D. The results of the test is inconclusive.
Answer. C. The list of symptoms was long and confusing.
This question tests your understanding of subjectverb agreement. A key grammar rule. The key
is to correctly identify the true subject of the sentence and match it with the correct verb form. In
the correct sentence, the subject is list singular not symptoms plural. So the singular verb was is
appropriate. In the other options, collective nouns like team and words like each are singular
requiring singular verbs is and has. While results is plural requiring a plural verb are. To easily
check, try removing the prepositional phrase the list was long makes sense while the team are
ready does not.
Question six.
What is the primary function of platelets in the blood?
A transporting oxygen.
B fighting infection.
2026 — 50 must-study Exam Questions
with Answers and Detailed Explanations
Question one
Which organ is the primary site of nutrient absorption in the digestive system?
A stomach,
B small intestine,
C large intestine,
D esophagus.
Answer: B, small intestine.
This question tests your understanding of the major functions of the digestive organs. The key
word is nutrient absorption which is the main job of the small intestine due to its vast surface
area created by folds villi and microvilli. While the stomach breaks down food and the large
intestine absorbs water, the small intestine is where the vast majority of vitamins, minerals, and
other nutrients pass into the bloodstream. Think of the small intestine as the body's ultimate
sponge for soaking up all the good stuff from your food. A good way to remember this is that
small intestine has the largest role in absorption.
Question two.
A patient's chart states that a medication should be administered PRN. What does this
abbreviation mean?
A at bedtime.
B as needed.
C by mouth.
D immediately.
,Answer B as needed.
This question tests knowledge of common medical abbreviations used in prescriptions and
patient charting. The abbreviation PRN comes from the Latin phrase pro-inata which translates
to for an occasion that has arisen. In a clinical setting, a PRN medication is one that a patient can
receive whenever it is necessary up to a certain frequency for a specific symptom like pain or
nausea. For instance, a doctor might order pain medication every 4 to 6 hours PRN for a patient's
headache. Remember, if a patient asks for something PRN, they're telling you they need it right
now.
Question three
Solve for X 3X 7 is equal to 14.
A 3,
B 5,
C 7,
D 9.
Answer C7.
This question tests basic algebra skills which are essential for dosage calculations. The goal is to
isolate the variable X by performing opposite operations on both sides of the equation. First you
add 7 to both sides to cancel out the minus 7. 3x = 14 + 7 which gives you 3x = 21. Then you
divide both sides by 3 to isolate x. x = 21/3 resulting in x= 7. Always remember to perform the
same action on both sides of the equals sign to keep the equation balanced.
Question four.
In which phase of mitosis do the chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell?
A proase,
B metaphase,
C anaphase,
D tilophase.
, Answer B metaphase.
This question tests your knowledge of the stages of mitosis, the process of cell division. The key
phrase line up in the middle points directly to metaphase. During this specific stage, the
duplicated chromosomes align along the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary line down the
center of the cell, preparing for separation. For example, this precise alignment ensures that
when the cell divides, each new daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes. A
helpful pneumonic to remember this is M4 metaphase and M4 middle.
Question five.
Which of the following sentences uses the correct subject verb agreement?
A. The team of doctors are ready for the surgery.
B. Each of the nurses have a patient to monitor.
C. The list of symptoms was long and confusing.
D. The results of the test is inconclusive.
Answer. C. The list of symptoms was long and confusing.
This question tests your understanding of subjectverb agreement. A key grammar rule. The key
is to correctly identify the true subject of the sentence and match it with the correct verb form. In
the correct sentence, the subject is list singular not symptoms plural. So the singular verb was is
appropriate. In the other options, collective nouns like team and words like each are singular
requiring singular verbs is and has. While results is plural requiring a plural verb are. To easily
check, try removing the prepositional phrase the list was long makes sense while the team are
ready does not.
Question six.
What is the primary function of platelets in the blood?
A transporting oxygen.
B fighting infection.
