HESI Critical Thinking Examination
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse notices a patient is unusually quiet and withdrawn. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Ask the patient if they want medication.
B. Notify the physician immediately.
C. Assess the patient's emotional state and ask open-ended questions.
D. Ignore it because some patients are naturally quiet.
Rationale: The first step in the nursing process is always assessment. Open-
ended questions help the nurse understand the patient's emotional state
before planning interventions.
2. If two lab results conflict, what is the best critical thinking approach?
A. Accept the most recent lab result.
B. Compare both results with the patient's clinical presentation and possibly
repeat the test.
C. Use the first result as it was drawn earlier.
D. Disregard both results and continue care.
Rationale: Critical thinking requires evaluating evidence, comparing it to the
patient's condition, and verifying accuracy before making decisions.
3. A patient refuses a prescribed medication. What is the nurse's best action?
,A. Tell the patient they must take it.
B. Document the refusal and assess the reason for refusal.
C. Ignore the refusal and administer the medication.
D. Call security to enforce compliance.
Rationale: Respecting patient autonomy is key. The nurse should explore the
reason for refusal and document appropriately.
4. A patient complains of pain but vital signs are normal. What should the
nurse do?
A. Tell the patient the pain isn't real.
B. Assess the pain using a standardized pain scale.
C. Give pain medication anyway without assessment.
D. Wait and reassess in an hour.
Rationale: Pain is subjective. Using a pain scale allows objective assessment
and guides treatment.
5. Which question demonstrates critical thinking during patient assessment?
A. "Are you feeling okay today?"
B. "Can you describe the location and intensity of your pain?"
C. "Do you like the food here?"
D. "Do you want to watch TV?"
Rationale: Critical thinking involves gathering detailed, relevant information
to make informed decisions.
6. A patient's blood pressure drops suddenly. What should the nurse do first?
A. Notify the physician.
B. Assess the patient for symptoms of hypotension.
C. Call for help immediately.
D. Recheck vitals in an hour.
,Rationale: Immediate assessment of the patient's condition is the first priority
to identify potential causes and risks.
7. Which scenario shows a nurse using inductive reasoning?
A. Noticing a rash and assuming it's an allergic reaction based on patient
history.
B. Following a standing order without question.
C. Asking the patient to describe their pain.
D. Recording vital signs in the chart.
Rationale: Inductive reasoning uses specific observations to form a general
conclusion.
8. A patient seems anxious before surgery. Which intervention best
demonstrates critical thinking?
A. Telling the patient not to worry.
B. Ignoring the anxiety because surgery is routine.
C. Assessing the patient's fears and providing education about the procedure.
D. Giving sedatives without assessment.
Rationale: Critical thinking includes identifying problems, understanding the
cause, and implementing an appropriate intervention.
9. Which is an example of a cue in clinical reasoning?
A. The nurse decides the patient is depressed.
B. The patient says, "I feel hopeless."
C. The nurse administers antidepressants.
D. The patient is admitted to the hospital.
Rationale: A cue is objective or subjective data that triggers further analysis.
10. What is the best response if a patient asks about alternative therapies?
, A. "Alternative therapies don't work."
B. "I don't know, ask the internet."
C. "Let's review the therapy together and discuss potential benefits and
risks."
D. Ignore the question.
Rationale: Critical thinking involves evaluating evidence and guiding patients
safely regarding treatment options.
11. When a patient refuses to eat, what is the nurse's priority action?
A. Force-feed the patient.
B. Assess for underlying causes such as nausea, pain, or depression.
C. Document the refusal and take no further action.
D. Notify the family to bring favorite foods.
Rationale: The nurse must assess before intervening. Refusal to eat may
indicate multiple underlying issues requiring investigation.
12. A nurse is evaluating the reliability of a patient's responses. Which
statement is correct?
A. The patient has a history of drug abuse and therefore is not reliable.
B. The patient provided consistent information and therefore is reliable.
C. The patient smiled throughout the interview and therefore is assumed
reliable.
D. The patient would not answer questions concerning stress and therefore is
not reliable.
Rationale: A reliable person always gives the same answers, even when
questions are rephrased or repeated later in the interview.
13. During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of
breath. Tell me more about that." Which verbal skill is used?
Practice Exam 100 Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse notices a patient is unusually quiet and withdrawn. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Ask the patient if they want medication.
B. Notify the physician immediately.
C. Assess the patient's emotional state and ask open-ended questions.
D. Ignore it because some patients are naturally quiet.
Rationale: The first step in the nursing process is always assessment. Open-
ended questions help the nurse understand the patient's emotional state
before planning interventions.
2. If two lab results conflict, what is the best critical thinking approach?
A. Accept the most recent lab result.
B. Compare both results with the patient's clinical presentation and possibly
repeat the test.
C. Use the first result as it was drawn earlier.
D. Disregard both results and continue care.
Rationale: Critical thinking requires evaluating evidence, comparing it to the
patient's condition, and verifying accuracy before making decisions.
3. A patient refuses a prescribed medication. What is the nurse's best action?
,A. Tell the patient they must take it.
B. Document the refusal and assess the reason for refusal.
C. Ignore the refusal and administer the medication.
D. Call security to enforce compliance.
Rationale: Respecting patient autonomy is key. The nurse should explore the
reason for refusal and document appropriately.
4. A patient complains of pain but vital signs are normal. What should the
nurse do?
A. Tell the patient the pain isn't real.
B. Assess the pain using a standardized pain scale.
C. Give pain medication anyway without assessment.
D. Wait and reassess in an hour.
Rationale: Pain is subjective. Using a pain scale allows objective assessment
and guides treatment.
5. Which question demonstrates critical thinking during patient assessment?
A. "Are you feeling okay today?"
B. "Can you describe the location and intensity of your pain?"
C. "Do you like the food here?"
D. "Do you want to watch TV?"
Rationale: Critical thinking involves gathering detailed, relevant information
to make informed decisions.
6. A patient's blood pressure drops suddenly. What should the nurse do first?
A. Notify the physician.
B. Assess the patient for symptoms of hypotension.
C. Call for help immediately.
D. Recheck vitals in an hour.
,Rationale: Immediate assessment of the patient's condition is the first priority
to identify potential causes and risks.
7. Which scenario shows a nurse using inductive reasoning?
A. Noticing a rash and assuming it's an allergic reaction based on patient
history.
B. Following a standing order without question.
C. Asking the patient to describe their pain.
D. Recording vital signs in the chart.
Rationale: Inductive reasoning uses specific observations to form a general
conclusion.
8. A patient seems anxious before surgery. Which intervention best
demonstrates critical thinking?
A. Telling the patient not to worry.
B. Ignoring the anxiety because surgery is routine.
C. Assessing the patient's fears and providing education about the procedure.
D. Giving sedatives without assessment.
Rationale: Critical thinking includes identifying problems, understanding the
cause, and implementing an appropriate intervention.
9. Which is an example of a cue in clinical reasoning?
A. The nurse decides the patient is depressed.
B. The patient says, "I feel hopeless."
C. The nurse administers antidepressants.
D. The patient is admitted to the hospital.
Rationale: A cue is objective or subjective data that triggers further analysis.
10. What is the best response if a patient asks about alternative therapies?
, A. "Alternative therapies don't work."
B. "I don't know, ask the internet."
C. "Let's review the therapy together and discuss potential benefits and
risks."
D. Ignore the question.
Rationale: Critical thinking involves evaluating evidence and guiding patients
safely regarding treatment options.
11. When a patient refuses to eat, what is the nurse's priority action?
A. Force-feed the patient.
B. Assess for underlying causes such as nausea, pain, or depression.
C. Document the refusal and take no further action.
D. Notify the family to bring favorite foods.
Rationale: The nurse must assess before intervening. Refusal to eat may
indicate multiple underlying issues requiring investigation.
12. A nurse is evaluating the reliability of a patient's responses. Which
statement is correct?
A. The patient has a history of drug abuse and therefore is not reliable.
B. The patient provided consistent information and therefore is reliable.
C. The patient smiled throughout the interview and therefore is assumed
reliable.
D. The patient would not answer questions concerning stress and therefore is
not reliable.
Rationale: A reliable person always gives the same answers, even when
questions are rephrased or repeated later in the interview.
13. During an interview, the nurse states, "You mentioned shortness of
breath. Tell me more about that." Which verbal skill is used?
