BSN 266 HESI Exit Exam Review 2026 |
50+ Exam Questions & Correct Answers |
Comprehensive Study Guide.
Q1. A patient with acute pancreatitis is admitted with severe, piercing
abdominal pain and an elevated serum amylase. Which additional
information is the patient most likely to report?
• A) The abdominal pain decreases when lying supine
• B) Pain lasts an hour and leaves the abdomen tender
• C) Right upper quadrant pain refers to right scapula
• D) Drinks alcohol until intoxicated at least twice weekly
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: A
Rationale: Patients with acute pancreatitis often find relief by leaning forward or
lying in the fetal position with knees drawn up to the chest, as this decreases
tension on the pancreas. Pain that worsens when supine is classic.
Q2. The nurse is completing the admission assessment of a 3-year old who is
admitted with bacterial meningitis and hydrocephalus. Which assessment
finding is evidence that the child is experiencing increased intracranial
pressure (ICP)?
• A) Tachycardia and tachypnea
• B) Sluggish and unequal pupillary responses
• C) Increased head circumference and bulging fontanels
• D) Blood pressure fluctuations and syncope
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve) is often affected by increasing
,pressure, leading to sluggish or unequal pupillary responses. While C and D can be
signs, B is a more sensitive indicator of neurological compromise.
Q3. A teenager presents to the emergency department with palpitations after
vaping at a party. The patient is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating. The
nurse anticipates the patient developing which acid base imbalance?
• A) Respiratory acidosis
• B) Metabolic alkalosis
• C) Metabolic acidosis
• D) Respiratory alkalosis
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: D
Rationale: Hyperventilation causes excessive loss of carbon dioxide (CO2),
leading to respiratory alkalosis. This condition presents with tachycardia, anxiety,
and paresthesias.
Q4. After receiving report on an inpatient acute care unit, which patient
should the nurse assess first?
• A) The patient with an obstruction of the large intestine who is experiencing
abdominal distention
• B) The patient who had surgery yesterday and is experiencing a paralytic
ileus with absent bowel sounds
• C) The patient with a small bowel obstruction who has a nasogastric tube
that is draining greenish fluid
• D) The patient with a bowel obstruction due to a volvulus who is
experiencing abdominal rigidity
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: D
Rationale: Abdominal rigidity is a sign of peritoneal irritation, indicating a
potential surgical emergency such as a perforated bowel or strangulated
obstruction. This patient should be seen first.
, Q5. A child newly diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is being discharged
from the hospital. Which information is most important for the nurse to
provide the parents prior to discharge?
• A) Instructions about how much fluid the child should drink daily.
• B) Signs of addiction to opioid pain medications
• C) Information about non-pharmaceutical pain relief measures
• D) Referral for social services for the child and family
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: A
Rationale: Dehydration is a major trigger for sickle cell crisis. Ensuring adequate
fluid intake (hydration) is the single most critical preventive measure for a child
with SCA at home.
Q6. A patient with dyspnea is being admitted to the medical unit. To best
prepare for the patient's arrival, the nurse should ensure that the patient's
bed is in which position?
• A) Supine
• B) Supine; feet elevated higher than head
• C) Supine; head elevated higher than feet
• D) Fowler's
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: D
Rationale: Fowler's position (head of bed elevated to 45-60 degrees) uses gravity
to assist with lung expansion and ease the work of breathing, which is the priority
for a patient with dyspnea.
Q7. The nurse is taking the blood pressure measurement of a patient with
Parkinson's disease. Which information in the patient's admission assessment
is relevant to the nurse's plan for taking the blood pressure reading? (Select
all the apply)
50+ Exam Questions & Correct Answers |
Comprehensive Study Guide.
Q1. A patient with acute pancreatitis is admitted with severe, piercing
abdominal pain and an elevated serum amylase. Which additional
information is the patient most likely to report?
• A) The abdominal pain decreases when lying supine
• B) Pain lasts an hour and leaves the abdomen tender
• C) Right upper quadrant pain refers to right scapula
• D) Drinks alcohol until intoxicated at least twice weekly
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: A
Rationale: Patients with acute pancreatitis often find relief by leaning forward or
lying in the fetal position with knees drawn up to the chest, as this decreases
tension on the pancreas. Pain that worsens when supine is classic.
Q2. The nurse is completing the admission assessment of a 3-year old who is
admitted with bacterial meningitis and hydrocephalus. Which assessment
finding is evidence that the child is experiencing increased intracranial
pressure (ICP)?
• A) Tachycardia and tachypnea
• B) Sluggish and unequal pupillary responses
• C) Increased head circumference and bulging fontanels
• D) Blood pressure fluctuations and syncope
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: B
Rationale: Cranial nerve III (oculomotor nerve) is often affected by increasing
,pressure, leading to sluggish or unequal pupillary responses. While C and D can be
signs, B is a more sensitive indicator of neurological compromise.
Q3. A teenager presents to the emergency department with palpitations after
vaping at a party. The patient is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating. The
nurse anticipates the patient developing which acid base imbalance?
• A) Respiratory acidosis
• B) Metabolic alkalosis
• C) Metabolic acidosis
• D) Respiratory alkalosis
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: D
Rationale: Hyperventilation causes excessive loss of carbon dioxide (CO2),
leading to respiratory alkalosis. This condition presents with tachycardia, anxiety,
and paresthesias.
Q4. After receiving report on an inpatient acute care unit, which patient
should the nurse assess first?
• A) The patient with an obstruction of the large intestine who is experiencing
abdominal distention
• B) The patient who had surgery yesterday and is experiencing a paralytic
ileus with absent bowel sounds
• C) The patient with a small bowel obstruction who has a nasogastric tube
that is draining greenish fluid
• D) The patient with a bowel obstruction due to a volvulus who is
experiencing abdominal rigidity
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: D
Rationale: Abdominal rigidity is a sign of peritoneal irritation, indicating a
potential surgical emergency such as a perforated bowel or strangulated
obstruction. This patient should be seen first.
, Q5. A child newly diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is being discharged
from the hospital. Which information is most important for the nurse to
provide the parents prior to discharge?
• A) Instructions about how much fluid the child should drink daily.
• B) Signs of addiction to opioid pain medications
• C) Information about non-pharmaceutical pain relief measures
• D) Referral for social services for the child and family
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: A
Rationale: Dehydration is a major trigger for sickle cell crisis. Ensuring adequate
fluid intake (hydration) is the single most critical preventive measure for a child
with SCA at home.
Q6. A patient with dyspnea is being admitted to the medical unit. To best
prepare for the patient's arrival, the nurse should ensure that the patient's
bed is in which position?
• A) Supine
• B) Supine; feet elevated higher than head
• C) Supine; head elevated higher than feet
• D) Fowler's
☑ CORRECT ,,,,ANSWER,,,: D
Rationale: Fowler's position (head of bed elevated to 45-60 degrees) uses gravity
to assist with lung expansion and ease the work of breathing, which is the priority
for a patient with dyspnea.
Q7. The nurse is taking the blood pressure measurement of a patient with
Parkinson's disease. Which information in the patient's admission assessment
is relevant to the nurse's plan for taking the blood pressure reading? (Select
all the apply)
