HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXIT ACTUAL EXAM
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
VIEW AHEAD
◉ A client with hemiparesis needs assistance transferring from the
bed to the wheelchair. The nurse assists the client to a sitting
position on the side of the bed. Which action should the nurse
implement next?
A. Flex the hips and knees and align the knees with the client's knees
for safety.
B. Allow the client to sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes
before transferring.
C. Place the client's weight-bearing or strong leg forward and the
weak foot back.
D. Grasp the transfer belt at the client's sides to provide movement
of the client.
Answer: B. Allow the client to sit on the side of the bed for a few
minutes before transferring.
Rationale:
A client who has been immobile may be weak and dizzy and develop
orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure on rising), so
allowing the client to sit for a few minutes (B) before transferring
from the bedside to the wheelchair provides time for the client to
gain equilibrium and allows dependent blood in the lower
,extremities to return to the heart. Next, positioning the legs under
the client's center of gravity (A and C) reduces back strain and
stabilizes the client to stand. To ensure a safe transfer for a client
with hemiparesis (unilateral muscle weakness), a transfer belt (D)
provides a secure hold to prevent sudden falls.
◉ After administration of an 0730 dose of Humalog 50/50 insulin to
a client with diabetes mellitus, which nursing action has the highest
priority?
A. Ensure that the client receives breakfast within 30 minutes.
B. Remind the client to have a midmorning snack at 1000.
C. Discuss the importance of a midafternoon snack with the client.
D. Explain that the client's capillary glucose will be checked at 1130.
Answer: A. Ensure that the client receives breakfast within 30
minutes.
Rationale:
Insulin 50/50 contains 50% regular and 50% NPH insulin.
Therefore, the onset of action is within 30 minutes and the nurse's
priority action is to ensure that the client receives a breakfast tray to
avoid a hypoglycemic reaction (A). (B, C, and D) are also important
nursing actions but are of less immediacy than (A).
◉ The health care provider prescribes 1000 mL of Ringer's lactate
solution with 30 units of oxytocin (Pitocin) to infuse over 4 hours for
a client who has just delivered a 10-lb infant by cesarean section.
,The tubing has been changed to a 20 gtt/mL administration set. The
nurse should set the flow rate at how many gtt/min?
A. 42
B. 83
C. 125
D. 250
Answer: B. 83
Rationale:
Use the following calculation (B):
20 gtt/mL × (1000 mL/4 hr) × (1 hr/60 min) = 83 gtt/min
◉ The nurse recognizes which behavior(s) in a client as warning
sign(s) of an impending suicide attempt? (Select all that apply.)
A. Reports feelings of sadness
B. Mood changes from depressed to happy
C. Begins giving away possessions
D. Becomes compliant with medication regimen
E. Independently joins a support group
Answer: B. Mood changes from depressed to happy
C. Begins giving away possessions
Rationale:
, Feelings of elation and giving away possessions are common
characteristics of those who have made a plan to commit suicide (B
and C). Feelings of sadness are signs of depression but not
impending suicide (A). (D and E) are not typically indicative of
impending suicide.
◉ A nurse-manager of a long-term care facility learns that the
nursing administrator plans to remove the television from the
residents' day room because night shift staff members are sitting
around watching television. How should the nurse-manager respond
to this situation?
A. Advocate for the rights of the staff to watch television once their
assignments are complete.
B. Confront the administrator about making a decision that will
negatively affect the residents.
C. Offer to develop an alternate solution so that the residents can
continue to watch television.
D. Remind the administrator that watching television helps the night
shift staff remain awake.
Answer: C. Offer to develop an alternate solution so that the
residents can continue to watch television.
Rationale:
The role of the nurse-manager in the mediation process is to assess
the problem, analyze the information, and reframe it in a manner
that might provide compromise (C). The staff do not have the right
to watch television (A) while being paid to work. (B) challenges the
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
VIEW AHEAD
◉ A client with hemiparesis needs assistance transferring from the
bed to the wheelchair. The nurse assists the client to a sitting
position on the side of the bed. Which action should the nurse
implement next?
A. Flex the hips and knees and align the knees with the client's knees
for safety.
B. Allow the client to sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes
before transferring.
C. Place the client's weight-bearing or strong leg forward and the
weak foot back.
D. Grasp the transfer belt at the client's sides to provide movement
of the client.
Answer: B. Allow the client to sit on the side of the bed for a few
minutes before transferring.
Rationale:
A client who has been immobile may be weak and dizzy and develop
orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure on rising), so
allowing the client to sit for a few minutes (B) before transferring
from the bedside to the wheelchair provides time for the client to
gain equilibrium and allows dependent blood in the lower
,extremities to return to the heart. Next, positioning the legs under
the client's center of gravity (A and C) reduces back strain and
stabilizes the client to stand. To ensure a safe transfer for a client
with hemiparesis (unilateral muscle weakness), a transfer belt (D)
provides a secure hold to prevent sudden falls.
◉ After administration of an 0730 dose of Humalog 50/50 insulin to
a client with diabetes mellitus, which nursing action has the highest
priority?
A. Ensure that the client receives breakfast within 30 minutes.
B. Remind the client to have a midmorning snack at 1000.
C. Discuss the importance of a midafternoon snack with the client.
D. Explain that the client's capillary glucose will be checked at 1130.
Answer: A. Ensure that the client receives breakfast within 30
minutes.
Rationale:
Insulin 50/50 contains 50% regular and 50% NPH insulin.
Therefore, the onset of action is within 30 minutes and the nurse's
priority action is to ensure that the client receives a breakfast tray to
avoid a hypoglycemic reaction (A). (B, C, and D) are also important
nursing actions but are of less immediacy than (A).
◉ The health care provider prescribes 1000 mL of Ringer's lactate
solution with 30 units of oxytocin (Pitocin) to infuse over 4 hours for
a client who has just delivered a 10-lb infant by cesarean section.
,The tubing has been changed to a 20 gtt/mL administration set. The
nurse should set the flow rate at how many gtt/min?
A. 42
B. 83
C. 125
D. 250
Answer: B. 83
Rationale:
Use the following calculation (B):
20 gtt/mL × (1000 mL/4 hr) × (1 hr/60 min) = 83 gtt/min
◉ The nurse recognizes which behavior(s) in a client as warning
sign(s) of an impending suicide attempt? (Select all that apply.)
A. Reports feelings of sadness
B. Mood changes from depressed to happy
C. Begins giving away possessions
D. Becomes compliant with medication regimen
E. Independently joins a support group
Answer: B. Mood changes from depressed to happy
C. Begins giving away possessions
Rationale:
, Feelings of elation and giving away possessions are common
characteristics of those who have made a plan to commit suicide (B
and C). Feelings of sadness are signs of depression but not
impending suicide (A). (D and E) are not typically indicative of
impending suicide.
◉ A nurse-manager of a long-term care facility learns that the
nursing administrator plans to remove the television from the
residents' day room because night shift staff members are sitting
around watching television. How should the nurse-manager respond
to this situation?
A. Advocate for the rights of the staff to watch television once their
assignments are complete.
B. Confront the administrator about making a decision that will
negatively affect the residents.
C. Offer to develop an alternate solution so that the residents can
continue to watch television.
D. Remind the administrator that watching television helps the night
shift staff remain awake.
Answer: C. Offer to develop an alternate solution so that the
residents can continue to watch television.
Rationale:
The role of the nurse-manager in the mediation process is to assess
the problem, analyze the information, and reframe it in a manner
that might provide compromise (C). The staff do not have the right
to watch television (A) while being paid to work. (B) challenges the
