[2026 HESI RN EXIT EXAM - NGN NURSING QUESTIONS] – EXAM-STYLE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP |
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) for depression. Which statement by the client indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. "I will avoid eating aged cheeses and cured meats while taking this
medication."
B. "I need to check with my provider before taking any over-the-counter cold
medications."
C. "I can continue to drink my morning coffee, but I will limit it to one cup."
D. "I should not take St. John's wort while on this medication."
Correct Answer: C. "I can continue to drink my morning coffee, but I will limit it to
one cup."
Rationale: MAOIs can cause a hypertensive crisis when combined with foods high in
tyramine, which includes aged cheeses, cured meats, and some beverages. While
caffeine is not a direct tyramine source, it can cause significant cardiac stimulation
and should be used cautiously or avoided altogether, making the statement about
continuing coffee an indication of a need for further teaching. Options A, B, and D
are correct statements demonstrating appropriate understanding of MAOI
precautions, as they involve avoiding tyramine-rich foods, consulting a provider for
any other medications to prevent interactions, and avoiding St. John's wort, which
can lead to serotonin syndrome.
,2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide and digoxin. The nurse
notes a potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. Which of the following assessment
findings is of greatest concern?
A. A heart rate of 62 beats per minute.
B. The presence of muscle cramps.
C. A new onset of visual disturbances.
D. An elevated blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg.
Correct Answer: C. A new onset of visual disturbances.
Rationale: A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is low (hypokalemia), which increases the
risk of digoxin toxicity. Visual disturbances such as seeing halos, blurred vision, or
yellow-green discoloration are classic and serious signs of digoxin toxicity, which
can be fatal. A heart rate of 62 is within normal limits, and muscle cramps are a
symptom of hypokalemia itself but are not the greatest concern. An elevated blood
pressure is not a primary indicator of digoxin toxicity in this context and may be
related to the patient's underlying heart failure.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube set to low
intermittent suction. Which assessment finding indicates a potential
complication related to this therapy?
A. Dry mucous membranes.
B. Serum sodium level of 136 mEq/L.
C. A urine output of 40 mL per hour.
D. Bilateral crackles in the lung bases.
,Correct Answer: A. Dry mucous membranes.
Rationale: NG suction can lead to the loss of gastric fluids, which are rich in
electrolytes and water, potentially causing dehydration. Dry mucous membranes
are an early sign of fluid volume deficit, a common complication. Option B (serum
sodium 136) is within normal range. Option C (urine output of 40 mL/hr) is
adequate. Option D (bilateral crackles) indicates fluid overload or pulmonary
edema, which is not a direct complication of NG suction.
4. The nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours post-operative following a
total hip arthroplasty. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. The client's surgical leg is externally rotated.
B. The client reports pain at a level of 4 on a 0-10 scale.
C. A small amount of serosanguinous drainage is present on the dressing.
D. The client's hemoglobin is 11.2 g/dL.
Correct Answer: A. The client's surgical leg is externally rotated.
Rationale: After a total hip arthroplasty, the hip must be maintained in a position
that prevents dislocation, which is often an abduction splint or pillow. External
rotation is a sign of possible hip dislocation, which is a surgical emergency
requiring immediate intervention. A pain level of 4, serosanguinous drainage, and a
hemoglobin of 11.2 are all expected findings post-operatively and do not require
immediate, urgent action.
, 5. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client's respiratory rate is 10
breaths/min. The nurse should first:
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min.
B. Encourage the client to perform deep breathing exercises.
C. Assess the client's level of consciousness.
D. Notify the respiratory therapist.
Correct Answer: C. Assess the client's level of consciousness.
Rationale: Clients with COPD often rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe. A low
respiratory rate and oxygen administration can lead to respiratory depression.
However, the immediate priority is to assess the client's level of consciousness (LOC),
as a decreasing LOC is a critical sign of impending respiratory failure and will guide
the urgency of subsequent interventions. Increasing oxygen could further depress
respirations, and other actions should be taken after assessing the client's overall
status.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client with
anemia. Which of the following actions is most important to prevent a
transfusion reaction?
A. Verifying the client's identity and blood product with a two-nurse check.
B. Premedicating the client with an antihistamine.
C. Infusing the blood slowly over the first 15 minutes.
D. Priming the IV tubing with normal saline.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS
RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | 2026/27 LATEST UPDATE | EXAM PREP |
STUDY GUIDE | PRACTICE TEST
1. A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed a monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) for depression. Which statement by the client indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. "I will avoid eating aged cheeses and cured meats while taking this
medication."
B. "I need to check with my provider before taking any over-the-counter cold
medications."
C. "I can continue to drink my morning coffee, but I will limit it to one cup."
D. "I should not take St. John's wort while on this medication."
Correct Answer: C. "I can continue to drink my morning coffee, but I will limit it to
one cup."
Rationale: MAOIs can cause a hypertensive crisis when combined with foods high in
tyramine, which includes aged cheeses, cured meats, and some beverages. While
caffeine is not a direct tyramine source, it can cause significant cardiac stimulation
and should be used cautiously or avoided altogether, making the statement about
continuing coffee an indication of a need for further teaching. Options A, B, and D
are correct statements demonstrating appropriate understanding of MAOI
precautions, as they involve avoiding tyramine-rich foods, consulting a provider for
any other medications to prevent interactions, and avoiding St. John's wort, which
can lead to serotonin syndrome.
,2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide and digoxin. The nurse
notes a potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. Which of the following assessment
findings is of greatest concern?
A. A heart rate of 62 beats per minute.
B. The presence of muscle cramps.
C. A new onset of visual disturbances.
D. An elevated blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg.
Correct Answer: C. A new onset of visual disturbances.
Rationale: A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is low (hypokalemia), which increases the
risk of digoxin toxicity. Visual disturbances such as seeing halos, blurred vision, or
yellow-green discoloration are classic and serious signs of digoxin toxicity, which
can be fatal. A heart rate of 62 is within normal limits, and muscle cramps are a
symptom of hypokalemia itself but are not the greatest concern. An elevated blood
pressure is not a primary indicator of digoxin toxicity in this context and may be
related to the patient's underlying heart failure.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube set to low
intermittent suction. Which assessment finding indicates a potential
complication related to this therapy?
A. Dry mucous membranes.
B. Serum sodium level of 136 mEq/L.
C. A urine output of 40 mL per hour.
D. Bilateral crackles in the lung bases.
,Correct Answer: A. Dry mucous membranes.
Rationale: NG suction can lead to the loss of gastric fluids, which are rich in
electrolytes and water, potentially causing dehydration. Dry mucous membranes
are an early sign of fluid volume deficit, a common complication. Option B (serum
sodium 136) is within normal range. Option C (urine output of 40 mL/hr) is
adequate. Option D (bilateral crackles) indicates fluid overload or pulmonary
edema, which is not a direct complication of NG suction.
4. The nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours post-operative following a
total hip arthroplasty. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. The client's surgical leg is externally rotated.
B. The client reports pain at a level of 4 on a 0-10 scale.
C. A small amount of serosanguinous drainage is present on the dressing.
D. The client's hemoglobin is 11.2 g/dL.
Correct Answer: A. The client's surgical leg is externally rotated.
Rationale: After a total hip arthroplasty, the hip must be maintained in a position
that prevents dislocation, which is often an abduction splint or pillow. External
rotation is a sign of possible hip dislocation, which is a surgical emergency
requiring immediate intervention. A pain level of 4, serosanguinous drainage, and a
hemoglobin of 11.2 are all expected findings post-operatively and do not require
immediate, urgent action.
, 5. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client's respiratory rate is 10
breaths/min. The nurse should first:
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min.
B. Encourage the client to perform deep breathing exercises.
C. Assess the client's level of consciousness.
D. Notify the respiratory therapist.
Correct Answer: C. Assess the client's level of consciousness.
Rationale: Clients with COPD often rely on a hypoxic drive to breathe. A low
respiratory rate and oxygen administration can lead to respiratory depression.
However, the immediate priority is to assess the client's level of consciousness (LOC),
as a decreasing LOC is a critical sign of impending respiratory failure and will guide
the urgency of subsequent interventions. Increasing oxygen could further depress
respirations, and other actions should be taken after assessing the client's overall
status.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client with
anemia. Which of the following actions is most important to prevent a
transfusion reaction?
A. Verifying the client's identity and blood product with a two-nurse check.
B. Premedicating the client with an antihistamine.
C. Infusing the blood slowly over the first 15 minutes.
D. Priming the IV tubing with normal saline.
