HESI Exit Exam Test Bank 2025/2026 –
Complete Questions, Answers, and
Rationales for Nursing Students
HESI Exit Exam 2025/2026 – Test Bank for
Nursing Students
Questions (Original Practice)
1. A patient with congestive heart failure presents with shortness of breath
and edema. Priority nursing intervention:
A. Administer prescribed diuretics
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Provide high-sodium diet
D. Document findings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Diuretics reduce fluid overload, relieving symptoms of dyspnea and edema. Early intervention
prevents worsening heart failure.
2. A postoperative patient develops sudden shortness of breath and chest
pain. Most likely complication:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
,C. Atelectasis
D. Myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Postoperative immobility increases risk for DVT and pulmonary embolism. Rapid recognition
and intervention are critical.
3. Patient with type 1 diabetes reports confusion, sweating, and
palpitations. Priority nursing action:
A. Administer rapid-acting glucose
B. Provide diet education
C. Assess HbA1c
D. Encourage ambulation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Symptoms indicate hypoglycemia; immediate glucose administration prevents neurological
complications.
4. A patient on heparin therapy requires which lab monitoring?
A. aPTT
B. PT/INR
C. Electrolytes
D. Creatinine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Therapeutic aPTT ensures safe and effective anticoagulation with heparin.
5. Patient with acute myocardial infarction develops hypotension and
tachycardia. Priority action:
A. Assess for cardiogenic shock and notify provider
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Provide diet education
D. Document findings
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Early recognition of cardiogenic shock is crucial to prevent organ failure and death.
6. A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with elevated creatinine
and low urine output. Priority nursing action:
A. Assess fluid balance and notify provider
B. Encourage oral hydration only
C. Provide diet education
D. Document findings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Monitoring fluid status helps prevent further kidney injury and guides treatment.
7. A patient with COPD presents with increased dyspnea and sputum
production. Priority intervention:
A. Administer prescribed bronchodilator
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Provide diet education
D. Document assessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Bronchodilator therapy relieves airway obstruction and improves oxygenation.
8. Lab monitoring priority for patient on warfarin therapy:
A. PT/INR
B. Serum sodium
C. Creatinine
D. Electrolytes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
PT/INR ensures therapeutic anticoagulation and prevents bleeding complications.
Complete Questions, Answers, and
Rationales for Nursing Students
HESI Exit Exam 2025/2026 – Test Bank for
Nursing Students
Questions (Original Practice)
1. A patient with congestive heart failure presents with shortness of breath
and edema. Priority nursing intervention:
A. Administer prescribed diuretics
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Provide high-sodium diet
D. Document findings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Diuretics reduce fluid overload, relieving symptoms of dyspnea and edema. Early intervention
prevents worsening heart failure.
2. A postoperative patient develops sudden shortness of breath and chest
pain. Most likely complication:
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
,C. Atelectasis
D. Myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Postoperative immobility increases risk for DVT and pulmonary embolism. Rapid recognition
and intervention are critical.
3. Patient with type 1 diabetes reports confusion, sweating, and
palpitations. Priority nursing action:
A. Administer rapid-acting glucose
B. Provide diet education
C. Assess HbA1c
D. Encourage ambulation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Symptoms indicate hypoglycemia; immediate glucose administration prevents neurological
complications.
4. A patient on heparin therapy requires which lab monitoring?
A. aPTT
B. PT/INR
C. Electrolytes
D. Creatinine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Therapeutic aPTT ensures safe and effective anticoagulation with heparin.
5. Patient with acute myocardial infarction develops hypotension and
tachycardia. Priority action:
A. Assess for cardiogenic shock and notify provider
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Provide diet education
D. Document findings
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Early recognition of cardiogenic shock is crucial to prevent organ failure and death.
6. A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with elevated creatinine
and low urine output. Priority nursing action:
A. Assess fluid balance and notify provider
B. Encourage oral hydration only
C. Provide diet education
D. Document findings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Monitoring fluid status helps prevent further kidney injury and guides treatment.
7. A patient with COPD presents with increased dyspnea and sputum
production. Priority intervention:
A. Administer prescribed bronchodilator
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Provide diet education
D. Document assessment
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Bronchodilator therapy relieves airway obstruction and improves oxygenation.
8. Lab monitoring priority for patient on warfarin therapy:
A. PT/INR
B. Serum sodium
C. Creatinine
D. Electrolytes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
PT/INR ensures therapeutic anticoagulation and prevents bleeding complications.
