HESI Fundamentals Practice Exam 2026-
2027 | 80 NCLEX-Style Questions with
Rationales | BSN Nursing Study Guide
Description:
Master the HESI Fundamentals Exit Exam 2026-2027 with 80 NCLEX-style practice
questions, detailed rationales, and evidence-based answers. Designed for BSN nursing
students preparing for the HESI RN Fundamentals specialty exam. Covers safety,
pharmacology, mobility, elimination, legal ethics, and prioritization.
Download the complete 2026-2027 study guide now and pass with confidence!
, HESI Fundamentals Practice Exam 2026-2027: 80 NCLEX-Style
Questions & Answers
SECTION A: Safety and Infection Control
Question 1
A postoperative female client who has been unable to void for 8 hours requires urinary
catheterization. The nurse inserts the catheter, but no urine drainage is observed in the tubing.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Clamp the catheter and reassess in 60 minutes.
B. Withdraw the catheter 3 inches and redirect upward.
C. Leave the first catheter in place and attempt insertion with a new catheter.
D. Notify the healthcare provider of a suspected obstruction.
Answer: C
Explanation: The most likely scenario is that the initial catheter has been inadvertently
inserted into the vagina rather than the urethra. Leaving the first catheter in place serves as a
landmark to help identify the correct meatus during the second catheterization attempt. The
client should have produced approximately 240 mL of urine over 8 hours. Clamping the
catheter does not address the underlying issue. Withdrawing and redirecting will not correct
the placement unless the catheter is completely removed and a new sterile catheter is used.
There is no evidence of urinary tract obstruction if the catheter could be easily inserted.
Question 2
The nurse-manager of a long-term care facility is educating unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP) about preventing complications associated with immobility. Which intervention
should be prioritized in this instruction?
A. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises to prevent joint contractures.
B. Restrict fluid intake to prevent episodes of diarrhea.
C. Massage lower extremities to reduce the risk of thromboembolism.
D. Reposition the client from side to back only once per shift.
Answer: A
Explanation: Performing range-of-motion exercises is essential for preventing contractures
around joints in immobile clients. Fluid restriction increases the risk of dehydration and
urinary tract infections. Massaging the legs can dislodge thrombi and should be avoided.
,Repositioning only once per shift is inadequate for pressure ulcer prevention; clients should
be repositioned at least every 2 hours.
Question 3
The nurse is ambulating a client to the bathroom when the client states, "I feel faint,"
approximately 5 feet from the bathroom door. Before the nurse can guide the client to a chair,
the client begins to fall. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
A. Assess the client's carotid pulse.
B. Encourage the client to continue toward the toilet.
C. Call loudly for assistance.
D. Gently lower the client to the floor.
Answer: D
Explanation: The priority nursing action is to gently lower the client to the floor to prevent
injury to both the client and the nurse. This technique should be employed when the client
cannot support their own weight. The client should be assisted to a bed or chair only when
sufficient help is available to ensure safe transfer. Assessing the carotid pulse is important but
should occur after the client is in a safe position. Encouraging continued ambulation is unsafe
given the client's reported symptoms. Calling for help loudly may cause unnecessary panic
and alarm other clients on the unit.
Question 4
The nurse is preparing to turn an immobile bedridden client without assistance. Which action
best ensures client safety during this procedure?
A. Firmly grasp the client's arm and leg to provide leverage.
B. Place bed rails in the upright position on the side opposite the nurse.
C. Correctly position and utilize a turn sheet.
D. Lower the head of the bed slowly.
Answer: B
Explanation: Since the nurse can only safely stand on one side of the bed, bed rails should
be raised on the opposite side to prevent the client from falling. Grasping the client's arm and
leg can cause skin injury or joint damage. While using a turn sheet and lowering the bed head
are appropriate techniques, they are of lesser priority than ensuring the client does not fall
from the bed.
, Question 5
The nurse is educating an obese client newly diagnosed with arteriosclerosis about reducing
cardiovascular risk. Which health promotion brochure is most important for the nurse to
provide?
A. "Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home"
B. "Smoking Cessation: A Lifelong Commitment"
C. "Decreasing Cholesterol Levels Through Diet"
D. "Stress Management for a Healthier You"
Answer: C
Explanation: A brochure focusing on cholesterol reduction is most important because the
most significant modifiable risk factor for arteriosclerosis is excess dietary fat, particularly
saturated fat and cholesterol. While blood pressure monitoring, smoking cessation, and stress
management are all important interventions, dietary modification directly addresses the
underlying pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis.
Question 6
The nurse identifies a potential for infection in a client with partial-thickness and full-
thickness burns. Which intervention has the highest priority in decreasing the client's risk of
infection?
A. Administration of plasma expanders
B. Rigorous hand hygiene practices
C. Application of topical antibacterial agents
D. Restricting visitors to the burn unit
Answer: B
Explanation: Rigorous hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention for preventing
the transmission of infectious organisms to all clients. Administration of plasma expanders
addresses hypovolemia but does not directly reduce infection risk. Topical antibacterial
agents and visitor restrictions are recommended practices but are secondary to the proven
effectiveness of hand hygiene.
2027 | 80 NCLEX-Style Questions with
Rationales | BSN Nursing Study Guide
Description:
Master the HESI Fundamentals Exit Exam 2026-2027 with 80 NCLEX-style practice
questions, detailed rationales, and evidence-based answers. Designed for BSN nursing
students preparing for the HESI RN Fundamentals specialty exam. Covers safety,
pharmacology, mobility, elimination, legal ethics, and prioritization.
Download the complete 2026-2027 study guide now and pass with confidence!
, HESI Fundamentals Practice Exam 2026-2027: 80 NCLEX-Style
Questions & Answers
SECTION A: Safety and Infection Control
Question 1
A postoperative female client who has been unable to void for 8 hours requires urinary
catheterization. The nurse inserts the catheter, but no urine drainage is observed in the tubing.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Clamp the catheter and reassess in 60 minutes.
B. Withdraw the catheter 3 inches and redirect upward.
C. Leave the first catheter in place and attempt insertion with a new catheter.
D. Notify the healthcare provider of a suspected obstruction.
Answer: C
Explanation: The most likely scenario is that the initial catheter has been inadvertently
inserted into the vagina rather than the urethra. Leaving the first catheter in place serves as a
landmark to help identify the correct meatus during the second catheterization attempt. The
client should have produced approximately 240 mL of urine over 8 hours. Clamping the
catheter does not address the underlying issue. Withdrawing and redirecting will not correct
the placement unless the catheter is completely removed and a new sterile catheter is used.
There is no evidence of urinary tract obstruction if the catheter could be easily inserted.
Question 2
The nurse-manager of a long-term care facility is educating unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP) about preventing complications associated with immobility. Which intervention
should be prioritized in this instruction?
A. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises to prevent joint contractures.
B. Restrict fluid intake to prevent episodes of diarrhea.
C. Massage lower extremities to reduce the risk of thromboembolism.
D. Reposition the client from side to back only once per shift.
Answer: A
Explanation: Performing range-of-motion exercises is essential for preventing contractures
around joints in immobile clients. Fluid restriction increases the risk of dehydration and
urinary tract infections. Massaging the legs can dislodge thrombi and should be avoided.
,Repositioning only once per shift is inadequate for pressure ulcer prevention; clients should
be repositioned at least every 2 hours.
Question 3
The nurse is ambulating a client to the bathroom when the client states, "I feel faint,"
approximately 5 feet from the bathroom door. Before the nurse can guide the client to a chair,
the client begins to fall. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
A. Assess the client's carotid pulse.
B. Encourage the client to continue toward the toilet.
C. Call loudly for assistance.
D. Gently lower the client to the floor.
Answer: D
Explanation: The priority nursing action is to gently lower the client to the floor to prevent
injury to both the client and the nurse. This technique should be employed when the client
cannot support their own weight. The client should be assisted to a bed or chair only when
sufficient help is available to ensure safe transfer. Assessing the carotid pulse is important but
should occur after the client is in a safe position. Encouraging continued ambulation is unsafe
given the client's reported symptoms. Calling for help loudly may cause unnecessary panic
and alarm other clients on the unit.
Question 4
The nurse is preparing to turn an immobile bedridden client without assistance. Which action
best ensures client safety during this procedure?
A. Firmly grasp the client's arm and leg to provide leverage.
B. Place bed rails in the upright position on the side opposite the nurse.
C. Correctly position and utilize a turn sheet.
D. Lower the head of the bed slowly.
Answer: B
Explanation: Since the nurse can only safely stand on one side of the bed, bed rails should
be raised on the opposite side to prevent the client from falling. Grasping the client's arm and
leg can cause skin injury or joint damage. While using a turn sheet and lowering the bed head
are appropriate techniques, they are of lesser priority than ensuring the client does not fall
from the bed.
, Question 5
The nurse is educating an obese client newly diagnosed with arteriosclerosis about reducing
cardiovascular risk. Which health promotion brochure is most important for the nurse to
provide?
A. "Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home"
B. "Smoking Cessation: A Lifelong Commitment"
C. "Decreasing Cholesterol Levels Through Diet"
D. "Stress Management for a Healthier You"
Answer: C
Explanation: A brochure focusing on cholesterol reduction is most important because the
most significant modifiable risk factor for arteriosclerosis is excess dietary fat, particularly
saturated fat and cholesterol. While blood pressure monitoring, smoking cessation, and stress
management are all important interventions, dietary modification directly addresses the
underlying pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis.
Question 6
The nurse identifies a potential for infection in a client with partial-thickness and full-
thickness burns. Which intervention has the highest priority in decreasing the client's risk of
infection?
A. Administration of plasma expanders
B. Rigorous hand hygiene practices
C. Application of topical antibacterial agents
D. Restricting visitors to the burn unit
Answer: B
Explanation: Rigorous hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention for preventing
the transmission of infectious organisms to all clients. Administration of plasma expanders
addresses hypovolemia but does not directly reduce infection risk. Topical antibacterial
agents and visitor restrictions are recommended practices but are secondary to the proven
effectiveness of hand hygiene.
