1|Page
HESI Fundamentals Exit Exam Test Bank
2025/2026 – Versions 1, 2 & 3 for RN &
PN Nursing Students with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales
Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized
client. Which assessment does the nurse perform as a priority
before administering the medication?
A) Checking the client's blood pressure
B) checking the client's peripheral pulses
C) checking the most recent potassium level
D) checking the client's intake and output record for the last 24
hours - ANSWER -A) Checking the client's blood pressure
Rationale--enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat hypertension. One
common side effect is postural hypotension. Therefore the
nurse would check the client's blood pressure immediately
before administering each dose.
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A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI)
series, and the nurse provides instructions to the client about
the test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for
further instruction?
A) "The test will take about 30 minutes"
B) "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test"
C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the
test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the
test."
D) "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because
the liquid that I'll have to drink for the test can be constipating."
- ANSWER -C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night
before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning
of the test."
Rationale
An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus,
duodenum, and upper
jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves
swallowing a contrast
medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored
milkshake. Films are taken
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at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No
special preparation is
necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must be
maintained for 8 hours
before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed
a laxative to hasten
elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon
may become hard and
difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions
and notes that the dose of a prescribed medication is higher
than the normal dose. The nurse calls the physician's answering
service and is told that the physician if off for the night and will
be available the next morning. The nurse should:
A) call the nursing supervisor
B) Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C) Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached
in the morning
D) Administer the medication but consult the physician when
he becomes available - ANSWER -B) Ask the answering service
to contact the on-call physician
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An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client
with suspected acute
myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to the
coronary intensive care unit.
The nurse notes the sudden onset of premature ventricular
contractions (PVCs) on the
monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and determines that
the PVCs are not
resulting in perfusion. The appropriate action by the nurse is:
A. Documenting the findings
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
C. Continuing to monitor the client's cardiac status
D. Informing the client that PVCs are expected after an MI -
ANSWER -B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client
scheduled to undergo
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On the morning of the
procedure, the nurse
checks the client's record and notes that the client routinely
takes an oral
antihypertensive medication each morning. The nurse should:
HESI Fundamentals Exit Exam Test Bank
2025/2026 – Versions 1, 2 & 3 for RN &
PN Nursing Students with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales
Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized
client. Which assessment does the nurse perform as a priority
before administering the medication?
A) Checking the client's blood pressure
B) checking the client's peripheral pulses
C) checking the most recent potassium level
D) checking the client's intake and output record for the last 24
hours - ANSWER -A) Checking the client's blood pressure
Rationale--enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat hypertension. One
common side effect is postural hypotension. Therefore the
nurse would check the client's blood pressure immediately
before administering each dose.
,2|Page
A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI)
series, and the nurse provides instructions to the client about
the test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for
further instruction?
A) "The test will take about 30 minutes"
B) "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test"
C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the
test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the
test."
D) "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because
the liquid that I'll have to drink for the test can be constipating."
- ANSWER -C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night
before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning
of the test."
Rationale
An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus,
duodenum, and upper
jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves
swallowing a contrast
medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored
milkshake. Films are taken
,3|Page
at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No
special preparation is
necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must be
maintained for 8 hours
before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed
a laxative to hasten
elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon
may become hard and
difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions
and notes that the dose of a prescribed medication is higher
than the normal dose. The nurse calls the physician's answering
service and is told that the physician if off for the night and will
be available the next morning. The nurse should:
A) call the nursing supervisor
B) Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C) Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached
in the morning
D) Administer the medication but consult the physician when
he becomes available - ANSWER -B) Ask the answering service
to contact the on-call physician
, 4|Page
An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client
with suspected acute
myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to the
coronary intensive care unit.
The nurse notes the sudden onset of premature ventricular
contractions (PVCs) on the
monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and determines that
the PVCs are not
resulting in perfusion. The appropriate action by the nurse is:
A. Documenting the findings
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
C. Continuing to monitor the client's cardiac status
D. Informing the client that PVCs are expected after an MI -
ANSWER -B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client
scheduled to undergo
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On the morning of the
procedure, the nurse
checks the client's record and notes that the client routinely
takes an oral
antihypertensive medication each morning. The nurse should:
