HESI exit exam 799 questions, HESI 700
Exit Practice Test, HESI RN Exit Exam
2026, HESI RN 2026 EXIT EXAM , HESI
RN EXIT Exam Questions and Verified
Answers 2026
The charge nurse of a critical care unit is informed at the beginning of the shift that less
than the optimal number of registered nurses will be working that shift. In planning
assignments, which client should receive the most care hours by a registered nurse
(RN)
a. A 34-year -old admitted today after an emergency appendendectomy who has a
peripheral intravenous catheter and a Foley catheter.
b. A 48-year-old marathon runner with a central venous catheter who is experiencing
nausea and vomiting due to electrolyte disturbance following a race.
c. A 63-year-old chain smoker admitted with chronic bronchitis who is receiving oxygen
via nasal cannula and has a saline-locked peripheral intravenous catheter.
d. An 82-year-old client with Alzheimer's disease newly-fractures femur who has a Foley
catheter and soft wrist restrains applied
An 82-year-old client with Alzheimer's disease newly-fractures femur who has a Foley
catheter and soft wrist restrains applied
Rationale: (D) describe the client at the most risk for injury and complications because
of the factor listed. (A) has complete the recovery period form anesthesia but requires
critical care because of the invasive lines and new abdominal incision. (B) is likely to be
in excellent physical condition and has one invasive line needed for rehydration. (C) is
essentially stable, despite having a chronic condition.
A mother brings her 6-year-old child, who has just stepped on a rusty nail, to the
pediatrician's office. Upon inspection, the nurse notes that the nail went through the
shoe and pierced the bottom of the child's foot. Which action should the nurse
implement first?
a. Cleanse the foot with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment
b. Provide teaching about the need for a tetanus booster within the next 72 hours.
c. have the mother check the child's temperature q4h for the next 24 hours
d. transfer the child to the emergency department to receive a gamma globulin injection
Cleanse the foot with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment
Rationale: The nurse should cleanse the wound first and implement B next.
The mother of an adolescent tells the clinic nurse, "My son has athlete's foot, I have
been applying triple antibiotic ointment for two days, but there has been no
improvement." What instruction should the nurse provide?
1|Page
,a. Antibiotics take two weeks to become effective against infections such as athlete's
foot.
b. Continue using the ointment for a full week, even after the symptoms disappear.
c. Applying too much ointment can deter its effectiveness. Apply a thin layer to prevent
maceration.
d. Stop using the ointment and encourage complete drying of the feet and wearing
clean socks.
Stop using the ointment and encourage complete drying of the feet and wearing clean
socks.
Rationale: Athlete's foot (tinea pedi) is a fungal infection that afflicts the feet and causes
scaliness and cracking of the skin between the toes and on the soles of the feet. The
feet should be ventilated, dried well after bathing, and clean socks should be placed on
the feet after bathing. Antifungal ointments may be prescribed, but antibiotic ointments
are not useful.
A 26-year-old female client is admitted to the hospital for treatment of a simple goiter,
and levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) is prescribed. Which symptoms indicate to the
nurse that the prescribed dosage is too high for this client? The client experiences
a. Palpitations and shortness of breath
b. Bradycardia and constipation
c. Lethargy and lack of appetite
d. Muscle cramping and dry, flushed skin
Palpitations and shortness of breath
Rationale: An overdose of thyroid preparation generally manifests symptoms of an
agitated state such as tremors, palpitations, shortness of breath, tachycardia, increased
appetite, agitation, sweating and diarrhea.
A client with a history of heart failure presents to the clinic with a nausea, vomiting,
yellow vision and palpitations. Which finding is most important for the nurse to assess to
the client?
a. Determine the client's level of orientation and cognition
b. Assess distal pulses and signs of peripheral edema
c. Obtain a list of medications taken for cardiac history.
d. Ask the client about exposure to environmental heat.
Obtain a list of medications taken for cardiac history
Rationale: The client is presenting with signs of digitalis toxicity. A list of medication,
which is likely to include digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart failure, can direct further
assessment in validating digitalis toxicity with serum labels greater than 2 mg/ml that is
contributing to client's presenting clinical picture.
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV solution of isoproterenol (Isuprel) 1 mg in 250
ml of D5W at 300 mcg/hour. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver
how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.)
2|Page
,75
Rationale: Convert mg to mcg and use the formula D/H x Q. 300 mcg/hour / 1,000 mcg
x 250 ml = 3/1 x 25 = 75 ml/hour
The pathophysiological mechanism are responsible for ascites related to liver failure?
(Select all that apply)
a. Bleeding that results from a decreased production of the body's clotting factors
b. Fluid shifts from intravascular to interstitial area due to decreased serum protein
c. Increased hydrostatic pressure in portal circulation increases fluid shifts into abdomen
d. Increased circulating aldosterone levels that increase sodium and water retention
e. Decreased absorption of fatty acids in the duodenum leading to abdominal distention.
b. Fluid shifts from intravascular to interstitial area due to decreased serum protein
c. Increased hydrostatic pressure in portal circulation increases fluid shifts into abdomen
d. Increased circulating aldosterone levels that increase sodium and water retention
Rationale: When liver fail production of albumin is reduced. Since albumin is the primary
serum protein creating intravascular osmotic pressure, decreased serum protein allows
a fluids shift into the interstitial space. Pressure increases in the portal circulation ©
when venous return from the upper GI tract cannot flow freely into sclerosed liver, which
cause a pressure gradient to further Increase fluid shifts into the abdomen. A failing liver
ineffectively inactivates steroidal hormones, such as aldosterone resulting in sodium
and water retention.
The healthcare provider prescribes celtazidime (Fortax) 35 mg every 8 hours IM for an
infant. The 500 mg vial is labeled with the instruction to add 5.3 ml diluent to provide a
concentration of 100 mg/ml. How many ml should the nurse administered for each
dose? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth
0.4
rationale: 35mg/100mg x 1 = 0.35 = 0.4 ml
The nurse notes that a client has been receiving hydromorphone (Dilaudid) every six
hours for four days. What assessment is most important for the nurse to complete?
a. Auscultate the client's bowel sounds
b. Observe for edema around the ankles
c. Measure the client's capillary glucose level
d. Count the apical and radial pulses simultaneously
Auscultate the client's bowel sounds
Rationale: hydromorphone is a potent opioid analgesic that slows peristalsis and
frequently causes constipation, so it is most important to Auscultate the client's bowel
sounds
A female client is admitted with end stage pulmonary disease is alert, oriented, and
complaining of shortness of breath. The client tells the nurse that she wants "no heroic
measures" taken if she stops breathing, and she asks the nurse to document this in her
medical record. What action should the nurse implement
Ask the client to discuss "do not resuscitate" with her healthcare provider
A client is receiving a full strength continuous enteral tube feeding at 50 ml/hour and
has developed diarrhea. The client has a new prescription to change the feeding to half
3|Page
, strength. What intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Add equal amounts of water and feeding to a feeding bag and infuse at 50ml/hour
b. Continue the full strength feeding after decreasing the rate of infusion to 25 ml/hr.
c. Maintain the present feeding until diarrhea subsides and the begin the next new
prescription.
d. Withhold any further feeding until clarifying the prescription with healthcare provides.
Add equal amounts of water and feeding to a feeding bag and infuse at 50ml/hour
Rationale: Diluting the formula can help alleviate the diarrhea. Diarrhea can occur as a
complication of enteral tube feeding and can be due to a variety of causes including
hyperosmolar formula.
A female client reports that her hair is becoming coarse and breaking off, that the outer
part of her eyebrows have disappeared, and that her eyes are all puffy. Which follow-up
question is best for the nurse to ask?
a. "Is there a history of female baldness in your family?"
b. "Are you under any unusual stress at home or work?"
c. "Do you work with hazardous chemicals?"
d. "Have you noticed any changes in your fingernails?"
Have you noticed any changes in your fingernails?
Rationale: The pattern of reported manifestations is suggestive of hypothyroidism
After a third hospitalization 6 months ago, a client is admitted to the hospital with ascites
and malnutrition. The client is drowsy but responding to verbal stimuli and reports
recently spitting up blood. What assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by
the nurse?
a. Bruises on arms and legs
b. Round and tight abdomen
c. Pitting edema in lower legs
d. Capillary refill of 8 seconds
Capillary refill of 8 seconds
Rationale: The client is bleeding and hypovolemia is likely. Capillary refill is greater than
3 to 5 seconds indicates poor perfusion and requires immediate attention
After the nurse witnesses a preoperative client sign the surgical consent form, the nurse
signs the form as a witness. What are the legal implications of the nurse's signature on
the client's surgical consent form? (Select all that apply)
a. The client voluntarily grants permission for the procedure to be done
b. The surgeon has explained to the client why the surgery is necessary.
c. The client is competent to sign the consent without impairment of judgment
d. The client understands the risks and benefits associated with the procedure
e. After considering alternatives to surgery, the client elects to have the procedure.
a. The client voluntarily grants permission for the procedure to be done
4|Page
Exit Practice Test, HESI RN Exit Exam
2026, HESI RN 2026 EXIT EXAM , HESI
RN EXIT Exam Questions and Verified
Answers 2026
The charge nurse of a critical care unit is informed at the beginning of the shift that less
than the optimal number of registered nurses will be working that shift. In planning
assignments, which client should receive the most care hours by a registered nurse
(RN)
a. A 34-year -old admitted today after an emergency appendendectomy who has a
peripheral intravenous catheter and a Foley catheter.
b. A 48-year-old marathon runner with a central venous catheter who is experiencing
nausea and vomiting due to electrolyte disturbance following a race.
c. A 63-year-old chain smoker admitted with chronic bronchitis who is receiving oxygen
via nasal cannula and has a saline-locked peripheral intravenous catheter.
d. An 82-year-old client with Alzheimer's disease newly-fractures femur who has a Foley
catheter and soft wrist restrains applied
An 82-year-old client with Alzheimer's disease newly-fractures femur who has a Foley
catheter and soft wrist restrains applied
Rationale: (D) describe the client at the most risk for injury and complications because
of the factor listed. (A) has complete the recovery period form anesthesia but requires
critical care because of the invasive lines and new abdominal incision. (B) is likely to be
in excellent physical condition and has one invasive line needed for rehydration. (C) is
essentially stable, despite having a chronic condition.
A mother brings her 6-year-old child, who has just stepped on a rusty nail, to the
pediatrician's office. Upon inspection, the nurse notes that the nail went through the
shoe and pierced the bottom of the child's foot. Which action should the nurse
implement first?
a. Cleanse the foot with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment
b. Provide teaching about the need for a tetanus booster within the next 72 hours.
c. have the mother check the child's temperature q4h for the next 24 hours
d. transfer the child to the emergency department to receive a gamma globulin injection
Cleanse the foot with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment
Rationale: The nurse should cleanse the wound first and implement B next.
The mother of an adolescent tells the clinic nurse, "My son has athlete's foot, I have
been applying triple antibiotic ointment for two days, but there has been no
improvement." What instruction should the nurse provide?
1|Page
,a. Antibiotics take two weeks to become effective against infections such as athlete's
foot.
b. Continue using the ointment for a full week, even after the symptoms disappear.
c. Applying too much ointment can deter its effectiveness. Apply a thin layer to prevent
maceration.
d. Stop using the ointment and encourage complete drying of the feet and wearing
clean socks.
Stop using the ointment and encourage complete drying of the feet and wearing clean
socks.
Rationale: Athlete's foot (tinea pedi) is a fungal infection that afflicts the feet and causes
scaliness and cracking of the skin between the toes and on the soles of the feet. The
feet should be ventilated, dried well after bathing, and clean socks should be placed on
the feet after bathing. Antifungal ointments may be prescribed, but antibiotic ointments
are not useful.
A 26-year-old female client is admitted to the hospital for treatment of a simple goiter,
and levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid) is prescribed. Which symptoms indicate to the
nurse that the prescribed dosage is too high for this client? The client experiences
a. Palpitations and shortness of breath
b. Bradycardia and constipation
c. Lethargy and lack of appetite
d. Muscle cramping and dry, flushed skin
Palpitations and shortness of breath
Rationale: An overdose of thyroid preparation generally manifests symptoms of an
agitated state such as tremors, palpitations, shortness of breath, tachycardia, increased
appetite, agitation, sweating and diarrhea.
A client with a history of heart failure presents to the clinic with a nausea, vomiting,
yellow vision and palpitations. Which finding is most important for the nurse to assess to
the client?
a. Determine the client's level of orientation and cognition
b. Assess distal pulses and signs of peripheral edema
c. Obtain a list of medications taken for cardiac history.
d. Ask the client about exposure to environmental heat.
Obtain a list of medications taken for cardiac history
Rationale: The client is presenting with signs of digitalis toxicity. A list of medication,
which is likely to include digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart failure, can direct further
assessment in validating digitalis toxicity with serum labels greater than 2 mg/ml that is
contributing to client's presenting clinical picture.
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV solution of isoproterenol (Isuprel) 1 mg in 250
ml of D5W at 300 mcg/hour. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver
how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.)
2|Page
,75
Rationale: Convert mg to mcg and use the formula D/H x Q. 300 mcg/hour / 1,000 mcg
x 250 ml = 3/1 x 25 = 75 ml/hour
The pathophysiological mechanism are responsible for ascites related to liver failure?
(Select all that apply)
a. Bleeding that results from a decreased production of the body's clotting factors
b. Fluid shifts from intravascular to interstitial area due to decreased serum protein
c. Increased hydrostatic pressure in portal circulation increases fluid shifts into abdomen
d. Increased circulating aldosterone levels that increase sodium and water retention
e. Decreased absorption of fatty acids in the duodenum leading to abdominal distention.
b. Fluid shifts from intravascular to interstitial area due to decreased serum protein
c. Increased hydrostatic pressure in portal circulation increases fluid shifts into abdomen
d. Increased circulating aldosterone levels that increase sodium and water retention
Rationale: When liver fail production of albumin is reduced. Since albumin is the primary
serum protein creating intravascular osmotic pressure, decreased serum protein allows
a fluids shift into the interstitial space. Pressure increases in the portal circulation ©
when venous return from the upper GI tract cannot flow freely into sclerosed liver, which
cause a pressure gradient to further Increase fluid shifts into the abdomen. A failing liver
ineffectively inactivates steroidal hormones, such as aldosterone resulting in sodium
and water retention.
The healthcare provider prescribes celtazidime (Fortax) 35 mg every 8 hours IM for an
infant. The 500 mg vial is labeled with the instruction to add 5.3 ml diluent to provide a
concentration of 100 mg/ml. How many ml should the nurse administered for each
dose? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth
0.4
rationale: 35mg/100mg x 1 = 0.35 = 0.4 ml
The nurse notes that a client has been receiving hydromorphone (Dilaudid) every six
hours for four days. What assessment is most important for the nurse to complete?
a. Auscultate the client's bowel sounds
b. Observe for edema around the ankles
c. Measure the client's capillary glucose level
d. Count the apical and radial pulses simultaneously
Auscultate the client's bowel sounds
Rationale: hydromorphone is a potent opioid analgesic that slows peristalsis and
frequently causes constipation, so it is most important to Auscultate the client's bowel
sounds
A female client is admitted with end stage pulmonary disease is alert, oriented, and
complaining of shortness of breath. The client tells the nurse that she wants "no heroic
measures" taken if she stops breathing, and she asks the nurse to document this in her
medical record. What action should the nurse implement
Ask the client to discuss "do not resuscitate" with her healthcare provider
A client is receiving a full strength continuous enteral tube feeding at 50 ml/hour and
has developed diarrhea. The client has a new prescription to change the feeding to half
3|Page
, strength. What intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Add equal amounts of water and feeding to a feeding bag and infuse at 50ml/hour
b. Continue the full strength feeding after decreasing the rate of infusion to 25 ml/hr.
c. Maintain the present feeding until diarrhea subsides and the begin the next new
prescription.
d. Withhold any further feeding until clarifying the prescription with healthcare provides.
Add equal amounts of water and feeding to a feeding bag and infuse at 50ml/hour
Rationale: Diluting the formula can help alleviate the diarrhea. Diarrhea can occur as a
complication of enteral tube feeding and can be due to a variety of causes including
hyperosmolar formula.
A female client reports that her hair is becoming coarse and breaking off, that the outer
part of her eyebrows have disappeared, and that her eyes are all puffy. Which follow-up
question is best for the nurse to ask?
a. "Is there a history of female baldness in your family?"
b. "Are you under any unusual stress at home or work?"
c. "Do you work with hazardous chemicals?"
d. "Have you noticed any changes in your fingernails?"
Have you noticed any changes in your fingernails?
Rationale: The pattern of reported manifestations is suggestive of hypothyroidism
After a third hospitalization 6 months ago, a client is admitted to the hospital with ascites
and malnutrition. The client is drowsy but responding to verbal stimuli and reports
recently spitting up blood. What assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by
the nurse?
a. Bruises on arms and legs
b. Round and tight abdomen
c. Pitting edema in lower legs
d. Capillary refill of 8 seconds
Capillary refill of 8 seconds
Rationale: The client is bleeding and hypovolemia is likely. Capillary refill is greater than
3 to 5 seconds indicates poor perfusion and requires immediate attention
After the nurse witnesses a preoperative client sign the surgical consent form, the nurse
signs the form as a witness. What are the legal implications of the nurse's signature on
the client's surgical consent form? (Select all that apply)
a. The client voluntarily grants permission for the procedure to be done
b. The surgeon has explained to the client why the surgery is necessary.
c. The client is competent to sign the consent without impairment of judgment
d. The client understands the risks and benefits associated with the procedure
e. After considering alternatives to surgery, the client elects to have the procedure.
a. The client voluntarily grants permission for the procedure to be done
4|Page
