HESI PN Fundamentals Exit Exam
2025/2026 – 85 Actual Questions with
Correct Verified Answers
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who is NPO for surgery. What is
the nurse's best action?
A) Administer the medication with a sip of water
B) Hold the medication until after surgery
C) Contact the healthcare provider for clarification
D) Give the medication via nasogastric tube
Rationale: When a client is NPO, the nurse must verify orders to prevent complications;
contacting the provider ensures safe administration per 2025 PN standards on medication safety.
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client with a new colostomy. Which finding indicates proper stoma
function?
A) Pale, dry skin around the stoma
B) Pink, moist stoma with output
C) Bluish tint to the stoma
D) Hard, distended abdomen
Rationale: A healthy stoma is pink and moist, indicating good blood supply and function,
aligning with 2025 ostomy care guidelines.
Question 3
A client reports sharp pain at the IV site during infusion. What should the nurse do first?
A) Increase the infusion rate
B) Stop the infusion and assess the site
C) Apply a warm compress
D) Administer pain medication
Rationale: Stopping the infusion prevents further complications like infiltration or phlebitis,
following 2025 IV therapy protocols prioritizing safety.
Question 4
,When performing hand hygiene, the nurse should wash hands for at least:
A) 10 seconds
B) 20 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) 60 seconds
Rationale: CDC 2025 guidelines recommend 20-30 seconds for handwashing with soap to
effectively reduce microbial load in healthcare settings.
Question 5
A client with dementia becomes agitated during morning care. What is the best therapeutic
response?
A) Restrain the client
B) Use a calm voice and validate feelings
C) Ignore the behavior
D) Administer a sedative
Rationale: Validation therapy reduces agitation in dementia clients by acknowledging emotions,
per 2025 geriatric nursing standards.
Question 6
The nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention. Which instruction is most important?
A) Wear loose clothing
B) Keep the call light within reach
C) Ambulate without assistance
D) Use a walker only at night
Rationale: Easy access to call light promotes timely assistance, reducing fall risk as emphasized
in 2025 patient safety curricula.
Question 7
A postoperative client has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C). What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Administer antipyretics
B) Assess for signs of infection
C) Increase fluid intake
D) Apply cooling blanket
Rationale: Assessment identifies the cause before interventions, aligning with 2025 vital signs
monitoring protocols.
Question 8
, When delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the nurse should ensure the
UAP:
A) Performs assessments
B) Reports abnormal findings
C) Administers medications
D) Develops care plans
Rationale: UAP can perform routine tasks but must report deviations, per 2025 delegation
guidelines in PN practice.
Question 9
A client is receiving enteral feedings. Which position minimizes aspiration risk?
A) Supine
B) Semi-Fowler's
C) Prone
D) Lateral
Rationale: Semi-Fowler's (30-45 degrees) prevents reflux and aspiration during feedings,
standard in 2025 nutrition support.
Question 10
The nurse recognizes cultural competence by:
A) Ignoring client beliefs
B) Respecting diverse health practices
C) Insisting on standard protocols
D) Avoiding family involvement
Rationale: Cultural competence involves integrating client values into care, a core 2025 PN
competency.
Question 11
A client with a history of hypertension asks about dietary sodium. The nurse recommends
limiting intake to:
A) 5,000 mg/day
B) 2,300 mg/day
C) 1,500 mg/day
D) 3,000 mg/day
Rationale: AHA 2025 guidelines suggest <2,300 mg/day for hypertension management, with
ideal <1,500 mg for high-risk clients.
2025/2026 – 85 Actual Questions with
Correct Verified Answers
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who is NPO for surgery. What is
the nurse's best action?
A) Administer the medication with a sip of water
B) Hold the medication until after surgery
C) Contact the healthcare provider for clarification
D) Give the medication via nasogastric tube
Rationale: When a client is NPO, the nurse must verify orders to prevent complications;
contacting the provider ensures safe administration per 2025 PN standards on medication safety.
Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client with a new colostomy. Which finding indicates proper stoma
function?
A) Pale, dry skin around the stoma
B) Pink, moist stoma with output
C) Bluish tint to the stoma
D) Hard, distended abdomen
Rationale: A healthy stoma is pink and moist, indicating good blood supply and function,
aligning with 2025 ostomy care guidelines.
Question 3
A client reports sharp pain at the IV site during infusion. What should the nurse do first?
A) Increase the infusion rate
B) Stop the infusion and assess the site
C) Apply a warm compress
D) Administer pain medication
Rationale: Stopping the infusion prevents further complications like infiltration or phlebitis,
following 2025 IV therapy protocols prioritizing safety.
Question 4
,When performing hand hygiene, the nurse should wash hands for at least:
A) 10 seconds
B) 20 seconds
C) 30 seconds
D) 60 seconds
Rationale: CDC 2025 guidelines recommend 20-30 seconds for handwashing with soap to
effectively reduce microbial load in healthcare settings.
Question 5
A client with dementia becomes agitated during morning care. What is the best therapeutic
response?
A) Restrain the client
B) Use a calm voice and validate feelings
C) Ignore the behavior
D) Administer a sedative
Rationale: Validation therapy reduces agitation in dementia clients by acknowledging emotions,
per 2025 geriatric nursing standards.
Question 6
The nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention. Which instruction is most important?
A) Wear loose clothing
B) Keep the call light within reach
C) Ambulate without assistance
D) Use a walker only at night
Rationale: Easy access to call light promotes timely assistance, reducing fall risk as emphasized
in 2025 patient safety curricula.
Question 7
A postoperative client has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C). What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Administer antipyretics
B) Assess for signs of infection
C) Increase fluid intake
D) Apply cooling blanket
Rationale: Assessment identifies the cause before interventions, aligning with 2025 vital signs
monitoring protocols.
Question 8
, When delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the nurse should ensure the
UAP:
A) Performs assessments
B) Reports abnormal findings
C) Administers medications
D) Develops care plans
Rationale: UAP can perform routine tasks but must report deviations, per 2025 delegation
guidelines in PN practice.
Question 9
A client is receiving enteral feedings. Which position minimizes aspiration risk?
A) Supine
B) Semi-Fowler's
C) Prone
D) Lateral
Rationale: Semi-Fowler's (30-45 degrees) prevents reflux and aspiration during feedings,
standard in 2025 nutrition support.
Question 10
The nurse recognizes cultural competence by:
A) Ignoring client beliefs
B) Respecting diverse health practices
C) Insisting on standard protocols
D) Avoiding family involvement
Rationale: Cultural competence involves integrating client values into care, a core 2025 PN
competency.
Question 11
A client with a history of hypertension asks about dietary sodium. The nurse recommends
limiting intake to:
A) 5,000 mg/day
B) 2,300 mg/day
C) 1,500 mg/day
D) 3,000 mg/day
Rationale: AHA 2025 guidelines suggest <2,300 mg/day for hypertension management, with
ideal <1,500 mg for high-risk clients.
