HESI LPN Comprehensive Exit Exam
Questions ,Answers and Detailed Rationale
2026-2027
A newborn with apnea is being discharged from the hospital with home
monitoring. What information concerning the infant's care should the
practicalnurse review with the parents?
A. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
B. Administration of intravenous antibiotics.
C. Reassurance that the infant cannot be electrocuted during monitoring.
D. Advise that the infant not be left with caretakers, such as babysitters.
A. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Rationale: Apnea of infancy (AOI) engenders great anxiety in parents, and the
initiation of home monitoring presents additional emotional stress. When
homemonitoring is required the parents should receive instructions that
include cardiopulmonary resuscitation(A). (B) does not indicate Apnea
Which protocol regarding standard policies about prescriptions should the
practicalnurse (PN) question?
A. All drug prescriptions should have the date, time, and prescriber's signature.
B.Verbal orders are accepted from prescribers and should include signatures.
C. Prescribers may write specific times at which the medications are to be given.
D. Preoperative prescriptions should be resumed after a client returns from surgery
D. Preoperative prescriptions should be resumed after a client returns from surgery.
Rationale: A standard policy about preoperative medications that
preoperative prescriptions are automatically canceled for surgery and should
be rewritten, ifindicated , in the postoperatively so the (PN) should question
(D). (A,B,C) are correct statements.
,When reviewing the safety precautions regarding newborns, what
informationshould the practical nurse communicate to the parents?
A. Position the infant to sleep on the baby's back.
B. Use a crib with slats no more than 4 inches apart.
C. Propping a bottle can be done when the infant gets older.
D. Place the infant a front-facing car seat in the automobile.
A. Position the infant to sleep on the baby's back.
Rationale: The incident of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) decline when
infants are positioned on their backs (A), instead of prone for sleeping. Crib
slats
(B) 2.375 inches apart to prevent the baby from slipping. (C) Never prop a
babies bottle. (D)Infant who weighs less than 30lbs should be placed in a rear
facing carseat.
When monitoring a newborn, which observation should the practical nurse
reportto the healthcare provider?
A. Rectal temperature of 37.6° C.
B. Axillary temperature of 37.1° C.
C. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute. Correct
D. Respiration rate of 40 breaths per minute.
C. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal range for a heart beat for an infant is 120-160 so a heart rate
of 110 should be reported to the healthcare provider. Newborn temperature ranges
from 97.7,99.4,36.5,37.5 and normal respiratory rate is 30-60
After reviewing discharge instructions with a male client who has hepatitis C,
whatstatement by the client indicates to the practical nurse that the client
understands his disease?
A. "I will avoid taking any products with acetaminophen, such as Tylenol."
B. "I will eliminate alcohol consumption until my infection subsides."
C. "I should eat a diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables."
D. "I understand that my other medications doses need to be increased."
,A. "I will avoid taking any products with acetaminophen, such as Tylenol."
Rationale: Tylenol is metabolized in the liver and should be avoided with
clientswith liver disease
Which action should the practical nurse perform first for a child who is injured
onthe school grounds and has an obvious mis-alignment of the lower forearm?
A. Remove the child's finger rings.
B. Assess and document the child's level of pain.
C. Evaluate the child's range of motion.
D. Place arm in a sling at level of the child's heart.
A. Remove the child's finger rings.
Rationale: The child is a risk for swelling in the distal areas of the affected arm and
hand. Removal of finger rings (A) should be implemented first to remove any
potential constriction that may occur after tissue injury or fracture of the lower
arm
The practical nurse (PN) is participating in a group interview of an applicant
whowill work in the clinic as a staff PN. Which question is best to ask the
applicant?
A. "This position requires working on-call every fourth weekend. Can you
dothat?"
B. "Do you have child care arrangements for your children?"
C. "Do you have any religious requirements that need scheduling
accommodation?"
D. "Are you going to be the sole supporter for your family?"
A. "This position requires working on-call every fourth weekend. Can you do
that?"
Rationale: Job interview questions must be specifically job related (A)
, A client in a nursing home becomes violent and verbally threatens an
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which is the best way for the practical
nurse (PN) in charge during the shift to handle the staff's reaction to the
incident?
A. Encourage UAP to deal with it privately to prevent compromising
clientconfidentiality.
B. Offer a group discussion session so staff can share their thoughts and feelings.
C. Invite staff out after hours to help distract them from the disturbing client event.
D. Refer the UAP to human resources department for a counseling session with
atherapist.
B. Offer a group discussion session so staff can share their thoughts and feelings
Rationale: A critical incident stress debriefing evolves expression of personal
feelings, discussion, and working on unresolved emotional issues to minimize
posttraumatic stress for the staff member. A CISD is the best action for the PN in
charge to take (B) in conjunction with the guidance and assistance of the nursing
supervisor in the facility
A group of practical nurses (PNs) who work on a medical-surgical unit
believe they are understaffed. Which data should the PNs consider when
preparing thejustification for additional staff?
A. Staffing ratios in other states.
B. Client acuity and census.
C. Overtime payment and unfilled positions.
D. Number and frequency of client complaints.
B. Client acuity and census.
Rationale: When presenting the need for increased staff, the PNs should present
therequest using staffing guidelines that consider client acuity, number of clients,
and length of stay(B).
The practical nurse (PN) assigns care of a client who is HIV positive to a newly
employed PN who states, I can't take care of that client. How should the PN
respond?
Questions ,Answers and Detailed Rationale
2026-2027
A newborn with apnea is being discharged from the hospital with home
monitoring. What information concerning the infant's care should the
practicalnurse review with the parents?
A. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
B. Administration of intravenous antibiotics.
C. Reassurance that the infant cannot be electrocuted during monitoring.
D. Advise that the infant not be left with caretakers, such as babysitters.
A. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Rationale: Apnea of infancy (AOI) engenders great anxiety in parents, and the
initiation of home monitoring presents additional emotional stress. When
homemonitoring is required the parents should receive instructions that
include cardiopulmonary resuscitation(A). (B) does not indicate Apnea
Which protocol regarding standard policies about prescriptions should the
practicalnurse (PN) question?
A. All drug prescriptions should have the date, time, and prescriber's signature.
B.Verbal orders are accepted from prescribers and should include signatures.
C. Prescribers may write specific times at which the medications are to be given.
D. Preoperative prescriptions should be resumed after a client returns from surgery
D. Preoperative prescriptions should be resumed after a client returns from surgery.
Rationale: A standard policy about preoperative medications that
preoperative prescriptions are automatically canceled for surgery and should
be rewritten, ifindicated , in the postoperatively so the (PN) should question
(D). (A,B,C) are correct statements.
,When reviewing the safety precautions regarding newborns, what
informationshould the practical nurse communicate to the parents?
A. Position the infant to sleep on the baby's back.
B. Use a crib with slats no more than 4 inches apart.
C. Propping a bottle can be done when the infant gets older.
D. Place the infant a front-facing car seat in the automobile.
A. Position the infant to sleep on the baby's back.
Rationale: The incident of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) decline when
infants are positioned on their backs (A), instead of prone for sleeping. Crib
slats
(B) 2.375 inches apart to prevent the baby from slipping. (C) Never prop a
babies bottle. (D)Infant who weighs less than 30lbs should be placed in a rear
facing carseat.
When monitoring a newborn, which observation should the practical nurse
reportto the healthcare provider?
A. Rectal temperature of 37.6° C.
B. Axillary temperature of 37.1° C.
C. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute. Correct
D. Respiration rate of 40 breaths per minute.
C. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
Rationale: The normal range for a heart beat for an infant is 120-160 so a heart rate
of 110 should be reported to the healthcare provider. Newborn temperature ranges
from 97.7,99.4,36.5,37.5 and normal respiratory rate is 30-60
After reviewing discharge instructions with a male client who has hepatitis C,
whatstatement by the client indicates to the practical nurse that the client
understands his disease?
A. "I will avoid taking any products with acetaminophen, such as Tylenol."
B. "I will eliminate alcohol consumption until my infection subsides."
C. "I should eat a diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables."
D. "I understand that my other medications doses need to be increased."
,A. "I will avoid taking any products with acetaminophen, such as Tylenol."
Rationale: Tylenol is metabolized in the liver and should be avoided with
clientswith liver disease
Which action should the practical nurse perform first for a child who is injured
onthe school grounds and has an obvious mis-alignment of the lower forearm?
A. Remove the child's finger rings.
B. Assess and document the child's level of pain.
C. Evaluate the child's range of motion.
D. Place arm in a sling at level of the child's heart.
A. Remove the child's finger rings.
Rationale: The child is a risk for swelling in the distal areas of the affected arm and
hand. Removal of finger rings (A) should be implemented first to remove any
potential constriction that may occur after tissue injury or fracture of the lower
arm
The practical nurse (PN) is participating in a group interview of an applicant
whowill work in the clinic as a staff PN. Which question is best to ask the
applicant?
A. "This position requires working on-call every fourth weekend. Can you
dothat?"
B. "Do you have child care arrangements for your children?"
C. "Do you have any religious requirements that need scheduling
accommodation?"
D. "Are you going to be the sole supporter for your family?"
A. "This position requires working on-call every fourth weekend. Can you do
that?"
Rationale: Job interview questions must be specifically job related (A)
, A client in a nursing home becomes violent and verbally threatens an
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which is the best way for the practical
nurse (PN) in charge during the shift to handle the staff's reaction to the
incident?
A. Encourage UAP to deal with it privately to prevent compromising
clientconfidentiality.
B. Offer a group discussion session so staff can share their thoughts and feelings.
C. Invite staff out after hours to help distract them from the disturbing client event.
D. Refer the UAP to human resources department for a counseling session with
atherapist.
B. Offer a group discussion session so staff can share their thoughts and feelings
Rationale: A critical incident stress debriefing evolves expression of personal
feelings, discussion, and working on unresolved emotional issues to minimize
posttraumatic stress for the staff member. A CISD is the best action for the PN in
charge to take (B) in conjunction with the guidance and assistance of the nursing
supervisor in the facility
A group of practical nurses (PNs) who work on a medical-surgical unit
believe they are understaffed. Which data should the PNs consider when
preparing thejustification for additional staff?
A. Staffing ratios in other states.
B. Client acuity and census.
C. Overtime payment and unfilled positions.
D. Number and frequency of client complaints.
B. Client acuity and census.
Rationale: When presenting the need for increased staff, the PNs should present
therequest using staffing guidelines that consider client acuity, number of clients,
and length of stay(B).
The practical nurse (PN) assigns care of a client who is HIV positive to a newly
employed PN who states, I can't take care of that client. How should the PN
respond?
