HESI 2026 EXAM RECAP - FULL EXAM PAPER WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES Student Revision Version
Fundamentals | Question 1
A client falls while trying to get out of bed. What should the nurse do first?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Assess the client for injury
C. Call the family
D. Move the client back to bed quickly
Answer: B. Assess the client for injury
Rationale: After any fall, assessment comes before documentation or notification.
High-yield: Assess first, then notify, document, and prevent recurrence.
Fundamentals | Question 2
Which action best prevents transmission of infection in routine care?
A. Wearing sterile gloves all shift
B. Hand hygiene before and after client contact
C. Keeping windows closed
D. Giving antibiotics to all clients
Answer: B. Hand hygiene before and after client contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective routine infection-prevention measure.
High-yield: Hand hygiene is a priority safety intervention.
Fundamentals | Question 3
The nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates the field?
A. Opening sterile supplies away from the body
B. Reaching across the sterile field
C. Keeping the field above waist level
D. Using sterile gloves
Answer: B. Reaching across the sterile field
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it.
High-yield: Do not reach, turn away from, or drop below waist level.
Fundamentals | Question 4
A client reports chest pain. What is the nurse's initial action?
A. Document the complaint
B. Assess pain and vital signs
C. Give discharge instructions
D. Ask dietary to hold the tray
Answer: B. Assess pain and vital signs
Rationale: New chest pain requires immediate focused assessment.
High-yield: Assessment guides urgent intervention.
Page 1 of 30 | Original practice questions for student revision
,HESI 2026 EXAM RECAP - FULL EXAM PAPER WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES Student Revision Version
Fundamentals | Question 5
Which client has the highest fall risk?
A. Alert adult wearing glasses
B. Older adult with confusion and unsteady gait
C. Teen with arm cast
D. Client requesting water
Answer: B. Older adult with confusion and unsteady gait
Rationale: Confusion and impaired mobility strongly increase fall risk.
High-yield: Falls prevention begins with risk recognition.
Fundamentals | Question 6
A nurse notes a medication order is unclear. What should be done?
A. Guess the intended dose
B. Clarify the order before administration
C. Ask the client
D. Skip documentation
Answer: B. Clarify the order before administration
Rationale: Unclear prescriptions must be clarified before medication administration.
High-yield: Never administer an unclear or unsafe order.
Fundamentals | Question 7
Which statement shows correct informed consent understanding?
A. The nurse explains all surgical risks
B. The provider explains the procedure; nurse witnesses voluntary signature
C. Family can sign for all adults
D. Consent cannot be withdrawn
Answer: B. The provider explains the procedure; nurse witnesses voluntary signature
Rationale: The provider explains risks and benefits; the nurse verifies voluntary signature and competence.
High-yield: Clients may withdraw consent before the procedure.
Fundamentals | Question 8
A client with dysphagia is eating. Which action is safest?
A. Place client supine
B. Give thin liquids quickly
C. Keep client upright during meals
D. Use a straw for all drinks
Answer: C. Keep client upright during meals
Rationale: Upright positioning reduces aspiration risk.
High-yield: Dysphagia care focuses on airway protection.
Page 2 of 30 | Original practice questions for student revision
, HESI 2026 EXAM RECAP - FULL EXAM PAPER WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES Student Revision Version
Pharmacology | Question 9
A client taking warfarin asks about diet. Which teaching is best?
A. Avoid all green vegetables
B. Keep vitamin K intake consistent
C. Double the dose if a dose is missed
D. Stop INR checks when feeling well
Answer: B. Keep vitamin K intake consistent
Rationale: Warfarin effect is influenced by vitamin K; consistency is key.
High-yield: Monitor INR and bleeding risk.
Pharmacology | Question 10
Which finding suggests digoxin toxicity?
A. Yellow-green vision and nausea
B. Increased appetite
C. Hair loss only
D. Dry cough
Answer: A. Yellow-green vision and nausea
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity may cause GI symptoms, visual changes, and dysrhythmias.
High-yield: Check pulse and digoxin level when toxicity is suspected.
Pharmacology | Question 11
A client on lithium reports vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, and drowsiness. What is the priority?
A. Give next dose
B. Hold dose and notify provider
C. Encourage caffeine
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: B. Hold dose and notify provider
Rationale: These findings suggest lithium toxicity.
High-yield: Lithium toxicity is worsened by dehydration and sodium loss.
Pharmacology | Question 12
Which medication requires monitoring for respiratory depression?
A. Morphine
B. Levothyroxine
C. Ferrous sulfate
D. Docusate
Answer: A. Morphine
Rationale: Opioids can depress respirations and level of consciousness.
High-yield: Assess sedation, RR, and oxygenation after opioids.
Page 3 of 30 | Original practice questions for student revision
Fundamentals | Question 1
A client falls while trying to get out of bed. What should the nurse do first?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Assess the client for injury
C. Call the family
D. Move the client back to bed quickly
Answer: B. Assess the client for injury
Rationale: After any fall, assessment comes before documentation or notification.
High-yield: Assess first, then notify, document, and prevent recurrence.
Fundamentals | Question 2
Which action best prevents transmission of infection in routine care?
A. Wearing sterile gloves all shift
B. Hand hygiene before and after client contact
C. Keeping windows closed
D. Giving antibiotics to all clients
Answer: B. Hand hygiene before and after client contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective routine infection-prevention measure.
High-yield: Hand hygiene is a priority safety intervention.
Fundamentals | Question 3
The nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates the field?
A. Opening sterile supplies away from the body
B. Reaching across the sterile field
C. Keeping the field above waist level
D. Using sterile gloves
Answer: B. Reaching across the sterile field
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it.
High-yield: Do not reach, turn away from, or drop below waist level.
Fundamentals | Question 4
A client reports chest pain. What is the nurse's initial action?
A. Document the complaint
B. Assess pain and vital signs
C. Give discharge instructions
D. Ask dietary to hold the tray
Answer: B. Assess pain and vital signs
Rationale: New chest pain requires immediate focused assessment.
High-yield: Assessment guides urgent intervention.
Page 1 of 30 | Original practice questions for student revision
,HESI 2026 EXAM RECAP - FULL EXAM PAPER WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES Student Revision Version
Fundamentals | Question 5
Which client has the highest fall risk?
A. Alert adult wearing glasses
B. Older adult with confusion and unsteady gait
C. Teen with arm cast
D. Client requesting water
Answer: B. Older adult with confusion and unsteady gait
Rationale: Confusion and impaired mobility strongly increase fall risk.
High-yield: Falls prevention begins with risk recognition.
Fundamentals | Question 6
A nurse notes a medication order is unclear. What should be done?
A. Guess the intended dose
B. Clarify the order before administration
C. Ask the client
D. Skip documentation
Answer: B. Clarify the order before administration
Rationale: Unclear prescriptions must be clarified before medication administration.
High-yield: Never administer an unclear or unsafe order.
Fundamentals | Question 7
Which statement shows correct informed consent understanding?
A. The nurse explains all surgical risks
B. The provider explains the procedure; nurse witnesses voluntary signature
C. Family can sign for all adults
D. Consent cannot be withdrawn
Answer: B. The provider explains the procedure; nurse witnesses voluntary signature
Rationale: The provider explains risks and benefits; the nurse verifies voluntary signature and competence.
High-yield: Clients may withdraw consent before the procedure.
Fundamentals | Question 8
A client with dysphagia is eating. Which action is safest?
A. Place client supine
B. Give thin liquids quickly
C. Keep client upright during meals
D. Use a straw for all drinks
Answer: C. Keep client upright during meals
Rationale: Upright positioning reduces aspiration risk.
High-yield: Dysphagia care focuses on airway protection.
Page 2 of 30 | Original practice questions for student revision
, HESI 2026 EXAM RECAP - FULL EXAM PAPER WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES Student Revision Version
Pharmacology | Question 9
A client taking warfarin asks about diet. Which teaching is best?
A. Avoid all green vegetables
B. Keep vitamin K intake consistent
C. Double the dose if a dose is missed
D. Stop INR checks when feeling well
Answer: B. Keep vitamin K intake consistent
Rationale: Warfarin effect is influenced by vitamin K; consistency is key.
High-yield: Monitor INR and bleeding risk.
Pharmacology | Question 10
Which finding suggests digoxin toxicity?
A. Yellow-green vision and nausea
B. Increased appetite
C. Hair loss only
D. Dry cough
Answer: A. Yellow-green vision and nausea
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity may cause GI symptoms, visual changes, and dysrhythmias.
High-yield: Check pulse and digoxin level when toxicity is suspected.
Pharmacology | Question 11
A client on lithium reports vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, and drowsiness. What is the priority?
A. Give next dose
B. Hold dose and notify provider
C. Encourage caffeine
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: B. Hold dose and notify provider
Rationale: These findings suggest lithium toxicity.
High-yield: Lithium toxicity is worsened by dehydration and sodium loss.
Pharmacology | Question 12
Which medication requires monitoring for respiratory depression?
A. Morphine
B. Levothyroxine
C. Ferrous sulfate
D. Docusate
Answer: A. Morphine
Rationale: Opioids can depress respirations and level of consciousness.
High-yield: Assess sedation, RR, and oxygenation after opioids.
Page 3 of 30 | Original practice questions for student revision
