RN HESI FUNDAMENTALS EXIT FINAL PAPER
2026 COMPLETE ANSWERS CLINICAL SKILLS
PRACTICE RESOURCE
◉ A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings
via a small-bore tube and a continuous pump infusion. He reports
that he had a bad bout of severe coughing a few minutes ago, but
feels fine now. What action is best for the nurse to take?
A. Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this
time.
B. Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and
notify the HCP.
C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid
withdrawn from the tube.
D. Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium
for gurgling.
Answer: C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of
fluid withdrawn from the tube.
◉ A male client tells the nurse that he does not know where he is or
what year it is. What data should the nurse document that is most
accurate?
A. demonstrates loss of remote memory
B. exhibits expressive dysphasia
,C. has a diminished attention span
D. is disoriented to place and time
Answer: D. is disoriented to place and time (The client is exhibiting
disorientation (D). (A) refers to memory of the distant past. The
client is able to express himself without difficulty (B), and does not
demonstrate diminished attention span. (C).
◉ A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) selects a scrambled
egg for his breakfast. What action should the nurse take?
A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein.
B. Remind the client that protein in the diet should be avoided.
C. Suggest that the client also select orange juice, to promote
absorption.
D. Encourage the client to attend classes on dietary management of
CKD.
Answer: A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value
protein. (Foods such as eggs and milk (A) are high biologic proteins
which are allowed because they are complete proteins and supply
the essential amino acids that are necessary for growth and cell
repair. Orange juice is rich in potassium and should not be
encouraged. The client has made a good diet choice so (D) is not
necessary.)
,◉ When assisting an 82 year old client to ambulate, it is important
for the nurse to realize that the center of gravity for an elderly
person is the--
Answer: Upper torso (The center of gravity for adults is the hips.
However, as the person grows older, a stooped posture is common
because of the changes from osteoporosis and normal bone
degeneration, and the knees, hips, and elbows flex. This stooped
posture results in the upper torso becoming the center of gravity for
older persons.)
◉ In developing a plan of care for a client with dementia, the nurse
should remember that confusion in the elderly
A. is to be expected, and progresses with age
B. often follows relocation to new surroundings
C. is a result of irreversible brain pathology
D. can be prevented with adequate sleep
Answer: B. often follows relocation to new surroundings (Relocation
(B) often results in confusion among elderly clients-- moving is
stressful for anyone. (A) is stereotypical judgement. Stress in the
elderly often manifests itself as confusion, so (C) is wrong. Adequate
sleep is not a prevention (D) for confusion.)
◉ A postoperative client will need to perform daily dressing changes
after discharge. Which outcome statement best demonstrates the
client's readiness to manage his wound care after discharge? The
client
, A. asks relevant questions regarding the dressing change
B. states he will be able to complete the wound care regimen
C. demonstrates the wound care procedure correctly
D. has all the necessary supplies for wound care
Answer: C. demonstrates the wound care procedure correctly
(A return demonstration of a procedure (C) provides an objective
assessment of the client's ability to perform a task, while (A and B)
are subjective measures. (D) is important, but is less of a priority
than the the nurse's assessment of the client's ability to complete
wound care.)
◉ A client who is 5 '5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for
surgery the next day. What question is most important for the nurse
to include during the preoperative assessment?
A. What is your daily calorie consumption?
B. What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?"
C. "Do you feel that you are overweight?"
D. "Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery?"
Answer: B. "What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?"
(Vitamin and mineral supplements (B) may impact medications
used during the operative period. (A and C) are appropriate
questions for long-term dietary counseling. The nature of the
surgery and anesthesia will determine the need for a clear liquid
diet (D), rather than the client's preference.)
2026 COMPLETE ANSWERS CLINICAL SKILLS
PRACTICE RESOURCE
◉ A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings
via a small-bore tube and a continuous pump infusion. He reports
that he had a bad bout of severe coughing a few minutes ago, but
feels fine now. What action is best for the nurse to take?
A. Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this
time.
B. Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and
notify the HCP.
C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid
withdrawn from the tube.
D. Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium
for gurgling.
Answer: C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of
fluid withdrawn from the tube.
◉ A male client tells the nurse that he does not know where he is or
what year it is. What data should the nurse document that is most
accurate?
A. demonstrates loss of remote memory
B. exhibits expressive dysphasia
,C. has a diminished attention span
D. is disoriented to place and time
Answer: D. is disoriented to place and time (The client is exhibiting
disorientation (D). (A) refers to memory of the distant past. The
client is able to express himself without difficulty (B), and does not
demonstrate diminished attention span. (C).
◉ A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) selects a scrambled
egg for his breakfast. What action should the nurse take?
A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein.
B. Remind the client that protein in the diet should be avoided.
C. Suggest that the client also select orange juice, to promote
absorption.
D. Encourage the client to attend classes on dietary management of
CKD.
Answer: A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value
protein. (Foods such as eggs and milk (A) are high biologic proteins
which are allowed because they are complete proteins and supply
the essential amino acids that are necessary for growth and cell
repair. Orange juice is rich in potassium and should not be
encouraged. The client has made a good diet choice so (D) is not
necessary.)
,◉ When assisting an 82 year old client to ambulate, it is important
for the nurse to realize that the center of gravity for an elderly
person is the--
Answer: Upper torso (The center of gravity for adults is the hips.
However, as the person grows older, a stooped posture is common
because of the changes from osteoporosis and normal bone
degeneration, and the knees, hips, and elbows flex. This stooped
posture results in the upper torso becoming the center of gravity for
older persons.)
◉ In developing a plan of care for a client with dementia, the nurse
should remember that confusion in the elderly
A. is to be expected, and progresses with age
B. often follows relocation to new surroundings
C. is a result of irreversible brain pathology
D. can be prevented with adequate sleep
Answer: B. often follows relocation to new surroundings (Relocation
(B) often results in confusion among elderly clients-- moving is
stressful for anyone. (A) is stereotypical judgement. Stress in the
elderly often manifests itself as confusion, so (C) is wrong. Adequate
sleep is not a prevention (D) for confusion.)
◉ A postoperative client will need to perform daily dressing changes
after discharge. Which outcome statement best demonstrates the
client's readiness to manage his wound care after discharge? The
client
, A. asks relevant questions regarding the dressing change
B. states he will be able to complete the wound care regimen
C. demonstrates the wound care procedure correctly
D. has all the necessary supplies for wound care
Answer: C. demonstrates the wound care procedure correctly
(A return demonstration of a procedure (C) provides an objective
assessment of the client's ability to perform a task, while (A and B)
are subjective measures. (D) is important, but is less of a priority
than the the nurse's assessment of the client's ability to complete
wound care.)
◉ A client who is 5 '5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for
surgery the next day. What question is most important for the nurse
to include during the preoperative assessment?
A. What is your daily calorie consumption?
B. What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?"
C. "Do you feel that you are overweight?"
D. "Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery?"
Answer: B. "What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?"
(Vitamin and mineral supplements (B) may impact medications
used during the operative period. (A and C) are appropriate
questions for long-term dietary counseling. The nature of the
surgery and anesthesia will determine the need for a clear liquid
diet (D), rather than the client's preference.)
