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PN HESI EXIT EXAM V1 NEWEST ELSEVIER HESI PN EXIT
EXAM V1 LATEST VERSION 2026-2027 WITH COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS ALL WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES JUST RELEASED THIS YEAR
Question 1: An elderly client who is 12 hours postoperative for a hernia repair suddenly
becomes agitated, staggers out into the corridor, and demands to be set free. After assisting the
client back to bed and administering pain medication, which intervention is best for the
practical nurse (PN) to implement?
A) Notify the healthcare provider and request a prescription for restraints to minimize the
client's danger to self
B) Raise the side rails and notify the family to come sit with the client to reorient and cooperate
C) Administer a prescribed narcotic antagonist to reverse the effects of any analgesic
accumulation
D) Instruct a UAP to keep the upper side rails up and check on the client every 15 minutes until
the client is resting
Answer: B
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The best immediate action is to ensure the client's safety while providing a calming presence
through family support. Restraints should only be used as a last resort. Family presence can help
reorient the postoperative client experiencing confusion. Delegating frequent checks to a UAP
does not address the underlying cause of agitation.
Question 2: The charge nurse brings a #18 catheter with a 30 mL balloon to the practical nurse
(PN) who is preparing to insert a catheter in a female client who weighs 50 kg. Which action
should the PN take first?
A) Ask the client if she has previously been catheterized
B) Obtain a 30 mL syringe and a vial of sterile water
C) Consult with the charge nurse about the catheter
D) Position the client and observe the urinary meatus
Answer: C
Consulting with the charge nurse is the best first step to ensure the appropriate size is used and
to verify any relevant patient information. Catheter size selection should consider the patient's
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anatomy and clinical situation. A #18 French catheter with a 30 mL balloon may be too large for
some patients.
Question 3: The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus
(DM). Which finding is an early sign of hypoglycemia?
A) Bradycardia
B) Tremors
C) Polyuria
D) Kussmaul respirations
Answer: B
Tremors are an early sign of hypoglycemia caused by sympathetic nervous system activation
(adrenergic response). Other early signs include diaphoresis, palpitations, and anxiety. Polyuria
is associated with hyperglycemia, and Kussmaul respirations occur in diabetic ketoacidosis.
Question 4: A male client is admitted for observation after being hit on the head with a baseball
bat. Six hours after admission, the client attempts to crawl out of bed and asks the nurse why
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there are so many bugs in his bed. His vital signs are stable, and the pulse oximeter reading is
98% on room air. Which intervention should the nurse perform first?
A) Administer oxygen per nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B) Plan to check his vital signs again in 30 minutes
C) Notify the healthcare provider of the change in mental status
D) Ask the client why he thinks there are bugs in the bed
Answer: C
One of the earliest signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a change in mental status. It is
important to act early and quickly when symptoms of increased ICP occur. Because his oxygen
saturation is normal, oxygen administration is not the priority.
Question 5: The nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving bedside conscious sedation with
midazolam (Versed). In assessing the client, the nurse determines that the client has slurred
speech with diplopia. Based on this finding, what action should the nurse take?
A) Open the airway with a chin lift-head tilt maneuver
B) Obtain a fingerstick glucose reading
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SUCCESS!
PN HESI EXIT EXAM V1 NEWEST ELSEVIER HESI PN EXIT
EXAM V1 LATEST VERSION 2026-2027 WITH COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS ALL WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES JUST RELEASED THIS YEAR
Question 1: An elderly client who is 12 hours postoperative for a hernia repair suddenly
becomes agitated, staggers out into the corridor, and demands to be set free. After assisting the
client back to bed and administering pain medication, which intervention is best for the
practical nurse (PN) to implement?
A) Notify the healthcare provider and request a prescription for restraints to minimize the
client's danger to self
B) Raise the side rails and notify the family to come sit with the client to reorient and cooperate
C) Administer a prescribed narcotic antagonist to reverse the effects of any analgesic
accumulation
D) Instruct a UAP to keep the upper side rails up and check on the client every 15 minutes until
the client is resting
Answer: B
1
SUCCESS!
,Page 2 of 226
The best immediate action is to ensure the client's safety while providing a calming presence
through family support. Restraints should only be used as a last resort. Family presence can help
reorient the postoperative client experiencing confusion. Delegating frequent checks to a UAP
does not address the underlying cause of agitation.
Question 2: The charge nurse brings a #18 catheter with a 30 mL balloon to the practical nurse
(PN) who is preparing to insert a catheter in a female client who weighs 50 kg. Which action
should the PN take first?
A) Ask the client if she has previously been catheterized
B) Obtain a 30 mL syringe and a vial of sterile water
C) Consult with the charge nurse about the catheter
D) Position the client and observe the urinary meatus
Answer: C
Consulting with the charge nurse is the best first step to ensure the appropriate size is used and
to verify any relevant patient information. Catheter size selection should consider the patient's
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anatomy and clinical situation. A #18 French catheter with a 30 mL balloon may be too large for
some patients.
Question 3: The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus
(DM). Which finding is an early sign of hypoglycemia?
A) Bradycardia
B) Tremors
C) Polyuria
D) Kussmaul respirations
Answer: B
Tremors are an early sign of hypoglycemia caused by sympathetic nervous system activation
(adrenergic response). Other early signs include diaphoresis, palpitations, and anxiety. Polyuria
is associated with hyperglycemia, and Kussmaul respirations occur in diabetic ketoacidosis.
Question 4: A male client is admitted for observation after being hit on the head with a baseball
bat. Six hours after admission, the client attempts to crawl out of bed and asks the nurse why
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there are so many bugs in his bed. His vital signs are stable, and the pulse oximeter reading is
98% on room air. Which intervention should the nurse perform first?
A) Administer oxygen per nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B) Plan to check his vital signs again in 30 minutes
C) Notify the healthcare provider of the change in mental status
D) Ask the client why he thinks there are bugs in the bed
Answer: C
One of the earliest signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a change in mental status. It is
important to act early and quickly when symptoms of increased ICP occur. Because his oxygen
saturation is normal, oxygen administration is not the priority.
Question 5: The nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving bedside conscious sedation with
midazolam (Versed). In assessing the client, the nurse determines that the client has slurred
speech with diplopia. Based on this finding, what action should the nurse take?
A) Open the airway with a chin lift-head tilt maneuver
B) Obtain a fingerstick glucose reading
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