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HESI RN Exit Comprehensive Exam Actual Complete Exam
Questions and Answers Practice Questions With Solutions
and Rationales Newest 2026-2027 | Already Graded A+
A nurse is caring for a client with acute chest pain. Which action is priority?
A. Obtain a full health history
B. Administer oxygen at 2–4 L/min via nasal cannula
C. Prepare the client for discharge
D. Encourage oral fluids
Rationale: Oxygen improves myocardial oxygenation and is a priority in suspected acute
coronary syndrome.
A postoperative client suddenly develops dyspnea and chest pain. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Obtain vital signs
B. Apply oxygen and assess respiratory status
C. Call the provider
D. Encourage ambulation
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority in suspected pulmonary embolism.
A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Notify provider
D. Recheck in 1 hour
Rationale: Hypoglycemia requires immediate glucose replacement.
A nurse is triaging multiple clients. Who should be seen first?
A. Client with controlled hypertension
B. Client requesting discharge instructions
C. Client with stridor and respiratory distress
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D. Client with mild headache
Rationale: Stridor indicates airway obstruction—life-threatening.
A client is receiving heparin therapy. Which lab result requires immediate intervention?
A. INR 1.2
B. aPTT 60 seconds
C. Platelets 180,000
D. Platelets 50,000
Rationale: Indicates heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
A nurse is teaching about warfarin therapy. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I will increase leafy greens.”
B. “I will maintain consistent vitamin K intake.”
C. “I will take aspirin daily.”
D. “I will double doses if missed.”
Rationale: Vitamin K consistency prevents fluctuations in anticoagulation.
A client receiving morphine becomes unresponsive with RR 6/min. What is priority?
A. Document findings
B. Administer naloxone
C. Encourage coughing
D. Place in Trendelenburg
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
A nurse assesses a client with stroke symptoms. What is the priority action?
A. Provide food
B. Check time of symptom onset
C. Obtain blood pressure every 4 hours
D. Administer aspirin
Rationale: Determines eligibility for thrombolytics.
A client reports sudden severe headache and “worst headache of life.” What does the nurse
suspect?
A. Migraine
B. Tension headache
C. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
D. Sinus infection
Rationale: Classic sign of cerebral aneurysm rupture.
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A nurse is caring for a client in DKA. Which finding is expected?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Hypothermia
Rationale: Deep rapid breathing compensates for acidosis.
Which client requires immediate intervention?
A. Post-op day 2 client with pain 5/10
B. Client with UTI
C. Client with O2 saturation 82%
D. Client awaiting discharge
Rationale: Severe hypoxia is life-threatening.
A nurse is teaching infection control. Which isolation is needed for C. difficile?
A. Droplet
B. Airborne
C. Contact precautions
D. Protective isolation
Rationale: C. diff spreads via spores through contact.
A client is receiving IV potassium. What indicates complication?
A. Urine output 40 mL/hr
B. Cardiac arrhythmias
C. Mild thirst
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia affects cardiac conduction.
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client. Which finding requires immediate attention?
A. Mild cramping
B. Moderate lochia
C. Heavy bleeding with clots
D. Breast engorgement
Rationale: Indicates postpartum hemorrhage.
A client with asthma has wheezing and dyspnea. What medication is priority?
A. Oral steroids
B. Short-acting beta agonist (albuterol)
C. Antibiotics
HESI RN Exit Comprehensive Exam Actual Complete Exam
Questions and Answers Practice Questions With Solutions
and Rationales Newest 2026-2027 | Already Graded A+
A nurse is caring for a client with acute chest pain. Which action is priority?
A. Obtain a full health history
B. Administer oxygen at 2–4 L/min via nasal cannula
C. Prepare the client for discharge
D. Encourage oral fluids
Rationale: Oxygen improves myocardial oxygenation and is a priority in suspected acute
coronary syndrome.
A postoperative client suddenly develops dyspnea and chest pain. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Obtain vital signs
B. Apply oxygen and assess respiratory status
C. Call the provider
D. Encourage ambulation
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority in suspected pulmonary embolism.
A client with diabetes has a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Notify provider
D. Recheck in 1 hour
Rationale: Hypoglycemia requires immediate glucose replacement.
A nurse is triaging multiple clients. Who should be seen first?
A. Client with controlled hypertension
B. Client requesting discharge instructions
C. Client with stridor and respiratory distress
,2|Page
D. Client with mild headache
Rationale: Stridor indicates airway obstruction—life-threatening.
A client is receiving heparin therapy. Which lab result requires immediate intervention?
A. INR 1.2
B. aPTT 60 seconds
C. Platelets 180,000
D. Platelets 50,000
Rationale: Indicates heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
A nurse is teaching about warfarin therapy. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I will increase leafy greens.”
B. “I will maintain consistent vitamin K intake.”
C. “I will take aspirin daily.”
D. “I will double doses if missed.”
Rationale: Vitamin K consistency prevents fluctuations in anticoagulation.
A client receiving morphine becomes unresponsive with RR 6/min. What is priority?
A. Document findings
B. Administer naloxone
C. Encourage coughing
D. Place in Trendelenburg
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
A nurse assesses a client with stroke symptoms. What is the priority action?
A. Provide food
B. Check time of symptom onset
C. Obtain blood pressure every 4 hours
D. Administer aspirin
Rationale: Determines eligibility for thrombolytics.
A client reports sudden severe headache and “worst headache of life.” What does the nurse
suspect?
A. Migraine
B. Tension headache
C. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
D. Sinus infection
Rationale: Classic sign of cerebral aneurysm rupture.
, 3|Page
A nurse is caring for a client in DKA. Which finding is expected?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Hypothermia
Rationale: Deep rapid breathing compensates for acidosis.
Which client requires immediate intervention?
A. Post-op day 2 client with pain 5/10
B. Client with UTI
C. Client with O2 saturation 82%
D. Client awaiting discharge
Rationale: Severe hypoxia is life-threatening.
A nurse is teaching infection control. Which isolation is needed for C. difficile?
A. Droplet
B. Airborne
C. Contact precautions
D. Protective isolation
Rationale: C. diff spreads via spores through contact.
A client is receiving IV potassium. What indicates complication?
A. Urine output 40 mL/hr
B. Cardiac arrhythmias
C. Mild thirst
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Hyperkalemia affects cardiac conduction.
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client. Which finding requires immediate attention?
A. Mild cramping
B. Moderate lochia
C. Heavy bleeding with clots
D. Breast engorgement
Rationale: Indicates postpartum hemorrhage.
A client with asthma has wheezing and dyspnea. What medication is priority?
A. Oral steroids
B. Short-acting beta agonist (albuterol)
C. Antibiotics
