HESI PN Fundamentals
Exam | 2025/2026 Verified
Questions & Detailed
Rationales
Question 1:
A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client who has a history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which action should the nurse take first
when the client reports shortness of breath upon arrival to the room?
A. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. B. Encourage the client to take
deep breaths and cough. C. Position the client in high Fowler's position. D. Prepare
to administer a bronchodilator nebulizer treatment.
C. Position the client in high Fowler's position.
Rationale: Shortness of breath in COPD is often relieved by positioning to
maximize lung expansion and reduce diaphragmatic pressure (high Fowler's at 90
degrees opens airways). This is the first action per ABCs and basic patient care
principles (HESI Fundamentals, 2025), preceding oxygen or meds to avoid
unnecessary interventions; deep breathing follows positioning.
Question 2:
The nurse is teaching a client about proper hand hygiene to prevent infection.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should use hand sanitizer if my hands look clean." B. "I need to wash my
hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds." C. "Alcohol-based sanitizer is
not effective against all germs." D. "Handwashing is only necessary before meals."
B. I need to wash my hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
,Rationale: The CDC (2025) recommends 20 seconds of soap -and-water washing
as the gold standard for infection control, removing transient flora effectively;
sanitizer is for clean hands, but teaching emphasizes comprehensive hygiene to
prevent HAIs, aligning with fundamental infection prevention.
Question 3:
A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. The client expresses anxiety
about body image changes. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "Many people adjust quickly to their ostomy." B. "Tell me more about what
concerns you about the colostomy." C. "Your stoma looks normal and healthy." D.
"You will get used to it in a few weeks."
B. Tell me more about what concerns you about the colostomy.
Rationale: Open-ended communication (therapeutic technique, HESI 2025)
validates feelings and builds rapport, addressing psychosocial needs in basic
patient care; dismissive responses (A, D) minimize emotions, while (C) focuses on
physical rather than emotional.
Question 4:
The nurse is donning sterile gloves for a dressing change. Which action indicates a
break in sterile technique?
A. Touching the outer surface of the glove with the other gloved hand. B. Holding
the glove above waist level during application. C. Adding a second pair of gloves
after initial donning. D. Dropping a glove on the floor and retrieving it.
D. Dropping a glove on the floor and retrieving it.
Rationale: Sterile fields/gloves are contaminated by contact with unsterile surfaces
(CDC Infection Control, 2025); retrieving violates principles of asepsis, risking
SSI; other options maintain sterility if done correctly.
Question 5:
A nurse is transferring a client from bed to chair using a hydraulic lift. The client
says, "I'm scared of falling." The nurse's response should be:
, A. "Don't worry, the lift is safe." B. "I understand your fear; let's go slowly and I'll
support you." C. "You need to trust me; this is standard." D. "Falling is unlikely, so
relax."
B. I understand your fear; let's go slowly and I'll support you.
Rationale: Empathetic, client-centered communication (HESI Fundamentals,
2025) acknowledges emotions, reducing anxiety during basic care transfers;
dismissive responses (A, D) invalidate feelings, while (C) undermines trust.
Question 6:
A nurse is reinforcing infection control by teaching a client with MRSA to perform
contact precautions at home. The client asks, "Do I need to wear gloves all the
time?" The nurse explains:
A. "Yes, for all interactions." B. "No, only when touching the infected area or
contaminated items." C. "Only if you have cuts on your hands." D. "Gloves are not
necessary at home."
B. No, only when touching the infected area or contaminated items.
Rationale: Contact precautions (CDC, 2025) limit glove use to direct contact with
colonized sites to prevent transmission; over-use promotes resistance, while under-
use risks spread; education empowers self-care.
Question 7:
During morning care, a nurse notices a client's skin is dry and flaky. The nurse's
action is to:
A. Apply lotion after bathing. B. Skip bathing to avoid further drying. C. Use hot
water for bathing. D. Apply powder liberally.
A. Apply lotion after bathing.
Rationale: Basic skin care (HESI 2025) includes moisturizing post-bath to lock in
hydration and prevent breakdown; hot water dries skin, powder cakes, and
skipping bathing risks hygiene/infection.
Question 8:
Exam | 2025/2026 Verified
Questions & Detailed
Rationales
Question 1:
A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client who has a history of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which action should the nurse take first
when the client reports shortness of breath upon arrival to the room?
A. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. B. Encourage the client to take
deep breaths and cough. C. Position the client in high Fowler's position. D. Prepare
to administer a bronchodilator nebulizer treatment.
C. Position the client in high Fowler's position.
Rationale: Shortness of breath in COPD is often relieved by positioning to
maximize lung expansion and reduce diaphragmatic pressure (high Fowler's at 90
degrees opens airways). This is the first action per ABCs and basic patient care
principles (HESI Fundamentals, 2025), preceding oxygen or meds to avoid
unnecessary interventions; deep breathing follows positioning.
Question 2:
The nurse is teaching a client about proper hand hygiene to prevent infection.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should use hand sanitizer if my hands look clean." B. "I need to wash my
hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds." C. "Alcohol-based sanitizer is
not effective against all germs." D. "Handwashing is only necessary before meals."
B. I need to wash my hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
,Rationale: The CDC (2025) recommends 20 seconds of soap -and-water washing
as the gold standard for infection control, removing transient flora effectively;
sanitizer is for clean hands, but teaching emphasizes comprehensive hygiene to
prevent HAIs, aligning with fundamental infection prevention.
Question 3:
A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. The client expresses anxiety
about body image changes. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "Many people adjust quickly to their ostomy." B. "Tell me more about what
concerns you about the colostomy." C. "Your stoma looks normal and healthy." D.
"You will get used to it in a few weeks."
B. Tell me more about what concerns you about the colostomy.
Rationale: Open-ended communication (therapeutic technique, HESI 2025)
validates feelings and builds rapport, addressing psychosocial needs in basic
patient care; dismissive responses (A, D) minimize emotions, while (C) focuses on
physical rather than emotional.
Question 4:
The nurse is donning sterile gloves for a dressing change. Which action indicates a
break in sterile technique?
A. Touching the outer surface of the glove with the other gloved hand. B. Holding
the glove above waist level during application. C. Adding a second pair of gloves
after initial donning. D. Dropping a glove on the floor and retrieving it.
D. Dropping a glove on the floor and retrieving it.
Rationale: Sterile fields/gloves are contaminated by contact with unsterile surfaces
(CDC Infection Control, 2025); retrieving violates principles of asepsis, risking
SSI; other options maintain sterility if done correctly.
Question 5:
A nurse is transferring a client from bed to chair using a hydraulic lift. The client
says, "I'm scared of falling." The nurse's response should be:
, A. "Don't worry, the lift is safe." B. "I understand your fear; let's go slowly and I'll
support you." C. "You need to trust me; this is standard." D. "Falling is unlikely, so
relax."
B. I understand your fear; let's go slowly and I'll support you.
Rationale: Empathetic, client-centered communication (HESI Fundamentals,
2025) acknowledges emotions, reducing anxiety during basic care transfers;
dismissive responses (A, D) invalidate feelings, while (C) undermines trust.
Question 6:
A nurse is reinforcing infection control by teaching a client with MRSA to perform
contact precautions at home. The client asks, "Do I need to wear gloves all the
time?" The nurse explains:
A. "Yes, for all interactions." B. "No, only when touching the infected area or
contaminated items." C. "Only if you have cuts on your hands." D. "Gloves are not
necessary at home."
B. No, only when touching the infected area or contaminated items.
Rationale: Contact precautions (CDC, 2025) limit glove use to direct contact with
colonized sites to prevent transmission; over-use promotes resistance, while under-
use risks spread; education empowers self-care.
Question 7:
During morning care, a nurse notices a client's skin is dry and flaky. The nurse's
action is to:
A. Apply lotion after bathing. B. Skip bathing to avoid further drying. C. Use hot
water for bathing. D. Apply powder liberally.
A. Apply lotion after bathing.
Rationale: Basic skin care (HESI 2025) includes moisturizing post-bath to lock in
hydration and prevent breakdown; hot water dries skin, powder cakes, and
skipping bathing risks hygiene/infection.
Question 8:
