EVOLVE FUNDAMENTALS HESI EXAM 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Evolve Elsevier HESI Fundamentals Examination | Core Domains: Basic Nursing Care &
Skills, Safety & Infection Control, Vital Signs & Health Assessment, Medication Administration
Fundamentals, Mobility & Hygiene, Nutrition & Elimination, Documentation & Legal/Ethical
Foundations, and Pain & Comfort Management | Foundational Nursing Competency Focus |
NCLEX-RN® Readiness Predictor
Exam Structure
The Evolve Fundamentals HESI Exam for the 2026/2027 academic cycle is a comprehensive, 60-question
assessment designed to evaluate mastery of essential nursing principles and predict readiness for the
NCLEX-RN® licensure examination.
Introduction
This Evolve Fundamentals HESI Exam guide for the 2026/2027 academic year provides verified
questions and answers based on the latest exam blueprint. It focuses on the application of fundamental
nursing knowledge to ensure safe patient care, emphasizing clinical judgment in basic nursing situations
and reinforcing the core competencies required for entry-level nursing practice.
Answer Format
All correct fundamental nursing interventions, safety actions, and basic care principles must be presented
in bold and green, followed by verified rationales that explain the foundational nursing concepts,
evidence-based practices, and patient safety standards supporting each answer.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Basic Nursing Care & Skills
Section 2: Safety & Infection Control
Section 3: Vital Signs & Health Assessment
Section 4: Medication Administration Fundamentals
Section 5: Mobility & Hygiene
, Section 6: Nutrition & Elimination
Section 7: Documentation & Legal/Ethical Foundations
Section 8: Pain & Comfort Management
Section 1: Basic Nursing Care & Skills
Question 1: When performing hand hygiene, the nurse should wash hands for at least:
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 30 seconds
Correct Answer: C) 15 seconds
Explanation: According to CDC guidelines, handwashing with soap and water should last at least
15-20 seconds to effectively remove microorganisms. This includes time for lathering and scrubbing
all surfaces.
Question 2: The primary purpose of the nursing process is to:
A) Complete documentation efficiently
B) Provide a systematic framework for patient-centered care
C) Replace physician orders
D) Reduce staffing needs
Correct Answer: B) Provide a systematic framework for patient-centered care
Explanation: The nursing process (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation)
provides a structured, evidence-based approach to delivering individualized, holistic patient care.
Question 3: When making an occupied bed, the nurse should:
A) Raise the bed to waist level to maintain proper body mechanics
B) Keep side rails down on both sides for easy access
C) Remove all linens at once to save time
D) Have the patient stand beside the bed during the procedure
Correct Answer: A) Raise the bed to waist level to maintain proper body mechanics
Explanation: Raising the bed to waist level reduces strain on the nurse's back and promotes safe
patient handling. Side rails should be up on the unattended side for patient safety.
, Question 4: Which action demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting a patient?
A) Bending at the waist
B) Keeping feet together
C) Bending knees and keeping back straight
D) Twisting while lifting
Correct Answer: C) Bending knees and keeping back straight
Explanation: Proper body mechanics involve using leg muscles (not back muscles) by bending at the
knees, keeping the back straight, and maintaining a wide base of support to prevent injury.
Question 5: When applying a gait belt, the nurse should place it:
A) Around the patient's chest
B) Around the patient's waist over clothing
C) Directly on the patient's skin
D) Around the patient's thighs
Correct Answer: B) Around the patient's waist over clothing
Explanation: The gait belt should be secured snugly around the patient's waist over clothing to
provide a secure handhold for assisting with transfers and ambulation without causing skin
irritation.
Question 6: A patient is on fall precautions. The nurse's priority intervention is to:
A) Apply wrist restraints
B) Place the call light within reach
C) Administer sedating medication
D) Keep the bed in the highest position
Correct Answer: B) Place the call light within reach
Explanation: Placing the call light within reach empowers the patient to request assistance before
attempting to get up, which is the least restrictive and most effective fall prevention strategy.
Question 7: When caring for a patient with visual impairment, the nurse should:
A) Avoid announcing presence to prevent startling
B) Rearrange furniture frequently for safety
C) Identify self when entering and leaving the room
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Evolve Elsevier HESI Fundamentals Examination | Core Domains: Basic Nursing Care &
Skills, Safety & Infection Control, Vital Signs & Health Assessment, Medication Administration
Fundamentals, Mobility & Hygiene, Nutrition & Elimination, Documentation & Legal/Ethical
Foundations, and Pain & Comfort Management | Foundational Nursing Competency Focus |
NCLEX-RN® Readiness Predictor
Exam Structure
The Evolve Fundamentals HESI Exam for the 2026/2027 academic cycle is a comprehensive, 60-question
assessment designed to evaluate mastery of essential nursing principles and predict readiness for the
NCLEX-RN® licensure examination.
Introduction
This Evolve Fundamentals HESI Exam guide for the 2026/2027 academic year provides verified
questions and answers based on the latest exam blueprint. It focuses on the application of fundamental
nursing knowledge to ensure safe patient care, emphasizing clinical judgment in basic nursing situations
and reinforcing the core competencies required for entry-level nursing practice.
Answer Format
All correct fundamental nursing interventions, safety actions, and basic care principles must be presented
in bold and green, followed by verified rationales that explain the foundational nursing concepts,
evidence-based practices, and patient safety standards supporting each answer.
Table of Contents
Section 1: Basic Nursing Care & Skills
Section 2: Safety & Infection Control
Section 3: Vital Signs & Health Assessment
Section 4: Medication Administration Fundamentals
Section 5: Mobility & Hygiene
, Section 6: Nutrition & Elimination
Section 7: Documentation & Legal/Ethical Foundations
Section 8: Pain & Comfort Management
Section 1: Basic Nursing Care & Skills
Question 1: When performing hand hygiene, the nurse should wash hands for at least:
A) 5 seconds
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 30 seconds
Correct Answer: C) 15 seconds
Explanation: According to CDC guidelines, handwashing with soap and water should last at least
15-20 seconds to effectively remove microorganisms. This includes time for lathering and scrubbing
all surfaces.
Question 2: The primary purpose of the nursing process is to:
A) Complete documentation efficiently
B) Provide a systematic framework for patient-centered care
C) Replace physician orders
D) Reduce staffing needs
Correct Answer: B) Provide a systematic framework for patient-centered care
Explanation: The nursing process (Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation)
provides a structured, evidence-based approach to delivering individualized, holistic patient care.
Question 3: When making an occupied bed, the nurse should:
A) Raise the bed to waist level to maintain proper body mechanics
B) Keep side rails down on both sides for easy access
C) Remove all linens at once to save time
D) Have the patient stand beside the bed during the procedure
Correct Answer: A) Raise the bed to waist level to maintain proper body mechanics
Explanation: Raising the bed to waist level reduces strain on the nurse's back and promotes safe
patient handling. Side rails should be up on the unattended side for patient safety.
, Question 4: Which action demonstrates proper body mechanics when lifting a patient?
A) Bending at the waist
B) Keeping feet together
C) Bending knees and keeping back straight
D) Twisting while lifting
Correct Answer: C) Bending knees and keeping back straight
Explanation: Proper body mechanics involve using leg muscles (not back muscles) by bending at the
knees, keeping the back straight, and maintaining a wide base of support to prevent injury.
Question 5: When applying a gait belt, the nurse should place it:
A) Around the patient's chest
B) Around the patient's waist over clothing
C) Directly on the patient's skin
D) Around the patient's thighs
Correct Answer: B) Around the patient's waist over clothing
Explanation: The gait belt should be secured snugly around the patient's waist over clothing to
provide a secure handhold for assisting with transfers and ambulation without causing skin
irritation.
Question 6: A patient is on fall precautions. The nurse's priority intervention is to:
A) Apply wrist restraints
B) Place the call light within reach
C) Administer sedating medication
D) Keep the bed in the highest position
Correct Answer: B) Place the call light within reach
Explanation: Placing the call light within reach empowers the patient to request assistance before
attempting to get up, which is the least restrictive and most effective fall prevention strategy.
Question 7: When caring for a patient with visual impairment, the nurse should:
A) Avoid announcing presence to prevent startling
B) Rearrange furniture frequently for safety
C) Identify self when entering and leaving the room
