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HESI PN EXIT EXAM WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED
RATIONALES GRADED A+
HESI PN EXIT EXAM (NGN)
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT SAFETY
Questions 1–30
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action is correct?
A) Use alcohol-based sanitizer when hands are visibly soiled
B) Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
C) Wear gloves instead of washing hands
D) Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet after washing
Answer: B
Rationale: Soap and water for at least 20 seconds is required when hands are visibly
soiled or after caring for clients with C. difficile. Alcohol-based sanitizer is appropriate
when hands are not visibly soiled.
Question 2
A client is on airborne precautions. Which PPE is required?
A) Surgical mask
B) N95 respirator and negative-pressure room
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C) Gown and gloves only
D) No PPE is needed
Answer: B
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator and a negative-pressure
room to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens such as tuberculosis.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
B) Heart rate 88 bpm
C) Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
D) Temperature 98.6°F
Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates respiratory depression and
requires immediate intervention.
Question 4
A client is at risk for falls. Which intervention is the priority?
A) Keeping the bed in the highest position
B) Using a bed alarm and assisting with ambulation
C) Restricting fluids
D) Limiting mobility
Answer: B
Rationale: Fall prevention includes bed alarms, assisting with ambulation, and keeping
the bed in the lowest position.
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Question 5
A nurse is documenting care. Which entry is appropriate?
A) "Client is being difficult."
B) "Client refused medication; provider notified."
C) "Client seems depressed."
D) "Client probably has an infection."
Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation must be objective, factual, and timely. Subjective opinions
should not be documented.
Question 6
Which task can the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A) Assessing a wound
B) Inserting a urinary catheter
C) Feeding a client with dysphagia
D) Obtaining vital signs on a stable client
Answer: D
Rationale: UAP can perform tasks that do not require nursing judgment, such as
obtaining vital signs on stable clients.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action is the priority?
A) Check the medication against the order
B) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
C) Document the medication
D) Assess for allergies
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing for allergies is the priority before administering any medication to
prevent an allergic reaction.
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Question 8
A client has a new colostomy. Which finding indicates a complication?
A) Stoma is pink and moist
B) Stoma is dark and dusky
C) Small amount of bleeding
D) Output is semi-liquid
Answer: B
Rationale: A dark, dusky stoma indicates ischemia and requires immediate notification
of the provider.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
B) Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
C) Drainage of 50 mL/hr
D) Pain at insertion site
Answer: A
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak. Tidaling
is normal.
Question 10
A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops fever and chills. What is the
nurse's first action?
A) Slow the transfusion
B) Stop the transfusion and maintain IV access with normal saline
C) Continue the transfusion and monitor
D) Administer acetaminophen
HESI PN EXIT EXAM WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED
RATIONALES GRADED A+
HESI PN EXIT EXAM (NGN)
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT SAFETY
Questions 1–30
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action is correct?
A) Use alcohol-based sanitizer when hands are visibly soiled
B) Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
C) Wear gloves instead of washing hands
D) Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet after washing
Answer: B
Rationale: Soap and water for at least 20 seconds is required when hands are visibly
soiled or after caring for clients with C. difficile. Alcohol-based sanitizer is appropriate
when hands are not visibly soiled.
Question 2
A client is on airborne precautions. Which PPE is required?
A) Surgical mask
B) N95 respirator and negative-pressure room
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C) Gown and gloves only
D) No PPE is needed
Answer: B
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator and a negative-pressure
room to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens such as tuberculosis.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Blood pressure 118/76 mm Hg
B) Heart rate 88 bpm
C) Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min
D) Temperature 98.6°F
Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min indicates respiratory depression and
requires immediate intervention.
Question 4
A client is at risk for falls. Which intervention is the priority?
A) Keeping the bed in the highest position
B) Using a bed alarm and assisting with ambulation
C) Restricting fluids
D) Limiting mobility
Answer: B
Rationale: Fall prevention includes bed alarms, assisting with ambulation, and keeping
the bed in the lowest position.
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Question 5
A nurse is documenting care. Which entry is appropriate?
A) "Client is being difficult."
B) "Client refused medication; provider notified."
C) "Client seems depressed."
D) "Client probably has an infection."
Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation must be objective, factual, and timely. Subjective opinions
should not be documented.
Question 6
Which task can the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A) Assessing a wound
B) Inserting a urinary catheter
C) Feeding a client with dysphagia
D) Obtaining vital signs on a stable client
Answer: D
Rationale: UAP can perform tasks that do not require nursing judgment, such as
obtaining vital signs on stable clients.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action is the priority?
A) Check the medication against the order
B) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
C) Document the medication
D) Assess for allergies
Answer: D
Rationale: Assessing for allergies is the priority before administering any medication to
prevent an allergic reaction.
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Question 8
A client has a new colostomy. Which finding indicates a complication?
A) Stoma is pink and moist
B) Stoma is dark and dusky
C) Small amount of bleeding
D) Output is semi-liquid
Answer: B
Rationale: A dark, dusky stoma indicates ischemia and requires immediate notification
of the provider.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A) Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
B) Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
C) Drainage of 50 mL/hr
D) Pain at insertion site
Answer: A
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak. Tidaling
is normal.
Question 10
A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops fever and chills. What is the
nurse's first action?
A) Slow the transfusion
B) Stop the transfusion and maintain IV access with normal saline
C) Continue the transfusion and monitor
D) Administer acetaminophen
