HESI RN EXIT EXAM VERSION A
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI)
series, and the nurse provides instructions to the client about the
test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
instruction?
A) "The test will take about 30 minutes"
B) "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test"
C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and
give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
D) "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the
liquid that I'll have to drink for the test can be constipating.".
Answer: C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the
test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
Rationale
An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus,
duodenum, and upper
jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves
swallowing a contrast
, medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored
milkshake. Films are taken
at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No
special preparation is
necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must be
maintained for 8 hours
before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed a
laxative to hasten
elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon may
become hard and
difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
◉ A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions
and notes that the dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the
normal dose. The nurse calls the physician's answering service and
is told that the physician if off for the night and will be available the
next morning. The nurse should:
A) call the nursing supervisor
B) Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C) Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the
morning
D) Administer the medication but consult the physician when he
becomes available.
Answer: B) Ask the answering service to contact the on-call
physician
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS 2026
◉ A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI)
series, and the nurse provides instructions to the client about the
test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
instruction?
A) "The test will take about 30 minutes"
B) "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test"
C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and
give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
D) "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the
liquid that I'll have to drink for the test can be constipating.".
Answer: C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the
test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
Rationale
An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus,
duodenum, and upper
jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves
swallowing a contrast
, medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored
milkshake. Films are taken
at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No
special preparation is
necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must be
maintained for 8 hours
before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed a
laxative to hasten
elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon may
become hard and
difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
◉ A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions
and notes that the dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the
normal dose. The nurse calls the physician's answering service and
is told that the physician if off for the night and will be available the
next morning. The nurse should:
A) call the nursing supervisor
B) Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C) Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the
morning
D) Administer the medication but consult the physician when he
becomes available.
Answer: B) Ask the answering service to contact the on-call
physician
