HESI COMPASS
COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
TEST BANK
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Verified
Answers. GRADED A+. Latest
2026/2027 Update
1-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
Checking the client's blood pressure
,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. Checking the client's peripheral pulses, the results of
the most recent potassium level, and the intake and output for the previous 24
hours are not specifically associated with this mediation.
2-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."
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 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.
,3-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 is off for
the night and will be available in the 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.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
5.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:
A. Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water
B. Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime
C. Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route
D. Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the day after the
ECT - Answer✔✔-A. Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water
6 A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery comes
to the physician's office for a follow-up visit. On assessment, the client tells the
nurse that he is feeling depressed. Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
B. "That's a normal response after this type of surgery."
C. "It will take time, but, I promise you, you will get over this depression."
D. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a month." -
Answer✔✔-A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
7 A client in labor experiences spontaneous rupture of the membranes. The
nurse immediately counts the fetal heart rate (FHR) for 1 full minute and then
checks the amniotic fluid. The nurse notes that the fluid is yellow and has a
strong odor. Which of the following actions should be the nurse's priority?
A. Contacting the physician
B. Documenting the findings
C. Checking the fluid for protein
COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
TEST BANK
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Verified
Answers. GRADED A+. Latest
2026/2027 Update
1-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
Checking the client's blood pressure
,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. Checking the client's peripheral pulses, the results of
the most recent potassium level, and the intake and output for the previous 24
hours are not specifically associated with this mediation.
2-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."
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 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.
,3-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 is off for
the night and will be available in the 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.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
5.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:
A. Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water
B. Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime
C. Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route
D. Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the day after the
ECT - Answer✔✔-A. Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water
6 A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery comes
to the physician's office for a follow-up visit. On assessment, the client tells the
nurse that he is feeling depressed. Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
B. "That's a normal response after this type of surgery."
C. "It will take time, but, I promise you, you will get over this depression."
D. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a month." -
Answer✔✔-A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
7 A client in labor experiences spontaneous rupture of the membranes. The
nurse immediately counts the fetal heart rate (FHR) for 1 full minute and then
checks the amniotic fluid. The nurse notes that the fluid is yellow and has a
strong odor. Which of the following actions should be the nurse's priority?
A. Contacting the physician
B. Documenting the findings
C. Checking the fluid for protein
