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HESI Fundamentals of Nursing ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 |
Comprehensive Exam | Foundational Knowledge &
Safe Care | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
DOMAIN 1: NURSING PROCESS & CRITICAL THINKING (10 Questions)
Q1: A nurse is admitting a client who is alert but appears anxious and is short of breath. The
client states, "I just can't catch my breath." Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Complete the admission paperwork
B. Ask the client detailed questions about their medical history
C. Assess the client's vital signs and oxygen saturation [CORRECT]
D. Notify the provider of the client's admission
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first step of the nursing process is Assessment. The client's statement ("can't
catch my breath") indicates a potential physiological priority (airway/breathing). The nurse must
first gather objective data (vital signs, SpO2) to determine the severity of the issue before
proceeding with documentation (A), detailed history (B), or notification (D). Safety and
assessment come before all other processes.
Q2: Which nursing action best demonstrates the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
A. Developing a plan of care for a client with diabetes
B. Measuring a client's blood glucose level after administering insulin [CORRECT]
C. Documenting a client's allergies in the medical record
D. Teaching a client about wound care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation involves determining whether the client's goals/outcomes have been met.
Measuring blood glucose after insulin administration evaluates the effectiveness of the
intervention. Option A is Planning, C is Assessment, and D is Implementation.
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Q3: A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client scheduled for discharge in 2 hours
B. A client requesting a PRN pain medication
C. A client with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and SpO2 of 88% [CORRECT]
D. A client who needs assistance to the bathroom
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework, the client
with tachypnea (28) and hypoxemia (88%) has compromised breathing and requires immediate
assessment/intervention. Pain (B) and elimination needs (D) are important but not life-
threatening. Discharge (A) is lowest priority.
Q4: [Select ALL that apply] Which data are considered objective assessment findings?
A. Client states, "I feel nauseated"
B. Blood pressure 142/88 mmHg [CORRECT]
C. Client appears pale [CORRECT]
D. Temperature 38.2°C [CORRECT]
E. Client reports pain level of 6/10
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable (vital signs, physical appearance).
Subjective data are reported by the client (nausea, pain). The nurse can observe pallor (C) and
measure vital signs (B, D), making them objective.
Q5: A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis for a client with impaired mobility. Which
statement is correctly formatted as a PES statement?
A. Impaired physical mobility related to pain
B. Impaired physical mobility related to pain as evidenced by reluctance to move and guarding
behavior [CORRECT]
C. The client will ambulate 50 feet by discharge
D. Pain causing impaired mobility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PES = Problem (diagnostic label) + Etiology (related to) + Signs/Symptoms (as
evidenced by). Option A lacks defining characteristics. Option C is an outcome/goal, not a
diagnosis. Option D is not a standardized NANDA-I format.
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Q6: A client with heart failure has the nursing diagnosis: "Fluid volume excess related to
compromised regulatory mechanism as evidenced by edema and weight gain." Which is an
appropriate measurable outcome?
A. Client will have less edema
B. Client's weight will decrease by 2 pounds within 3 days [CORRECT]
C. Client will take diuretics as prescribed
D. Nurse will assess edema daily
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Outcomes must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound
(SMART). Option B includes specific measurement (2 pounds), timeframe (3 days), and is
client-centered. Options A, C, and D lack specificity or are interventions, not outcomes.
Q7: When prioritizing care using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which need takes precedence?
A. Self-esteem
B. Safety and security
C. Physiological needs [CORRECT]
D. Love and belonging
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physiological needs (oxygen, water, food, elimination, temperature, sleep) are the
foundation of Maslow's hierarchy and must be met before higher-level needs. The hierarchy
progresses: Physiological → Safety → Love/Belonging → Self-Esteem → Self-Actualization.
Q8: A nurse is reviewing a client's morning laboratory results. Which finding requires
immediate nursing intervention?
A. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Blood glucose 52 mg/dL [CORRECT]
D. Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Blood glucose 52 mg/dL indicates severe hypoglycemia (normal 70-100 mg/dL
fasting), which can lead to seizures, altered mental status, or death if untreated. The nurse must
HESI Fundamentals of Nursing ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026/2027 |
Comprehensive Exam | Foundational Knowledge &
Safe Care | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
DOMAIN 1: NURSING PROCESS & CRITICAL THINKING (10 Questions)
Q1: A nurse is admitting a client who is alert but appears anxious and is short of breath. The
client states, "I just can't catch my breath." Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Complete the admission paperwork
B. Ask the client detailed questions about their medical history
C. Assess the client's vital signs and oxygen saturation [CORRECT]
D. Notify the provider of the client's admission
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first step of the nursing process is Assessment. The client's statement ("can't
catch my breath") indicates a potential physiological priority (airway/breathing). The nurse must
first gather objective data (vital signs, SpO2) to determine the severity of the issue before
proceeding with documentation (A), detailed history (B), or notification (D). Safety and
assessment come before all other processes.
Q2: Which nursing action best demonstrates the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
A. Developing a plan of care for a client with diabetes
B. Measuring a client's blood glucose level after administering insulin [CORRECT]
C. Documenting a client's allergies in the medical record
D. Teaching a client about wound care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation involves determining whether the client's goals/outcomes have been met.
Measuring blood glucose after insulin administration evaluates the effectiveness of the
intervention. Option A is Planning, C is Assessment, and D is Implementation.
,2
Q3: A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client scheduled for discharge in 2 hours
B. A client requesting a PRN pain medication
C. A client with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and SpO2 of 88% [CORRECT]
D. A client who needs assistance to the bathroom
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework, the client
with tachypnea (28) and hypoxemia (88%) has compromised breathing and requires immediate
assessment/intervention. Pain (B) and elimination needs (D) are important but not life-
threatening. Discharge (A) is lowest priority.
Q4: [Select ALL that apply] Which data are considered objective assessment findings?
A. Client states, "I feel nauseated"
B. Blood pressure 142/88 mmHg [CORRECT]
C. Client appears pale [CORRECT]
D. Temperature 38.2°C [CORRECT]
E. Client reports pain level of 6/10
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale: Objective data are observable and measurable (vital signs, physical appearance).
Subjective data are reported by the client (nausea, pain). The nurse can observe pallor (C) and
measure vital signs (B, D), making them objective.
Q5: A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis for a client with impaired mobility. Which
statement is correctly formatted as a PES statement?
A. Impaired physical mobility related to pain
B. Impaired physical mobility related to pain as evidenced by reluctance to move and guarding
behavior [CORRECT]
C. The client will ambulate 50 feet by discharge
D. Pain causing impaired mobility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PES = Problem (diagnostic label) + Etiology (related to) + Signs/Symptoms (as
evidenced by). Option A lacks defining characteristics. Option C is an outcome/goal, not a
diagnosis. Option D is not a standardized NANDA-I format.
, 3
Q6: A client with heart failure has the nursing diagnosis: "Fluid volume excess related to
compromised regulatory mechanism as evidenced by edema and weight gain." Which is an
appropriate measurable outcome?
A. Client will have less edema
B. Client's weight will decrease by 2 pounds within 3 days [CORRECT]
C. Client will take diuretics as prescribed
D. Nurse will assess edema daily
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Outcomes must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound
(SMART). Option B includes specific measurement (2 pounds), timeframe (3 days), and is
client-centered. Options A, C, and D lack specificity or are interventions, not outcomes.
Q7: When prioritizing care using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which need takes precedence?
A. Self-esteem
B. Safety and security
C. Physiological needs [CORRECT]
D. Love and belonging
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physiological needs (oxygen, water, food, elimination, temperature, sleep) are the
foundation of Maslow's hierarchy and must be met before higher-level needs. The hierarchy
progresses: Physiological → Safety → Love/Belonging → Self-Esteem → Self-Actualization.
Q8: A nurse is reviewing a client's morning laboratory results. Which finding requires
immediate nursing intervention?
A. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Blood glucose 52 mg/dL [CORRECT]
D. Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Blood glucose 52 mg/dL indicates severe hypoglycemia (normal 70-100 mg/dL
fasting), which can lead to seizures, altered mental status, or death if untreated. The nurse must
