HESI PN EXIT EXAM V2 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Fundamentals of nursing
Safety and infection control
Pharmacological therapies
Maternal-newborn nursing
Medical-surgical nursing
Mental health nursing
Pediatric nursing
Prioritization and delegation
Clinical judgment
Legal and ethical practice
Introduction
, This assessment is designed to measure practical nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and safe decision-
making across common exam topics. It includes multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that reflect real
patient-care situations encountered in entry-level nursing practice. The questions assess foundational theory,
applied nursing interventions, medication safety, ethics, legal compliance, and prioritization of care. Each
item is written to support active recall and exam readiness, with rationales that reinforce correct reasoning.
The format emphasizes real-world application so the learner can strengthen judgment, accuracy, and
confidence in a testing environment.
Section One: Questions 1–100
. A nurse is preparing to give oral medications to a client who is alert and sitting upright. Which action is the
priority before administration?
A. Ask the client to state their name and date of birth.
B. Place the medications in a cup before entering the room.
C. Check the client’s last fluid intake.
D. Offer the client a sip of water after the medication.
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Patient identification must be verified using two identifiers before giving any medication to
prevent errors.
. A client with a postoperative incision reports sudden severe pain and a feeling that “something gave way.”
What should the nurse do first?
A. Apply a warm compress.
B. Reassure the client that this is normal.
C. Inspect the incision immediately.
D. Administer the prescribed oral analgesic.
, 🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden pain with a giving-way sensation may indicate wound dehiscence and requires
immediate assessment.
. Which instruction is most appropriate for a client taking oral ferrous sulfate?
A. Take it with milk.
B. Take it with orange juice.
C. Take it with antacids.
D. Take it at bedtime only.
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C enhances iron absorption, while milk and antacids decrease absorption.
. A nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. Which precaution is required?
A. Contact precautions.
B. Droplet precautions.
C. Airborne precautions.
D. Standard precautions only.
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Tuberculosis is spread through airborne particles, so airborne precautions are necessary.
, . Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving morphine?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min.
B. Drowsiness after rest.
C. Mild constipation.
D. Decreased appetite.
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Respiratory depression is a serious adverse effect of opioids and requires prompt
intervention.
. A client asks the nurse to explain informed consent. Which response is best?
A. “It means the nurse will decide if the procedure is needed.”
B. “It means the provider must explain the procedure and risks.”
C. “It means the family must sign before any treatment.”
D. “It means the procedure can be started immediately.”
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Informed consent requires that the provider explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives.
. A postpartum client has a boggy uterus and heavy lochia. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Massage the fundus.
B. Notify the provider immediately.
C. Assist the client to the bathroom.
D. Document the findings.
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Fundamentals of nursing
Safety and infection control
Pharmacological therapies
Maternal-newborn nursing
Medical-surgical nursing
Mental health nursing
Pediatric nursing
Prioritization and delegation
Clinical judgment
Legal and ethical practice
Introduction
, This assessment is designed to measure practical nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and safe decision-
making across common exam topics. It includes multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that reflect real
patient-care situations encountered in entry-level nursing practice. The questions assess foundational theory,
applied nursing interventions, medication safety, ethics, legal compliance, and prioritization of care. Each
item is written to support active recall and exam readiness, with rationales that reinforce correct reasoning.
The format emphasizes real-world application so the learner can strengthen judgment, accuracy, and
confidence in a testing environment.
Section One: Questions 1–100
. A nurse is preparing to give oral medications to a client who is alert and sitting upright. Which action is the
priority before administration?
A. Ask the client to state their name and date of birth.
B. Place the medications in a cup before entering the room.
C. Check the client’s last fluid intake.
D. Offer the client a sip of water after the medication.
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Patient identification must be verified using two identifiers before giving any medication to
prevent errors.
. A client with a postoperative incision reports sudden severe pain and a feeling that “something gave way.”
What should the nurse do first?
A. Apply a warm compress.
B. Reassure the client that this is normal.
C. Inspect the incision immediately.
D. Administer the prescribed oral analgesic.
, 🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sudden pain with a giving-way sensation may indicate wound dehiscence and requires
immediate assessment.
. Which instruction is most appropriate for a client taking oral ferrous sulfate?
A. Take it with milk.
B. Take it with orange juice.
C. Take it with antacids.
D. Take it at bedtime only.
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Vitamin C enhances iron absorption, while milk and antacids decrease absorption.
. A nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. Which precaution is required?
A. Contact precautions.
B. Droplet precautions.
C. Airborne precautions.
D. Standard precautions only.
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Tuberculosis is spread through airborne particles, so airborne precautions are necessary.
, . Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving morphine?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min.
B. Drowsiness after rest.
C. Mild constipation.
D. Decreased appetite.
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Respiratory depression is a serious adverse effect of opioids and requires prompt
intervention.
. A client asks the nurse to explain informed consent. Which response is best?
A. “It means the nurse will decide if the procedure is needed.”
B. “It means the provider must explain the procedure and risks.”
C. “It means the family must sign before any treatment.”
D. “It means the procedure can be started immediately.”
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Informed consent requires that the provider explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives.
. A postpartum client has a boggy uterus and heavy lochia. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Massage the fundus.
B. Notify the provider immediately.
C. Assist the client to the bathroom.
D. Document the findings.
