2025/2026 ALL HESI FUNDAMENTALS
EXAM TEST BANK UPDATED
QUESTION WITH RATIONALES AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED HESI
FUNDAMENTALS EXAM
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter
for a female patient. Which action best maintains sterile
technique?
A) Opening the catheter package and placing it on the patient’s
thighs
B) Using clean gloves to open the sterile kit, then switching to
sterile gloves
C) Positioning the patient with legs adducted
D) Cleaning the meatus with a circular motion from the outside in
Answer: B
Rationale: Sterile technique requires that sterile gloves be used
for the actual catheter insertion. Using clean gloves to open the
outer packaging is acceptable, then switching to sterile gloves
prevents contamination. Option A contaminates the field; option
C should be legs abducted; option D should be from inside to
outside (clean to dirty).
,2. A patient with heart failure has a prescription for
furosemide 40 mg IV push. Which lab value should the nurse
check before administering?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) BUN
D) Creatinine
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium
wasting. Hypokalemia is a common adverse effect and can
increase the risk of digoxin toxicity and arrhythmias. Checking
serum potassium before administration is essential. While sodium,
BUN, and creatinine are important, potassium is the most critical
immediate concern.
3. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports
pain of 8 on a 0–10 scale. The prescription is for morphine 2
mg IV every 2 hours PRN. Which action is most appropriate?
A) Administer the morphine as ordered
B) Request a higher dose from the provider
C) Try non-pharmacologic measures first
D) Hold the morphine until the patient’s pain is 10
Answer: A
Rationale: The patient’s pain level is severe (8/10), and the
prescription is appropriate. The nurse should administer the
analgesic as ordered. Non-pharmacologic measures can be used
,as adjuncts but not as a substitute for severe pain. Delaying
treatment is unethical.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet.
Which food choice indicates the patient understands the
teaching?
A) Canned chicken noodle soup
B) Pickles and olives
C) Fresh broccoli with grilled chicken
D) Ham sandwich with cheese
Answer: C
Rationale: Fresh vegetables and unprocessed meats are naturally
low in sodium. Canned soups, pickles, processed meats (ham), and
cheese are high in sodium. Broccoli and grilled chicken are
excellent low-sodium choices.
5. Which finding in a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube
attached to low intermittent suction should the nurse report
to the provider immediately?
A) The patient complains of a sore throat
B) The drainage is greenish-yellow
C) The patient’s abdominal girth has increased by 4 cm
D) The tube has a small amount of clear drainage around the
insertion site
, Answer: C
Rationale: Increased abdominal girth suggests possible bowel
obstruction or paralytic ileus, which is a complication requiring
immediate intervention. Sore throat and clear drainage are
common, and greenish-yellow drainage is expected gastric
contents.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient who has been on fall
precautions. Which observation indicates an increased risk for
falling?
A) The patient’s bed is in the lowest position
B) The call light is within reach
C) The patient’s slippers are non-skid
D) The patient’s walker is placed in the bathroom, out of reach
from the bed
Answer: D
Rationale: Fall prevention requires that assistive devices (walker,
cane) be within reach of the patient when getting out of bed.
Placing the walker in the bathroom forces the patient to walk
without assistance, increasing fall risk. Options A, B, and C are
correct safety measures.
7. A patient with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level
of 45 mg/dL and is unconscious. What is the priority nursing
action?
EXAM TEST BANK UPDATED
QUESTION WITH RATIONALES AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED HESI
FUNDAMENTALS EXAM
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter
for a female patient. Which action best maintains sterile
technique?
A) Opening the catheter package and placing it on the patient’s
thighs
B) Using clean gloves to open the sterile kit, then switching to
sterile gloves
C) Positioning the patient with legs adducted
D) Cleaning the meatus with a circular motion from the outside in
Answer: B
Rationale: Sterile technique requires that sterile gloves be used
for the actual catheter insertion. Using clean gloves to open the
outer packaging is acceptable, then switching to sterile gloves
prevents contamination. Option A contaminates the field; option
C should be legs abducted; option D should be from inside to
outside (clean to dirty).
,2. A patient with heart failure has a prescription for
furosemide 40 mg IV push. Which lab value should the nurse
check before administering?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) BUN
D) Creatinine
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium
wasting. Hypokalemia is a common adverse effect and can
increase the risk of digoxin toxicity and arrhythmias. Checking
serum potassium before administration is essential. While sodium,
BUN, and creatinine are important, potassium is the most critical
immediate concern.
3. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports
pain of 8 on a 0–10 scale. The prescription is for morphine 2
mg IV every 2 hours PRN. Which action is most appropriate?
A) Administer the morphine as ordered
B) Request a higher dose from the provider
C) Try non-pharmacologic measures first
D) Hold the morphine until the patient’s pain is 10
Answer: A
Rationale: The patient’s pain level is severe (8/10), and the
prescription is appropriate. The nurse should administer the
analgesic as ordered. Non-pharmacologic measures can be used
,as adjuncts but not as a substitute for severe pain. Delaying
treatment is unethical.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet.
Which food choice indicates the patient understands the
teaching?
A) Canned chicken noodle soup
B) Pickles and olives
C) Fresh broccoli with grilled chicken
D) Ham sandwich with cheese
Answer: C
Rationale: Fresh vegetables and unprocessed meats are naturally
low in sodium. Canned soups, pickles, processed meats (ham), and
cheese are high in sodium. Broccoli and grilled chicken are
excellent low-sodium choices.
5. Which finding in a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube
attached to low intermittent suction should the nurse report
to the provider immediately?
A) The patient complains of a sore throat
B) The drainage is greenish-yellow
C) The patient’s abdominal girth has increased by 4 cm
D) The tube has a small amount of clear drainage around the
insertion site
, Answer: C
Rationale: Increased abdominal girth suggests possible bowel
obstruction or paralytic ileus, which is a complication requiring
immediate intervention. Sore throat and clear drainage are
common, and greenish-yellow drainage is expected gastric
contents.
6. A nurse is assessing a patient who has been on fall
precautions. Which observation indicates an increased risk for
falling?
A) The patient’s bed is in the lowest position
B) The call light is within reach
C) The patient’s slippers are non-skid
D) The patient’s walker is placed in the bathroom, out of reach
from the bed
Answer: D
Rationale: Fall prevention requires that assistive devices (walker,
cane) be within reach of the patient when getting out of bed.
Placing the walker in the bathroom forces the patient to walk
without assistance, increasing fall risk. Options A, B, and C are
correct safety measures.
7. A patient with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level
of 45 mg/dL and is unconscious. What is the priority nursing
action?
