HESI Exit Exam for RN Exam LATEST 2026 UPDATE
100 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure who has been prescribed digoxin.
Which finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased pedal edema
C) Jugular vein distention
D) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A therapeutic response to digoxin includes improved cardiac output,
which reduces fluid overload signs such as pedal edema. Increased heart rate,
jugular vein distention, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea indicate worsening
heart failure or toxicity.
Question 2
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky and hungry. The nurse
obtains a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL. What is the priority action?
A) Administer 10 units of regular insulin IV
B) Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate
C) Recheck blood glucose in 30 minutes
D) Call the healthcare provider for orders
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: The client is experiencing hypoglycemia (glucose <70 mg/dL). The
priority is to raise blood glucose quickly with 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate, such
as glucose tablets or juice, followed by rechecking in 15 minutes.*
Question 3
A postoperative client reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. The
nurse notes an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Which condition should the
,nurse suspect first?
A) Atelectasis
B) Pneumothorax
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Wound infection
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and hypoxia post-surgery are classic
signs of pulmonary embolism, often due to deep vein thrombosis. Atelectasis and
pneumothorax are possible but less emergent in this context.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who has started taking
phenelzine. Which food item on the client's tray should the nurse remove?
A) Grilled chicken breast
B) Mashed potatoes
C) Cheddar cheese slice
D) Steamed broccoli
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that interacts
with tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese, causing hypertensive crisis. The cheddar
cheese slice must be removed.
Question 5
A client with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which
intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A) Administer oral potassium supplements
B) Prepare the client for hemodialysis
C) Encourage high-potassium foods
D) Restrict fluid intake to 1 liter/day
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: A potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L is critically high and life-threatening.
,Hemodialysis is the most effective way to rapidly remove potassium in chronic
kidney disease when conservative measures fail.*
Question 6
During a home visit, a nurse notices that an older adult client has multiple bruises
in various stages of healing. The client becomes evasive when asked about them.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Report findings to adult protective services
B) Confront the caregiver immediately
C) Document the bruises as accidental falls
D) Teach the client about fall prevention
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Suspected elder abuse, indicated by unexplained bruises and evasive
behavior, legally mandates reporting to adult protective services to ensure client
safety.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube. In which position should the
client be placed to facilitate tube passage?
A) Supine with head flat
B) High-Fowler's with head tilted forward
C) Left side-lying with neck extended
D) Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: High-Fowler's position (sitting upright) with head tilted forward
allows the esophagus to straighten, reducing the risk of tracheal insertion and
facilitating swallowing.
Question 8
A client with cirrhosis develops asterixis. What dietary modification is most
important for this client?
A) Increase protein intake
B) Restrict sodium to 2 g/day
, C) Decrease protein intake
D) Increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Asterixis (liver flap) indicates hepatic encephalopathy from ammonia
accumulation. Decreasing protein intake reduces ammonia production, while
sodium restriction addresses ascites, not asterixis.
Question 9
A nurse administers an IM injection into the ventrogluteal site. Which landmark is
correct for locating this site?
A) Greater trochanter and posterior iliac crest
B) Acromion process and axilla
C) Palpable triangle formed by the thumb and index finger
D) Xiphoid process and iliac crest
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The ventrogluteal site is located using the greater trochanter and
posterior iliac crest, with the palm on the greater trochanter and index finger
pointing to the anterior superior iliac spine.
Question 10
A client receiving a blood transfusion begins to have chills, fever, and low back
pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Slow the transfusion rate
B) Stop the transfusion immediately
C) Administer acetaminophen as prescribed
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chills, fever, and back pain suggest an acute hemolytic reaction. The
priority is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further complications,
then notify the provider.
Question 11
A nurse is assessing a client with bipolar disorder who is taking lithium. Which
100 QUESTIONS AND DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
FROM ACTUAL EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure who has been prescribed digoxin.
Which finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased pedal edema
C) Jugular vein distention
D) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A therapeutic response to digoxin includes improved cardiac output,
which reduces fluid overload signs such as pedal edema. Increased heart rate,
jugular vein distention, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea indicate worsening
heart failure or toxicity.
Question 2
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky and hungry. The nurse
obtains a blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL. What is the priority action?
A) Administer 10 units of regular insulin IV
B) Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate
C) Recheck blood glucose in 30 minutes
D) Call the healthcare provider for orders
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: The client is experiencing hypoglycemia (glucose <70 mg/dL). The
priority is to raise blood glucose quickly with 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate, such
as glucose tablets or juice, followed by rechecking in 15 minutes.*
Question 3
A postoperative client reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. The
nurse notes an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Which condition should the
,nurse suspect first?
A) Atelectasis
B) Pneumothorax
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Wound infection
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and hypoxia post-surgery are classic
signs of pulmonary embolism, often due to deep vein thrombosis. Atelectasis and
pneumothorax are possible but less emergent in this context.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who has started taking
phenelzine. Which food item on the client's tray should the nurse remove?
A) Grilled chicken breast
B) Mashed potatoes
C) Cheddar cheese slice
D) Steamed broccoli
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that interacts
with tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese, causing hypertensive crisis. The cheddar
cheese slice must be removed.
Question 5
A client with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. Which
intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A) Administer oral potassium supplements
B) Prepare the client for hemodialysis
C) Encourage high-potassium foods
D) Restrict fluid intake to 1 liter/day
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: A potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L is critically high and life-threatening.
,Hemodialysis is the most effective way to rapidly remove potassium in chronic
kidney disease when conservative measures fail.*
Question 6
During a home visit, a nurse notices that an older adult client has multiple bruises
in various stages of healing. The client becomes evasive when asked about them.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Report findings to adult protective services
B) Confront the caregiver immediately
C) Document the bruises as accidental falls
D) Teach the client about fall prevention
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Suspected elder abuse, indicated by unexplained bruises and evasive
behavior, legally mandates reporting to adult protective services to ensure client
safety.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube. In which position should the
client be placed to facilitate tube passage?
A) Supine with head flat
B) High-Fowler's with head tilted forward
C) Left side-lying with neck extended
D) Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: High-Fowler's position (sitting upright) with head tilted forward
allows the esophagus to straighten, reducing the risk of tracheal insertion and
facilitating swallowing.
Question 8
A client with cirrhosis develops asterixis. What dietary modification is most
important for this client?
A) Increase protein intake
B) Restrict sodium to 2 g/day
, C) Decrease protein intake
D) Increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Asterixis (liver flap) indicates hepatic encephalopathy from ammonia
accumulation. Decreasing protein intake reduces ammonia production, while
sodium restriction addresses ascites, not asterixis.
Question 9
A nurse administers an IM injection into the ventrogluteal site. Which landmark is
correct for locating this site?
A) Greater trochanter and posterior iliac crest
B) Acromion process and axilla
C) Palpable triangle formed by the thumb and index finger
D) Xiphoid process and iliac crest
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The ventrogluteal site is located using the greater trochanter and
posterior iliac crest, with the palm on the greater trochanter and index finger
pointing to the anterior superior iliac spine.
Question 10
A client receiving a blood transfusion begins to have chills, fever, and low back
pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Slow the transfusion rate
B) Stop the transfusion immediately
C) Administer acetaminophen as prescribed
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chills, fever, and back pain suggest an acute hemolytic reaction. The
priority is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further complications,
then notify the provider.
Question 11
A nurse is assessing a client with bipolar disorder who is taking lithium. Which
