HESI RN EXIT Exam Questions and
Answers
In planning care for a 6 month-old infant, what must the nurse provide to assist in the
development of trust? A) Food B) Warmth C) Security D) Comfort - correct answerC)
Security A nurse has just received a medication order which is not legible. Which
statement best reflects assertive communication? A) "I cannot give this medication as it
is written. I have no idea of what you mean." B) "Would you please clarify what you
have written so I am sure I am reading it correctly?" C) "I am having difficulty reading
your handwriting. It would save me time if you would be more careful." D) "Please print
in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to read your writing." -
correct answerB) "Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am
reading it correctly?" What is the most important consideration when teaching parents
how to reduce risks in the home? A) Age and knowledge level of the parents B)
Proximity to emergency services C) Number of children in the home D) Age of children
in the home - correct answerD) Age of children in the home A 35 year-old client with
sickle cell crisis is talking on the telephone but stops as the nurse enters the room to
request something for pain. The nurse should A) Administer a placebo B) Encourage
increased fluid intake C) Administer the prescribed analgesia D) Recommend relaxation
exercises for pain control - correct answerC) Administer the prescribed analgesia While
caring for a toddler with croup, which initial sign of croup requires the nurse's immediate
attention? A) Respiratory rate of 42 B) Lethargy for the past hour C) Apical pulse of 54
D) Coughing up copious secretions - correct answerA) Respiratory rate of 42 A client is
admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. On initial assessment,
the nurse would anticipate which of the following assessment findings? A) Lethargy B)
Heat intolerance C) Diarrhea D) Skin eruptions - correct answerA) Lethargy The
emergency room nurse admits a child who experienced a seizure at school. The father
comments that this is the first occurrence, and denies any family history of epilepsy.
What is the best response by the nurse? A) "Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with
medications." B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy." C) "Since
this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again." D) "Long term treatment will
prevent future seizures." - correct answerB) "The seizure may or may not mean your
child has epilepsy." Alcohol and drug abuse impairs judgment and increases risk taking
behavior. What nursing diagnosis best applies? A) Risk for injury B) Risk for knowledge
deficit C) Altered thought process D) Disturbance in self-esteem - correct answerA) Risk
for injury Which these findings would the nurse more closely associate with anemia in a
10 month-old infant? A) Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dI B) Pale mucosa of the eyelids and
lips C) Hypoactivity D) A heart rate between 140 to 160 - correct answerB) Pale mucosa
,of the eyelids and lips The nurse is caring for a client in hypertensive crisis in an
intensive care unit. The priority assessment in the first hour of care is A) Heart rate B)
Pedal pulses C) Lung sounds D) Pupil responses - correct answerD) Pupil responses
Which of these clients who are all in the terminal stage of cancer is least appropriate to
suggest the use of patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with a pump? A) A young adult
with a history of Down's syndrome B) A teenager who reads at a 4th grade level C) An
elderly client with numerous arthritic nodules on the hands D) A preschooler with
intermittent episodes of alertness - correct answerD) A preschooler with intermittent
episodes of alertness The nurse is about to assess a 6 month-old child with nonorganic
failure-to thrive (NOFTT). Upon entering the room, the nurse would expect the baby to
be A) Irritable and "colicky" with no attempts to pull to standing B) Alert, laughing and
playing with a rattle, sitting with support C) Skin color dusky with poor skin turgor over
abdomen D) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings - correct answerD)
Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings As the nurse is speaking with a
group of teens which of these side effects of chemotherapy for cancer would the nurse
expect this group to be more interested in during the discussion? A) Mouth sores B)
Fatigue C) Diarrhea D) Hair loss - correct answerD) Hair loss While caring for a client
who was admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) 2 days ago, the nurse notes today's
temperature is 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38.5 degreesCelsius). The appropriate
nursing intervention is to A) Call the health care provider immediately B) Administer
acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time C) Send blood, urine and
sputum for culture D) Increase the client's fluid intake - correct answerB) Administer
acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time A client is admitted for first and
second degree burns on the face, neck, anterior chest and hands. The nurse's priority
should be A) Cover the areas with dry sterile dressings B) Assess for dyspnea or stridor
C) Initiate intravenous therapy D) Administer pain medication - correct answerB) Assess
for dyspnea or stridor Which of these clients who call the community health clinic would
the nurse ask to come in that day to be seen by the health care provider? A) I started
my period and now my urine has turned bright red. B) I am an diabetic and today I have
been going to the bathroom every hour. C) I was started on medicine yesterday for a
urine infection. Now my lower belly hurts when I go to the bathroom. D) I went to the
bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went. - correct
answerD) I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I
went. Which of these parents' comment for a newborn would most likely reveal an initial
finding of a suspected pyloric stenosis? A) I noticed a little lump a little above the belly
button. B) The baby seems hungry all the time. C) Mild vomiting that progressed to
vomiting shooting across the room. D) Irritation and spitting up immediately after
feedings. - correct answerC) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across
the room. The nurse is assessing a child for clinical manifestations of iron deficiency
anemia. Which factor would the nurse recognize as cause for the findings? A)
Decreased cardiac output B) Tissue hypoxia C) Cerebral edema D) Reduced oxygen
, saturation - correct answerB) Tissue hypoxia The nurse would expect the cystic fibrosis
client to receive supplemental pancreatic enzymes along with a diet A) High in
carbohydrates and proteins B) Low in carbohydrates and proteins C) High in
carbohydrates, low in proteins D) Low in carbohydrates, high in proteins - correct
answerA) High in carbohydrates and proteins In evaluating the growth of a 12 month-old
child, which of these findings would the nurse expect to be present in the infant? A)
Increased 10% in height B) 2 deciduous teeth C) Tripled the birth weight D) Head >
chest circumference - correct answerC) Tripled the birth weight A Hispanic client in the
postpartum period refuses the hospital food because it is "cold." The best initial action
by the nurse is to A) 1Have the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reheat the food if
the client wishes B) Ask the client what foods are acceptable or bad C) Encourage her
to eat for healing and strength D) Schedule the dietitian to meet with the client as soon
as possible - correct answerB) Ask the client what foods are acceptable or bad The
father of an 8 month-old infant asks the nurse if his infant's vocalizations are normal for
his age. Which of the following would the nurse expect at this age? A) Cooing B)
Imitation of sounds C) Throaty sounds D) Laughter - correct answerB) Imitation of
sounds The nurse should recognize that physical dependence is accompanied by what
findings when alcohol consumption is first reduced or ended? A) Seizures B)
Withdrawal C) Craving D) Marked tolerance - correct answerB) Withdrawal Immediately
following an acute battering incident in a violent relationship, the batterer may respond
to the partner's injuries by A) Seeking medical help for the victim's injuries B) Minimizing
the episode and underestimating the victim's injuries C) Contacting a close friend and
asking for help D) Being very remorseful and assisting the victim with medical care -
correct answerB) Minimizing the episode and underestimating the victim's injuries A
client with pneumococcal pneumonia had been started on antibiotics 16 hours
ago.During the nurse's initial evening rounds the nurse notices a foul smell in the room.
The client makes all of these statements during their conversation. Which statement
would alert the nurse to a complication? A) "I have a sharp pain in my chest when I take
a breath. "B) "I have been coughing up foul-tasting, brown, thick sputum. " C) "I have
been sweating all day. "D) "I feel hot off and on." - correct answer"B) "I have been
coughing up foul-tasting, brown, thick sputum. The nurse is performing an assessment
on a client in congestive heart failure. Auscultation of the heart is most likely to reveal A)
S3 ventricular gallop B) Apical click C) Systolic murmur D) Split S2 - correct answerA)
S3 ventricular gallop Which of these observations made by the nurse during an
excretory urogram indicate a complicaton? A) The client complains of a salty taste in the
mouth when the dye is injected B) The client's entire body turns a bright red color C)
The client states "I have a feeling of getting warm." D) The client gags and complains " I
am getting sick." - correct answerB) The client's entire body turns a bright red color A
client is diagnosed with a spontaneous pneumothorax necessitating the insertion of a
chest tube. What is the best explanation for the nurse to provide this client? A) "The
tube will drain fluid from your chest. "B) "The tube will remove excess air from your
Answers
In planning care for a 6 month-old infant, what must the nurse provide to assist in the
development of trust? A) Food B) Warmth C) Security D) Comfort - correct answerC)
Security A nurse has just received a medication order which is not legible. Which
statement best reflects assertive communication? A) "I cannot give this medication as it
is written. I have no idea of what you mean." B) "Would you please clarify what you
have written so I am sure I am reading it correctly?" C) "I am having difficulty reading
your handwriting. It would save me time if you would be more careful." D) "Please print
in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to read your writing." -
correct answerB) "Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am
reading it correctly?" What is the most important consideration when teaching parents
how to reduce risks in the home? A) Age and knowledge level of the parents B)
Proximity to emergency services C) Number of children in the home D) Age of children
in the home - correct answerD) Age of children in the home A 35 year-old client with
sickle cell crisis is talking on the telephone but stops as the nurse enters the room to
request something for pain. The nurse should A) Administer a placebo B) Encourage
increased fluid intake C) Administer the prescribed analgesia D) Recommend relaxation
exercises for pain control - correct answerC) Administer the prescribed analgesia While
caring for a toddler with croup, which initial sign of croup requires the nurse's immediate
attention? A) Respiratory rate of 42 B) Lethargy for the past hour C) Apical pulse of 54
D) Coughing up copious secretions - correct answerA) Respiratory rate of 42 A client is
admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. On initial assessment,
the nurse would anticipate which of the following assessment findings? A) Lethargy B)
Heat intolerance C) Diarrhea D) Skin eruptions - correct answerA) Lethargy The
emergency room nurse admits a child who experienced a seizure at school. The father
comments that this is the first occurrence, and denies any family history of epilepsy.
What is the best response by the nurse? A) "Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with
medications." B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy." C) "Since
this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again." D) "Long term treatment will
prevent future seizures." - correct answerB) "The seizure may or may not mean your
child has epilepsy." Alcohol and drug abuse impairs judgment and increases risk taking
behavior. What nursing diagnosis best applies? A) Risk for injury B) Risk for knowledge
deficit C) Altered thought process D) Disturbance in self-esteem - correct answerA) Risk
for injury Which these findings would the nurse more closely associate with anemia in a
10 month-old infant? A) Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dI B) Pale mucosa of the eyelids and
lips C) Hypoactivity D) A heart rate between 140 to 160 - correct answerB) Pale mucosa
,of the eyelids and lips The nurse is caring for a client in hypertensive crisis in an
intensive care unit. The priority assessment in the first hour of care is A) Heart rate B)
Pedal pulses C) Lung sounds D) Pupil responses - correct answerD) Pupil responses
Which of these clients who are all in the terminal stage of cancer is least appropriate to
suggest the use of patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with a pump? A) A young adult
with a history of Down's syndrome B) A teenager who reads at a 4th grade level C) An
elderly client with numerous arthritic nodules on the hands D) A preschooler with
intermittent episodes of alertness - correct answerD) A preschooler with intermittent
episodes of alertness The nurse is about to assess a 6 month-old child with nonorganic
failure-to thrive (NOFTT). Upon entering the room, the nurse would expect the baby to
be A) Irritable and "colicky" with no attempts to pull to standing B) Alert, laughing and
playing with a rattle, sitting with support C) Skin color dusky with poor skin turgor over
abdomen D) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings - correct answerD)
Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings As the nurse is speaking with a
group of teens which of these side effects of chemotherapy for cancer would the nurse
expect this group to be more interested in during the discussion? A) Mouth sores B)
Fatigue C) Diarrhea D) Hair loss - correct answerD) Hair loss While caring for a client
who was admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) 2 days ago, the nurse notes today's
temperature is 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38.5 degreesCelsius). The appropriate
nursing intervention is to A) Call the health care provider immediately B) Administer
acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time C) Send blood, urine and
sputum for culture D) Increase the client's fluid intake - correct answerB) Administer
acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time A client is admitted for first and
second degree burns on the face, neck, anterior chest and hands. The nurse's priority
should be A) Cover the areas with dry sterile dressings B) Assess for dyspnea or stridor
C) Initiate intravenous therapy D) Administer pain medication - correct answerB) Assess
for dyspnea or stridor Which of these clients who call the community health clinic would
the nurse ask to come in that day to be seen by the health care provider? A) I started
my period and now my urine has turned bright red. B) I am an diabetic and today I have
been going to the bathroom every hour. C) I was started on medicine yesterday for a
urine infection. Now my lower belly hurts when I go to the bathroom. D) I went to the
bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went. - correct
answerD) I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I
went. Which of these parents' comment for a newborn would most likely reveal an initial
finding of a suspected pyloric stenosis? A) I noticed a little lump a little above the belly
button. B) The baby seems hungry all the time. C) Mild vomiting that progressed to
vomiting shooting across the room. D) Irritation and spitting up immediately after
feedings. - correct answerC) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across
the room. The nurse is assessing a child for clinical manifestations of iron deficiency
anemia. Which factor would the nurse recognize as cause for the findings? A)
Decreased cardiac output B) Tissue hypoxia C) Cerebral edema D) Reduced oxygen
, saturation - correct answerB) Tissue hypoxia The nurse would expect the cystic fibrosis
client to receive supplemental pancreatic enzymes along with a diet A) High in
carbohydrates and proteins B) Low in carbohydrates and proteins C) High in
carbohydrates, low in proteins D) Low in carbohydrates, high in proteins - correct
answerA) High in carbohydrates and proteins In evaluating the growth of a 12 month-old
child, which of these findings would the nurse expect to be present in the infant? A)
Increased 10% in height B) 2 deciduous teeth C) Tripled the birth weight D) Head >
chest circumference - correct answerC) Tripled the birth weight A Hispanic client in the
postpartum period refuses the hospital food because it is "cold." The best initial action
by the nurse is to A) 1Have the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reheat the food if
the client wishes B) Ask the client what foods are acceptable or bad C) Encourage her
to eat for healing and strength D) Schedule the dietitian to meet with the client as soon
as possible - correct answerB) Ask the client what foods are acceptable or bad The
father of an 8 month-old infant asks the nurse if his infant's vocalizations are normal for
his age. Which of the following would the nurse expect at this age? A) Cooing B)
Imitation of sounds C) Throaty sounds D) Laughter - correct answerB) Imitation of
sounds The nurse should recognize that physical dependence is accompanied by what
findings when alcohol consumption is first reduced or ended? A) Seizures B)
Withdrawal C) Craving D) Marked tolerance - correct answerB) Withdrawal Immediately
following an acute battering incident in a violent relationship, the batterer may respond
to the partner's injuries by A) Seeking medical help for the victim's injuries B) Minimizing
the episode and underestimating the victim's injuries C) Contacting a close friend and
asking for help D) Being very remorseful and assisting the victim with medical care -
correct answerB) Minimizing the episode and underestimating the victim's injuries A
client with pneumococcal pneumonia had been started on antibiotics 16 hours
ago.During the nurse's initial evening rounds the nurse notices a foul smell in the room.
The client makes all of these statements during their conversation. Which statement
would alert the nurse to a complication? A) "I have a sharp pain in my chest when I take
a breath. "B) "I have been coughing up foul-tasting, brown, thick sputum. " C) "I have
been sweating all day. "D) "I feel hot off and on." - correct answer"B) "I have been
coughing up foul-tasting, brown, thick sputum. The nurse is performing an assessment
on a client in congestive heart failure. Auscultation of the heart is most likely to reveal A)
S3 ventricular gallop B) Apical click C) Systolic murmur D) Split S2 - correct answerA)
S3 ventricular gallop Which of these observations made by the nurse during an
excretory urogram indicate a complicaton? A) The client complains of a salty taste in the
mouth when the dye is injected B) The client's entire body turns a bright red color C)
The client states "I have a feeling of getting warm." D) The client gags and complains " I
am getting sick." - correct answerB) The client's entire body turns a bright red color A
client is diagnosed with a spontaneous pneumothorax necessitating the insertion of a
chest tube. What is the best explanation for the nurse to provide this client? A) "The
tube will drain fluid from your chest. "B) "The tube will remove excess air from your
