,Verified 2026 HESI RN Exit Exam | NGN
Nursing Questions | Q & A (PDF)
resource with actual exam questions
**1. The nurse is caring for a client with newly diagnosed hypertension. Which statement by the client
indicates a correct understanding of the prescribed lifestyle modifications?**
A) "I will need to check my blood pressure at least once a month."
B) "I can stop taking my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
C) "I should limit my sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day."
D) "I should avoid all forms of exercise to keep my blood pressure stable."
**Correct Answer:** C) "I should limit my sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day."
**Rationale:** The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet recommends sodium
restriction to less than 2,300 mg/day (ideally 1,500 mg). Blood pressure should be monitored more
frequently than monthly. Antihypertensive medication is typically lifelong. Regular aerobic exercise is
encouraged.
---
**2. A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely?**
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
**Correct Answer:** B) Serum potassium
,**Rationale:** Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium depletion
(hypokalemia) due to increased potassium excretion in the distal tubule. Hypokalemia can lead to
cardiac dysrhythmias, especially in clients taking digoxin.
---
**3. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which assessment finding
would indicate the need to withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider?**
A) Apical pulse of 68 beats/min
B) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
D) Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
**Correct Answer:** B) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
**Rationale:** Hypokalemia (serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The
normal apical pulse for digoxin administration is > 60 beats/min. The other vital signs are within normal
limits.
---
**4. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is receiving
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment finding indicates the client is experiencing
oxygen toxicity?**
A) Increased appetite
B) Bradypnea
C) Non-productive cough and substernal pain
D) Hypertension
**Correct Answer:** C) Non-productive cough and substernal pain
, **Rationale:** Oxygen toxicity can occur with prolonged administration of high concentrations of
oxygen. Early signs include non-productive cough, substernal pain, and nausea. It can lead to pulmonary
fibrosis and atelectasis.
---
**5. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is exhibiting signs of hypoglycemia. The client is alert and
oriented. Which action should the nurse take first?**
A) Administer 50% dextrose IV push
B) Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate orally
C) Administer glucagon subcutaneously
D) Call the healthcare provider for orders
**Correct Answer:** B) Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate orally
**Rationale:** For a conscious client with hypoglycemia, the first action is to administer 15 grams of
fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz of fruit juice, 3 glucose tablets). If the client is unconscious, IV
dextrose or glucagon would be appropriate.
---
**6. The nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which
finding is most concerning and requires immediate intervention?**
A) Pain of 4 on a 0-10 scale with movement
B) Swelling and erythema of the operative leg
C) Shortness of breath and chest pain
D) Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
**Correct Answer:** C) Shortness of breath and chest pain
Nursing Questions | Q & A (PDF)
resource with actual exam questions
**1. The nurse is caring for a client with newly diagnosed hypertension. Which statement by the client
indicates a correct understanding of the prescribed lifestyle modifications?**
A) "I will need to check my blood pressure at least once a month."
B) "I can stop taking my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
C) "I should limit my sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day."
D) "I should avoid all forms of exercise to keep my blood pressure stable."
**Correct Answer:** C) "I should limit my sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day."
**Rationale:** The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet recommends sodium
restriction to less than 2,300 mg/day (ideally 1,500 mg). Blood pressure should be monitored more
frequently than monthly. Antihypertensive medication is typically lifelong. Regular aerobic exercise is
encouraged.
---
**2. A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely?**
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
**Correct Answer:** B) Serum potassium
,**Rationale:** Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium depletion
(hypokalemia) due to increased potassium excretion in the distal tubule. Hypokalemia can lead to
cardiac dysrhythmias, especially in clients taking digoxin.
---
**3. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which assessment finding
would indicate the need to withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider?**
A) Apical pulse of 68 beats/min
B) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
D) Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
**Correct Answer:** B) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
**Rationale:** Hypokalemia (serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The
normal apical pulse for digoxin administration is > 60 beats/min. The other vital signs are within normal
limits.
---
**4. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is receiving
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment finding indicates the client is experiencing
oxygen toxicity?**
A) Increased appetite
B) Bradypnea
C) Non-productive cough and substernal pain
D) Hypertension
**Correct Answer:** C) Non-productive cough and substernal pain
, **Rationale:** Oxygen toxicity can occur with prolonged administration of high concentrations of
oxygen. Early signs include non-productive cough, substernal pain, and nausea. It can lead to pulmonary
fibrosis and atelectasis.
---
**5. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is exhibiting signs of hypoglycemia. The client is alert and
oriented. Which action should the nurse take first?**
A) Administer 50% dextrose IV push
B) Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate orally
C) Administer glucagon subcutaneously
D) Call the healthcare provider for orders
**Correct Answer:** B) Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate orally
**Rationale:** For a conscious client with hypoglycemia, the first action is to administer 15 grams of
fast-acting carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz of fruit juice, 3 glucose tablets). If the client is unconscious, IV
dextrose or glucagon would be appropriate.
---
**6. The nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which
finding is most concerning and requires immediate intervention?**
A) Pain of 4 on a 0-10 scale with movement
B) Swelling and erythema of the operative leg
C) Shortness of breath and chest pain
D) Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
**Correct Answer:** C) Shortness of breath and chest pain
