HESI Fundamentals Exam 1 (Newest
Version) Practice Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationales
Covering: Nursing Foundations, Roles, Ethics, Communication & Nursing
Process
Questions 1–25: Nursing Foundations & Professional
Roles
1.
A nurse is beginning an initial assessment of a newly admitted client. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Develop the nursing care plan
B. Review the client's discharge instructions
C. Establish a database of the client's health status
D. Identify appropriate nursing interventions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse begins the nursing process with assessment. A comprehensive
database provides the information needed to identify problems, formulate nursing
diagnoses, establish goals, and select interventions. Planning and implementation occur
after assessment.
2.
Which nursing action best demonstrates the principle of patient-centered care?
,A. Completing all care without asking the patient for preferences
B. Including the patient in decisions about the plan of care
C. Following the nurse's preferred treatment schedule
D. Asking the family to make all decisions for the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the patient as an active participant in
healthcare decisions. The nurse should incorporate the patient's preferences, values,
needs, and goals whenever possible.
3.
A nurse enters a patient's room and says, "Good morning, Mr. Lee. My name is Jordan, and
I will be your nurse today." Which communication technique is being demonstrated?
A. Giving advice
B. Introducing oneself
C. Seeking clarification
D. Offering false reassurance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Introducing oneself establishes the nurse-patient relationship and promotes
trust. The nurse should clearly identify their role and establish professional rapport.
4.
Which action is within the professional role of the registered nurse?
A. Independently prescribing a new medication
B. Diagnosing a medical disease
C. Assessing the patient's response to treatment
D. Ordering a surgical procedure
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Registered nurses assess patients, identify nursing problems, implement
nursing interventions, and evaluate responses. Prescribing medications, making medical
diagnoses, and ordering surgery are outside the independent scope of typical RN practice.
5.
A patient asks the nurse, "What is the purpose of this medication?" What is the nurse's
best response?
A. "The physician prescribed it, so you should take it."
B. "You don't need to know that information."
C. "Let me explain what the medication is intended to do."
D. "Your family can explain it to you."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients have the right to information about their care. Providing appropriate
education promotes informed participation and supports autonomy.
6.
Which action by the nurse best demonstrates accountability?
A. Blaming another nurse for a medication error
B. Reporting an error promptly according to policy
C. Hiding an error if the patient has no symptoms
D. Altering documentation to avoid disciplinary action
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accountability means accepting responsibility for one's actions and reporting
errors honestly and promptly. Concealing or falsifying information violates professional
standards.
, 7.
The nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. Patient reporting new difficulty breathing
C. Patient requesting a snack
D. Patient waiting for discharge instructions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Breathing is an immediate physiologic priority. The ABC framework places
airway and breathing before comfort, routine care, and discharge teaching.
8.
Which nursing action violates a patient's autonomy?
A. Explaining treatment alternatives
B. Respecting a competent patient's refusal of treatment
C. Making a healthcare decision for a competent patient without consent
D. Providing information needed for informed decision-making
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy is the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own
healthcare. The nurse should support decision-making rather than impose personal
choices.
9.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has limited English proficiency. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Ask a young child to interpret
B. Speak louder and more slowly
Version) Practice Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationales
Covering: Nursing Foundations, Roles, Ethics, Communication & Nursing
Process
Questions 1–25: Nursing Foundations & Professional
Roles
1.
A nurse is beginning an initial assessment of a newly admitted client. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Develop the nursing care plan
B. Review the client's discharge instructions
C. Establish a database of the client's health status
D. Identify appropriate nursing interventions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse begins the nursing process with assessment. A comprehensive
database provides the information needed to identify problems, formulate nursing
diagnoses, establish goals, and select interventions. Planning and implementation occur
after assessment.
2.
Which nursing action best demonstrates the principle of patient-centered care?
,A. Completing all care without asking the patient for preferences
B. Including the patient in decisions about the plan of care
C. Following the nurse's preferred treatment schedule
D. Asking the family to make all decisions for the patient
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the patient as an active participant in
healthcare decisions. The nurse should incorporate the patient's preferences, values,
needs, and goals whenever possible.
3.
A nurse enters a patient's room and says, "Good morning, Mr. Lee. My name is Jordan, and
I will be your nurse today." Which communication technique is being demonstrated?
A. Giving advice
B. Introducing oneself
C. Seeking clarification
D. Offering false reassurance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Introducing oneself establishes the nurse-patient relationship and promotes
trust. The nurse should clearly identify their role and establish professional rapport.
4.
Which action is within the professional role of the registered nurse?
A. Independently prescribing a new medication
B. Diagnosing a medical disease
C. Assessing the patient's response to treatment
D. Ordering a surgical procedure
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Registered nurses assess patients, identify nursing problems, implement
nursing interventions, and evaluate responses. Prescribing medications, making medical
diagnoses, and ordering surgery are outside the independent scope of typical RN practice.
5.
A patient asks the nurse, "What is the purpose of this medication?" What is the nurse's
best response?
A. "The physician prescribed it, so you should take it."
B. "You don't need to know that information."
C. "Let me explain what the medication is intended to do."
D. "Your family can explain it to you."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Patients have the right to information about their care. Providing appropriate
education promotes informed participation and supports autonomy.
6.
Which action by the nurse best demonstrates accountability?
A. Blaming another nurse for a medication error
B. Reporting an error promptly according to policy
C. Hiding an error if the patient has no symptoms
D. Altering documentation to avoid disciplinary action
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accountability means accepting responsibility for one's actions and reporting
errors honestly and promptly. Concealing or falsifying information violates professional
standards.
, 7.
The nurse is caring for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient requesting assistance with bathing
B. Patient reporting new difficulty breathing
C. Patient requesting a snack
D. Patient waiting for discharge instructions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Breathing is an immediate physiologic priority. The ABC framework places
airway and breathing before comfort, routine care, and discharge teaching.
8.
Which nursing action violates a patient's autonomy?
A. Explaining treatment alternatives
B. Respecting a competent patient's refusal of treatment
C. Making a healthcare decision for a competent patient without consent
D. Providing information needed for informed decision-making
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autonomy is the patient's right to make informed decisions about their own
healthcare. The nurse should support decision-making rather than impose personal
choices.
9.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has limited English proficiency. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Ask a young child to interpret
B. Speak louder and more slowly
