HESI Fundamentals of Nursing Comprehensive
Exam Study Guide | Complete Practice Exam
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Updated for 2026/2027
Question 1
A nurse is planning to administer medication to a client who has a Clostridium
difficile infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take to
prevent the transmission of this infection to others?
A) Clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub immediately after removing gloves
B) Remove the cover gown in the client's room after providing care
C) Place the client in a room with negative-pressure airflow
D) Wear a mask when administering oral medications to the client
Answer: B
Rationale: C. difficile requires contact precautions. The cover gown should be
removed in the client's room to prevent the spread of spores. Alcohol-based hand
rub is not effective against C. difficile spores; soap and water must be used.
Negative-pressure rooms are for airborne precautions, and masks are not required
for C. difficile.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a high-protein diet to
promote wound healing following surgery. The client's religion prohibits eating
meat on particular days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Encourage the client to eat meat during this time to promote healing
B) Advise the client to eat everything on the tray except the meat
C) Suggest the client receive high-protein enteral feedings
D) Ask the dietitian to recommend alternative food choices for the client
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's religious beliefs and consult the
dietitian for alternative high-protein food choices that comply with the client's
dietary restrictions. This demonstrates cultural competence and client-centered
care.
pg. 1
,Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a high-protein diet to
promote wound healing following surgery. The client's religion prohibits eating
meat on particular days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Encourage the client to eat meat during this time to promote healing
B) Advise the client to eat everything on the tray except the meat
C) Suggest the client receive high-protein enteral feedings
D) Ask the dietitian to recommend alternative food choices for the client
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's religious beliefs and consult the
dietitian for alternative high-protein food choices that comply with the client's
dietary restrictions.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a high-protein diet to
promote wound healing following surgery. The client's religion prohibits eating
meat on particular days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Encourage the client to eat meat during this time to promote healing
B) Advise the client to eat everything on the tray except the meat
C) Suggest the client receive high-protein enteral feedings
D) Ask the dietitian to recommend alternative food choices for the client
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's religious beliefs and consult the
dietitian for alternative high-protein food choices that comply with the client's
dietary restrictions.
Question 5
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about advance directives with a client who has end-
stage renal disease. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I know that I can change my advance directives if I need to in the future."
B) "My health care surrogate will make my health care decisions as soon as I have
signed the power of attorney."
C) "My family can overrule the decisions made by my health care surrogate."
pg. 2
, D) "Advance directives from one state are valid in any other state."
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients can change their advance directives at any time as long as they
are competent. A health care surrogate only makes decisions when the client
cannot make them. Family cannot overrule a health care surrogate's decisions.
Advance directives may not be valid across state lines.
Question 6
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about meal planning with a client who has a new
diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
A) Use pictures of different food groups to help the client plan a daily menu
B) Ask the client what he already knows about meal planning
C) Give the client a brochure with sample menus for all meals
D) Involve the family in the discussion of the client's meal plan
Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in teaching is to assess the client's current knowledge.
This helps the nurse identify what the client already knows and what needs to be
reinforced, tailoring the teaching to the client's needs.
Question 7
A nurse is assisting with the admission of an adult client to a medical-surgical unit.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the
client is malnourished?
A) Heart rate 89/min
B) Pink mucous membranes
C) Pale, scaly skin
D) Body mass index 23
Answer: C
Rationale: Pale, scaly skin is a sign of malnutrition. Other signs include dry skin,
poor wound healing, hair loss, and muscle wasting. A BMI of 23 is within normal
range, and pink mucous membranes indicate adequate nutrition.
pg. 3
Exam Study Guide | Complete Practice Exam
Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Updated for 2026/2027
Question 1
A nurse is planning to administer medication to a client who has a Clostridium
difficile infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take to
prevent the transmission of this infection to others?
A) Clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub immediately after removing gloves
B) Remove the cover gown in the client's room after providing care
C) Place the client in a room with negative-pressure airflow
D) Wear a mask when administering oral medications to the client
Answer: B
Rationale: C. difficile requires contact precautions. The cover gown should be
removed in the client's room to prevent the spread of spores. Alcohol-based hand
rub is not effective against C. difficile spores; soap and water must be used.
Negative-pressure rooms are for airborne precautions, and masks are not required
for C. difficile.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a high-protein diet to
promote wound healing following surgery. The client's religion prohibits eating
meat on particular days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Encourage the client to eat meat during this time to promote healing
B) Advise the client to eat everything on the tray except the meat
C) Suggest the client receive high-protein enteral feedings
D) Ask the dietitian to recommend alternative food choices for the client
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's religious beliefs and consult the
dietitian for alternative high-protein food choices that comply with the client's
dietary restrictions. This demonstrates cultural competence and client-centered
care.
pg. 1
,Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a high-protein diet to
promote wound healing following surgery. The client's religion prohibits eating
meat on particular days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Encourage the client to eat meat during this time to promote healing
B) Advise the client to eat everything on the tray except the meat
C) Suggest the client receive high-protein enteral feedings
D) Ask the dietitian to recommend alternative food choices for the client
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's religious beliefs and consult the
dietitian for alternative high-protein food choices that comply with the client's
dietary restrictions.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a high-protein diet to
promote wound healing following surgery. The client's religion prohibits eating
meat on particular days. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Encourage the client to eat meat during this time to promote healing
B) Advise the client to eat everything on the tray except the meat
C) Suggest the client receive high-protein enteral feedings
D) Ask the dietitian to recommend alternative food choices for the client
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's religious beliefs and consult the
dietitian for alternative high-protein food choices that comply with the client's
dietary restrictions.
Question 5
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about advance directives with a client who has end-
stage renal disease. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I know that I can change my advance directives if I need to in the future."
B) "My health care surrogate will make my health care decisions as soon as I have
signed the power of attorney."
C) "My family can overrule the decisions made by my health care surrogate."
pg. 2
, D) "Advance directives from one state are valid in any other state."
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients can change their advance directives at any time as long as they
are competent. A health care surrogate only makes decisions when the client
cannot make them. Family cannot overrule a health care surrogate's decisions.
Advance directives may not be valid across state lines.
Question 6
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about meal planning with a client who has a new
diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
A) Use pictures of different food groups to help the client plan a daily menu
B) Ask the client what he already knows about meal planning
C) Give the client a brochure with sample menus for all meals
D) Involve the family in the discussion of the client's meal plan
Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in teaching is to assess the client's current knowledge.
This helps the nurse identify what the client already knows and what needs to be
reinforced, tailoring the teaching to the client's needs.
Question 7
A nurse is assisting with the admission of an adult client to a medical-surgical unit.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the
client is malnourished?
A) Heart rate 89/min
B) Pink mucous membranes
C) Pale, scaly skin
D) Body mass index 23
Answer: C
Rationale: Pale, scaly skin is a sign of malnutrition. Other signs include dry skin,
poor wound healing, hair loss, and muscle wasting. A BMI of 23 is within normal
range, and pink mucous membranes indicate adequate nutrition.
pg. 3
