Evolve HESI Fundamentals Practice Exam – 2025/2026
Updated Study Guide & Practice Questions | 100% Pass
Guarantee
Urinary catheterization is prescribed for a postoperative female client who has been
unable to void for 8 hours. The nurse inserts the catheter, but no urine is seen in the
tubing. Which action will the nurse take next?
A. Clamp the catheter and recheck it in 60 minutes.
B. Pull the catheter back 3 inches and redirect upward.
C. Leave the catheter in place and reattempt with another catheter.
D. Notify the health care provider of a possible obstruction. - correct answerAnswer: C
It is likely that the first catheter is in the vagina, rather than the bladder. Leaving the first
catheter in place will help locate the meatus when attempting the second catheterization
(C). The client should have at least 240 mL of urine after 8 hours. (A) does not resolve
the problem. (B) will not change the location of the catheter unless it is completely
removed, in which case a new catheter must be used. There is no evidence of a urinary
tract obstruction if the catheter could be easily inserted (D).
The nurse is teaching an obese client, newly diagnosed with arteriosclerosis, about
reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Which health promotion brochure is most
important for the nurse to provide to this client?
A. "Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home"
B. "Smoking Cessation as a Lifelong Commitment"
C. "Decreasing Cholesterol Levels Through Diet"
D. "Stress Management for a Healthier You" - correct answerAnswer: C
A health promotion brochure about decreasing cholesterol (C) is most important to
provide this client, because the most significant risk factor contributing to development
of arteriosclerosis is excess dietary fat, particularly saturated fat and cholesterol. (A)
does not address the underlying causes of arteriosclerosis. (B and D) are also important
factors for reversing arteriosclerosis but are not as important as lowering cholesterol
(C).
Ten minutes after signing an operative permit for a fractured hip, an older client states,
"The aliens will be coming to get me soon!" and falls asleep. Which action should the
nurse implement next?
A. Make the client comfortable and allow the client to sleep.
B. Assess the client's neurologic status.
C. Notify the surgeon about the comment.
D. Ask the client's family to co-sign the operative permit. - correct answerAnswer: B
This statement may indicate that the client is confused. Informed consent must be
provided by a mentally competent individual, so the nurse should further assess the
,client's neurologic status (B) to be sure that the client understands and can legally
provide consent for surgery. (A) does not provide sufficient follow-up. If the nurse
determines that the client is confused, the surgeon must be notified (C) and permission
obtained from the next of kin (D).
The nurse-manager of a skilled nursing (chronic care) unit is instructing UAPs on ways
to prevent complications of immobility. Which intervention should be included in this
instruction?
A. Perform range-of-motion exercises to prevent contractures.
B. Decrease the client's fluid intake to prevent diarrhea.
C. Massage the client's legs to reduce embolism occurrence.
D. Turn the client from side to back every shift. - correct answerAnswer: A
Performing range-of-motion exercises (A) is beneficial in reducing contractures around
joints. (B, C, and D) are all potentially harmful practices that place the immobile client at
risk of complications.
The nurse is assisting a client to the bathroom. When the client is 5 feet from the
bathroom door, he states, "I feel faint." Before the nurse can get the client to a chair, the
client starts to fall. Which is the priority action for the nurse to take?
A. Check the client's carotid pulse.
B. Encourage the client to get to the toilet.
C. In a loud voice, call for help.
D. Gently lower the client to the floor. - correct answerAnswer: D
(D) is the most prudent intervention and is the priority nursing action to prevent injury to
the client and the nurse. Lowering the client to the floor should be done when the client
cannot support his own weight. The client should be placed in a bed or chair only when
sufficient help is available to prevent injury. (A) is important but should be done after the
client is in a safe position. Because the client is not supporting himself, (B) is
impractical. (C) is likely to cause chaos on the unit and might alarm the other clients.
A female nurse is assigned to care for a close friend, who says, "I am worried that
friends will find out about my diagnosis." The nurse tells her friend that legally she must
protect a client's confidentiality. Which resource describes the nurse's legal
responsibilities?
A. Code of Ethics for Nurses
B. State Nurse Practice Act
C. Patient's Bill of Rights
D. ANA Standards of Practice - correct answerAnswer: B
The State Nurse Practice Act (B) contains legal requirements for the protection of client
confidentiality and the consequences for breaches in confidentiality. (A) outlines ethical
standards for nursing care but does not include legal guidelines. (C and D) describe
expectations for nursing practice but do not address legal implications.
The nurse is teaching a client how to perform progressive muscle relaxation techniques
to relieve insomnia. A week later the client reports that he is still unable to sleep, despite
following the same routine every night. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Instruct the client to add regular exercise as a daily routine.
B. Determine if the client has been keeping a sleep diary.
C. Encourage the client to continue the routine until sleep is achieved.
D. Ask the client to describe the routine that the client is currently following. - correct
answerAnswer: D
The nurse should first evaluate whether the client has been adhering to the original
instructions (D). A verbal report of the client's routine will provide more specific
information than the client's written diary (B). The nurse can then determine which
changes need to be made (A). The routine practiced by the client is clearly
unsuccessful, so encouragement alone is insufficient (C).
A 65-year-old client who attends an adult daycare program and is wheelchair-mobile
has redness in the sacral area. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to
provide?
A. Take a vitamin supplement tablet once a day.
B. Change positions in the chair at least every hour.
C. Increase daily intake of water or other oral fluids.
D. Purchase a newer model wheelchair. - correct answerAnswer: B
The most important teaching is to change positions frequently (B) because pressure is
the most significant factor related to the development of pressure ulcers. Increased
vitamin and fluid intake (A and C) may also be beneficial promote healing and reduce
further risk. (D) is an intervention of last resort because this will be very expensive for
the client.
When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, which action by the
nurse best ensures client safety?
A. Securely grasp the client's arm and leg.
B. Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the nurse.
C. Correctly position and use a turn sheet.
D. Lower the head of the client's bed slowly. - correct answerAnswer: B
Because the nurse can only stand on one side of the bed, bed rails should be up on the
opposite side to ensure that the client does not fall out of bed (B). (A) can cause client
injury to the skin or joint. (C and D) are useful techniques while turning a client but have
less priority in terms of safety than use of the bed rails.
A female client with frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) asks the nurse to explain her
friend's advice about drinking a glass of juice daily to prevent future UTIs. Which
response is best for the nurse provide?
A. Orange juice has vitamin C that deters bacterial growth.
B. Apple juice is the most useful in acidifying the urine.
C. Cranberry juice stops pathogens' adherence to the bladder.
D. Grapefruit juice increases absorption of most antibiotics. - correct answerAnswer: C
Cranberry juice (C) maintains urinary tract health by reducing the adherence of
Escherichia coli bacteria to cells within the bladder. (A, B, and D) have not been shown
to be as effective as cranberry juice (C) in preventing UTIs.
, The nurse is aware that malnutrition is a common problem among clients served by a
community health clinic for the homeless. Which laboratory value is the most reliable
indicator of chronic protein malnutrition?
A. Low serum albumin level
B. Low serum transferrin level
C. High hemoglobin level
D. High cholesterol level - correct answerAnswer: A
Long-term protein deficiency is required to cause significantly lowered serum albumin
levels (A). Albumin is made by the liver only when adequate amounts of amino acids
(from protein breakdown) are available. Albumin has a long half-life, so acute protein
loss does not significantly alter serum levels. (B) is a serum protein with a half-life of
only 8 to 10 days, so it will drop with an acute protein deficiency. Neither (C or D) are
clinical measures of protein malnutrition.
The nurse identifies a potential for infection in a patient with partial-thickness (second-
degree) and full-thickness (third-degree) burns. What intervention has the highest
priority in decreasing the client's risk of infection?
A. Administration of plasma expanders
B. Use of careful hand washing technique
C. Application of a topical antibacterial cream
D. Limiting visitors to the client with burns - correct answerAnswer: B
Careful hand washing technique (B) is the single most effective intervention for the
prevention of contamination to all clients. (A) reverses the hypovolemia that initially
accompanies burn trauma but is not related to decreasing the proliferation of infective
organisms. (C and D) are recommended by various burn centers as possible ways to
reduce the chance of infection. (B) is a proven technique to prevent infection.
Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor carefully for a client who has a
nasogastric (NG) tube to suction for the past week?
A. White blood cell count
B. Albumin
C. Calcium
D. Sodium - correct answerAnswer: D
Monitoring serum sodium levels (D) for hyponatremia is indicated during prolonged NG
suctioning because of loss of fluids. Changes in levels of (A, B, or C) are not typically
associated with prolonged NG suctioning.
In completing a client's preoperative routine, the nurse finds that the operative permit is
not signed. The client begins to ask more questions about the surgical procedure.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Witness the client's signature to the permit.
B. Answer the client's questions about the surgery.
C. Inform the surgeon that the operative permit is not signed and the client has
questions about the surgery.
D. Reassure the client that the surgeon will answer any questions before the anesthesia
is administered. - correct answerAnswer: C
Updated Study Guide & Practice Questions | 100% Pass
Guarantee
Urinary catheterization is prescribed for a postoperative female client who has been
unable to void for 8 hours. The nurse inserts the catheter, but no urine is seen in the
tubing. Which action will the nurse take next?
A. Clamp the catheter and recheck it in 60 minutes.
B. Pull the catheter back 3 inches and redirect upward.
C. Leave the catheter in place and reattempt with another catheter.
D. Notify the health care provider of a possible obstruction. - correct answerAnswer: C
It is likely that the first catheter is in the vagina, rather than the bladder. Leaving the first
catheter in place will help locate the meatus when attempting the second catheterization
(C). The client should have at least 240 mL of urine after 8 hours. (A) does not resolve
the problem. (B) will not change the location of the catheter unless it is completely
removed, in which case a new catheter must be used. There is no evidence of a urinary
tract obstruction if the catheter could be easily inserted (D).
The nurse is teaching an obese client, newly diagnosed with arteriosclerosis, about
reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Which health promotion brochure is most
important for the nurse to provide to this client?
A. "Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home"
B. "Smoking Cessation as a Lifelong Commitment"
C. "Decreasing Cholesterol Levels Through Diet"
D. "Stress Management for a Healthier You" - correct answerAnswer: C
A health promotion brochure about decreasing cholesterol (C) is most important to
provide this client, because the most significant risk factor contributing to development
of arteriosclerosis is excess dietary fat, particularly saturated fat and cholesterol. (A)
does not address the underlying causes of arteriosclerosis. (B and D) are also important
factors for reversing arteriosclerosis but are not as important as lowering cholesterol
(C).
Ten minutes after signing an operative permit for a fractured hip, an older client states,
"The aliens will be coming to get me soon!" and falls asleep. Which action should the
nurse implement next?
A. Make the client comfortable and allow the client to sleep.
B. Assess the client's neurologic status.
C. Notify the surgeon about the comment.
D. Ask the client's family to co-sign the operative permit. - correct answerAnswer: B
This statement may indicate that the client is confused. Informed consent must be
provided by a mentally competent individual, so the nurse should further assess the
,client's neurologic status (B) to be sure that the client understands and can legally
provide consent for surgery. (A) does not provide sufficient follow-up. If the nurse
determines that the client is confused, the surgeon must be notified (C) and permission
obtained from the next of kin (D).
The nurse-manager of a skilled nursing (chronic care) unit is instructing UAPs on ways
to prevent complications of immobility. Which intervention should be included in this
instruction?
A. Perform range-of-motion exercises to prevent contractures.
B. Decrease the client's fluid intake to prevent diarrhea.
C. Massage the client's legs to reduce embolism occurrence.
D. Turn the client from side to back every shift. - correct answerAnswer: A
Performing range-of-motion exercises (A) is beneficial in reducing contractures around
joints. (B, C, and D) are all potentially harmful practices that place the immobile client at
risk of complications.
The nurse is assisting a client to the bathroom. When the client is 5 feet from the
bathroom door, he states, "I feel faint." Before the nurse can get the client to a chair, the
client starts to fall. Which is the priority action for the nurse to take?
A. Check the client's carotid pulse.
B. Encourage the client to get to the toilet.
C. In a loud voice, call for help.
D. Gently lower the client to the floor. - correct answerAnswer: D
(D) is the most prudent intervention and is the priority nursing action to prevent injury to
the client and the nurse. Lowering the client to the floor should be done when the client
cannot support his own weight. The client should be placed in a bed or chair only when
sufficient help is available to prevent injury. (A) is important but should be done after the
client is in a safe position. Because the client is not supporting himself, (B) is
impractical. (C) is likely to cause chaos on the unit and might alarm the other clients.
A female nurse is assigned to care for a close friend, who says, "I am worried that
friends will find out about my diagnosis." The nurse tells her friend that legally she must
protect a client's confidentiality. Which resource describes the nurse's legal
responsibilities?
A. Code of Ethics for Nurses
B. State Nurse Practice Act
C. Patient's Bill of Rights
D. ANA Standards of Practice - correct answerAnswer: B
The State Nurse Practice Act (B) contains legal requirements for the protection of client
confidentiality and the consequences for breaches in confidentiality. (A) outlines ethical
standards for nursing care but does not include legal guidelines. (C and D) describe
expectations for nursing practice but do not address legal implications.
The nurse is teaching a client how to perform progressive muscle relaxation techniques
to relieve insomnia. A week later the client reports that he is still unable to sleep, despite
following the same routine every night. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Instruct the client to add regular exercise as a daily routine.
B. Determine if the client has been keeping a sleep diary.
C. Encourage the client to continue the routine until sleep is achieved.
D. Ask the client to describe the routine that the client is currently following. - correct
answerAnswer: D
The nurse should first evaluate whether the client has been adhering to the original
instructions (D). A verbal report of the client's routine will provide more specific
information than the client's written diary (B). The nurse can then determine which
changes need to be made (A). The routine practiced by the client is clearly
unsuccessful, so encouragement alone is insufficient (C).
A 65-year-old client who attends an adult daycare program and is wheelchair-mobile
has redness in the sacral area. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to
provide?
A. Take a vitamin supplement tablet once a day.
B. Change positions in the chair at least every hour.
C. Increase daily intake of water or other oral fluids.
D. Purchase a newer model wheelchair. - correct answerAnswer: B
The most important teaching is to change positions frequently (B) because pressure is
the most significant factor related to the development of pressure ulcers. Increased
vitamin and fluid intake (A and C) may also be beneficial promote healing and reduce
further risk. (D) is an intervention of last resort because this will be very expensive for
the client.
When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, which action by the
nurse best ensures client safety?
A. Securely grasp the client's arm and leg.
B. Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the nurse.
C. Correctly position and use a turn sheet.
D. Lower the head of the client's bed slowly. - correct answerAnswer: B
Because the nurse can only stand on one side of the bed, bed rails should be up on the
opposite side to ensure that the client does not fall out of bed (B). (A) can cause client
injury to the skin or joint. (C and D) are useful techniques while turning a client but have
less priority in terms of safety than use of the bed rails.
A female client with frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) asks the nurse to explain her
friend's advice about drinking a glass of juice daily to prevent future UTIs. Which
response is best for the nurse provide?
A. Orange juice has vitamin C that deters bacterial growth.
B. Apple juice is the most useful in acidifying the urine.
C. Cranberry juice stops pathogens' adherence to the bladder.
D. Grapefruit juice increases absorption of most antibiotics. - correct answerAnswer: C
Cranberry juice (C) maintains urinary tract health by reducing the adherence of
Escherichia coli bacteria to cells within the bladder. (A, B, and D) have not been shown
to be as effective as cranberry juice (C) in preventing UTIs.
, The nurse is aware that malnutrition is a common problem among clients served by a
community health clinic for the homeless. Which laboratory value is the most reliable
indicator of chronic protein malnutrition?
A. Low serum albumin level
B. Low serum transferrin level
C. High hemoglobin level
D. High cholesterol level - correct answerAnswer: A
Long-term protein deficiency is required to cause significantly lowered serum albumin
levels (A). Albumin is made by the liver only when adequate amounts of amino acids
(from protein breakdown) are available. Albumin has a long half-life, so acute protein
loss does not significantly alter serum levels. (B) is a serum protein with a half-life of
only 8 to 10 days, so it will drop with an acute protein deficiency. Neither (C or D) are
clinical measures of protein malnutrition.
The nurse identifies a potential for infection in a patient with partial-thickness (second-
degree) and full-thickness (third-degree) burns. What intervention has the highest
priority in decreasing the client's risk of infection?
A. Administration of plasma expanders
B. Use of careful hand washing technique
C. Application of a topical antibacterial cream
D. Limiting visitors to the client with burns - correct answerAnswer: B
Careful hand washing technique (B) is the single most effective intervention for the
prevention of contamination to all clients. (A) reverses the hypovolemia that initially
accompanies burn trauma but is not related to decreasing the proliferation of infective
organisms. (C and D) are recommended by various burn centers as possible ways to
reduce the chance of infection. (B) is a proven technique to prevent infection.
Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor carefully for a client who has a
nasogastric (NG) tube to suction for the past week?
A. White blood cell count
B. Albumin
C. Calcium
D. Sodium - correct answerAnswer: D
Monitoring serum sodium levels (D) for hyponatremia is indicated during prolonged NG
suctioning because of loss of fluids. Changes in levels of (A, B, or C) are not typically
associated with prolonged NG suctioning.
In completing a client's preoperative routine, the nurse finds that the operative permit is
not signed. The client begins to ask more questions about the surgical procedure.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Witness the client's signature to the permit.
B. Answer the client's questions about the surgery.
C. Inform the surgeon that the operative permit is not signed and the client has
questions about the surgery.
D. Reassure the client that the surgeon will answer any questions before the anesthesia
is administered. - correct answerAnswer: C
