HESI RN Exit Practice Exam Test Bank | Complete
Actual Exam Questions with Verified Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest Update
(New 2026/2027 Edition) | Already Graded A+
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Q1. A client with dyspnea is being admitted to the medical unit. To best prepare
for the client's arrival, the nurse should ensure the client's bed is in which
position?
A. Supine
B. Supine with feet elevated higher than head
C. Supine with head elevated higher than feet
D. Fowler's
Correct Answer: D. Fowler's
Rationale: Fowler's position (semi-sitting) promotes maximum lung expansion by
allowing the diaphragm to descend more fully, reducing pressure on the chest and
facilitating easier breathing. This position also aids in secretion clearance and
reduces the work of breathing. Supine positions would worsen dyspnea by
allowing abdominal contents to push against the diaphragm.
Q2. The nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled medication to a client. The
client states, "I don't want to take that pill today." What is the nurse's best
response?
A. "You must take this medication as prescribed."
B. "Can you tell me why you don't want to take it?"
,C. "I will call the healthcare provider to discuss this."
D. "Your doctor ordered this medication for a reason."
Correct Answer: B. "Can you tell me why you don't want to take it?"
Rationale: The nurse should first explore the client's reason for refusing the
medication to understand any concerns, fears, or side effects the client may be
experiencing. This respects the client's autonomy and right to refuse treatment
while gathering important information. The healthcare provider should be notified
after assessment.
Q3. The nurse is documenting an incident report after a client fell in the
bathroom. Which statement should the nurse include in the documentation?
A. "The UAP left the client to assist another client."
B. "The last time the client was assisted to the bathroom."
C. "The unit was understaffed when the client fell."
D. "The client fell sustaining a fracture to the left hip."
Correct Answer: D. "The client fell sustaining a fracture to the left hip"
Rationale: Documentation should include objective, factual information about the
incident and its consequences, not opinions, blame, or staffing issues. Recording
the specific injury sustained provides critical information for ongoing care and
treatment planning. Blaming others or including subjective opinions is
inappropriate and could have legal implications.
Q4. The nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile
supplies, which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply sterile gloves
B. Cleanse the wound
C. Don non-sterile gloves to remove the old dressing
D. Pour sterile solution into the sterile basin
,Correct Answer: C. Don non-sterile gloves to remove the old dressing
Rationale: Standard precautions require wearing non-sterile gloves when
removing contaminated dressings to protect the nurse from body fluids. Once the
old dressing is removed and disposed of, the nurse can then perform hand hygiene,
apply sterile gloves, and proceed with the sterile dressing change. This sequence
maintains infection control and prevents contamination of sterile supplies.
Q5. A client with a prescription for "do not resuscitate" (DNR) begins to manifest
signs of impending death. After notifying the family of the client's status, what
priority action should the nurse implement?
A. The impending signs of death should be documented
B. Move the client to a private room
C. Provide emotional support to the family
D. Administer pain medication as ordered
Correct Answer: A. The impending signs of death should be documented
Rationale: Documentation is a priority nursing responsibility when a client is
approaching end of life. The nurse must document the client's status, family
notification, and all interventions provided. While providing emotional support
and comfort measures are important, the legal responsibility of documentation is
paramount.
Q6. A client is receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen minutes after the start of
the infusion, the client reports chills and back pain. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion and infuse normal saline
C. Administer diphenhydramine as ordered
D. Notify the healthcare provider
, Correct Answer: B. Stop the transfusion and infuse normal saline
Rationale: Chills and back pain are signs of a possible transfusion reaction. The
nurse should immediately stop the transfusion, keep the IV line open with normal
saline, and notify the healthcare provider. The blood tubing and remaining blood
should be returned to the blood bank for investigation.
Q7. The nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which finding
indicates the stoma is healthy?
A. Dark purple color
B. Dry and crusted appearance
C. Moist, pink, and beefy red appearance
D. Blanched white appearance
Correct Answer: C. Moist, pink, and beefy red appearance
Rationale: A healthy stoma should be moist, pink to beefy red, and have a slight
amount of bleeding when touched. Dark purple or black indicates ischemia and
necrosis, requiring immediate notification of the healthcare provider. Dry or
crusted appearance indicates possible dehydration or poor hygiene.
Q8. The nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Measuring the blood pressure of a client with a new onset of chest pain
B. Obtaining a clean-catch urine specimen from a client
C. Assessing the surgical incision of a postoperative client
D. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
Correct Answer: B. Obtaining a clean-catch urine specimen from a client
Rationale: Obtaining a clean-catch urine specimen is a routine task that can be
delegated to UAP. The other options require nursing assessment (chest pain
evaluation, surgical incision assessment) or teaching, which cannot be delegated.
Actual Exam Questions with Verified Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest Update
(New 2026/2027 Edition) | Already Graded A+
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Q1. A client with dyspnea is being admitted to the medical unit. To best prepare
for the client's arrival, the nurse should ensure the client's bed is in which
position?
A. Supine
B. Supine with feet elevated higher than head
C. Supine with head elevated higher than feet
D. Fowler's
Correct Answer: D. Fowler's
Rationale: Fowler's position (semi-sitting) promotes maximum lung expansion by
allowing the diaphragm to descend more fully, reducing pressure on the chest and
facilitating easier breathing. This position also aids in secretion clearance and
reduces the work of breathing. Supine positions would worsen dyspnea by
allowing abdominal contents to push against the diaphragm.
Q2. The nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled medication to a client. The
client states, "I don't want to take that pill today." What is the nurse's best
response?
A. "You must take this medication as prescribed."
B. "Can you tell me why you don't want to take it?"
,C. "I will call the healthcare provider to discuss this."
D. "Your doctor ordered this medication for a reason."
Correct Answer: B. "Can you tell me why you don't want to take it?"
Rationale: The nurse should first explore the client's reason for refusing the
medication to understand any concerns, fears, or side effects the client may be
experiencing. This respects the client's autonomy and right to refuse treatment
while gathering important information. The healthcare provider should be notified
after assessment.
Q3. The nurse is documenting an incident report after a client fell in the
bathroom. Which statement should the nurse include in the documentation?
A. "The UAP left the client to assist another client."
B. "The last time the client was assisted to the bathroom."
C. "The unit was understaffed when the client fell."
D. "The client fell sustaining a fracture to the left hip."
Correct Answer: D. "The client fell sustaining a fracture to the left hip"
Rationale: Documentation should include objective, factual information about the
incident and its consequences, not opinions, blame, or staffing issues. Recording
the specific injury sustained provides critical information for ongoing care and
treatment planning. Blaming others or including subjective opinions is
inappropriate and could have legal implications.
Q4. The nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile
supplies, which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply sterile gloves
B. Cleanse the wound
C. Don non-sterile gloves to remove the old dressing
D. Pour sterile solution into the sterile basin
,Correct Answer: C. Don non-sterile gloves to remove the old dressing
Rationale: Standard precautions require wearing non-sterile gloves when
removing contaminated dressings to protect the nurse from body fluids. Once the
old dressing is removed and disposed of, the nurse can then perform hand hygiene,
apply sterile gloves, and proceed with the sterile dressing change. This sequence
maintains infection control and prevents contamination of sterile supplies.
Q5. A client with a prescription for "do not resuscitate" (DNR) begins to manifest
signs of impending death. After notifying the family of the client's status, what
priority action should the nurse implement?
A. The impending signs of death should be documented
B. Move the client to a private room
C. Provide emotional support to the family
D. Administer pain medication as ordered
Correct Answer: A. The impending signs of death should be documented
Rationale: Documentation is a priority nursing responsibility when a client is
approaching end of life. The nurse must document the client's status, family
notification, and all interventions provided. While providing emotional support
and comfort measures are important, the legal responsibility of documentation is
paramount.
Q6. A client is receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen minutes after the start of
the infusion, the client reports chills and back pain. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion and infuse normal saline
C. Administer diphenhydramine as ordered
D. Notify the healthcare provider
, Correct Answer: B. Stop the transfusion and infuse normal saline
Rationale: Chills and back pain are signs of a possible transfusion reaction. The
nurse should immediately stop the transfusion, keep the IV line open with normal
saline, and notify the healthcare provider. The blood tubing and remaining blood
should be returned to the blood bank for investigation.
Q7. The nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which finding
indicates the stoma is healthy?
A. Dark purple color
B. Dry and crusted appearance
C. Moist, pink, and beefy red appearance
D. Blanched white appearance
Correct Answer: C. Moist, pink, and beefy red appearance
Rationale: A healthy stoma should be moist, pink to beefy red, and have a slight
amount of bleeding when touched. Dark purple or black indicates ischemia and
necrosis, requiring immediate notification of the healthcare provider. Dry or
crusted appearance indicates possible dehydration or poor hygiene.
Q8. The nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Measuring the blood pressure of a client with a new onset of chest pain
B. Obtaining a clean-catch urine specimen from a client
C. Assessing the surgical incision of a postoperative client
D. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
Correct Answer: B. Obtaining a clean-catch urine specimen from a client
Rationale: Obtaining a clean-catch urine specimen is a routine task that can be
delegated to UAP. The other options require nursing assessment (chest pain
evaluation, surgical incision assessment) or teaching, which cannot be delegated.
