HESI RN Practice Test
Questions With Verified Expert
Solutions
1. An adult client who is hospitalized after surgery reports sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea. The
client appears anxious, restless, and mildly cyanotic. The nurse should further assess the client for
which condition?
a. Pulmonary embolism.
b. Heart failure.
c. Tuberculosis.
d. Bronchitis.
2. Which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial assessment of a client who
presents to the emergency department with a painful ankle injury? (Select all that apply.)
a. Quality of the pain.
b. Signs of inflammation.
c. Ankle range of motion.
d. Muscle strength testing.
e. Visible deformities of the joint.
3. Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
a. Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints.
b. Joint pain is better in the morning and worsens throughout the day.
c. Joint pain is consistent throughout the day and is relieved by pain medication.
d. Joint pain is worse during the day and involves unilateral joints.
4. Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a client with long-term
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
a. Hoarseness.
b. Dry mouth.
c. Mouth ulcers.
d. Weight loss.
5. 5.A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which assessment finding should the nurse
anticipate?
a. Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis.
b. Clubbing of fingers and toes.
c. Intermittent claudication.
d. Peripheral cyanosis.
6. 6.A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being treated with traction. Which
action by the nurse is the priority when caring for this client?
a. Assess neurovascular status.
b. Change the client's position.
, c. Inspect the traction equipment.
d. Review pain medication orders.
The use of traction for long bone fractures reduces the potential for
damage to the surrounding tissues. Reports of increased pain may
indicate circulatory compromise or tissue damage (compartment
syndrome). Assessing the client's neurovascular status is the
nurse's highest priority.
7. 7.Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates that further education is
needed?
a. I will cut back on smoking cigarettes daily.
b. I will avoid drinking caffeinated beverages.
c. I will rest frequently and avoid vigorous exercise.
d. I will eat a bland, low-fat, high-protein diet.
8. 8.The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing the risk
for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
a. Remove the diaphragm immediately after intercourse.
b. Wash the diaphragm with an alcohol solution.
c. Use the diaphragm to prevent conception during the menstrual cycle.
d. Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse.
e. Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months.
9. 9.A male client who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day states he understands that smoking
cigarettes is contributing to the difficulty that he and his wife are having in getting pregnant and
wants to know if other factors could be contributing to their difficulty. What information is best for
the nurse to provide? (Select all that apply.)
a. Marijuana cigarettes do not affect sperm count.
b. Alcohol consumption can cause erectile dysfunction.
c. Low testosterone levels affect sperm production.
d. Cessation of smoking improves general health and fertility.
e. Obesity has no effect on sperm production.
10. 10.Twenty four hours after a client returns from surgical gastric bypass, the registered nurse (RN)
observes large amounts of blood in the nasogastric tube (NGT) cannister. Which assessment finding
should the RN report as early signs of hypovolemic shock?
a. Faint pedal pulses.
b. Decrease in blood pressure.
c. Lethargy.
d. Slow breathing.
11. 11.The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a male client who arrives at the clinic with severe
abdominal cramping, pain, tenesmus, and dehydration. The RN discovers that the client has had 14 to
20 loose stools with rectal bleeding. When taking the client's medical history, which information is
most for the nurse to obtain?
a. Irritable bowel syndrome.
b. Diverticulitis.
c. Crohn's disease.
d. Ulcerative colitis.
The RN should ask the client if he has a history of ulcerative
, colitis, which is characterized by severe abdominal cramping,
pain, tenesmus, and dehydration .
12. 12.A client is newly diagnosed with diverticulosis. The registered nurse (RN) is assessing the client's
basic knowledge about the disease process. Which statement by the client conveys an understanding
of the etiology of diverticula?
a. Over use of laxatives for bowel regularity result in loss of peristaltic tone.
b. Inflammation of the colon mucosa cause growths that protrude into the colon
lumen.
c. Diverticulosis is the result of high fiber diet and sedentary life style.
d. Chronic constipation causes weakening of colon wall which result in out-
pouching sacs.
13. 13.The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client who was discharged home after management of
chronic hypertension. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home?
a. Exercise bicycle.
b. Sphygmomanometer.
c. Blood glucose monitor.
d. Weekly medication box.
14. 14.A young adult male is diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma in the abdominopelvic region
and is scheduled for radiation therapy (RT). The client expresses concern about becoming infertile.
How should the nurse respond?
a. Propose sperm banking before RT then artificial insemination is an option.
b. Suggest adoption when the client is in remission or ready for parenting.
c. Tell the client that infertility is a non-reversible side effect of radiotherapy.
d. Explain that sperm production will be suppressed after radiotherapy is over.
15. 15.A client’s susceptibility to ulcerative colitis is most likely due to which aspect in the client’s
history?
a. Jewish European ancestry.
b. H. pylori bowel infection.
c. Family history of irritable bowel syndrome.
d. Age between 25 and 55 years.
16. Small bowel obstruction is a condition characterized by which finding?
a. Severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
b. Metabolic acidosis.
c. Ribbon-like stools.
d. Intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
17. 17.Which client should the nurse recognize as most likely to experience sleep apnea?
a. Middle-aged female who takes a diuretic nightly.
b. Obese older male client with a short, thick neck.
c. Adolescent female with a history of tonsillectomy.
d. School-aged male with a history of hyperactivity disorder.
18. Which milestone indicates to the nurse successful achievement of young adulthood?
a. Demonstrates a conceptualization of death and dying.
b. Completes education and becomes self-supporting.
c. Creates a new definition of self and roles with others.
d. Develops a strong need for parental support and approval.
, 19. 19.A client who has heart failure is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9 mmol/L).
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
a. Give 20 mEq of potassium chloride.
Questions With Verified Expert
Solutions
1. An adult client who is hospitalized after surgery reports sudden onset of chest pain and dyspnea. The
client appears anxious, restless, and mildly cyanotic. The nurse should further assess the client for
which condition?
a. Pulmonary embolism.
b. Heart failure.
c. Tuberculosis.
d. Bronchitis.
2. Which information should the nurse obtain when performing an initial assessment of a client who
presents to the emergency department with a painful ankle injury? (Select all that apply.)
a. Quality of the pain.
b. Signs of inflammation.
c. Ankle range of motion.
d. Muscle strength testing.
e. Visible deformities of the joint.
3. Which description of pain is consistent with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?
a. Joint pain is worse in the morning and involves symmetric joints.
b. Joint pain is better in the morning and worsens throughout the day.
c. Joint pain is consistent throughout the day and is relieved by pain medication.
d. Joint pain is worse during the day and involves unilateral joints.
4. Which physical assessment finding should the nurse anticipate in a client with long-term
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
a. Hoarseness.
b. Dry mouth.
c. Mouth ulcers.
d. Weight loss.
5. 5.A client presents with chronic venous insufficiency. Which assessment finding should the nurse
anticipate?
a. Bilateral lower leg stasis dermatitis.
b. Clubbing of fingers and toes.
c. Intermittent claudication.
d. Peripheral cyanosis.
6. 6.A client has been hospitalized with a femur fracture and is being treated with traction. Which
action by the nurse is the priority when caring for this client?
a. Assess neurovascular status.
b. Change the client's position.
, c. Inspect the traction equipment.
d. Review pain medication orders.
The use of traction for long bone fractures reduces the potential for
damage to the surrounding tissues. Reports of increased pain may
indicate circulatory compromise or tissue damage (compartment
syndrome). Assessing the client's neurovascular status is the
nurse's highest priority.
7. 7.Which statement made by a client with chronic pancreatitis indicates that further education is
needed?
a. I will cut back on smoking cigarettes daily.
b. I will avoid drinking caffeinated beverages.
c. I will rest frequently and avoid vigorous exercise.
d. I will eat a bland, low-fat, high-protein diet.
8. 8.The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing the risk
for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
a. Remove the diaphragm immediately after intercourse.
b. Wash the diaphragm with an alcohol solution.
c. Use the diaphragm to prevent conception during the menstrual cycle.
d. Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse.
e. Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months.
9. 9.A male client who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day states he understands that smoking
cigarettes is contributing to the difficulty that he and his wife are having in getting pregnant and
wants to know if other factors could be contributing to their difficulty. What information is best for
the nurse to provide? (Select all that apply.)
a. Marijuana cigarettes do not affect sperm count.
b. Alcohol consumption can cause erectile dysfunction.
c. Low testosterone levels affect sperm production.
d. Cessation of smoking improves general health and fertility.
e. Obesity has no effect on sperm production.
10. 10.Twenty four hours after a client returns from surgical gastric bypass, the registered nurse (RN)
observes large amounts of blood in the nasogastric tube (NGT) cannister. Which assessment finding
should the RN report as early signs of hypovolemic shock?
a. Faint pedal pulses.
b. Decrease in blood pressure.
c. Lethargy.
d. Slow breathing.
11. 11.The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a male client who arrives at the clinic with severe
abdominal cramping, pain, tenesmus, and dehydration. The RN discovers that the client has had 14 to
20 loose stools with rectal bleeding. When taking the client's medical history, which information is
most for the nurse to obtain?
a. Irritable bowel syndrome.
b. Diverticulitis.
c. Crohn's disease.
d. Ulcerative colitis.
The RN should ask the client if he has a history of ulcerative
, colitis, which is characterized by severe abdominal cramping,
pain, tenesmus, and dehydration .
12. 12.A client is newly diagnosed with diverticulosis. The registered nurse (RN) is assessing the client's
basic knowledge about the disease process. Which statement by the client conveys an understanding
of the etiology of diverticula?
a. Over use of laxatives for bowel regularity result in loss of peristaltic tone.
b. Inflammation of the colon mucosa cause growths that protrude into the colon
lumen.
c. Diverticulosis is the result of high fiber diet and sedentary life style.
d. Chronic constipation causes weakening of colon wall which result in out-
pouching sacs.
13. 13.The registered nurse (RN) is assessing a client who was discharged home after management of
chronic hypertension. Which equipment should the RN instruct the client to use at home?
a. Exercise bicycle.
b. Sphygmomanometer.
c. Blood glucose monitor.
d. Weekly medication box.
14. 14.A young adult male is diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma in the abdominopelvic region
and is scheduled for radiation therapy (RT). The client expresses concern about becoming infertile.
How should the nurse respond?
a. Propose sperm banking before RT then artificial insemination is an option.
b. Suggest adoption when the client is in remission or ready for parenting.
c. Tell the client that infertility is a non-reversible side effect of radiotherapy.
d. Explain that sperm production will be suppressed after radiotherapy is over.
15. 15.A client’s susceptibility to ulcerative colitis is most likely due to which aspect in the client’s
history?
a. Jewish European ancestry.
b. H. pylori bowel infection.
c. Family history of irritable bowel syndrome.
d. Age between 25 and 55 years.
16. Small bowel obstruction is a condition characterized by which finding?
a. Severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
b. Metabolic acidosis.
c. Ribbon-like stools.
d. Intermittent lower abdominal cramping.
17. 17.Which client should the nurse recognize as most likely to experience sleep apnea?
a. Middle-aged female who takes a diuretic nightly.
b. Obese older male client with a short, thick neck.
c. Adolescent female with a history of tonsillectomy.
d. School-aged male with a history of hyperactivity disorder.
18. Which milestone indicates to the nurse successful achievement of young adulthood?
a. Demonstrates a conceptualization of death and dying.
b. Completes education and becomes self-supporting.
c. Creates a new definition of self and roles with others.
d. Develops a strong need for parental support and approval.
, 19. 19.A client who has heart failure is admitted with a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L (2.9 mmol/L).
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?
a. Give 20 mEq of potassium chloride.
