1
HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXAM TESTBANK WITH
COMPLETE ALL CHAPTER QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026JUST RELEASED VERSION
✓ ID: 383711499
Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which assessment does the nurse
perform as a priority before administering the medication?
Checking the client's blood pressure Correct
Checking the client's peripheral pulses
Checking the most recent potassium level
Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours
Rationale: Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat
hypertension. One common side effect is postural hypotension. Therefore the nurse would check the
client’s blood pressure immediately before administering each dose. Checking the client’s peripheral
pulses, the results of the most recent potassium level, and the intake and output for the previous 24
hours are not specifically associated with this mediation.
✓ ID: 383744011
A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and the nurse provides
instructions to the client about the test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
instruction?
"The test will take about 30 minutes."
"I need to fast for 8 hours before the test."
"I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the
morning of the test." Correct
"I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the liquid that I’ll have to drink for the
test can be constipating."
Rationale: An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus, duodenum, and upper jejunum by
means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves swallowing a contrast medium (usually barium),
which is administered in a flavored milkshake. Films are taken at intervals during the test, which takes
about 30 minutes. No special preparation is necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must
be maintained for 8 hours before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed a laxative to
hasten elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon may become hard and difficult to
expel, leading to fecal impaction.
✓ ID: 383705015
A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions and notes that the dose of a prescribed
medication is higher than the normal dose. The nurse calls the physician's answering service and is told
that the physician is off for the night and will be available in the morning. The nurse should:
Call the nursing supervisor
Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician Correct
Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the morning
,2
Administer the medication but consult the physician when he becomes available
,3
Rationale: The nurse has a duty to protect the client from harm. A nurse who believes that a physician’s
prescription may be in error is responsible for clarifying the prescription before carrying it out. Therefore
the nurse would not administer the medication; instead, the nurse would withhold the medication until
the dose can be clarified. The nurse would not wait until the next morning to obtain clarification. It is
premature to call the nursing supervisor.
✓ ID: 383708500
An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with suspected acute myocardial infarction
(MI) who is awaiting transfer to the coronary intensive care unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of
premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on the monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and
determines that the PVCs are not resulting in perfusion. The appropriate action by the nurse is:
Documenting the findings
Asking the ED physician to check the client Correct
Continuing to monitor the client's cardiac status
Informing the client that PVCs are expected after an MI
Rationale: PVCs are a result of increased irritability of ventricular cells. Peripheral pulses may be absent
or diminished with the PVCs themselves because the decreased stroke volume of the premature beats
may in turn decrease peripheral perfusion. Because other rhythms also cause widened QRS complexes,
it is essential that the nurse determine whether the premature beats are resulting in perfusion of the
extremities. This is done by palpating the carotid, brachial, or femoral artery while observing the
monitor for widened complexes or by auscultating for apical heart sounds. In the situation of acute MI,
PVCs may be considered warning dysrhythmias, possibly heralding the onset of ventricular tachycardia
or ventricular fibrillation. Therefore the nurse would not tell the client that the PVCs are expected.
Although the nurse will continue to monitor the client and document the findings, these are not the
most appropriate actions of those provided. The most appropriate action would be to ask the ED
physician to check the client.
✓ ID: 383704545
NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client scheduled to undergo electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On the morning of the procedure, the nurse checks the client's record and notes
that the client routinely takes an oral antihypertensive medication each morning. The nurse should:
Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water Correct
Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime
Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route
Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the day after the ECT
Rationale: General anesthesia is required for ECT, so NPO status is imposed for 6 to 8 hours before
treatment to help prevent aspiration. Exceptions include clients who routinely receive cardiac
medications, antihypertensive agents, or histamine (H2) blockers, which should be administered several
hours before treatment with a small sip of water. Withholding the antihypertensive and administering it
at bedtime and withholding the antihypertensive and resuming administration on the day after the ECT
are incorrect actions, because antihypertensives must be administered on time; otherwise, the risk for
, 4
rebound hypertension exists. The nurse would not administer a medication by way of a route that has
not been prescribed.
✓ ID: 383706660
A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery comes to the physician's office for
a follow-up visit. On assessment, the client tells the nurse that he is feeling depressed. Which response
by the nurse is therapeutic?
"Tell me more about what you’re feeling." Correct
"That’s a normal response after this type of surgery."
"It will take time, but, I promise you, you will get over this depression."
"Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a month."
Rationale: When a client expresses feelings of depression, it is extremely important for the nurse to
further explore these feelings with the client. In stating, "This is a normal response after this type of
surgery" the nurse provides false reassurance and avoids addressing the client’s feelings. "It will take
time, but, I promise you, you will get over the depression" is also a false reassurance, and it does not
encourage the expression of feelings. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a
month" is a generalization that avoids the client’s feelings.
✓ ID: 383705009
A client in labor experiences spontaneous rupture of the membranes. The nurse immediately counts the
fetal heart rate (FHR) for 1 full minute and then checks the amniotic fluid. The nurse notes that the fluid
is yellow and has a strong odor. Which of the following actions should be the nurse’s priority?
Contacting the physician Correct
Documenting the findings
Checking the fluid for protein
Continuing to monitor the client and the FHR
Rationale: The FHR is assessed for at least 1 minute when the membranes rupture. The nurse also
checks the quantity, color, and odor of the amniotic fluid. The fluid should be clear (often with bits of
vernix) and have a mild odor. Fluid with a foul or strong odor, cloudy appearance, or yellow coloration
suggests chorioamnionitis and warrants notifying the physician. A large amount of vernix in the fluid
suggests that the fetus is preterm. Greenish, meconium-stained fluid may be seen in cases of postterm
gestation or placental insufficiency. Checking the fluid for protein is not associated with the data in the
question. Although the nurse would continue to monitor the client and the FHR and would document
the findings, contacting the physician is the priority.
✓ ID: 383705011
A nurse has assisted a physician in inserting a central venous access device into a client with a diagnosis
of severe malnutrition who will be receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). After insertion of the catheter,
the nurse immediately plans to:
Call the radiography department to obtain a chest x-ray Correct
Check the client's blood glucose level to serve as a baseline measurement
HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXAM TESTBANK WITH
COMPLETE ALL CHAPTER QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026JUST RELEASED VERSION
✓ ID: 383711499
Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which assessment does the nurse
perform as a priority before administering the medication?
Checking the client's blood pressure Correct
Checking the client's peripheral pulses
Checking the most recent potassium level
Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours
Rationale: Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat
hypertension. One common side effect is postural hypotension. Therefore the nurse would check the
client’s blood pressure immediately before administering each dose. Checking the client’s peripheral
pulses, the results of the most recent potassium level, and the intake and output for the previous 24
hours are not specifically associated with this mediation.
✓ ID: 383744011
A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and the nurse provides
instructions to the client about the test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
instruction?
"The test will take about 30 minutes."
"I need to fast for 8 hours before the test."
"I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the
morning of the test." Correct
"I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the liquid that I’ll have to drink for the
test can be constipating."
Rationale: An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus, duodenum, and upper jejunum by
means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves swallowing a contrast medium (usually barium),
which is administered in a flavored milkshake. Films are taken at intervals during the test, which takes
about 30 minutes. No special preparation is necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must
be maintained for 8 hours before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed a laxative to
hasten elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon may become hard and difficult to
expel, leading to fecal impaction.
✓ ID: 383705015
A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions and notes that the dose of a prescribed
medication is higher than the normal dose. The nurse calls the physician's answering service and is told
that the physician is off for the night and will be available in the morning. The nurse should:
Call the nursing supervisor
Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician Correct
Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the morning
,2
Administer the medication but consult the physician when he becomes available
,3
Rationale: The nurse has a duty to protect the client from harm. A nurse who believes that a physician’s
prescription may be in error is responsible for clarifying the prescription before carrying it out. Therefore
the nurse would not administer the medication; instead, the nurse would withhold the medication until
the dose can be clarified. The nurse would not wait until the next morning to obtain clarification. It is
premature to call the nursing supervisor.
✓ ID: 383708500
An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with suspected acute myocardial infarction
(MI) who is awaiting transfer to the coronary intensive care unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of
premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on the monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and
determines that the PVCs are not resulting in perfusion. The appropriate action by the nurse is:
Documenting the findings
Asking the ED physician to check the client Correct
Continuing to monitor the client's cardiac status
Informing the client that PVCs are expected after an MI
Rationale: PVCs are a result of increased irritability of ventricular cells. Peripheral pulses may be absent
or diminished with the PVCs themselves because the decreased stroke volume of the premature beats
may in turn decrease peripheral perfusion. Because other rhythms also cause widened QRS complexes,
it is essential that the nurse determine whether the premature beats are resulting in perfusion of the
extremities. This is done by palpating the carotid, brachial, or femoral artery while observing the
monitor for widened complexes or by auscultating for apical heart sounds. In the situation of acute MI,
PVCs may be considered warning dysrhythmias, possibly heralding the onset of ventricular tachycardia
or ventricular fibrillation. Therefore the nurse would not tell the client that the PVCs are expected.
Although the nurse will continue to monitor the client and document the findings, these are not the
most appropriate actions of those provided. The most appropriate action would be to ask the ED
physician to check the client.
✓ ID: 383704545
NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client scheduled to undergo electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On the morning of the procedure, the nurse checks the client's record and notes
that the client routinely takes an oral antihypertensive medication each morning. The nurse should:
Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water Correct
Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime
Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route
Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the day after the ECT
Rationale: General anesthesia is required for ECT, so NPO status is imposed for 6 to 8 hours before
treatment to help prevent aspiration. Exceptions include clients who routinely receive cardiac
medications, antihypertensive agents, or histamine (H2) blockers, which should be administered several
hours before treatment with a small sip of water. Withholding the antihypertensive and administering it
at bedtime and withholding the antihypertensive and resuming administration on the day after the ECT
are incorrect actions, because antihypertensives must be administered on time; otherwise, the risk for
, 4
rebound hypertension exists. The nurse would not administer a medication by way of a route that has
not been prescribed.
✓ ID: 383706660
A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery comes to the physician's office for
a follow-up visit. On assessment, the client tells the nurse that he is feeling depressed. Which response
by the nurse is therapeutic?
"Tell me more about what you’re feeling." Correct
"That’s a normal response after this type of surgery."
"It will take time, but, I promise you, you will get over this depression."
"Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a month."
Rationale: When a client expresses feelings of depression, it is extremely important for the nurse to
further explore these feelings with the client. In stating, "This is a normal response after this type of
surgery" the nurse provides false reassurance and avoids addressing the client’s feelings. "It will take
time, but, I promise you, you will get over the depression" is also a false reassurance, and it does not
encourage the expression of feelings. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a
month" is a generalization that avoids the client’s feelings.
✓ ID: 383705009
A client in labor experiences spontaneous rupture of the membranes. The nurse immediately counts the
fetal heart rate (FHR) for 1 full minute and then checks the amniotic fluid. The nurse notes that the fluid
is yellow and has a strong odor. Which of the following actions should be the nurse’s priority?
Contacting the physician Correct
Documenting the findings
Checking the fluid for protein
Continuing to monitor the client and the FHR
Rationale: The FHR is assessed for at least 1 minute when the membranes rupture. The nurse also
checks the quantity, color, and odor of the amniotic fluid. The fluid should be clear (often with bits of
vernix) and have a mild odor. Fluid with a foul or strong odor, cloudy appearance, or yellow coloration
suggests chorioamnionitis and warrants notifying the physician. A large amount of vernix in the fluid
suggests that the fetus is preterm. Greenish, meconium-stained fluid may be seen in cases of postterm
gestation or placental insufficiency. Checking the fluid for protein is not associated with the data in the
question. Although the nurse would continue to monitor the client and the FHR and would document
the findings, contacting the physician is the priority.
✓ ID: 383705011
A nurse has assisted a physician in inserting a central venous access device into a client with a diagnosis
of severe malnutrition who will be receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). After insertion of the catheter,
the nurse immediately plans to:
Call the radiography department to obtain a chest x-ray Correct
Check the client's blood glucose level to serve as a baseline measurement
