HESI FUNDAMENTALS EXIT EXAM V1, V2 & V3 RN
& PN FUNDAMENTALS TEST BANK 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Foundational Nursing Theory & Practice
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Maternal-Newborn Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Pharmacology & Medication Administration
• Leadership, Management, & Delegation
• Legal, Ethical, & Regulatory Compliance
• Nutrition & Diet Therapy
• Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base Balance
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the graduate
nurse's readiness for the HESI Exit Exam. It measures the synthesis of
foundational nursing knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical judgment
essential for safe and effective practice. The examination utilizes a variety
of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to assess the application
of theoretical concepts to real-world patient care situations. This test bank
emphasizes the nurse's ability to prioritize, delegate, and make sound
clinical decisions, reflecting the complexities of modern healthcare.
Success on this exam indicates a strong foundation for entry-level nursing
practice and a commitment to professional standards.
,Section One: Questions 1 – 100
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client who
has a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following assessment
findings indicates a potential contraindication to administering this
medication?
A. Apical pulse of 52/min
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 18/min
D. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
A. Apical pulse of 52/min
RATIONALE: Digoxin exerts a positive inotropic effect and a negative
chronotropic effect, which slows the heart rate. A pulse rate below
60/min is a common contraindication for digoxin administration, as it
can lead to severe bradycardia or heart block. The other vital signs are
within acceptable ranges and do not present a contraindication.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
colostomy. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can irrigate the colostomy daily to maintain regularity."
B. "I should change the ostomy appliance only when it is leaking."
C. "I will need to restrict my fluid intake to prevent diarrhea."
D. "I can apply a skin barrier powder to the peristomal skin to help the
pouch adhere."
D. "I can apply a skin barrier powder to the peristomal skin to help
the pouch adhere."
RATIONALE: Skin barrier powder is used to absorb moisture and
protect the peristomal skin, which helps the ostomy appliance adhere
properly. Colostomy irrigation is not appropriate for all types of
,colostomies. Changing the appliance only when leaking is incorrect and
can lead to skin breakdown. Restricting fluids is not recommended.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative
following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the prosthesis?
A. Maintain the client in a low Fowler's position.
B. Place a pillow between the client's legs when turning.
C. Instruct the client to cross their legs at the ankles.
D. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises of the affected hip.
B. Place a pillow between the client's legs when turning.
RATIONALE: Following total hip arthroplasty, the client must
maintain hip precautions to prevent dislocation, which include avoiding
adduction (crossing legs) and excessive flexion. Placing a pillow
between the legs when turning helps maintain abduction and prevents
adduction. Crossing legs (Option C) is contraindicated.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has recently begun taking
furosemide. Which of the following findings is an adverse effect of
this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Tinnitus
D. Weight gain
C. Tinnitus
RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause ototoxicity,
manifesting as tinnitus or hearing loss. It causes hypokalemia and
hyponatremia, not hyperkalemia or hypernatremia. Furosemide
promotes fluid loss, leading to weight loss, not weight gain.
, 5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client
with a bowel obstruction. Which of the following actions is most
appropriate to facilitate tube insertion?
A. Have the client flex their head toward their chest.
B. Place the client in a supine position.
C. Instruct the client to take rapid, shallow breaths.
D. Insert the tube while the client is swallowing.
D. Insert the tube while the client is swallowing.
RATIONALE: The most effective way to advance the NG tube is to
have the client swallow. Swallowing helps to close the epiglottis and
directs the tube into the esophagus. Flexing the head toward the chest
facilitates advancement once the tube reaches the oropharynx, but
swallowing is the primary mechanism for passage.
6. A nurse is performing an admission assessment on an older adult
client. Which of the following physiological changes associated
with aging should the nurse expect to find?
A. Increased skin turgor
B. Decreased gastric motility
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
D. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased gastric motility
RATIONALE: Age-related physiological changes include decreased
gastric motility, which can lead to constipation and altered drug
absorption. Skin turgor typically decreases with age. Glomerular
filtration rate and cardiac output also decrease with age.
7. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing
diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion. The nurse should anticipate
an order for which of the following?
& PN FUNDAMENTALS TEST BANK 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Foundational Nursing Theory & Practice
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Maternal-Newborn Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Pharmacology & Medication Administration
• Leadership, Management, & Delegation
• Legal, Ethical, & Regulatory Compliance
• Nutrition & Diet Therapy
• Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid-Base Balance
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the graduate
nurse's readiness for the HESI Exit Exam. It measures the synthesis of
foundational nursing knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical judgment
essential for safe and effective practice. The examination utilizes a variety
of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to assess the application
of theoretical concepts to real-world patient care situations. This test bank
emphasizes the nurse's ability to prioritize, delegate, and make sound
clinical decisions, reflecting the complexities of modern healthcare.
Success on this exam indicates a strong foundation for entry-level nursing
practice and a commitment to professional standards.
,Section One: Questions 1 – 100
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client who
has a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following assessment
findings indicates a potential contraindication to administering this
medication?
A. Apical pulse of 52/min
B. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 18/min
D. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
A. Apical pulse of 52/min
RATIONALE: Digoxin exerts a positive inotropic effect and a negative
chronotropic effect, which slows the heart rate. A pulse rate below
60/min is a common contraindication for digoxin administration, as it
can lead to severe bradycardia or heart block. The other vital signs are
within acceptable ranges and do not present a contraindication.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
colostomy. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I can irrigate the colostomy daily to maintain regularity."
B. "I should change the ostomy appliance only when it is leaking."
C. "I will need to restrict my fluid intake to prevent diarrhea."
D. "I can apply a skin barrier powder to the peristomal skin to help the
pouch adhere."
D. "I can apply a skin barrier powder to the peristomal skin to help
the pouch adhere."
RATIONALE: Skin barrier powder is used to absorb moisture and
protect the peristomal skin, which helps the ostomy appliance adhere
properly. Colostomy irrigation is not appropriate for all types of
,colostomies. Changing the appliance only when leaking is incorrect and
can lead to skin breakdown. Restricting fluids is not recommended.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative
following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the prosthesis?
A. Maintain the client in a low Fowler's position.
B. Place a pillow between the client's legs when turning.
C. Instruct the client to cross their legs at the ankles.
D. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises of the affected hip.
B. Place a pillow between the client's legs when turning.
RATIONALE: Following total hip arthroplasty, the client must
maintain hip precautions to prevent dislocation, which include avoiding
adduction (crossing legs) and excessive flexion. Placing a pillow
between the legs when turning helps maintain abduction and prevents
adduction. Crossing legs (Option C) is contraindicated.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has recently begun taking
furosemide. Which of the following findings is an adverse effect of
this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Tinnitus
D. Weight gain
C. Tinnitus
RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause ototoxicity,
manifesting as tinnitus or hearing loss. It causes hypokalemia and
hyponatremia, not hyperkalemia or hypernatremia. Furosemide
promotes fluid loss, leading to weight loss, not weight gain.
, 5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client
with a bowel obstruction. Which of the following actions is most
appropriate to facilitate tube insertion?
A. Have the client flex their head toward their chest.
B. Place the client in a supine position.
C. Instruct the client to take rapid, shallow breaths.
D. Insert the tube while the client is swallowing.
D. Insert the tube while the client is swallowing.
RATIONALE: The most effective way to advance the NG tube is to
have the client swallow. Swallowing helps to close the epiglottis and
directs the tube into the esophagus. Flexing the head toward the chest
facilitates advancement once the tube reaches the oropharynx, but
swallowing is the primary mechanism for passage.
6. A nurse is performing an admission assessment on an older adult
client. Which of the following physiological changes associated
with aging should the nurse expect to find?
A. Increased skin turgor
B. Decreased gastric motility
C. Increased glomerular filtration rate
D. Increased cardiac output
B. Decreased gastric motility
RATIONALE: Age-related physiological changes include decreased
gastric motility, which can lead to constipation and altered drug
absorption. Skin turgor typically decreases with age. Glomerular
filtration rate and cardiac output also decrease with age.
7. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing
diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion. The nurse should anticipate
an order for which of the following?
