2026 HESI PN Exit Exam Comprehensive
Practice EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A client is 24 hours post-operative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which intervention
should the nurse implement to prevent dislocation of the new prosthesis?
A. Keep the affected leg in an adducted position.
B. Maintain the hip in a flexed position of 120 degrees.
C. Encourage the client to cross their legs while sitting.
D. Place an abduction pillow between the client’s legs.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: An abduction pillow maintains the hip in an abducted position,
which is essential to prevent the femoral head from dislocating from the acetabulum
following surgery.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin for heart failure. Which laboratory result
should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
,C. Digoxin level 1.2 ng/mL
D. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium below 3.5 mEq/L) significantly
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, even if the digoxin level is within the therapeutic
range.
3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to observe in a client diagnosed with
Grave’s disease?
A. Lethargy and weight gain
B. Cold intolerance and bradycardia
C. Exophthalmos and tachycardia
D. Dry skin and constipation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Grave’s disease is hyperthyroidism, characterized by an
increased metabolic rate, leading to bulging eyes (exophthalmos), rapid heart rate
(tachycardia), and weight loss.
4. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer 15g of oral glucose gel.
, B. Administer glucagon intramuscularly.
C. Check the client’s blood glucose level.
D. Call the rapid response team.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: If a diabetic client is unconscious and showing signs of
hypoglycemia (clamminess), the priority is to increase blood sugar quickly via glucagon or
IV dextrose because they cannot swallow oral glucose.
5. The nurse is monitoring a client after a thyroidectomy. The client reports numbness and
tingling around the mouth. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the surgical dressing for bleeding.
B. Administer a prescribed analgesic.
C. Notify the surgeon immediately.
D. Assess the client for Trousseau’s sign.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Numbness/tingling indicates hypocalcemia, a risk after thyroid
surgery if the parathyroid glands are damaged. Assessing for Trousseau’s or Chvostek’s
sign confirms the physical manifestation of low calcium.
Practice EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A client is 24 hours post-operative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which intervention
should the nurse implement to prevent dislocation of the new prosthesis?
A. Keep the affected leg in an adducted position.
B. Maintain the hip in a flexed position of 120 degrees.
C. Encourage the client to cross their legs while sitting.
D. Place an abduction pillow between the client’s legs.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: An abduction pillow maintains the hip in an abducted position,
which is essential to prevent the femoral head from dislocating from the acetabulum
following surgery.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin for heart failure. Which laboratory result
should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
,C. Digoxin level 1.2 ng/mL
D. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium below 3.5 mEq/L) significantly
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, even if the digoxin level is within the therapeutic
range.
3. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to observe in a client diagnosed with
Grave’s disease?
A. Lethargy and weight gain
B. Cold intolerance and bradycardia
C. Exophthalmos and tachycardia
D. Dry skin and constipation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Grave’s disease is hyperthyroidism, characterized by an
increased metabolic rate, leading to bulging eyes (exophthalmos), rapid heart rate
(tachycardia), and weight loss.
4. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer 15g of oral glucose gel.
, B. Administer glucagon intramuscularly.
C. Check the client’s blood glucose level.
D. Call the rapid response team.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: If a diabetic client is unconscious and showing signs of
hypoglycemia (clamminess), the priority is to increase blood sugar quickly via glucagon or
IV dextrose because they cannot swallow oral glucose.
5. The nurse is monitoring a client after a thyroidectomy. The client reports numbness and
tingling around the mouth. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the surgical dressing for bleeding.
B. Administer a prescribed analgesic.
C. Notify the surgeon immediately.
D. Assess the client for Trousseau’s sign.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Numbness/tingling indicates hypocalcemia, a risk after thyroid
surgery if the parathyroid glands are damaged. Assessing for Trousseau’s or Chvostek’s
sign confirms the physical manifestation of low calcium.
