HESI CRITICAL THINKING 2026 FINAL
SCRIPT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
◉ The Patient: An elderly female accompanied by her middle-aged
son.
The Situation: The patient is being discharged after 15-day stay on
the medical unit, and the son offers the nurse a box of candy as a
gesture of thanks for caring for his mother.
The Question: What should the nurse do in response to the offer of
this gift?
Answer: Sincerely thank the son, and share the candy with all staff
member on the unit.
◉ The Patient: A 25-year-old female who has smoked since age 12.
The Situation: The patient is complaining of "skipped heart beats."
The Question: Which instruction is most important for the nurse to
provide this patient?
Answer: Call for assistance if she feels weak or dizzy when getting
out of bed.
◉ The Patient: A frail 88-year-old male who has recently become
slightly confused.
, The Situation: The nurse is making a home visit and assesses the
safety features of the home environment.
The Question: Which suggestion would be most important for the
nurse to provide the family?
Answer: Eliminate any throw rugs from floor.
◉ The Patient: A 55-year-old female with a family history of
hypertension.
The Situation: The patient is concerned about her health and states,
"I have had severe headaches for the last six months. I think I might
have high blood pressure." The nurse determines that the woman's
blood pressure is 138/86 (high normal).
The Question: What action would be best for the nurse to take?
Answer: Ask the patient about the frequency, timing and quality of
her headaches.
◉ The Patient: A 35-year-old female with a history of asthma.
The Situation: The patient has been using a steroid inhaler because
she is short of breath. However, she states that her shortness of
breath is "no better."
The Question: What is the most important information for the nurse
to obtain?
Answer: Method of using the inhaler.
SCRIPT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
◉ The Patient: An elderly female accompanied by her middle-aged
son.
The Situation: The patient is being discharged after 15-day stay on
the medical unit, and the son offers the nurse a box of candy as a
gesture of thanks for caring for his mother.
The Question: What should the nurse do in response to the offer of
this gift?
Answer: Sincerely thank the son, and share the candy with all staff
member on the unit.
◉ The Patient: A 25-year-old female who has smoked since age 12.
The Situation: The patient is complaining of "skipped heart beats."
The Question: Which instruction is most important for the nurse to
provide this patient?
Answer: Call for assistance if she feels weak or dizzy when getting
out of bed.
◉ The Patient: A frail 88-year-old male who has recently become
slightly confused.
, The Situation: The nurse is making a home visit and assesses the
safety features of the home environment.
The Question: Which suggestion would be most important for the
nurse to provide the family?
Answer: Eliminate any throw rugs from floor.
◉ The Patient: A 55-year-old female with a family history of
hypertension.
The Situation: The patient is concerned about her health and states,
"I have had severe headaches for the last six months. I think I might
have high blood pressure." The nurse determines that the woman's
blood pressure is 138/86 (high normal).
The Question: What action would be best for the nurse to take?
Answer: Ask the patient about the frequency, timing and quality of
her headaches.
◉ The Patient: A 35-year-old female with a history of asthma.
The Situation: The patient has been using a steroid inhaler because
she is short of breath. However, she states that her shortness of
breath is "no better."
The Question: What is the most important information for the nurse
to obtain?
Answer: Method of using the inhaler.
