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Adult Health 2 HESI Exit Exam
2025/2026 Full Test Bank with 500
Verified Questions and Expert-Rated
Answers
Complex Conditions (20 Questions)
Question 1
A client with heart failure presents with jugular vein distention and peripheral edema. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer a loop diuretic
B) Assess respiratory status
C) Elevate the legs
D) Restrict fluid intake
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Diuretics are important but require a prescription and assessment first.
• B: Correct. Respiratory status is the priority in heart failure due to the risk of pulmonary
edema.
• C: Incorrect. Leg elevation helps edema but is not the priority over airway and breathing.
• D: Incorrect. Fluid restriction is secondary to assessing respiratory compromise.
Question 2
A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has a blood glucose of 600 mg/dL. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A) Kussmaul respirations
B) Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
C) pH of 7.28
D) Dry mucous membranes
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Kussmaul respirations are expected in DKA and less urgent than
hypokalemia.
• B: Correct. Hypokalemia (2.8 mEq/L) risks cardiac arrhythmias and requires immediate
correction.
• C: Incorrect. Acidosis (pH 7.28) is expected in DKA and managed with fluids/insulin.
• D: Incorrect. Dehydration is addressed with fluid therapy but is not the priority.
, 2
Question 3
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation reports increased
dyspnea. What is the nurse’s first action?
A) Administer a rescue inhaler
B) Check oxygen saturation
C) Place in a supine position
D) Encourage deep breathing
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Inhalers require a prescription and assessment first.
• B: Correct. Checking oxygen saturation assesses the severity of hypoxia, guiding
interventions.
• C: Incorrect. Supine position worsens dyspnea in COPD.
• D: Incorrect. Deep breathing is helpful but secondary to assessing oxygenation.
Question 4
A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. Which complication should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Hypoglycemia is not directly related to ascites.
• B: Correct. Ascites increases the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a life-
threatening infection.
• C: Incorrect. Cirrhosis is more likely to cause hypokalemia.
• D: Incorrect. Respiratory alkalosis is unrelated to ascites.
Question 5
A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe epigastric pain. Which position should the nurse
encourage?
A) Supine with legs extended
B) Fetal position
C) Prone position
D) High Fowler’s position
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Supine position may worsen pain.
• B: Correct. Fetal position reduces pressure on the pancreas, relieving pain.
• C: Incorrect. Prone position is uncomfortable and not therapeutic.
• D: Incorrect. High Fowler’s is used for respiratory issues, not pancreatitis.
Question 6
A client with a pulmonary embolism reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
, 3
A) Administer pain medication
B) Administer oxygen
C) Prepare for a CT scan
D) Start an IV line
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Pain relief is secondary to oxygenation.
• B: Correct. Oxygen addresses hypoxia, a life-threatening issue in pulmonary embolism.
• C: Incorrect. Diagnostics are important but not the priority.
• D: Incorrect. IV access is secondary to oxygen administration.
Question 7
A client with myasthenia gravis experiences muscle weakness. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate?
A) Prednisone
B) Pyridostigmine
C) Methotrexate
D) Cyclosporine
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Prednisone is used for inflammation, not primary myasthenia treatment.
• B: Correct. Pyridostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that improves muscle strength.
• C: Incorrect. Methotrexate is used for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
• D: Incorrect. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant, not first-line for myasthenia.
Question 8
A client with Addison’s disease presents with hypotension and weakness. What should the nurse
monitor?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hyponatremia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypocalcemia
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Addison’s causes hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia.
• B: Correct. Addison’s disease leads to hyponatremia due to aldosterone deficiency.
• C: Incorrect. Hyperkalemia is a concern, but hyponatremia is more urgent in this context.
• D: Incorrect. Hypocalcemia is not typical in Addison’s.
Question 9
A client with rheumatoid arthritis reports joint stiffness. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A) Administering antibiotics
B) Encouraging range-of-motion exercises
C) Applying cold packs
, 4
D) Restricting movement
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Antibiotics are not used for rheumatoid arthritis.
• B: Correct. Range-of-motion exercises reduce stiffness and maintain function.
• C: Incorrect. Cold packs are less effective than heat for chronic stiffness.
• D: Incorrect. Restricting movement worsens stiffness.
Question 10
A client with septic shock is admitted. Which finding indicates worsening condition?
A) Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
B) Lactate level of 5 mmol/L
C) Heart rate of 80 bpm
D) Temperature of 99°F
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Normal BP does not indicate worsening.
• B: Correct. Elevated lactate indicates tissue hypoperfusion in septic shock.
• C: Incorrect. A normal heart rate is not concerning.
• D: Incorrect. A low-grade fever is less urgent than lactate elevation.
Question 11
A client with multiple sclerosis reports fatigue. Which intervention should the nurse
recommend?
A) High-intensity exercise
B) Energy conservation techniques
C) Increased caffeine intake
D) Bed rest for 24 hours
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. High-intensity exercise may exacerbate fatigue.
• B: Correct. Energy conservation techniques help manage fatigue in MS.
• C: Incorrect. Caffeine may disrupt sleep, worsening fatigue.
• D: Incorrect. Prolonged bed rest can lead to deconditioning.
Question 12
A client with a brain tumor reports a headache. Which finding requires immediate action?
A) Pain rated 4/10
B) Altered level of consciousness
C) Sensitivity to light
D) Nausea without vomiting
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Mild pain is not immediately life-threatening.
• B: Correct. Altered consciousness suggests increased intracranial pressure, a medical
emergency.
Adult Health 2 HESI Exit Exam
2025/2026 Full Test Bank with 500
Verified Questions and Expert-Rated
Answers
Complex Conditions (20 Questions)
Question 1
A client with heart failure presents with jugular vein distention and peripheral edema. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A) Administer a loop diuretic
B) Assess respiratory status
C) Elevate the legs
D) Restrict fluid intake
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Diuretics are important but require a prescription and assessment first.
• B: Correct. Respiratory status is the priority in heart failure due to the risk of pulmonary
edema.
• C: Incorrect. Leg elevation helps edema but is not the priority over airway and breathing.
• D: Incorrect. Fluid restriction is secondary to assessing respiratory compromise.
Question 2
A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has a blood glucose of 600 mg/dL. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A) Kussmaul respirations
B) Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
C) pH of 7.28
D) Dry mucous membranes
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Kussmaul respirations are expected in DKA and less urgent than
hypokalemia.
• B: Correct. Hypokalemia (2.8 mEq/L) risks cardiac arrhythmias and requires immediate
correction.
• C: Incorrect. Acidosis (pH 7.28) is expected in DKA and managed with fluids/insulin.
• D: Incorrect. Dehydration is addressed with fluid therapy but is not the priority.
, 2
Question 3
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation reports increased
dyspnea. What is the nurse’s first action?
A) Administer a rescue inhaler
B) Check oxygen saturation
C) Place in a supine position
D) Encourage deep breathing
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Inhalers require a prescription and assessment first.
• B: Correct. Checking oxygen saturation assesses the severity of hypoxia, guiding
interventions.
• C: Incorrect. Supine position worsens dyspnea in COPD.
• D: Incorrect. Deep breathing is helpful but secondary to assessing oxygenation.
Question 4
A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. Which complication should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Respiratory alkalosis
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Hypoglycemia is not directly related to ascites.
• B: Correct. Ascites increases the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, a life-
threatening infection.
• C: Incorrect. Cirrhosis is more likely to cause hypokalemia.
• D: Incorrect. Respiratory alkalosis is unrelated to ascites.
Question 5
A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe epigastric pain. Which position should the nurse
encourage?
A) Supine with legs extended
B) Fetal position
C) Prone position
D) High Fowler’s position
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Supine position may worsen pain.
• B: Correct. Fetal position reduces pressure on the pancreas, relieving pain.
• C: Incorrect. Prone position is uncomfortable and not therapeutic.
• D: Incorrect. High Fowler’s is used for respiratory issues, not pancreatitis.
Question 6
A client with a pulmonary embolism reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What is the nurse’s
priority intervention?
, 3
A) Administer pain medication
B) Administer oxygen
C) Prepare for a CT scan
D) Start an IV line
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Pain relief is secondary to oxygenation.
• B: Correct. Oxygen addresses hypoxia, a life-threatening issue in pulmonary embolism.
• C: Incorrect. Diagnostics are important but not the priority.
• D: Incorrect. IV access is secondary to oxygen administration.
Question 7
A client with myasthenia gravis experiences muscle weakness. Which medication should the
nurse anticipate?
A) Prednisone
B) Pyridostigmine
C) Methotrexate
D) Cyclosporine
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Prednisone is used for inflammation, not primary myasthenia treatment.
• B: Correct. Pyridostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that improves muscle strength.
• C: Incorrect. Methotrexate is used for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
• D: Incorrect. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant, not first-line for myasthenia.
Question 8
A client with Addison’s disease presents with hypotension and weakness. What should the nurse
monitor?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hyponatremia
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Hypocalcemia
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Addison’s causes hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia.
• B: Correct. Addison’s disease leads to hyponatremia due to aldosterone deficiency.
• C: Incorrect. Hyperkalemia is a concern, but hyponatremia is more urgent in this context.
• D: Incorrect. Hypocalcemia is not typical in Addison’s.
Question 9
A client with rheumatoid arthritis reports joint stiffness. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A) Administering antibiotics
B) Encouraging range-of-motion exercises
C) Applying cold packs
, 4
D) Restricting movement
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Antibiotics are not used for rheumatoid arthritis.
• B: Correct. Range-of-motion exercises reduce stiffness and maintain function.
• C: Incorrect. Cold packs are less effective than heat for chronic stiffness.
• D: Incorrect. Restricting movement worsens stiffness.
Question 10
A client with septic shock is admitted. Which finding indicates worsening condition?
A) Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
B) Lactate level of 5 mmol/L
C) Heart rate of 80 bpm
D) Temperature of 99°F
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Normal BP does not indicate worsening.
• B: Correct. Elevated lactate indicates tissue hypoperfusion in septic shock.
• C: Incorrect. A normal heart rate is not concerning.
• D: Incorrect. A low-grade fever is less urgent than lactate elevation.
Question 11
A client with multiple sclerosis reports fatigue. Which intervention should the nurse
recommend?
A) High-intensity exercise
B) Energy conservation techniques
C) Increased caffeine intake
D) Bed rest for 24 hours
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. High-intensity exercise may exacerbate fatigue.
• B: Correct. Energy conservation techniques help manage fatigue in MS.
• C: Incorrect. Caffeine may disrupt sleep, worsening fatigue.
• D: Incorrect. Prolonged bed rest can lead to deconditioning.
Question 12
A client with a brain tumor reports a headache. Which finding requires immediate action?
A) Pain rated 4/10
B) Altered level of consciousness
C) Sensitivity to light
D) Nausea without vomiting
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect. Mild pain is not immediately life-threatening.
• B: Correct. Altered consciousness suggests increased intracranial pressure, a medical
emergency.
