HESI PN EXIT EXAM PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Fundamentals of Nursing
Pharmacology
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Safety and Infection Control
Professional Issues Introduction
This practice assessment is designed to measure readiness for practical nursing exit-level performance by
testing core knowledge, clinical judgment, and safe decision-making across major nursing domains. It evaluates
both foundational theory and applied practice, including prioritization, medication safety, patient education,
ethics, communication, and legal responsibilities. The questions use multiple-choice and scenario-based
formats to reflect the kinds of judgments required in real clinical settings. Each item emphasizes real-world
application, helping learners identify correct nursing actions, recognize complications, and choose the safest
and most appropriate response in professional practice.
Section One
,. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client. Which action is most important before giving
the medication?
A. Ask the client if they prefer water or juice.
B. Compare the medication label with the MAR.
C. Document the medication after administration.
D. Crush the tablet if the client has difficulty swallowing.
🟢 Correct answer: B. Compare the medication label with the MAR.
🔴 RATIONALE: The medication label must be matched with the medication administration record to prevent
errors before giving any drug.
. A client with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 28/min and oxygen saturation of 89%. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Encourage oral fluids.
B. Reposition the client upright.
C. Obtain a sputum specimen.
D. Administer antibiotics.
🟢 Correct answer: B. Reposition the client upright.
🔴 RATIONALE: Upright positioning helps improve ventilation and oxygenation immediately.
. Which finding should the nurse report immediately in a client receiving potassium chloride?
, A. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
B. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
C. Irregular heart rhythm
D. Client complaint of thirst
🟢 Correct answer: C. Irregular heart rhythm
🔴 RATIONALE: Dysrhythmias can indicate hyperkalemia or potassium toxicity and require urgent attention.
. A client says, “I do not want my family to know my diagnosis.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “Your family has a right to know.”
B. “I will document that in your chart.”
C. “Your information will remain confidential.”
D. “You should discuss it with them yourself.”
🟢 Correct answer: C. “Your information will remain confidential.”
🔴 RATIONALE: Confidentiality is a legal and ethical duty unless disclosure is required for safety or law.
. Which food choice is best for a client on a low-sodium diet?
A. Canned soup
B. Fresh fruit
C. Processed cheese
D. Pickles
, 🟢 Correct answer: B. Fresh fruit
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh fruit is naturally low in sodium and appropriate for sodium restriction.
. A client with diabetes is diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. What should the nurse do first?
A. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
B. Check the client’s temperature
C. Call the provider
D. Administer insulin
🟢 Correct answer: A. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
🔴 RATIONALE: These are signs of hypoglycemia, which should be treated immediately with rapid glucose.
. Which instruction is most important for a client taking warfarin?
A. Increase foods high in vitamin K
B. Use a soft toothbrush
C. Take aspirin for headaches
D. Double the dose if one dose is missed
🟢 Correct answer: B. Use a soft toothbrush
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, so clients should reduce trauma and bleeding during daily
care.
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Fundamentals of Nursing
Pharmacology
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Safety and Infection Control
Professional Issues Introduction
This practice assessment is designed to measure readiness for practical nursing exit-level performance by
testing core knowledge, clinical judgment, and safe decision-making across major nursing domains. It evaluates
both foundational theory and applied practice, including prioritization, medication safety, patient education,
ethics, communication, and legal responsibilities. The questions use multiple-choice and scenario-based
formats to reflect the kinds of judgments required in real clinical settings. Each item emphasizes real-world
application, helping learners identify correct nursing actions, recognize complications, and choose the safest
and most appropriate response in professional practice.
Section One
,. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client. Which action is most important before giving
the medication?
A. Ask the client if they prefer water or juice.
B. Compare the medication label with the MAR.
C. Document the medication after administration.
D. Crush the tablet if the client has difficulty swallowing.
🟢 Correct answer: B. Compare the medication label with the MAR.
🔴 RATIONALE: The medication label must be matched with the medication administration record to prevent
errors before giving any drug.
. A client with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 28/min and oxygen saturation of 89%. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Encourage oral fluids.
B. Reposition the client upright.
C. Obtain a sputum specimen.
D. Administer antibiotics.
🟢 Correct answer: B. Reposition the client upright.
🔴 RATIONALE: Upright positioning helps improve ventilation and oxygenation immediately.
. Which finding should the nurse report immediately in a client receiving potassium chloride?
, A. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
B. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
C. Irregular heart rhythm
D. Client complaint of thirst
🟢 Correct answer: C. Irregular heart rhythm
🔴 RATIONALE: Dysrhythmias can indicate hyperkalemia or potassium toxicity and require urgent attention.
. A client says, “I do not want my family to know my diagnosis.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “Your family has a right to know.”
B. “I will document that in your chart.”
C. “Your information will remain confidential.”
D. “You should discuss it with them yourself.”
🟢 Correct answer: C. “Your information will remain confidential.”
🔴 RATIONALE: Confidentiality is a legal and ethical duty unless disclosure is required for safety or law.
. Which food choice is best for a client on a low-sodium diet?
A. Canned soup
B. Fresh fruit
C. Processed cheese
D. Pickles
, 🟢 Correct answer: B. Fresh fruit
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh fruit is naturally low in sodium and appropriate for sodium restriction.
. A client with diabetes is diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. What should the nurse do first?
A. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
B. Check the client’s temperature
C. Call the provider
D. Administer insulin
🟢 Correct answer: A. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
🔴 RATIONALE: These are signs of hypoglycemia, which should be treated immediately with rapid glucose.
. Which instruction is most important for a client taking warfarin?
A. Increase foods high in vitamin K
B. Use a soft toothbrush
C. Take aspirin for headaches
D. Double the dose if one dose is missed
🟢 Correct answer: B. Use a soft toothbrush
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, so clients should reduce trauma and bleeding during daily
care.
