HESI Exit Exam Ultimate Study Guide + Practice
Test 2026/2027 – Verified Q&As with Detailed
Rationales (Test Bank Bundle - 88 Questions)
---
**QUESTION 1:**
A client with a history of heart failure presents with worsening dyspnea, orthopnea, and peripheral
edema. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A) Digoxin
B) Furosemide
C) Enalapril
D) Carvedilol
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Furosemide
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Reduces preload via rapid diuresis.
---
**QUESTION 2:**
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via Venturi mask. Which
flow rate is appropriate for 40% FiO2?
A) 2 L/min
B) 4 L/min
C) 6 L/min
D) 8 L/min
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** D) 8 L/min
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Venturi masks require specific flow rates.
---
,**QUESTION 3:**
A client is 1 day post-operative from a total knee arthroplasty. Which finding indicates a potential
complication?
A) Pain score 5/10
B) Serosanguinous drainage
C) Calf pain on dorsiflexion
D) Mild swelling
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Calf pain on dorsiflexion
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Homan's sign suggests DVT.
---
**QUESTION 4:**
A client with cirrhosis has ascites. Which intervention is most effective?
A) Low-sodium diet
B) Daily weights
C) Paracentesis
D) Fluid restriction
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Paracentesis
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Direct removal of ascitic fluid.
---
**QUESTION 5:**
A nurse is assessing a client's mental status using the Glasgow Coma Scale. A score of 12 indicates what?
A) Normal
B) Mild impairment
C) Moderate impairment
D) Severe impairment
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Moderate impairment
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** GCS 9-12 indicates moderate brain injury.
,---
**QUESTION 6:**
A client with diabetes mellitus type 2 is prescribed metformin. Which lab value should be assessed prior
to administration?
A) BUN and creatinine
B) Liver function tests
C) Complete blood count
D) Serum glucose
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** A) BUN and creatinine
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Renal function determines dosing safety.
---
**QUESTION 7:**
A nurse is caring for a client who is post-cardiac catheterization. Which site assessment is priority?
A) Distal pulses
B) Bleeding at insertion site
C) Color and warmth
D) All of the above
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** D) All of the above
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Comprehensive vascular assessment is essential.
---
**QUESTION 8:**
A client is receiving chemotherapy and develops stomatitis. Which mouth care product is
recommended?
A) Lemon-glycerin swabs
B) Alcohol-based mouthwash
C) Normal saline rinse
, D) Hydrogen peroxide rinse
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Normal saline rinse
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Saline is gentle and non-irritating.
---
**QUESTION 9:**
A client with a tracheostomy has thick, tenacious secretions. Which intervention is appropriate?
A) Increase suction pressure
B) Instill normal saline
C) Increase humidification
D) Use a cotton-tipped swab
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Increase humidification
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Humidification thins secretions.
---
**QUESTION 10:**
A client is diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Which lab finding is consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Decreased serum amylase
B) Elevated serum lipase
C) Decreased serum calcium
D) Elevated serum bilirubin
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Elevated serum lipase
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Lipase is specific to pancreatic inflammation.
---
**QUESTION 11:**
A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which type of IV tubing should be used?
A) Microdrip tubing
Test 2026/2027 – Verified Q&As with Detailed
Rationales (Test Bank Bundle - 88 Questions)
---
**QUESTION 1:**
A client with a history of heart failure presents with worsening dyspnea, orthopnea, and peripheral
edema. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering first?
A) Digoxin
B) Furosemide
C) Enalapril
D) Carvedilol
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Furosemide
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Reduces preload via rapid diuresis.
---
**QUESTION 2:**
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen via Venturi mask. Which
flow rate is appropriate for 40% FiO2?
A) 2 L/min
B) 4 L/min
C) 6 L/min
D) 8 L/min
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** D) 8 L/min
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Venturi masks require specific flow rates.
---
,**QUESTION 3:**
A client is 1 day post-operative from a total knee arthroplasty. Which finding indicates a potential
complication?
A) Pain score 5/10
B) Serosanguinous drainage
C) Calf pain on dorsiflexion
D) Mild swelling
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Calf pain on dorsiflexion
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Homan's sign suggests DVT.
---
**QUESTION 4:**
A client with cirrhosis has ascites. Which intervention is most effective?
A) Low-sodium diet
B) Daily weights
C) Paracentesis
D) Fluid restriction
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Paracentesis
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Direct removal of ascitic fluid.
---
**QUESTION 5:**
A nurse is assessing a client's mental status using the Glasgow Coma Scale. A score of 12 indicates what?
A) Normal
B) Mild impairment
C) Moderate impairment
D) Severe impairment
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Moderate impairment
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** GCS 9-12 indicates moderate brain injury.
,---
**QUESTION 6:**
A client with diabetes mellitus type 2 is prescribed metformin. Which lab value should be assessed prior
to administration?
A) BUN and creatinine
B) Liver function tests
C) Complete blood count
D) Serum glucose
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** A) BUN and creatinine
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Renal function determines dosing safety.
---
**QUESTION 7:**
A nurse is caring for a client who is post-cardiac catheterization. Which site assessment is priority?
A) Distal pulses
B) Bleeding at insertion site
C) Color and warmth
D) All of the above
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** D) All of the above
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Comprehensive vascular assessment is essential.
---
**QUESTION 8:**
A client is receiving chemotherapy and develops stomatitis. Which mouth care product is
recommended?
A) Lemon-glycerin swabs
B) Alcohol-based mouthwash
C) Normal saline rinse
, D) Hydrogen peroxide rinse
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Normal saline rinse
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Saline is gentle and non-irritating.
---
**QUESTION 9:**
A client with a tracheostomy has thick, tenacious secretions. Which intervention is appropriate?
A) Increase suction pressure
B) Instill normal saline
C) Increase humidification
D) Use a cotton-tipped swab
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Increase humidification
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Humidification thins secretions.
---
**QUESTION 10:**
A client is diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Which lab finding is consistent with this diagnosis?
A) Decreased serum amylase
B) Elevated serum lipase
C) Decreased serum calcium
D) Elevated serum bilirubin
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Elevated serum lipase
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Lipase is specific to pancreatic inflammation.
---
**QUESTION 11:**
A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which type of IV tubing should be used?
A) Microdrip tubing
