Updated HESI RN Comprehensive Predictor Exit
Exam 2026 NGN | Complete Practice Questions,
Detailed Answers & Rationales
# Question Correct Rationale
Answer
1 An oriented patient has recently B A patient's self-report of pain is the most
had surgery. Which action is reliable and subjective measure of pain.
best for the nurse to take to Asking an oriented patient to rate their pain is
assess this patient's pain? the most direct and specific assessment
A. Assess the patient's body method.
language.
B. Ask the patient to rate the
level of pain.
C. Observe the cardiac monitor
for increased heart rate.
D. Have the patient describe the
effect of pain on the ability to
cope.
2 A client with heart failure is B Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat
prescribed furosemide 40 mg IV fluid overload. An increase in urine output is
twice daily. Which assessment the primary indicator that the medication is
finding indicates the medication effectively reducing excess fluid volume.
is effective?
A. Decreased heart rate from
120 to 100 bpm
B. Increased urine output from
30 mL/hr to 100 mL/hr
C. Decreased blood pressure
from 150/90 to 110/70 mmHg
D. Increased respiratory rate
from 20 to 24/min
,3 A client with COPD is receiving B Clients with severe COPD may have a hypoxic
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal drive to breathe. High-flow oxygen can
cannula. The client's family asks suppress this primary drive, leading to
why the flow rate isn't higher. hypoventilation and respiratory failure.
The nurse's response is based
on understanding that:
A. Higher oxygen flows cause
nasal dryness
B. COPD clients may develop
oxygen-induced hypoventilation
C. Oxygen is toxic at higher
concentrations
D. Higher flows increase
infection risk
4 A nurse is caring for a client with A Gurgling sounds indicate secretions in the
a new tracheostomy. Which airway. Suctioning is the priority to maintain a
action takes priority? patent airway and prevent aspiration.
A. Suctioning when gurgling
sounds are heard
B. Cleaning the inner cannula
every 8 hours
C. Maintaining humidified
oxygen
D. Changing tracheostomy ties
daily
5 A nurse is assessing a client with C Chest pain and dyspnea suggest a pulmonary
possible deep vein thrombosis embolism (PE), a life-threatening complication
(DVT). Which finding requires of DVT. This requires immediate, priority
immediate intervention? intervention.
A. Unilateral calf swelling
B. Homans' sign positive
C. Chest pain and dyspnea
D. Warmth in affected leg
, 6 A client with diabetes mellitus A A blood glucose of 55 mg/dL indicates
has a blood glucose of 55 hypoglycemia. The priority for a conscious
mg/dL. The client is conscious patient is to provide 15g of fast-acting
but confused. Which glucose to raise the blood sugar level.
intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Administer 15g of fast-acting
carbohydrate
B. Recheck blood glucose in 15
minutes
C. Administer glucagon
subcutaneously
D. Notify the provider
immediately
7 A client is receiving a blood C These symptoms suggest a hemolytic
transfusion and develops chills, transfusion reaction. The nurse's priority is to
fever, and back pain. The nurse's stop the transfusion immediately to prevent
first action should be to: further complications.
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Administer diphenhydramine
C. Stop the transfusion
D. Notify the provider
8 A client has a potassium level of D A potassium level this high (hyperkalemia) can
6.5 mEq/L. What is the priority cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. Assessing
intervention? the cardiac rhythm is the highest priority to
A. Administer calcium gluconate detect immediate life-threatening changes.
B. Encourage bananas
C. Restrict potassium-rich foods
D. Assess cardiac rhythm
9 A client is prescribed warfarin. B The INR (International Normalized Ratio) is
Which lab should be monitored? the specific lab used to monitor the
A. aPTT therapeutic effectiveness of warfarin.
B. INR
Exam 2026 NGN | Complete Practice Questions,
Detailed Answers & Rationales
# Question Correct Rationale
Answer
1 An oriented patient has recently B A patient's self-report of pain is the most
had surgery. Which action is reliable and subjective measure of pain.
best for the nurse to take to Asking an oriented patient to rate their pain is
assess this patient's pain? the most direct and specific assessment
A. Assess the patient's body method.
language.
B. Ask the patient to rate the
level of pain.
C. Observe the cardiac monitor
for increased heart rate.
D. Have the patient describe the
effect of pain on the ability to
cope.
2 A client with heart failure is B Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat
prescribed furosemide 40 mg IV fluid overload. An increase in urine output is
twice daily. Which assessment the primary indicator that the medication is
finding indicates the medication effectively reducing excess fluid volume.
is effective?
A. Decreased heart rate from
120 to 100 bpm
B. Increased urine output from
30 mL/hr to 100 mL/hr
C. Decreased blood pressure
from 150/90 to 110/70 mmHg
D. Increased respiratory rate
from 20 to 24/min
,3 A client with COPD is receiving B Clients with severe COPD may have a hypoxic
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal drive to breathe. High-flow oxygen can
cannula. The client's family asks suppress this primary drive, leading to
why the flow rate isn't higher. hypoventilation and respiratory failure.
The nurse's response is based
on understanding that:
A. Higher oxygen flows cause
nasal dryness
B. COPD clients may develop
oxygen-induced hypoventilation
C. Oxygen is toxic at higher
concentrations
D. Higher flows increase
infection risk
4 A nurse is caring for a client with A Gurgling sounds indicate secretions in the
a new tracheostomy. Which airway. Suctioning is the priority to maintain a
action takes priority? patent airway and prevent aspiration.
A. Suctioning when gurgling
sounds are heard
B. Cleaning the inner cannula
every 8 hours
C. Maintaining humidified
oxygen
D. Changing tracheostomy ties
daily
5 A nurse is assessing a client with C Chest pain and dyspnea suggest a pulmonary
possible deep vein thrombosis embolism (PE), a life-threatening complication
(DVT). Which finding requires of DVT. This requires immediate, priority
immediate intervention? intervention.
A. Unilateral calf swelling
B. Homans' sign positive
C. Chest pain and dyspnea
D. Warmth in affected leg
, 6 A client with diabetes mellitus A A blood glucose of 55 mg/dL indicates
has a blood glucose of 55 hypoglycemia. The priority for a conscious
mg/dL. The client is conscious patient is to provide 15g of fast-acting
but confused. Which glucose to raise the blood sugar level.
intervention should the nurse
implement first?
A. Administer 15g of fast-acting
carbohydrate
B. Recheck blood glucose in 15
minutes
C. Administer glucagon
subcutaneously
D. Notify the provider
immediately
7 A client is receiving a blood C These symptoms suggest a hemolytic
transfusion and develops chills, transfusion reaction. The nurse's priority is to
fever, and back pain. The nurse's stop the transfusion immediately to prevent
first action should be to: further complications.
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Administer diphenhydramine
C. Stop the transfusion
D. Notify the provider
8 A client has a potassium level of D A potassium level this high (hyperkalemia) can
6.5 mEq/L. What is the priority cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. Assessing
intervention? the cardiac rhythm is the highest priority to
A. Administer calcium gluconate detect immediate life-threatening changes.
B. Encourage bananas
C. Restrict potassium-rich foods
D. Assess cardiac rhythm
9 A client is prescribed warfarin. B The INR (International Normalized Ratio) is
Which lab should be monitored? the specific lab used to monitor the
A. aPTT therapeutic effectiveness of warfarin.
B. INR
