HESI RN COMPASS EXIT MOST TESTED EXAM QUESTIONS
& ACTUAL VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+
1. The nurse is caring for a toddler with atopic dermatitis. The nurse should instruct the parents to
A) Dress the child warmly to avoid chilling
B) Keep the child away from other children for the duration of the rash
C) Clean the affected areas with tepid water and detergent
D) Wrap the child's hand in mittens or socks to prevent scratching
D: Wrap the child''s hand in mittens or socks to prevent scratching
2. A recovering alcoholic asked the nurse, "Will it be ok for me to just drink at special family gatherings?"
Which initial response by the nurse would be best?
A) "A recovering person has to be very careful not to lose control, therefore, confine your drinking just
at family gatherings."
B) "At your next AA meeting discuss the possibility of limited drinking with your sponsor."
C) "A recovering person needs to get in touch with their feelings. Do you want a drink?" D) "A recovering
person cannot return to drinking without starting the addiction process over."
D: "The recovering person cannot return to drinking without starting the addiction process over."
3. In taking the history of a pregnant woman, which of the following would the nurse recognize as the
primary contraindication for breast feeding?
A) Age 40 years
B) Lactose intolerance
C) Family history of breast cancer
D) Uses cocaine on weekends
D: Uses cocaine on weekends
4. A client is receiving nitroprusside IV for the treatment of acute heart failure with pulmonary edema.
What diagnostic lab value should the nurse monitor in relation to this medication?
A) Potassium
,B) Arterial blood gasses
C) Blood urea nitrogen
D) Thiocyanate
D: Thiocyanate
5. A victim of domestic violence tells the batterer she needs a little time away. How would the nurse
expect that the batterer might respond?
A) With acceptance and views the victim's comment as an indication that their marriage is in trouble
B) With fear of rejection causing increased rage toward the victim
C) With a new commitment to seek counseling to assist with their marital problems
D) With relief, and welcomes the separation as a means to have some personal time
B: With fear of rejection causing increased rage toward the victim
6. A postpartum mother is unwilling to allow the father to participate in the newborn's care, although he
is interested in doing so. She states, "I am afraid the baby will be confused about who the mother is.
Baby raising is for mothers, not fathers." The nurse's initial intervention should be what focus?
A) Discuss with the mother sharing parenting responsibilities
B) Set time aside to get the mother to express her feelings and concerns
C) Arrange for the parents to attend infant care classes
D) Talk with the father and help him accept the wife's decision
B: Set time aside to get the mother to express her feelings and concerns
7. A client with emphysema visits the clinic. While teaching about proper nutrition, the nurse should
emphasize that the client
A) Eat foods high in sodium increases sputum liquefaction
B) Use oxygen during meals improves gas exchange
C) Perform exercise after respiratory therapy enhances appetite
D) Cleanse the mouth of dried secretions reduces risk of infection
B: Use oxygen during meals improves gas exchange
,8. Which of these parents' comment for a newborn would most likely reveal an initial finding of a
suspected pyloric stenosis?
A) I noticed a little lump a little above the belly button.
B) The baby seems hungry all the time.
C) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across the room.
D) Irritation and spitting up immediately after feedings.
C: Mild emesis progressing to projectile vomiting
9. The nurse is assessing a child for clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia. Which factor would
the nurse recognize as cause for the findings?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Tissue hypoxia
C) Cerebral edema
D) Reduced oxygen saturation
B: Tissue hypoxia
10. The nurse would expect the cystic fibrosis client to receive supplemental pancreatic enzymes along
with a diet
A) High in carbohydrates and proteins
B) Low in carbohydrates and proteins
C) High in carbohydrates, low in proteins
D) Low in carbohydrates, high in proteins
A: High in carbohydrates and proteins
11. In evaluating the growth of a 12 month-old child, which of these findings would the nurse expect to
be present in the infant?
A) Increased 10% in height
B) 2 deciduous teeth
C) Tripled the birth weight
, D) Head > chest circumference
C: Tripled the birth weight
12. The nurse is caring for a pre-adolescent client in skeletal Dunlop traction. Which nursing intervention
is appropriate for this child?
A) Make certain the child is maintained in correct body alignment.
B) Be sure the traction weights touch the end of the bed.
C) Adjust the head and foot of the bed for the child's comfort
D) Release the traction for 15-20 minutes every 6 hours PRN.
A: Make certain the child is maintained in correct body alignment.
13. The nurse is assessing a healthy child at the 2 year check up. Which of the following should the nurse
report immediately to the health care provider?
A) Height and weight percentiles vary widely
B) Growth pattern appears to have slowed
C) Recumbent and standing height are different
D) Short term weight changes are uneven
A: Height and weight percentiles vary widely
14. The parents of a 2 year-old child report that he has been holding his breath whenever he has temper
tantrums. What is the best action by the nurse?
A) Teach the parents how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
B) Recommend that the parents give in when he holds his breath to prevent anoxia
C) Advise the parents to ignore breath holding because breathing will begin as a reflex
D) Instruct the parents on how to reason with the child about possible harmful effects
C: Advise the parents to ignore breath holding because breathing will begin as a reflex
15. The nurse is assessing a client in the emergency room. Which statement suggests that the problem is
acute angina?
A) "My pain is deep in my chest behind my sternum."
& ACTUAL VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+
1. The nurse is caring for a toddler with atopic dermatitis. The nurse should instruct the parents to
A) Dress the child warmly to avoid chilling
B) Keep the child away from other children for the duration of the rash
C) Clean the affected areas with tepid water and detergent
D) Wrap the child's hand in mittens or socks to prevent scratching
D: Wrap the child''s hand in mittens or socks to prevent scratching
2. A recovering alcoholic asked the nurse, "Will it be ok for me to just drink at special family gatherings?"
Which initial response by the nurse would be best?
A) "A recovering person has to be very careful not to lose control, therefore, confine your drinking just
at family gatherings."
B) "At your next AA meeting discuss the possibility of limited drinking with your sponsor."
C) "A recovering person needs to get in touch with their feelings. Do you want a drink?" D) "A recovering
person cannot return to drinking without starting the addiction process over."
D: "The recovering person cannot return to drinking without starting the addiction process over."
3. In taking the history of a pregnant woman, which of the following would the nurse recognize as the
primary contraindication for breast feeding?
A) Age 40 years
B) Lactose intolerance
C) Family history of breast cancer
D) Uses cocaine on weekends
D: Uses cocaine on weekends
4. A client is receiving nitroprusside IV for the treatment of acute heart failure with pulmonary edema.
What diagnostic lab value should the nurse monitor in relation to this medication?
A) Potassium
,B) Arterial blood gasses
C) Blood urea nitrogen
D) Thiocyanate
D: Thiocyanate
5. A victim of domestic violence tells the batterer she needs a little time away. How would the nurse
expect that the batterer might respond?
A) With acceptance and views the victim's comment as an indication that their marriage is in trouble
B) With fear of rejection causing increased rage toward the victim
C) With a new commitment to seek counseling to assist with their marital problems
D) With relief, and welcomes the separation as a means to have some personal time
B: With fear of rejection causing increased rage toward the victim
6. A postpartum mother is unwilling to allow the father to participate in the newborn's care, although he
is interested in doing so. She states, "I am afraid the baby will be confused about who the mother is.
Baby raising is for mothers, not fathers." The nurse's initial intervention should be what focus?
A) Discuss with the mother sharing parenting responsibilities
B) Set time aside to get the mother to express her feelings and concerns
C) Arrange for the parents to attend infant care classes
D) Talk with the father and help him accept the wife's decision
B: Set time aside to get the mother to express her feelings and concerns
7. A client with emphysema visits the clinic. While teaching about proper nutrition, the nurse should
emphasize that the client
A) Eat foods high in sodium increases sputum liquefaction
B) Use oxygen during meals improves gas exchange
C) Perform exercise after respiratory therapy enhances appetite
D) Cleanse the mouth of dried secretions reduces risk of infection
B: Use oxygen during meals improves gas exchange
,8. Which of these parents' comment for a newborn would most likely reveal an initial finding of a
suspected pyloric stenosis?
A) I noticed a little lump a little above the belly button.
B) The baby seems hungry all the time.
C) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across the room.
D) Irritation and spitting up immediately after feedings.
C: Mild emesis progressing to projectile vomiting
9. The nurse is assessing a child for clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia. Which factor would
the nurse recognize as cause for the findings?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Tissue hypoxia
C) Cerebral edema
D) Reduced oxygen saturation
B: Tissue hypoxia
10. The nurse would expect the cystic fibrosis client to receive supplemental pancreatic enzymes along
with a diet
A) High in carbohydrates and proteins
B) Low in carbohydrates and proteins
C) High in carbohydrates, low in proteins
D) Low in carbohydrates, high in proteins
A: High in carbohydrates and proteins
11. In evaluating the growth of a 12 month-old child, which of these findings would the nurse expect to
be present in the infant?
A) Increased 10% in height
B) 2 deciduous teeth
C) Tripled the birth weight
, D) Head > chest circumference
C: Tripled the birth weight
12. The nurse is caring for a pre-adolescent client in skeletal Dunlop traction. Which nursing intervention
is appropriate for this child?
A) Make certain the child is maintained in correct body alignment.
B) Be sure the traction weights touch the end of the bed.
C) Adjust the head and foot of the bed for the child's comfort
D) Release the traction for 15-20 minutes every 6 hours PRN.
A: Make certain the child is maintained in correct body alignment.
13. The nurse is assessing a healthy child at the 2 year check up. Which of the following should the nurse
report immediately to the health care provider?
A) Height and weight percentiles vary widely
B) Growth pattern appears to have slowed
C) Recumbent and standing height are different
D) Short term weight changes are uneven
A: Height and weight percentiles vary widely
14. The parents of a 2 year-old child report that he has been holding his breath whenever he has temper
tantrums. What is the best action by the nurse?
A) Teach the parents how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
B) Recommend that the parents give in when he holds his breath to prevent anoxia
C) Advise the parents to ignore breath holding because breathing will begin as a reflex
D) Instruct the parents on how to reason with the child about possible harmful effects
C: Advise the parents to ignore breath holding because breathing will begin as a reflex
15. The nurse is assessing a client in the emergency room. Which statement suggests that the problem is
acute angina?
A) "My pain is deep in my chest behind my sternum."
