HESI
Comprehensive Exam 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers &
x x x x x x x
xDetailed Rationales | Complete Nursing Study Guide
x x x x x x
Resource Features x
➢ Comprehensive final practice questions
x x x
➢ Answers for self-assessment
x x
➢ Detailed rationales
x
➢ NCLEX-style questions x
➢ Clinical judgment practice
x x
➢ Prioritization questions x
, HESI Comprehensive Exam 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers
x x x x x x x
& Detailed Rationales | Complete Nursing Study Guide
x x x x x x x x
Question 1 x
The nurse is monitoring neurological vital signs for a male client who lost
x x x x x x x x x x x x
consciousness after falling and hitting his head. Which assessment finding is
x x x x x x x x x x x
the earliest and most sensitive indication of altered cerebral function?
x x x x x x x x x x
a. Unequal pupils.
x x
b. Loss of central reflexes.
x x x x
c. Inability to open the eyes.
x x x x x
d. Change in level of consciousness.
x x x x x
Answer: d. Change in level of consciousness.
x x x x x x
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness (LOC) is the earliest and most
x x x x x x x x x x x x
sensitive indicator of altered cerebral function. The LOC is assessed using the
x x x x x x x x x x x x
Glasgow Coma Scale and reflects the function of the reticular activating
x x x x x x x x x x x
system and cerebral cortex. Pupillary changes, loss of reflexes, and inability
x x x x x x x x x x x
to open eyes are later signs that indicate more significant neurological
x x x x x x x x x x x
deterioration.
x
Question 2 x
A nurse is planning to teach self-care measures to a female client about
x x x x x x x x x x x x
prevention of yeast infections. Which instructions should the nurse provide?
x x x x x x x x x x
,a. Use a douche preparation no more than once a month.
x x x x x x x x x x
b. Increase daily intake of fiber and leafy green vegetables.
x x x x x x x x x
c. Select nylon underwear that is loose-fitting, white, and comfortable.
x x x x x x x x x
d. Avoid tight-fitting clothing and do not use bubble-bath or bath salts.
x x x x x x x x x x x
Answer: d. Avoid tight-fitting clothing and do not use bubble-bath or
x x x x x x x x x x
x bath salts. x
Rationale: Yeast infections (candidiasis) thrive in warm, moist environments.
x x x x x x x x
Tight-fitting clothing and bubble baths/bath salts can alter the normal
x x x x x x x x x x
vaginal flora and create an environment conducive to yeast overgrowth.
x x x x x x x x x x
Douching should be avoided entirely as it disrupts normal flora. Cotton
x x x x x x x x x x x
underwear is preferred over nylon to allow air circulation.
x x x x x x x x x
Question 3 x
A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the medical unit.
x x x x x x x x x x x x
What action is most important for the nurse to implement?
x x x x x x x x x x
a. Place an isolation cart in the hallway.
x x x x x x x
b. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
x x x x x x x
c. Don a clean gown for client care.
x x x x x x x
d. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
x x x x x x x x
Answer: d. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
x x x x x x x x x
Rationale: Active TB requires airborne precautions. The most critical
x x x x x x x x
intervention is placing the client in a negative air-flow room (airborne
x x x x x x x x x x x
infection isolation room) to prevent transmission of Mycobacterium
x x x x x x x x
, tuberculosis to others. A respirator mask (N95) should be worn by healthcare
x x x x x x x x x x x x
workers, not the client. Gowns are not required for standard TB precautions.
x x x x x x x x x x x x
Question 4 x
The nurse is planning to conduct nutritional assessments and diet teaching
x x x x x x x x x x
to clients at a family health clinic. Which individual has the greatest
x x x x x x x x x x x x
nutritional and energy demands?
x x x x
a. A pregnant woman.
x x x
b. A teenager beginning puberty.
x x x x
c. A 3-month-old infant.
x x x
d. A school-aged child.
x x x
Answer: a. A pregnant woman. x x x x
Rationale: Pregnancy creates the greatest nutritional and energy demands
x x x x x x x x
due to fetal growth, maternal tissue development, increased blood volume,
x x x x x x x x x x
and metabolic demands. The energy requirements increase by
x x x x x x x x
approximately 300 calories per day in the second and third trimesters. While
x x x x x x x x x x x x
infants and adolescents have high demands relative to their size, pregnancy
x x x x x x x x x x x
represents the most significant overall metabolic demand.
x x x x x x x
Question 5 x
What nursing delivery of care provides the nurse to plan and direct care of a
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
group of clients over a 24-hour period?
x x x x x x x
Comprehensive Exam 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers &
x x x x x x x
xDetailed Rationales | Complete Nursing Study Guide
x x x x x x
Resource Features x
➢ Comprehensive final practice questions
x x x
➢ Answers for self-assessment
x x
➢ Detailed rationales
x
➢ NCLEX-style questions x
➢ Clinical judgment practice
x x
➢ Prioritization questions x
, HESI Comprehensive Exam 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers
x x x x x x x
& Detailed Rationales | Complete Nursing Study Guide
x x x x x x x x
Question 1 x
The nurse is monitoring neurological vital signs for a male client who lost
x x x x x x x x x x x x
consciousness after falling and hitting his head. Which assessment finding is
x x x x x x x x x x x
the earliest and most sensitive indication of altered cerebral function?
x x x x x x x x x x
a. Unequal pupils.
x x
b. Loss of central reflexes.
x x x x
c. Inability to open the eyes.
x x x x x
d. Change in level of consciousness.
x x x x x
Answer: d. Change in level of consciousness.
x x x x x x
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness (LOC) is the earliest and most
x x x x x x x x x x x x
sensitive indicator of altered cerebral function. The LOC is assessed using the
x x x x x x x x x x x x
Glasgow Coma Scale and reflects the function of the reticular activating
x x x x x x x x x x x
system and cerebral cortex. Pupillary changes, loss of reflexes, and inability
x x x x x x x x x x x
to open eyes are later signs that indicate more significant neurological
x x x x x x x x x x x
deterioration.
x
Question 2 x
A nurse is planning to teach self-care measures to a female client about
x x x x x x x x x x x x
prevention of yeast infections. Which instructions should the nurse provide?
x x x x x x x x x x
,a. Use a douche preparation no more than once a month.
x x x x x x x x x x
b. Increase daily intake of fiber and leafy green vegetables.
x x x x x x x x x
c. Select nylon underwear that is loose-fitting, white, and comfortable.
x x x x x x x x x
d. Avoid tight-fitting clothing and do not use bubble-bath or bath salts.
x x x x x x x x x x x
Answer: d. Avoid tight-fitting clothing and do not use bubble-bath or
x x x x x x x x x x
x bath salts. x
Rationale: Yeast infections (candidiasis) thrive in warm, moist environments.
x x x x x x x x
Tight-fitting clothing and bubble baths/bath salts can alter the normal
x x x x x x x x x x
vaginal flora and create an environment conducive to yeast overgrowth.
x x x x x x x x x x
Douching should be avoided entirely as it disrupts normal flora. Cotton
x x x x x x x x x x x
underwear is preferred over nylon to allow air circulation.
x x x x x x x x x
Question 3 x
A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the medical unit.
x x x x x x x x x x x x
What action is most important for the nurse to implement?
x x x x x x x x x x
a. Place an isolation cart in the hallway.
x x x x x x x
b. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
x x x x x x x
c. Don a clean gown for client care.
x x x x x x x
d. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
x x x x x x x x
Answer: d. Assign the client to a negative air-flow room.
x x x x x x x x x
Rationale: Active TB requires airborne precautions. The most critical
x x x x x x x x
intervention is placing the client in a negative air-flow room (airborne
x x x x x x x x x x x
infection isolation room) to prevent transmission of Mycobacterium
x x x x x x x x
, tuberculosis to others. A respirator mask (N95) should be worn by healthcare
x x x x x x x x x x x x
workers, not the client. Gowns are not required for standard TB precautions.
x x x x x x x x x x x x
Question 4 x
The nurse is planning to conduct nutritional assessments and diet teaching
x x x x x x x x x x
to clients at a family health clinic. Which individual has the greatest
x x x x x x x x x x x x
nutritional and energy demands?
x x x x
a. A pregnant woman.
x x x
b. A teenager beginning puberty.
x x x x
c. A 3-month-old infant.
x x x
d. A school-aged child.
x x x
Answer: a. A pregnant woman. x x x x
Rationale: Pregnancy creates the greatest nutritional and energy demands
x x x x x x x x
due to fetal growth, maternal tissue development, increased blood volume,
x x x x x x x x x x
and metabolic demands. The energy requirements increase by
x x x x x x x x
approximately 300 calories per day in the second and third trimesters. While
x x x x x x x x x x x x
infants and adolescents have high demands relative to their size, pregnancy
x x x x x x x x x x x
represents the most significant overall metabolic demand.
x x x x x x x
Question 5 x
What nursing delivery of care provides the nurse to plan and direct care of a
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
group of clients over a 24-hour period?
x x x x x x x
