HESI Exit Comprehensive Assessment Final
Exam 2026 | Questions & Verified Answers
with Rationales Graded A+| Comprehensive
Study Guide And Test Practice
Question 1
A client with a history of falls is admitted. What is the most important intervention for
the practical nurse (PN) to implement?
A) Place a call bell within reach
B) Administer a sedative at bedtime
C) Restrain the client during ambulation
D) Encourage independent ambulation
Answer: A - Ensuring the call bell is accessible promotes safety by allowing the client to
request help, reducing fall risk. Sedatives may increase fall risk, restraints are a last
resort, and independent ambulation is unsafe without assessment .
Question 2
The PN is preparing to ambulate a postoperative client after cardiac surgery. Which
action is most important to ensure client safety?
A) Place the bed in the highest position
B) Ensure the client has non-skid footwear
C) Position the bedside table directly in front of the client
D) Raise all four side rails before ambulating
Answer: B - Non-skid footwear reduces the risk of slipping and falling during
ambulation. The bed should be in the lowest position to prevent falls from height .
,Question 3
A client is on contact precautions. Which PPE should the PN don before entering the
room?
A) Mask and gloves
B) Gown and gloves
C) N95 respirator only
D) Gown, mask, and gloves
Answer: B - Contact precautions require gown and gloves to prevent transmission of
organisms through direct contact. Mask and eye protection are added if there is risk of
splash .
Question 4
Which interventions should the PN implement for a client with a pressure ulcer? (Select
all that apply.)
A) Reposition the client every 2 hours
B) Apply a dry gauze dressing daily
C) Encourage a high-protein diet
D) Use a donut-shaped cushion
E) Assess the wound daily
Answer: A, C, E - Repositioning prevents further tissue damage, a high-protein diet
supports healing, and daily assessment monitors progress. Dry gauze may adhere to the
wound, and donut cushions increase pressure on surrounding tissue .
Question 5
The PN observes a client with a new colostomy. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Slight redness around the stoma
B) Liquid stool output
C) Dusky stoma color
D) Mild odor from the ostomy bag
,Answer: C - A dusky stoma indicates ischemia, requiring urgent intervention. Slight
redness is normal, liquid stool is expected initially, and mild odor is typical .
Question 6
A client with a nasogastric (NG) tube reports nausea. What should the PN do first?
A) Administer an antiemetic
B) Check NG tube placement
C) Flush the NG tube with saline
D) Remove the NG tube
Answer: B - Checking NG tube placement confirms the tube is in the correct position
before any further interventions. Administering an antiemetic without verifying
placement could be unsafe if the tube is malpositioned .
Question 7
The PN is preparing to administer medications to a disoriented resident in a long-term
care facility who has no ID band or picture. What is the best action?
A) Ask a regular staff member to confirm the resident's identity
B) Hold the medication until the ID band can be located
C) Administer the medication based on the room number
D) Ask the resident to state their name
Answer: A - When a client lacks identification, the safest approach is to have a staff
member who knows the resident confirm identity. Two identifiers should always be used
before medication administration .
Question 8
The PN is caring for a client with a urinary catheter. Which observation requires
immediate intervention?
A) The drainage bag is below the level of the bladder
B) The tubing is free of kinks
, C) The urine output is 30 mL/hour
D) The catheter tubing is secured to the thigh
Answer: C - Urine output of less than 30 mL/hour may indicate inadequate renal
perfusion or a blockage. The drainage bag should be below the bladder, tubing free of
kinks, and catheter secured to prevent traction .
Question 9
The PN observes a fire in a client's room. What is the priority action?
A) Activate the fire alarm
B) Remove the client from the room
C) Attempt to extinguish the fire
D) Close the door and evacuate the floor
Answer: B - The priority in a fire is to rescue patients in immediate danger (RACE:
Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish). Removing the client from the room is the first
action .
Question 10
A client with a history of falls is prescribed a sedative. What is the PN's priority
intervention?
A) Administer the sedative as ordered
B) Place the client in a room near the nurses' station
C) Implement fall precautions
D) Encourage the client to ambulate frequently
Answer: C - Sedatives increase fall risk. Implementing fall precautions (bed in lowest
position, call light within reach, non-skid footwear) is the priority to ensure client safety .
Question 11
The PN is preparing to administer an IM injection. Which site is preferred for adults?
Exam 2026 | Questions & Verified Answers
with Rationales Graded A+| Comprehensive
Study Guide And Test Practice
Question 1
A client with a history of falls is admitted. What is the most important intervention for
the practical nurse (PN) to implement?
A) Place a call bell within reach
B) Administer a sedative at bedtime
C) Restrain the client during ambulation
D) Encourage independent ambulation
Answer: A - Ensuring the call bell is accessible promotes safety by allowing the client to
request help, reducing fall risk. Sedatives may increase fall risk, restraints are a last
resort, and independent ambulation is unsafe without assessment .
Question 2
The PN is preparing to ambulate a postoperative client after cardiac surgery. Which
action is most important to ensure client safety?
A) Place the bed in the highest position
B) Ensure the client has non-skid footwear
C) Position the bedside table directly in front of the client
D) Raise all four side rails before ambulating
Answer: B - Non-skid footwear reduces the risk of slipping and falling during
ambulation. The bed should be in the lowest position to prevent falls from height .
,Question 3
A client is on contact precautions. Which PPE should the PN don before entering the
room?
A) Mask and gloves
B) Gown and gloves
C) N95 respirator only
D) Gown, mask, and gloves
Answer: B - Contact precautions require gown and gloves to prevent transmission of
organisms through direct contact. Mask and eye protection are added if there is risk of
splash .
Question 4
Which interventions should the PN implement for a client with a pressure ulcer? (Select
all that apply.)
A) Reposition the client every 2 hours
B) Apply a dry gauze dressing daily
C) Encourage a high-protein diet
D) Use a donut-shaped cushion
E) Assess the wound daily
Answer: A, C, E - Repositioning prevents further tissue damage, a high-protein diet
supports healing, and daily assessment monitors progress. Dry gauze may adhere to the
wound, and donut cushions increase pressure on surrounding tissue .
Question 5
The PN observes a client with a new colostomy. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Slight redness around the stoma
B) Liquid stool output
C) Dusky stoma color
D) Mild odor from the ostomy bag
,Answer: C - A dusky stoma indicates ischemia, requiring urgent intervention. Slight
redness is normal, liquid stool is expected initially, and mild odor is typical .
Question 6
A client with a nasogastric (NG) tube reports nausea. What should the PN do first?
A) Administer an antiemetic
B) Check NG tube placement
C) Flush the NG tube with saline
D) Remove the NG tube
Answer: B - Checking NG tube placement confirms the tube is in the correct position
before any further interventions. Administering an antiemetic without verifying
placement could be unsafe if the tube is malpositioned .
Question 7
The PN is preparing to administer medications to a disoriented resident in a long-term
care facility who has no ID band or picture. What is the best action?
A) Ask a regular staff member to confirm the resident's identity
B) Hold the medication until the ID band can be located
C) Administer the medication based on the room number
D) Ask the resident to state their name
Answer: A - When a client lacks identification, the safest approach is to have a staff
member who knows the resident confirm identity. Two identifiers should always be used
before medication administration .
Question 8
The PN is caring for a client with a urinary catheter. Which observation requires
immediate intervention?
A) The drainage bag is below the level of the bladder
B) The tubing is free of kinks
, C) The urine output is 30 mL/hour
D) The catheter tubing is secured to the thigh
Answer: C - Urine output of less than 30 mL/hour may indicate inadequate renal
perfusion or a blockage. The drainage bag should be below the bladder, tubing free of
kinks, and catheter secured to prevent traction .
Question 9
The PN observes a fire in a client's room. What is the priority action?
A) Activate the fire alarm
B) Remove the client from the room
C) Attempt to extinguish the fire
D) Close the door and evacuate the floor
Answer: B - The priority in a fire is to rescue patients in immediate danger (RACE:
Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish). Removing the client from the room is the first
action .
Question 10
A client with a history of falls is prescribed a sedative. What is the PN's priority
intervention?
A) Administer the sedative as ordered
B) Place the client in a room near the nurses' station
C) Implement fall precautions
D) Encourage the client to ambulate frequently
Answer: C - Sedatives increase fall risk. Implementing fall precautions (bed in lowest
position, call light within reach, non-skid footwear) is the priority to ensure client safety .
Question 11
The PN is preparing to administer an IM injection. Which site is preferred for adults?
