HESI PN EXIT EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
NURSING REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Increased appetite
D. Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Visual disturbances, including blurred vision and yellow-green
halos, are classic signs of digoxin toxicity, along with nausea and bradycardia.
2. A practical nurse (PN) is assigned to care for a client who is 24 hours postoperative
following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the PN take?
A. Maintain the affected leg in an adducted position
B. Encourage the client to bend at the waist to put on socks
,C. Place an abductor pillow between the client’s legs
D. Keep the head of the bed at a 90-degree angle
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: An abductor pillow is used to prevent adduction and dislocation
of the new hip prosthesis. Bending at the waist and 90-degree flexion are contraindicated.
3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for lithium
carbonate to treat bipolar disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. Restrict sodium intake to 1 gram per day
B. Take the medication on an empty stomach
C. Expect weight loss during the first month of therapy
D. Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Adequate fluid intake (2-3 L/day) and consistent sodium intake
are crucial to prevent lithium toxicity, as the kidneys treat lithium like sodium.
4. A client with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Administer 15g of oral glucose gel
B. Check the client’s blood glucose level
, C. Call the healthcare provider immediately
D. Administer glucagon subcutaneously or IM
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In an unconscious client with suspected hypoglycemia, the
priority is to restore glucose safely. Since the client cannot swallow, glucagon is the fastest
emergency treatment.
5. Which of the following clients should the practical nurse (PN) assess first after receiving the
change-of-shift report?
A. A client with COPD who has a pulse oximetry reading of 90%
B. A client who is 2 days postoperative and reports a pain level of 6 out of 10
C. A client who needs a dressing change for a stage 2 pressure injury
D. A client with a new onset of confusion and restlessness
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Confusion and restlessness are early signs of hypoxia or
neurological distress and represent a change in status that requires immediate assessment.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for warfain. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Hemoglobin level
NURSING REVIEW QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Increased appetite
D. Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Visual disturbances, including blurred vision and yellow-green
halos, are classic signs of digoxin toxicity, along with nausea and bradycardia.
2. A practical nurse (PN) is assigned to care for a client who is 24 hours postoperative
following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the PN take?
A. Maintain the affected leg in an adducted position
B. Encourage the client to bend at the waist to put on socks
,C. Place an abductor pillow between the client’s legs
D. Keep the head of the bed at a 90-degree angle
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: An abductor pillow is used to prevent adduction and dislocation
of the new hip prosthesis. Bending at the waist and 90-degree flexion are contraindicated.
3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for lithium
carbonate to treat bipolar disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. Restrict sodium intake to 1 gram per day
B. Take the medication on an empty stomach
C. Expect weight loss during the first month of therapy
D. Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Adequate fluid intake (2-3 L/day) and consistent sodium intake
are crucial to prevent lithium toxicity, as the kidneys treat lithium like sodium.
4. A client with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Administer 15g of oral glucose gel
B. Check the client’s blood glucose level
, C. Call the healthcare provider immediately
D. Administer glucagon subcutaneously or IM
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: In an unconscious client with suspected hypoglycemia, the
priority is to restore glucose safely. Since the client cannot swallow, glucagon is the fastest
emergency treatment.
5. Which of the following clients should the practical nurse (PN) assess first after receiving the
change-of-shift report?
A. A client with COPD who has a pulse oximetry reading of 90%
B. A client who is 2 days postoperative and reports a pain level of 6 out of 10
C. A client who needs a dressing change for a stage 2 pressure injury
D. A client with a new onset of confusion and restlessness
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Confusion and restlessness are early signs of hypoxia or
neurological distress and represent a change in status that requires immediate assessment.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for warfain. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Hemoglobin level
