HESI FUNDAMENTALS PRACTICE EXAM
The nurse observes that a male client has removed the covering from an ice park applied to his knee.
What action should the nurse take first?
A. Observe the appearance of the skin under the ice pack.
B. Instruct the client regarding the need for the covering.
C. Reapply the covering after filling with fresh ice.
D. Ask the client how long the ice was applied to the skin. - (correct Answer) - Observe the appearance of
the skin under the ice pack (The first action taken by the nurse should be to assess the skin for any
possible thermal injury. If no injury to the skin has occurred, the nurse can take the other actions.)
The nurse mixes 50 mg of Nipride in 250 mL of D5W and plans to administer the solution at a rate of 5
mcg/kg/min to a client weighting 182 lbs. Using a drip factor of 60 gtt/mL, how many drops per minute
should the client receive? - (correct Answer) - 124 gtt/min
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 1000 ml of Ringer's Lactate w/ 30 units of Pitocin to
run in over 4 hours for a client who has just delivered a 10 pound infant by cesarean section. The tubing
has been changed to a 20 gtt/ml administration set. The nurse plans to set the flow rate at how many
gtt/min? - (correct Answer) - 83 gtt/min
Which assessment data provides the most accurate determination of proper placement of a nasogastric
tube? - (correct Answer) - Examining a chest x-ray obtained after the tubing was inserted
Three days following a surgery, a male client observes his colostomy for the first time. He becomes quite
upset and tells the nurse that it is much bigger than he expected. What is the best response by the
nurse?
A. Reassure the client that he will become accustomed to the stoma appearance in time.
B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become much smaller when the initial swelling diminishes.
C. Offer to contact a member of the local ostomy support group to help him with his concerns.
D. Encourage the client to handle the stoma equipment to gain confidence with the procedure. - (correct
Answer) - B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become smaller when the initial swelling diminishes
(Postoperative swelling causes enlargement of the stoma. The nurse can teach the client that the stoma
will become smaller when swelling is diminished (B). This will help reduce the client's anxiety and
promote acceptance of the colostomy. (A) does not provide helpful teaching or support. (C) is a useful
action, and may be taken after the nurse provides pertinent teaching. The client is not yet demonstrating
readiness to learn colostomy care. (D)
A female client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states that she is nauseated. The nurse
assesses that there has been no drainage through the nasogastric tube in the last two hours. What
,action should the nurse take first?
A. Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B. Reposition the client on her side.
C. Advance the nasogastric tube an additional five centimeters.
D. Administer an intravenous antiemetic prescribed for PRN use. - (correct Answer) - B. Reposition the
client on her side. (The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is functioning correctly, which
would then relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive intervention (B) should be attempted first,
followed by (A and C), unless either of these interventions is contraindicated. If these measures are
unsuccessful, the client may require an antiemetic (D))
A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings via a small-bore tube and a continuous
pump infusion. He reports that he had a bad bout of severe coughing a few minutes ago, but feels fine
now. What action is best for the nurse to take?
A. Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this time.
B. Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and notify the HCP.
C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the tube.
D. Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium for gurgling. - (correct Answer) - C.
After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the tube.
A male client tells the nurse that he does not know where he is or what year it is. What data should the
nurse document that is most accurate?
A. demonstrates loss of remote memory
B. exhibits expressive dysphasia
C. has a diminished attention span
D. is disoriented to place and time - (correct Answer) - D. is disoriented to place and time (The client is
exhibiting disorientation (D). (A) refers to memory of the distant past. The client is able to express
himself without difficulty (B), and does not demonstrate diminished attention span. (C).
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) selects a scrambled egg for his breakfast. What action should
the nurse take?
A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein.
B. Remind the client that protein in the diet should be avoided.
C. Suggest that the client also select orange juice, to promote absorption.
D. Encourage the client to attend classes on dietary management of CKD. - (correct Answer) - A.
Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein. (Foods such as eggs and milk (A) are high
biologic proteins which are allowed because they are complete proteins and supply the essential amino
, acids that are necessary for growth and cell repair. Orange juice is rich in potassium and should not be
encouraged. The client has made a good diet choice so (D) is not necessary.)
When assisting an 82 year old client to ambulate, it is important for the nurse to realize that the center
of gravity for an elderly person is the-- - (correct Answer) - Upper torso (The center of gravity for adults is
the hips. However, as the person grows older, a stooped posture is common because of the changes
from osteoporosis and normal bone degeneration, and the knees, hips, and elbows flex. This stooped
posture results in the upper torso becoming the center of gravity for older persons.)
In developing a plan of care for a client with dementia, the nurse should remember that confusion in the
elderly
A. is to be expected, and progresses with age
B. often follows relocation to new surroundings
C. is a result of irreversible brain pathology
D. can be prevented with adequate sleep - (correct Answer) - B. often follows relocation to new
surroundings (Relocation (B) often results in confusion among elderly clients-- moving is stressful for
anyone. (A) is stereotypical judgement. Stress in the elderly often manifests itself as confusion, so (C) is
wrong. Adequate sleep is not a prevention (D) for confusion.)
A postoperative client will need to perform daily dressing changes after discharge. Which outcome
statement best demonstrates the client's readiness to manage his wound care after discharge? The client
A. asks relevant questions regarding the dressing change
B. states he will be able to complete the wound care regimen
C. demonstrates the wound care procedure correctly
D. has all the necessary supplies for wound care - (correct Answer) - C. demonstrates the wound care
procedure correctly
(A return demonstration of a procedure (C) provides an objective assessment of the client's ability to
perform a task, while (A and B) are subjective measures. (D) is important, but is less of a priority than the
the nurse's assessment of the client's ability to complete wound care.)
A client who is 5 '5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for surgery the next day. What 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. "What vitamin and mineral
supplements do you take?"
The nurse observes that a male client has removed the covering from an ice park applied to his knee.
What action should the nurse take first?
A. Observe the appearance of the skin under the ice pack.
B. Instruct the client regarding the need for the covering.
C. Reapply the covering after filling with fresh ice.
D. Ask the client how long the ice was applied to the skin. - (correct Answer) - Observe the appearance of
the skin under the ice pack (The first action taken by the nurse should be to assess the skin for any
possible thermal injury. If no injury to the skin has occurred, the nurse can take the other actions.)
The nurse mixes 50 mg of Nipride in 250 mL of D5W and plans to administer the solution at a rate of 5
mcg/kg/min to a client weighting 182 lbs. Using a drip factor of 60 gtt/mL, how many drops per minute
should the client receive? - (correct Answer) - 124 gtt/min
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 1000 ml of Ringer's Lactate w/ 30 units of Pitocin to
run in over 4 hours for a client who has just delivered a 10 pound infant by cesarean section. The tubing
has been changed to a 20 gtt/ml administration set. The nurse plans to set the flow rate at how many
gtt/min? - (correct Answer) - 83 gtt/min
Which assessment data provides the most accurate determination of proper placement of a nasogastric
tube? - (correct Answer) - Examining a chest x-ray obtained after the tubing was inserted
Three days following a surgery, a male client observes his colostomy for the first time. He becomes quite
upset and tells the nurse that it is much bigger than he expected. What is the best response by the
nurse?
A. Reassure the client that he will become accustomed to the stoma appearance in time.
B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become much smaller when the initial swelling diminishes.
C. Offer to contact a member of the local ostomy support group to help him with his concerns.
D. Encourage the client to handle the stoma equipment to gain confidence with the procedure. - (correct
Answer) - B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become smaller when the initial swelling diminishes
(Postoperative swelling causes enlargement of the stoma. The nurse can teach the client that the stoma
will become smaller when swelling is diminished (B). This will help reduce the client's anxiety and
promote acceptance of the colostomy. (A) does not provide helpful teaching or support. (C) is a useful
action, and may be taken after the nurse provides pertinent teaching. The client is not yet demonstrating
readiness to learn colostomy care. (D)
A female client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states that she is nauseated. The nurse
assesses that there has been no drainage through the nasogastric tube in the last two hours. What
,action should the nurse take first?
A. Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B. Reposition the client on her side.
C. Advance the nasogastric tube an additional five centimeters.
D. Administer an intravenous antiemetic prescribed for PRN use. - (correct Answer) - B. Reposition the
client on her side. (The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is functioning correctly, which
would then relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive intervention (B) should be attempted first,
followed by (A and C), unless either of these interventions is contraindicated. If these measures are
unsuccessful, the client may require an antiemetic (D))
A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings via a small-bore tube and a continuous
pump infusion. He reports that he had a bad bout of severe coughing a few minutes ago, but feels fine
now. What action is best for the nurse to take?
A. Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this time.
B. Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and notify the HCP.
C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the tube.
D. Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium for gurgling. - (correct Answer) - C.
After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the tube.
A male client tells the nurse that he does not know where he is or what year it is. What data should the
nurse document that is most accurate?
A. demonstrates loss of remote memory
B. exhibits expressive dysphasia
C. has a diminished attention span
D. is disoriented to place and time - (correct Answer) - D. is disoriented to place and time (The client is
exhibiting disorientation (D). (A) refers to memory of the distant past. The client is able to express
himself without difficulty (B), and does not demonstrate diminished attention span. (C).
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) selects a scrambled egg for his breakfast. What action should
the nurse take?
A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein.
B. Remind the client that protein in the diet should be avoided.
C. Suggest that the client also select orange juice, to promote absorption.
D. Encourage the client to attend classes on dietary management of CKD. - (correct Answer) - A.
Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein. (Foods such as eggs and milk (A) are high
biologic proteins which are allowed because they are complete proteins and supply the essential amino
, acids that are necessary for growth and cell repair. Orange juice is rich in potassium and should not be
encouraged. The client has made a good diet choice so (D) is not necessary.)
When assisting an 82 year old client to ambulate, it is important for the nurse to realize that the center
of gravity for an elderly person is the-- - (correct Answer) - Upper torso (The center of gravity for adults is
the hips. However, as the person grows older, a stooped posture is common because of the changes
from osteoporosis and normal bone degeneration, and the knees, hips, and elbows flex. This stooped
posture results in the upper torso becoming the center of gravity for older persons.)
In developing a plan of care for a client with dementia, the nurse should remember that confusion in the
elderly
A. is to be expected, and progresses with age
B. often follows relocation to new surroundings
C. is a result of irreversible brain pathology
D. can be prevented with adequate sleep - (correct Answer) - B. often follows relocation to new
surroundings (Relocation (B) often results in confusion among elderly clients-- moving is stressful for
anyone. (A) is stereotypical judgement. Stress in the elderly often manifests itself as confusion, so (C) is
wrong. Adequate sleep is not a prevention (D) for confusion.)
A postoperative client will need to perform daily dressing changes after discharge. Which outcome
statement best demonstrates the client's readiness to manage his wound care after discharge? The client
A. asks relevant questions regarding the dressing change
B. states he will be able to complete the wound care regimen
C. demonstrates the wound care procedure correctly
D. has all the necessary supplies for wound care - (correct Answer) - C. demonstrates the wound care
procedure correctly
(A return demonstration of a procedure (C) provides an objective assessment of the client's ability to
perform a task, while (A and B) are subjective measures. (D) is important, but is less of a priority than the
the nurse's assessment of the client's ability to complete wound care.)
A client who is 5 '5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for surgery the next day. What 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. "What vitamin and mineral
supplements do you take?"
