HESI PN FUNDAMENTALS RETAKE 2026
PROCTORED EXAM
The practical nurse (PN) is giving oral care to an older female client with tender
gums that bleed easily because of a medication she is taking. What intervention
should the PN implement?
A. Encourage client to massage gums
B. Use mouth wash only
C. Obtain a soft-bristle brush for the client
D. Have client rinse with warm salt water
Rationale: Client needs oral hygiene and soft bristle brushes minimize gingival
bleeding.
Which time frame should the practical nurse (PN) reposition a client?
A. q 4 hours when awake
B. Twice per shift
C. q 2 hours
D. With each client request
The nurse is assessing a client with dark skin who is in Respiratory Distress. Which
client response should the nurse evaluate to determine cyanosis in this particular
client?
A. Cyanosis in a client with dark skin is seen in the sclera
B. Abnormal skin color changes in a client with dark skin cannot be determined
C. The lips and mucus membranes of a client with dark skin are dusky in color
D. Blanching the soles of the feet in a client with dark skin reveals cyanosis
Rationale: Causes of cyanosis include hypoxemia and decreased cardiac output.
Cyanosis, a late sign of hypoxemia, is best observed in tissue that has superficial
capillary supply, such as mucous membranes, the conjunctiva, lips, palms, and
under the tongue, which is readily visible in dark skin.
,Which technique should the PN use to most accurately assess a client's baseline
BP during a routine health exam?
A. Measure the pressure in each arm while the client sits with both arms
supported at heart level
B. Calculate avg BP using readings obtained in both arms
C. Obtain BP first with client lying supine and then when standing
D. Take additional measurements for readings with a 10 mm Hg difference
Rationale: BP should be taken initially in both arms while the client is seated or
supine with the arm bared, supported, and positioned at the level of the heart.
A client with gastroenteritis, nausea, and vomiting is currently on Nothing by
mouth (NPO) status. The healthcare provider prescribes oral intake to be
advanced as tolerated. Which fluid should the practical nurse offer first?
A. Tea
B. Broth
C. Water
D. Soda
Rationale: Water or ice chips are the first choices of clear fluids for rehydration by
mouth.
An older client who is admitted to the hospital with dehydration and electrolyte
imbalance is confused and incontinent of urine. Which action provides the best
strategy for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for the client’s incontinence?
A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
B. Apply absorbent incontinence pads
C. Restrict fluids after the evening meal
D. Establish a 2-hour voiding schedule
Rationale: A 2 hour voiding schedule is the best strategy for urinary incontinence
management b/c it provides the client who is confused an opportunity to empty
the bladder which minimizes incontinence due to overfilling.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement to reduce the
incidence of urinary tract infections in a client with an indwelling catheter?
A. Irrigate cath with sterile distilled water
, B. Dilute an antiseptic solution in the perineal wash
C. Cleanse perineal area with soap and water BID and PRN
D. Apply an antibiotic ointment around urinary meatus BID
Rationale: Daily perineal care BID and PRN should include cleansing of the meatus
and catheter junction with soap and water.
A male client is upset with the healthcare provider's recommendation that he
should consent to an above-knee amputation. He tells the practical nurse (PN),
What are Class A fire extinguishers used for?
a. Electric equipment
b. Flammable liquids
c. Ordinary combustibles
d. Powdered metal (combustible) material
Class A fire extinguishers are classified as ordinary combustible. Additionally, Class
A fire extinguishers have a numerical rating based on UL-conducted tests and
designed to determine the extinguishing potential for each size and type of
extinguisher.
Which part of the microscope directs and focuses the beam of light from the bulb
onto the material under examination?
a. Aperture
b. C-mount
c. Condenser
d. Diaphragm
The condenser is the substage lens of the microscope that focuses light on the
specimen slide.
How many milliliters can a 3% solution make if 6 grams of solute are available?
PROCTORED EXAM
The practical nurse (PN) is giving oral care to an older female client with tender
gums that bleed easily because of a medication she is taking. What intervention
should the PN implement?
A. Encourage client to massage gums
B. Use mouth wash only
C. Obtain a soft-bristle brush for the client
D. Have client rinse with warm salt water
Rationale: Client needs oral hygiene and soft bristle brushes minimize gingival
bleeding.
Which time frame should the practical nurse (PN) reposition a client?
A. q 4 hours when awake
B. Twice per shift
C. q 2 hours
D. With each client request
The nurse is assessing a client with dark skin who is in Respiratory Distress. Which
client response should the nurse evaluate to determine cyanosis in this particular
client?
A. Cyanosis in a client with dark skin is seen in the sclera
B. Abnormal skin color changes in a client with dark skin cannot be determined
C. The lips and mucus membranes of a client with dark skin are dusky in color
D. Blanching the soles of the feet in a client with dark skin reveals cyanosis
Rationale: Causes of cyanosis include hypoxemia and decreased cardiac output.
Cyanosis, a late sign of hypoxemia, is best observed in tissue that has superficial
capillary supply, such as mucous membranes, the conjunctiva, lips, palms, and
under the tongue, which is readily visible in dark skin.
,Which technique should the PN use to most accurately assess a client's baseline
BP during a routine health exam?
A. Measure the pressure in each arm while the client sits with both arms
supported at heart level
B. Calculate avg BP using readings obtained in both arms
C. Obtain BP first with client lying supine and then when standing
D. Take additional measurements for readings with a 10 mm Hg difference
Rationale: BP should be taken initially in both arms while the client is seated or
supine with the arm bared, supported, and positioned at the level of the heart.
A client with gastroenteritis, nausea, and vomiting is currently on Nothing by
mouth (NPO) status. The healthcare provider prescribes oral intake to be
advanced as tolerated. Which fluid should the practical nurse offer first?
A. Tea
B. Broth
C. Water
D. Soda
Rationale: Water or ice chips are the first choices of clear fluids for rehydration by
mouth.
An older client who is admitted to the hospital with dehydration and electrolyte
imbalance is confused and incontinent of urine. Which action provides the best
strategy for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for the client’s incontinence?
A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
B. Apply absorbent incontinence pads
C. Restrict fluids after the evening meal
D. Establish a 2-hour voiding schedule
Rationale: A 2 hour voiding schedule is the best strategy for urinary incontinence
management b/c it provides the client who is confused an opportunity to empty
the bladder which minimizes incontinence due to overfilling.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement to reduce the
incidence of urinary tract infections in a client with an indwelling catheter?
A. Irrigate cath with sterile distilled water
, B. Dilute an antiseptic solution in the perineal wash
C. Cleanse perineal area with soap and water BID and PRN
D. Apply an antibiotic ointment around urinary meatus BID
Rationale: Daily perineal care BID and PRN should include cleansing of the meatus
and catheter junction with soap and water.
A male client is upset with the healthcare provider's recommendation that he
should consent to an above-knee amputation. He tells the practical nurse (PN),
What are Class A fire extinguishers used for?
a. Electric equipment
b. Flammable liquids
c. Ordinary combustibles
d. Powdered metal (combustible) material
Class A fire extinguishers are classified as ordinary combustible. Additionally, Class
A fire extinguishers have a numerical rating based on UL-conducted tests and
designed to determine the extinguishing potential for each size and type of
extinguisher.
Which part of the microscope directs and focuses the beam of light from the bulb
onto the material under examination?
a. Aperture
b. C-mount
c. Condenser
d. Diaphragm
The condenser is the substage lens of the microscope that focuses light on the
specimen slide.
How many milliliters can a 3% solution make if 6 grams of solute are available?
