HESI RN CRITICAL CARE NURSING FINAL TEST EXAM
NEWEST 2025/2026 WITH ALL 150 REAL STUDY QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
100% GUARANTEED PASS | RATED A+
A client assigned to a female practical nurse (PN) needs total morning care and sterile wound
packing with a wet to dry dressing. The PN tells the nurse that she has never performed a wound
packing. Which intervention should the charge nurse implement?
A. Note the PN's learning need to perform a wound packing and contact nursing education to
schedule a time for instruction.
B. Demonstrate the wound care procedure to the PN while the PN assists.
C. Advise the PN to review the procedure in the procedure manual and then complete the wound
care.
D. Perform the wound care and have the PN provide the client's morning care. - Answer>>> B.
Demonstrate the wound care procedure to the PN while the PN assists.
RATIONALE:
It is within the PN's scope of practice to perform sterile wound care. The best learning of skills is
through demonstration and return demonstration, therefore (D) promotes safe practice while
allowing the PN the best opportunity to learn. (A) does not allow the PN to gain the experience
needed to perform her role. (B) does not provide the best learning opportunity for the PN, or
ensure safe practice. While (C) would provide a safe method for learning the wet-to-dry
procedure, it doesn't address the problem immediately and is a more costly way for the PN to
learn.
Two unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are arguing on the unit about who deserves to take
a break first. What is the most important basic guideline that the nurse should follow in resolving
,the conflict?
A. Require the UAPs to reach a compromise.
B. Weigh the consequences of each possible solution.
C. Encourage the two to view the humor of the conflict.
D. Deal with issues and not personalities - Answer>>> D. Deal with issues and not personalities.
RATIONALE:
Dealing with the issues which are concrete, not personalities (A) which include emotional
reactions, is one of seven important key behaviors in managing conflict. (B, C, and D) do not
resolve the conflict when diverse opinions are expressed emotionally.
The nurse is assessing a client who complains of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty
sleeping. The nurse determines the client has moist skin with fine hair, prominent eyes, lid
retraction, and a staring expression. These findings are consistent with which disorder?
A. Grave's disease.
B. Multiple sclerosis.
C. Addison's disease.
D. Cushing syndrome. - Answer>>> Grave's disease
RATIONALE:
This client is exhibiting symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism or Grave's disease (A),
which is an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. (B, C, and D) are not associated with
these symptoms.
The nurse is assessing a client and identifies the presence of petechiae. Which documentation
best describes this finding?
A. Purplish-red pinpoint lesions of the skin
,B. Generalized reddish discoloration of an area of skin.
C. Small circumscribed elevations containing purulent fluid.
D. Purple to bluish discoloration of the skin. - Answer>>> A. Purplish-red pinpoint lesions of the
skin
RATIONALE:
Petechiae are described as purplish to red, non-blanchable, pinpoint lesions (A) that are tiny
hemorrhages within the dermal or submucosal layers. (B) describes ecchymosis caused by
trauma to the underlying blood vessels. (C) describes pustules. (D) is nonspecific and
incomplete
Prenatal diagnostic testing is recommended for a couple expecting their first child who have a
family history of congenital disorders. The couple tells the nurse that they are opposed to
abortion for religious reasons. Which concept should the nurse consider when responding to this
couple?
A. There is limited value in diagnostic testing if termination of pregnancy is not an option.
B. Many states legally require prenatal testing as a means of protecting the fetus
C. Diagnostic testing may indicate a fetal problem that could be treated prior to delivery.
D. Counseling about advantages and disadvantages of termination should be helpful. -
Answer>>> C. Diagnostic testing may indicate a fetal problem that could be treated prior to
delivery
RATIONALE:
Although the couple is opposed to abortion, prenatal testing may reveal a fetal disorder that is
treatable in utero or immediately after birth with favorable results (C). (A) is not an due to the
couple's stated opposition. Prenatal testing has value beyond termination (B) because it provides
knowledge and time for the couple to prepare for various possibilities. Prenatal testing is
, voluntary (D).
A client with metastatic cancer is preparing to make decisions about end-of-life issues. When the
nurse explains a durable power of attorney for health care, which description is accurate?
A. It is a form that all people must sign before admission to the hospital so that individualized
treatment plans can be developed
B. It will identify someone that can make decisions for your health care if you are in a coma or
vegetative state.
C. It is not legally binding, but helps the healthcare provider know exactly what medical
treatments you want.
D. It allows you to document your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment if you can't speak
for yourself. - Answer>>> B. It will identify someone that can make decisions for your health
care if you are in a coma or vegetative state.
RATIONALE:
This is a legal document that allows individuals to identify someone to make decisions for health
care, identifies how aggressive treatment should be if the client should ever be in a coma or
persistent vegetative state, and lists any medical treatments they would never want performed
(B). (A) is the definition of the "Living Will"; some states and Canada do not consider Living
Wills legal documents. A durable power of attorney is a legal document (C), and it is not a
hospital form (D).
Which finding should the nurse identify as an early clinical manifestation of neonatal
encephalopathy related to hyperbilirubinemia?
A. Increased or unstable temperature.
B. Mental retardation.
C. Lethargy or irritability.
NEWEST 2025/2026 WITH ALL 150 REAL STUDY QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
100% GUARANTEED PASS | RATED A+
A client assigned to a female practical nurse (PN) needs total morning care and sterile wound
packing with a wet to dry dressing. The PN tells the nurse that she has never performed a wound
packing. Which intervention should the charge nurse implement?
A. Note the PN's learning need to perform a wound packing and contact nursing education to
schedule a time for instruction.
B. Demonstrate the wound care procedure to the PN while the PN assists.
C. Advise the PN to review the procedure in the procedure manual and then complete the wound
care.
D. Perform the wound care and have the PN provide the client's morning care. - Answer>>> B.
Demonstrate the wound care procedure to the PN while the PN assists.
RATIONALE:
It is within the PN's scope of practice to perform sterile wound care. The best learning of skills is
through demonstration and return demonstration, therefore (D) promotes safe practice while
allowing the PN the best opportunity to learn. (A) does not allow the PN to gain the experience
needed to perform her role. (B) does not provide the best learning opportunity for the PN, or
ensure safe practice. While (C) would provide a safe method for learning the wet-to-dry
procedure, it doesn't address the problem immediately and is a more costly way for the PN to
learn.
Two unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are arguing on the unit about who deserves to take
a break first. What is the most important basic guideline that the nurse should follow in resolving
,the conflict?
A. Require the UAPs to reach a compromise.
B. Weigh the consequences of each possible solution.
C. Encourage the two to view the humor of the conflict.
D. Deal with issues and not personalities - Answer>>> D. Deal with issues and not personalities.
RATIONALE:
Dealing with the issues which are concrete, not personalities (A) which include emotional
reactions, is one of seven important key behaviors in managing conflict. (B, C, and D) do not
resolve the conflict when diverse opinions are expressed emotionally.
The nurse is assessing a client who complains of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty
sleeping. The nurse determines the client has moist skin with fine hair, prominent eyes, lid
retraction, and a staring expression. These findings are consistent with which disorder?
A. Grave's disease.
B. Multiple sclerosis.
C. Addison's disease.
D. Cushing syndrome. - Answer>>> Grave's disease
RATIONALE:
This client is exhibiting symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism or Grave's disease (A),
which is an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. (B, C, and D) are not associated with
these symptoms.
The nurse is assessing a client and identifies the presence of petechiae. Which documentation
best describes this finding?
A. Purplish-red pinpoint lesions of the skin
,B. Generalized reddish discoloration of an area of skin.
C. Small circumscribed elevations containing purulent fluid.
D. Purple to bluish discoloration of the skin. - Answer>>> A. Purplish-red pinpoint lesions of the
skin
RATIONALE:
Petechiae are described as purplish to red, non-blanchable, pinpoint lesions (A) that are tiny
hemorrhages within the dermal or submucosal layers. (B) describes ecchymosis caused by
trauma to the underlying blood vessels. (C) describes pustules. (D) is nonspecific and
incomplete
Prenatal diagnostic testing is recommended for a couple expecting their first child who have a
family history of congenital disorders. The couple tells the nurse that they are opposed to
abortion for religious reasons. Which concept should the nurse consider when responding to this
couple?
A. There is limited value in diagnostic testing if termination of pregnancy is not an option.
B. Many states legally require prenatal testing as a means of protecting the fetus
C. Diagnostic testing may indicate a fetal problem that could be treated prior to delivery.
D. Counseling about advantages and disadvantages of termination should be helpful. -
Answer>>> C. Diagnostic testing may indicate a fetal problem that could be treated prior to
delivery
RATIONALE:
Although the couple is opposed to abortion, prenatal testing may reveal a fetal disorder that is
treatable in utero or immediately after birth with favorable results (C). (A) is not an due to the
couple's stated opposition. Prenatal testing has value beyond termination (B) because it provides
knowledge and time for the couple to prepare for various possibilities. Prenatal testing is
, voluntary (D).
A client with metastatic cancer is preparing to make decisions about end-of-life issues. When the
nurse explains a durable power of attorney for health care, which description is accurate?
A. It is a form that all people must sign before admission to the hospital so that individualized
treatment plans can be developed
B. It will identify someone that can make decisions for your health care if you are in a coma or
vegetative state.
C. It is not legally binding, but helps the healthcare provider know exactly what medical
treatments you want.
D. It allows you to document your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment if you can't speak
for yourself. - Answer>>> B. It will identify someone that can make decisions for your health
care if you are in a coma or vegetative state.
RATIONALE:
This is a legal document that allows individuals to identify someone to make decisions for health
care, identifies how aggressive treatment should be if the client should ever be in a coma or
persistent vegetative state, and lists any medical treatments they would never want performed
(B). (A) is the definition of the "Living Will"; some states and Canada do not consider Living
Wills legal documents. A durable power of attorney is a legal document (C), and it is not a
hospital form (D).
Which finding should the nurse identify as an early clinical manifestation of neonatal
encephalopathy related to hyperbilirubinemia?
A. Increased or unstable temperature.
B. Mental retardation.
C. Lethargy or irritability.
