PN HESI Exit Exam: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales | Grade A
SUBTITLE:
60 Exam Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
PREPARED FOR:
PN HESI Exit Examination – Practical Nursing
DOCUMENT INCLUDES:
● HESI-style exam questions
● Correct answers
● Detailed rationales
● Key topics covered
TOPICS COVERED:
● Medical-Surgical Nursing
● Maternal-Newborn Nursing
● Pediatric Nursing
● Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
● Fundamentals of Nursing
● Pharmacology & Medication Administration
● Leadership & Management
● Community Health
● Nutrition
● Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
, ● Safety & Infection Control
● Health Promotion & Maintenance
Introduction:
This comprehensive HESI Exit exam test bank is designed to help PN students master
essential nursing concepts, strengthen critical thinking skills, and confidently prepare
for the HESI Exit Examination and NCLEX-PN.
SECTION 1: Fundamentals of Nursing, Safety & Infection Control
Question 1
A practical nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client via a nasogastric
(NG) tube. Before administering the medication, what is the priority nursing action?
A. Check the placement of the NG tube
B. Crush all tablets and mix with 30 mL of water
C. Flush the tube with 10 mL of normal saline
D. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing action before administering any medication via an NG
tube is to verify correct tube placement. Improper placement can result in aspiration,
pneumonitis, or medication entering the lungs instead of the stomach. Methods to
verify placement include checking the pH of aspirated gastric contents (typically ≤5.5),
auscultating for air insufflation, or measuring the external tube length. While elevating
,the head of the bed (Option D) is important to prevent aspiration during administration,
verifying placement must occur first. Crushing tablets (Option B) is not appropriate for
all medications (e.g., enteric-coated or sustained-release tablets should never be
crushed). Flushing the tube (Option C) is done after confirming placement and before
medication administration to clear the tube, but it is not the priority initial action.
Question 2
A client is prescribed contact precautions for a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) wound infection. Which action by the practical nurse demonstrates
correct understanding of contact precautions?
A. Wearing an N95 respirator when entering the room
B. Removing gloves before leaving the room and performing hand hygiene
C. Placing the client in a negative-pressure room
D. Wearing a gown only if direct contact with the client is anticipated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contact precautions require the healthcare worker to wear gloves and a gown
upon room entry and remove them before leaving the room, followed by hand hygiene
with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. An N95 respirator (Option A) is
required for airborne precautions, not contact precautions. A negative-pressure room
(Option C) is used for airborne precautions (e.g., tuberculosis, measles, varicella). A
gown must be worn for all interactions with the client or the environment in contact
precautions, not only when direct contact is anticipated (Option D), because the
environment may be contaminated with the infectious agent.
, Question 3
The practical nurse is caring for a client with a history of falls. Which intervention is the
highest priority to prevent falls in this client?
A. Placing the call light within the client's reach
B. Keeping the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
C. Ensuring non-skid footwear is worn when the client is out of bed
D. Performing hourly rounding to assess client needs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position with side rails up is the highest priority
intervention to prevent falls because it directly reduces the risk of injury if the client
attempts to get out of bed unassisted. While placing the call light within reach (Option
A), ensuring non-skid footwear (Option C), and performing hourly rounding (Option D)
are all important fall prevention strategies, they are secondary to physically securing the
bed environment. The lowest bed position minimizes the distance of a potential fall, and
raised side rails serve as a physical barrier. However, side rails should not be used as
restraints; they should be used as a safety reminder and to assist the client with
repositioning.
Question 4
A practical nurse is preparing to transfer a client from the bed to a wheelchair using a
gait belt. Where should the nurse position the gait belt on the client?
A. Around the client's chest, just below the axillae
B. Around the client's waist, over clothing, secured snugly
Answers with Detailed Rationales | Grade A
SUBTITLE:
60 Exam Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales
PREPARED FOR:
PN HESI Exit Examination – Practical Nursing
DOCUMENT INCLUDES:
● HESI-style exam questions
● Correct answers
● Detailed rationales
● Key topics covered
TOPICS COVERED:
● Medical-Surgical Nursing
● Maternal-Newborn Nursing
● Pediatric Nursing
● Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
● Fundamentals of Nursing
● Pharmacology & Medication Administration
● Leadership & Management
● Community Health
● Nutrition
● Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
, ● Safety & Infection Control
● Health Promotion & Maintenance
Introduction:
This comprehensive HESI Exit exam test bank is designed to help PN students master
essential nursing concepts, strengthen critical thinking skills, and confidently prepare
for the HESI Exit Examination and NCLEX-PN.
SECTION 1: Fundamentals of Nursing, Safety & Infection Control
Question 1
A practical nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client via a nasogastric
(NG) tube. Before administering the medication, what is the priority nursing action?
A. Check the placement of the NG tube
B. Crush all tablets and mix with 30 mL of water
C. Flush the tube with 10 mL of normal saline
D. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing action before administering any medication via an NG
tube is to verify correct tube placement. Improper placement can result in aspiration,
pneumonitis, or medication entering the lungs instead of the stomach. Methods to
verify placement include checking the pH of aspirated gastric contents (typically ≤5.5),
auscultating for air insufflation, or measuring the external tube length. While elevating
,the head of the bed (Option D) is important to prevent aspiration during administration,
verifying placement must occur first. Crushing tablets (Option B) is not appropriate for
all medications (e.g., enteric-coated or sustained-release tablets should never be
crushed). Flushing the tube (Option C) is done after confirming placement and before
medication administration to clear the tube, but it is not the priority initial action.
Question 2
A client is prescribed contact precautions for a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) wound infection. Which action by the practical nurse demonstrates
correct understanding of contact precautions?
A. Wearing an N95 respirator when entering the room
B. Removing gloves before leaving the room and performing hand hygiene
C. Placing the client in a negative-pressure room
D. Wearing a gown only if direct contact with the client is anticipated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Contact precautions require the healthcare worker to wear gloves and a gown
upon room entry and remove them before leaving the room, followed by hand hygiene
with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. An N95 respirator (Option A) is
required for airborne precautions, not contact precautions. A negative-pressure room
(Option C) is used for airborne precautions (e.g., tuberculosis, measles, varicella). A
gown must be worn for all interactions with the client or the environment in contact
precautions, not only when direct contact is anticipated (Option D), because the
environment may be contaminated with the infectious agent.
, Question 3
The practical nurse is caring for a client with a history of falls. Which intervention is the
highest priority to prevent falls in this client?
A. Placing the call light within the client's reach
B. Keeping the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
C. Ensuring non-skid footwear is worn when the client is out of bed
D. Performing hourly rounding to assess client needs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position with side rails up is the highest priority
intervention to prevent falls because it directly reduces the risk of injury if the client
attempts to get out of bed unassisted. While placing the call light within reach (Option
A), ensuring non-skid footwear (Option C), and performing hourly rounding (Option D)
are all important fall prevention strategies, they are secondary to physically securing the
bed environment. The lowest bed position minimizes the distance of a potential fall, and
raised side rails serve as a physical barrier. However, side rails should not be used as
restraints; they should be used as a safety reminder and to assist the client with
repositioning.
Question 4
A practical nurse is preparing to transfer a client from the bed to a wheelchair using a
gait belt. Where should the nurse position the gait belt on the client?
A. Around the client's chest, just below the axillae
B. Around the client's waist, over clothing, secured snugly
