HESI LEVEL 1 PRACTICE EXAM
A crying toddler has a blood pressure measurement of 120/70 mm Hg. What action
should the nurse implement?
A. Notify the healthcare provider of the measurement.
B. Quiet the child and retake the blood pressure.
C. Ask the parent if the child has a history of hypertension.
D. Document the finding and recheck in 4 hours. - Correct Answer-B
The mother of a neonate asks the nurse why it is so important to keep the infant warm.
What information should the nurse provide?
A. The kidneys and renal function are not fully developed.
B. Warmth promotes sleep so the infant will grow quickly.
C. A large body surface area favors heat loss to the environment.
D. The thick layer of subcutaneous fat is inadequate for insulation. - Correct Answer-C
What action by the nurse demonstrates culturally sensitive care?
A. Asks permission before touching a client.
B. Avoids questions about male-female relationships.
C. Explains the differences between Western medical care and cultural folk remedies.
D. Applies knowledge of a cultural group unless a client embraces Western customs. -
Correct Answer-A
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving 24-hour total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
via a central line at 54 ml/hr. When initially assessing the client, the nurse notes that the
TPN solution has run out and the next TPN solution is not available. What immediate
action should the nurse take?
A. Infuse normal saline at a keep vein open rate.
B. Discontinue the IV and flush the port with heparin.
C. Infuse 10% dextrose and water at 54 ml/hour.
D. Obtain a stat blood glucose level and notify the healthcare provider. - Correct
Answer-C
A client has a nursing diagnosis of, "Spiritual distress related to a loss of hope,
secondary to impending death." What intervention is best for the nurse to implement
when caring for this client?
A. Help the client to accept the final stage of life.
B. Assist and support the client in establishing short-term goals.
C. Encourage the client to make future plans, even if they are unrealistic.
D. Instruct the client's family to focus on positive aspects of the client's life. - Correct
Answer-B
,A client who is 5 foot 5 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for surgery the
next day. Which question is most important for the nurse to include during the
preoperative assessment?
A. "What is your daily calorie consumption?"
B. "What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?"
C. "Do you feel that you are overweight?"
D. "Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery?" - Correct Answer-B
The nurse working in the emergency department is assessing four clients' ability to
tolerate pain. Which client is likely to tolerate a higher level of pain?
A. A 10-year-old who was burned by a camp fire earlier today.
B. A 70-year-old who has a postoperative infection from a surgery one week ago.
C. A 23-year-old woman who sprained her knee while bicycling.
D. A 55-year-old woman who has had moderate low back pain for three months. -
Correct Answer-D
An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) places a client in a left lateral position prior to
administering a soap suds enema. Which instruction should the nurse provide the UAP?
A. Position the client on the right side of the bed in reverse Trendelenburg.
B. Fill the enema container with 1000 mL of warm water and 5 mL of castile soap.
C. Reposition in a Sims' position with the client's weight on the anterior ilium.
D. Raise the side rails on both sides of the bed and elevate the bed to waist level. -
Correct Answer-C
A child with a penetrating eye injury comes to the school clinic. What action should the
nurse implement?
A. Remove the object impaled in the eye and then apply a regular eye patch.
B. Place an ice bag over the eye until the healthcare provider is seen.
C. Irrigate the affected eye copiously with a cool sterile saline solution.
D. Apply a Fox shield to the affected eye and any type of patch to the other eye. -
Correct Answer-D
When making the bed of a client who needs a bed cradle, which action should the nurse
include?
A. Teach the client to call for help before getting out of bed.
B. Keep both the upper and lower side rails in a raised position.
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position while changing the sheets.
D. Drape the top sheet and covers loosely over the bed cradle. - Correct Answer-D
A male client with venous incompetence stands up and his blood pressure subsequently
drops. Which finding should the nurse identify as a compensatory response?
A. Bradycardia.
B. Increase in pulse rate.
C. Peripheral vasodilation.
D. Increase in cardiac output. - Correct Answer-B
, When assessing a preschooler, which finding warrants further assessment by the
nurse?
A. Able to ride a tricycle.
B. Talks about an imaginary friend.
C. Dresses independently.
D. Gains 2 pounds (0.9kg) in 12 months. - Correct Answer-D
The nurse completes visual inspection of a client's abdomen. What technique should
the nurse perform next in the abdominal examination?
A. Percussion.
B. Auscultation.
C. Deep palpation.
D. Light palpation. - Correct Answer-B
The nurse is assessing a postmenopausal woman who is complaining of urinary
urgency and frequency and stress incontinence. She also reports difficulty in emptying
her bladder. These complaints are most likely due to which condition?
A. Cystocele.
B. Bladder infection.
C. Pyelonephritis.
D. Irritable bladder. - Correct Answer-A
What action should the nurse implement when adding sterile liquids to a sterile field?
A. Use an outdated sterile liquid if the bottle is sealed and has not been opened.
B. Consider the sterile field contaminated if it becomes wet during the procedure.
C. Remove the container cap and lay it with the inside facing down on the sterile field.
D. Hold the container high and pour the solution into a receptacle at the back of the
sterile field. - Correct Answer-B
What is the best action for the nurse to take when initiating contact with a toddler for the
first time?
A. Ask the toddler to point to where it hurts.
B. Tell the child your name and that you are the nurse.
C. Call the child by name while picking up the toddler.
D. Kneel in front of the toddler and speak softly to the child. - Correct Answer-D
A single mother of two teenagers, ages 16 and 18, was just told that she has advanced
cancer. She is devastated by the news, and expresses her concern about who will care
for her children. Which statement by the nurse is likely to be most helpful at this time?
A. "Your children are old enough to help you make decisions about their futures."
B. "The social worker can tell you about placement alternatives for your children."
C. "Tell me what you would like to see happen with your children in the future."
D. "You have just received bad news, and you need some time to adjust to it." - Correct
Answer-C
A crying toddler has a blood pressure measurement of 120/70 mm Hg. What action
should the nurse implement?
A. Notify the healthcare provider of the measurement.
B. Quiet the child and retake the blood pressure.
C. Ask the parent if the child has a history of hypertension.
D. Document the finding and recheck in 4 hours. - Correct Answer-B
The mother of a neonate asks the nurse why it is so important to keep the infant warm.
What information should the nurse provide?
A. The kidneys and renal function are not fully developed.
B. Warmth promotes sleep so the infant will grow quickly.
C. A large body surface area favors heat loss to the environment.
D. The thick layer of subcutaneous fat is inadequate for insulation. - Correct Answer-C
What action by the nurse demonstrates culturally sensitive care?
A. Asks permission before touching a client.
B. Avoids questions about male-female relationships.
C. Explains the differences between Western medical care and cultural folk remedies.
D. Applies knowledge of a cultural group unless a client embraces Western customs. -
Correct Answer-A
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving 24-hour total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
via a central line at 54 ml/hr. When initially assessing the client, the nurse notes that the
TPN solution has run out and the next TPN solution is not available. What immediate
action should the nurse take?
A. Infuse normal saline at a keep vein open rate.
B. Discontinue the IV and flush the port with heparin.
C. Infuse 10% dextrose and water at 54 ml/hour.
D. Obtain a stat blood glucose level and notify the healthcare provider. - Correct
Answer-C
A client has a nursing diagnosis of, "Spiritual distress related to a loss of hope,
secondary to impending death." What intervention is best for the nurse to implement
when caring for this client?
A. Help the client to accept the final stage of life.
B. Assist and support the client in establishing short-term goals.
C. Encourage the client to make future plans, even if they are unrealistic.
D. Instruct the client's family to focus on positive aspects of the client's life. - Correct
Answer-B
,A client who is 5 foot 5 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for surgery the
next day. Which question is most important for the nurse to include during the
preoperative assessment?
A. "What is your daily calorie consumption?"
B. "What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?"
C. "Do you feel that you are overweight?"
D. "Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery?" - Correct Answer-B
The nurse working in the emergency department is assessing four clients' ability to
tolerate pain. Which client is likely to tolerate a higher level of pain?
A. A 10-year-old who was burned by a camp fire earlier today.
B. A 70-year-old who has a postoperative infection from a surgery one week ago.
C. A 23-year-old woman who sprained her knee while bicycling.
D. A 55-year-old woman who has had moderate low back pain for three months. -
Correct Answer-D
An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) places a client in a left lateral position prior to
administering a soap suds enema. Which instruction should the nurse provide the UAP?
A. Position the client on the right side of the bed in reverse Trendelenburg.
B. Fill the enema container with 1000 mL of warm water and 5 mL of castile soap.
C. Reposition in a Sims' position with the client's weight on the anterior ilium.
D. Raise the side rails on both sides of the bed and elevate the bed to waist level. -
Correct Answer-C
A child with a penetrating eye injury comes to the school clinic. What action should the
nurse implement?
A. Remove the object impaled in the eye and then apply a regular eye patch.
B. Place an ice bag over the eye until the healthcare provider is seen.
C. Irrigate the affected eye copiously with a cool sterile saline solution.
D. Apply a Fox shield to the affected eye and any type of patch to the other eye. -
Correct Answer-D
When making the bed of a client who needs a bed cradle, which action should the nurse
include?
A. Teach the client to call for help before getting out of bed.
B. Keep both the upper and lower side rails in a raised position.
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position while changing the sheets.
D. Drape the top sheet and covers loosely over the bed cradle. - Correct Answer-D
A male client with venous incompetence stands up and his blood pressure subsequently
drops. Which finding should the nurse identify as a compensatory response?
A. Bradycardia.
B. Increase in pulse rate.
C. Peripheral vasodilation.
D. Increase in cardiac output. - Correct Answer-B
, When assessing a preschooler, which finding warrants further assessment by the
nurse?
A. Able to ride a tricycle.
B. Talks about an imaginary friend.
C. Dresses independently.
D. Gains 2 pounds (0.9kg) in 12 months. - Correct Answer-D
The nurse completes visual inspection of a client's abdomen. What technique should
the nurse perform next in the abdominal examination?
A. Percussion.
B. Auscultation.
C. Deep palpation.
D. Light palpation. - Correct Answer-B
The nurse is assessing a postmenopausal woman who is complaining of urinary
urgency and frequency and stress incontinence. She also reports difficulty in emptying
her bladder. These complaints are most likely due to which condition?
A. Cystocele.
B. Bladder infection.
C. Pyelonephritis.
D. Irritable bladder. - Correct Answer-A
What action should the nurse implement when adding sterile liquids to a sterile field?
A. Use an outdated sterile liquid if the bottle is sealed and has not been opened.
B. Consider the sterile field contaminated if it becomes wet during the procedure.
C. Remove the container cap and lay it with the inside facing down on the sterile field.
D. Hold the container high and pour the solution into a receptacle at the back of the
sterile field. - Correct Answer-B
What is the best action for the nurse to take when initiating contact with a toddler for the
first time?
A. Ask the toddler to point to where it hurts.
B. Tell the child your name and that you are the nurse.
C. Call the child by name while picking up the toddler.
D. Kneel in front of the toddler and speak softly to the child. - Correct Answer-D
A single mother of two teenagers, ages 16 and 18, was just told that she has advanced
cancer. She is devastated by the news, and expresses her concern about who will care
for her children. Which statement by the nurse is likely to be most helpful at this time?
A. "Your children are old enough to help you make decisions about their futures."
B. "The social worker can tell you about placement alternatives for your children."
C. "Tell me what you would like to see happen with your children in the future."
D. "You have just received bad news, and you need some time to adjust to it." - Correct
Answer-C
