HESI RN CAT Exit Exam 2026:
Comprehensive -Question Practice
Test with Detailed Rationales for
Nursing Licensure Success
Question 1
The nurse receives shift report on four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
A) Client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
B) Client with diabetes mellitus requesting pain medication
C) Client with a new colostomy who needs teaching about appliance
changes
D) Client with hypertension whose blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and
represents an airway/breathing priority. According to Maslow's hierarchy
and the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), this client requires immediate
assessment. The client is showing signs of respiratory compromise that
could rapidly deteriorate. The other clients have stable conditions that can
wait .
,Question 2
A client with terminal cancer has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order but
develops pneumonia. The client states, "I don't want any heroic measures."
What should the nurse do?
A) Initiate antibiotics and oxygen therapy
B) Keep the client comfortable and provide supportive care
C) Call the healthcare provider to discuss the DNR order
D) Transfer the client to the intensive care unit
Answer: B
Rationale: The client has clearly expressed wishes regarding end-of-life
care. The nurse should prioritize comfort measures aligned with the client's
wishes. Heroic measures typically refer to CPR, intubation, and aggressive
life support. Antibiotics may still be appropriate as a comfort measure. The
nurse should respect client autonomy while providing compassionate care .
Question 3
A client is scheduled for surgery and has signed the consent form. The
nurse notes the client received sedative medication 30 minutes ago. What
should the nurse do?
A) Proceed with the surgery since consent was signed
B) Notify the surgeon and document the client's sedation status
C) Have the family member sign the consent form
D) Ask the client to confirm consent again
Answer: B
,Rationale: Consent must be informed and voluntary. Sedated clients
cannot legally give or confirm consent. The surgeon must re-consent the
client when alert. The nurse should notify the surgeon and document the
client's sedation status. This is a legal requirement to ensure valid informed
consent .
Question 4
A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit is floated to the critical care
unit. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Refuse the assignment
B) Request orientation to the unit and clarify tasks
C) Ask to be reassigned back to the medical-surgical unit
D) Accept the assignment without asking questions
Answer: B
Rationale: Floating is expected practice in nursing; however, the nurse
must seek orientation and work within their scope of practice. Refusal could
be considered abandonment unless unsafe conditions exist. The nurse
should request orientation and clarification of expectations to provide safe
care .
Question 5
Which client assignment is most appropriate for a newly graduated RN?
, A) Client with unstable cardiac rhythm
B) Client with pneumonia requiring IV antibiotics
C) Client receiving IV heparin infusion
D) Client post-cardiac arrest
Answer: B
Rationale: A stable client with pneumonia requiring routine IV antibiotics is
appropriate for a new graduate RN. Unstable rhythms, high-risk infusions,
and post-cardiac arrest clients require experienced nurses .
Question 6
A client asks the nurse, "What are the risks of this procedure?" What should
the nurse do?
A) Explain all the risks in detail
B) Tell the client to ask the surgeon
C) Provide general information and document the question
D) Ask the client to sign the consent form
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should not provide detailed information about
surgical risks as this is outside the nurse's scope of practice. The surgeon is
responsible for obtaining informed consent and explaining risks, benefits,
and alternatives. The nurse can reinforce information but should defer
specific questions to the surgeon .
Comprehensive -Question Practice
Test with Detailed Rationales for
Nursing Licensure Success
Question 1
The nurse receives shift report on four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
A) Client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
B) Client with diabetes mellitus requesting pain medication
C) Client with a new colostomy who needs teaching about appliance
changes
D) Client with hypertension whose blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and
represents an airway/breathing priority. According to Maslow's hierarchy
and the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), this client requires immediate
assessment. The client is showing signs of respiratory compromise that
could rapidly deteriorate. The other clients have stable conditions that can
wait .
,Question 2
A client with terminal cancer has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order but
develops pneumonia. The client states, "I don't want any heroic measures."
What should the nurse do?
A) Initiate antibiotics and oxygen therapy
B) Keep the client comfortable and provide supportive care
C) Call the healthcare provider to discuss the DNR order
D) Transfer the client to the intensive care unit
Answer: B
Rationale: The client has clearly expressed wishes regarding end-of-life
care. The nurse should prioritize comfort measures aligned with the client's
wishes. Heroic measures typically refer to CPR, intubation, and aggressive
life support. Antibiotics may still be appropriate as a comfort measure. The
nurse should respect client autonomy while providing compassionate care .
Question 3
A client is scheduled for surgery and has signed the consent form. The
nurse notes the client received sedative medication 30 minutes ago. What
should the nurse do?
A) Proceed with the surgery since consent was signed
B) Notify the surgeon and document the client's sedation status
C) Have the family member sign the consent form
D) Ask the client to confirm consent again
Answer: B
,Rationale: Consent must be informed and voluntary. Sedated clients
cannot legally give or confirm consent. The surgeon must re-consent the
client when alert. The nurse should notify the surgeon and document the
client's sedation status. This is a legal requirement to ensure valid informed
consent .
Question 4
A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit is floated to the critical care
unit. Which action should the nurse take?
A) Refuse the assignment
B) Request orientation to the unit and clarify tasks
C) Ask to be reassigned back to the medical-surgical unit
D) Accept the assignment without asking questions
Answer: B
Rationale: Floating is expected practice in nursing; however, the nurse
must seek orientation and work within their scope of practice. Refusal could
be considered abandonment unless unsafe conditions exist. The nurse
should request orientation and clarification of expectations to provide safe
care .
Question 5
Which client assignment is most appropriate for a newly graduated RN?
, A) Client with unstable cardiac rhythm
B) Client with pneumonia requiring IV antibiotics
C) Client receiving IV heparin infusion
D) Client post-cardiac arrest
Answer: B
Rationale: A stable client with pneumonia requiring routine IV antibiotics is
appropriate for a new graduate RN. Unstable rhythms, high-risk infusions,
and post-cardiac arrest clients require experienced nurses .
Question 6
A client asks the nurse, "What are the risks of this procedure?" What should
the nurse do?
A) Explain all the risks in detail
B) Tell the client to ask the surgeon
C) Provide general information and document the question
D) Ask the client to sign the consent form
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should not provide detailed information about
surgical risks as this is outside the nurse's scope of practice. The surgeon is
responsible for obtaining informed consent and explaining risks, benefits,
and alternatives. The nurse can reinforce information but should defer
specific questions to the surgeon .
