HESI Fundamentals Exam Practice Questions
Correctly Solved to Score A+
A client with pneumonia has a decrease in oxygen saturation from 94% to 88% while ambulating. Based
on these findings, which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Assist the ambulating client back to the bed.
Encourage the client to ambulate to resolve pneumonia.
Obtain a prescription for portable oxygen while ambulating.
Move the oximetry probe from the finger to the earlobe. - Answer A
An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates inadequate oxygenation. First, the client should be assisted to
return to bed to minimize oxygen demands. Ambulation increases aeration of the lungs to prevent
pooling of respiratory secretions, but the client's activity at this time is depleting oxygen saturation of
the blood. Increased activity increases respiratory effort, and oxygen may be necessary to continue
ambulation, but first the client should return to bed to rest.
On admission, a client presents a signed living will that includes a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) prescription.
When the client stops breathing, the nurse performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and
successfully revives the client. What legal issues could be brought against the nurse?
Assault.
Battery.
Malpractice.
False imprisonment. - Answer B
Civil laws protect individual rights and include intentional torts, such as assault (an intentional threat to
engage in harmful contact with another) or battery (unwanted touching).Performing any procedure
,against the client's wishes can potentially create a legal issue, such as battery, even if the procedure is of
questionable benefit to the client.
The nurse plans to obtain health assessment information from a primary source. Which option is a
primary source for the completion of the health assessment?
Client.
Healthcare provider.
A family member.
Previous medical records. - Answer A
A primary source of information for a health assessment is the client. Family members, the medical
record, and the healthcare provider are considered secondary sources about the client's health history,
but other details, such as subjective data, can only be provided directly from the client.
The nurse is teaching a client with numerous allergies how to avoid allergens. Which instruction should
be included in this teaching plan?
Avoid any types of sprays, powders, and perfumes.
Wearing a mask while cleaning will not help to avoid allergens.
Purchase any type of clothing, but be sure it is washed before wearing it.
Pollen count is related to hay fever, not to allergens. - Answer A
The client with allergies should be instructed to reduce any exposure to pollen, dust, fumes, odors,
sprays, powders, and perfumes. The client should be encouraged to wear a mask when working around
dust or pollen. Clients with allergies should avoid any clothing that causes itching; washing clothes will
not prevent an allergic reaction to some fabrics. Pollen count is related to allergens, and the client
should be instructed to stay indoors when the pollen count is high.
,A client with pericardial effusion has phrenic nerve compression resulting in recurrent hiccups. The
healthcare provider prescribes metoclopramide (Reglan) liquid 10 mg PO q 6 hours. Reglan is available
as 5 mg/5 ml. A measuring device marked in teaspoons is being used. How many teaspoons should the
nurse administer? - Answer 2
First, using the formula, Desired dose/dose on Hand x Quantity of volume on hand (D/H x Q),
10 mg / 5 mg x 5ml = 10 ml
Next using the known conversion of 5 ml = 1 tsp:
5 ml : 1 tsp :: 10 ml : X
: 1 / X
5X = 10
X=2
The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) working on a chronic neuro unit asks the nurse to help
determine the safest way to transfer an older client with left-sided weakness from the bed to the chair.
Which method describes the correct transfer procedure for this client?
Place the chair at a right angle to the bed on the client's left side before moving.
Assist the client to a standing position, then place the right hand on the armrest.
Have the client place the left foot next to the chair and pivot to the left before sitting.
Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on the right foot. - Answer D
When positioning a client for transfer from bed to chair when the client has left-sided weakness, use the
client's stronger side, the right side, for weight-bearing during the transfer. In this case, the client should
stand on the right foot during the transfer.
The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) checking a client's blood pressure with a
cuff that is too small, but the blood pressure reading obtained is within the client's usual range. Which
action is most important for the nurse to implement?
, Tell the UAP to use a larger cuff at the next scheduled assessment.
Reassess the client's blood pressure using a larger cuff.
Have the unit educator review this procedure with the UAPs.
Teach the UAP the correct technique for assessing blood pressure. - Answer B
An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is using the wrong sized cuff to check a blood pressure. The
most important action is to ensure that an accurate blood pressure reading is obtained. The nurse
should reassess the blood pressure with the correct size cuff. Reassessment should not be postponed.
Which snack food is best for the nurse to provide a client with myasthenia gravis who is at risk for
altered nutritional status?
Chocolate pudding.
Graham crackers.
Sugar free gelatin.
Apple slices. - Answer A
The client with myasthenia gravis is at high risk for altered nutrition because of fatigue and muscle
weakness resulting in dysphagia. Snacks that are semisolid, such as pudding are easy to swallow, require
minimal chewing effort, and provide calories and protein.Gelatin does not provide any nutritional value
and the other options require energy to chew and are more difficult to swallow than pudding.
The nurse is instructing a client with high cholesterol about diet and life style modification. What
comment from the client indicates that the teaching has been effective?
"If I exercise at least two times weekly for one hour, I will lower my cholesterol."
Correctly Solved to Score A+
A client with pneumonia has a decrease in oxygen saturation from 94% to 88% while ambulating. Based
on these findings, which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Assist the ambulating client back to the bed.
Encourage the client to ambulate to resolve pneumonia.
Obtain a prescription for portable oxygen while ambulating.
Move the oximetry probe from the finger to the earlobe. - Answer A
An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates inadequate oxygenation. First, the client should be assisted to
return to bed to minimize oxygen demands. Ambulation increases aeration of the lungs to prevent
pooling of respiratory secretions, but the client's activity at this time is depleting oxygen saturation of
the blood. Increased activity increases respiratory effort, and oxygen may be necessary to continue
ambulation, but first the client should return to bed to rest.
On admission, a client presents a signed living will that includes a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) prescription.
When the client stops breathing, the nurse performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and
successfully revives the client. What legal issues could be brought against the nurse?
Assault.
Battery.
Malpractice.
False imprisonment. - Answer B
Civil laws protect individual rights and include intentional torts, such as assault (an intentional threat to
engage in harmful contact with another) or battery (unwanted touching).Performing any procedure
,against the client's wishes can potentially create a legal issue, such as battery, even if the procedure is of
questionable benefit to the client.
The nurse plans to obtain health assessment information from a primary source. Which option is a
primary source for the completion of the health assessment?
Client.
Healthcare provider.
A family member.
Previous medical records. - Answer A
A primary source of information for a health assessment is the client. Family members, the medical
record, and the healthcare provider are considered secondary sources about the client's health history,
but other details, such as subjective data, can only be provided directly from the client.
The nurse is teaching a client with numerous allergies how to avoid allergens. Which instruction should
be included in this teaching plan?
Avoid any types of sprays, powders, and perfumes.
Wearing a mask while cleaning will not help to avoid allergens.
Purchase any type of clothing, but be sure it is washed before wearing it.
Pollen count is related to hay fever, not to allergens. - Answer A
The client with allergies should be instructed to reduce any exposure to pollen, dust, fumes, odors,
sprays, powders, and perfumes. The client should be encouraged to wear a mask when working around
dust or pollen. Clients with allergies should avoid any clothing that causes itching; washing clothes will
not prevent an allergic reaction to some fabrics. Pollen count is related to allergens, and the client
should be instructed to stay indoors when the pollen count is high.
,A client with pericardial effusion has phrenic nerve compression resulting in recurrent hiccups. The
healthcare provider prescribes metoclopramide (Reglan) liquid 10 mg PO q 6 hours. Reglan is available
as 5 mg/5 ml. A measuring device marked in teaspoons is being used. How many teaspoons should the
nurse administer? - Answer 2
First, using the formula, Desired dose/dose on Hand x Quantity of volume on hand (D/H x Q),
10 mg / 5 mg x 5ml = 10 ml
Next using the known conversion of 5 ml = 1 tsp:
5 ml : 1 tsp :: 10 ml : X
: 1 / X
5X = 10
X=2
The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) working on a chronic neuro unit asks the nurse to help
determine the safest way to transfer an older client with left-sided weakness from the bed to the chair.
Which method describes the correct transfer procedure for this client?
Place the chair at a right angle to the bed on the client's left side before moving.
Assist the client to a standing position, then place the right hand on the armrest.
Have the client place the left foot next to the chair and pivot to the left before sitting.
Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on the right foot. - Answer D
When positioning a client for transfer from bed to chair when the client has left-sided weakness, use the
client's stronger side, the right side, for weight-bearing during the transfer. In this case, the client should
stand on the right foot during the transfer.
The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) checking a client's blood pressure with a
cuff that is too small, but the blood pressure reading obtained is within the client's usual range. Which
action is most important for the nurse to implement?
, Tell the UAP to use a larger cuff at the next scheduled assessment.
Reassess the client's blood pressure using a larger cuff.
Have the unit educator review this procedure with the UAPs.
Teach the UAP the correct technique for assessing blood pressure. - Answer B
An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is using the wrong sized cuff to check a blood pressure. The
most important action is to ensure that an accurate blood pressure reading is obtained. The nurse
should reassess the blood pressure with the correct size cuff. Reassessment should not be postponed.
Which snack food is best for the nurse to provide a client with myasthenia gravis who is at risk for
altered nutritional status?
Chocolate pudding.
Graham crackers.
Sugar free gelatin.
Apple slices. - Answer A
The client with myasthenia gravis is at high risk for altered nutrition because of fatigue and muscle
weakness resulting in dysphagia. Snacks that are semisolid, such as pudding are easy to swallow, require
minimal chewing effort, and provide calories and protein.Gelatin does not provide any nutritional value
and the other options require energy to chew and are more difficult to swallow than pudding.
The nurse is instructing a client with high cholesterol about diet and life style modification. What
comment from the client indicates that the teaching has been effective?
"If I exercise at least two times weekly for one hour, I will lower my cholesterol."
