1
HESI FUNDAMENTALS EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
A female client asks the nurse to find someone who can translate into her native
language her concerns about a treatment. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Explain that anyone who speaks her language can answer her questions.
B. Provide a translator only in an emergency situation.
C. Ask a family member or friend of the client to translate.
D. Request and document the name of the certified translator. - correct-answer -
D. Request and document the name of the certified translator. (A certified
translator should be requested to ensure the exchanged information is reliable
and unaltered. To adhere to legal requirements in some states, the name of the
translator should be documented (D). Client information that is translated is
private and protected under HIPAA rules, so (A) is not the best action. Although
an emergency situation may require extenuating circumstances (B), a translator
should be provided in most situations. Family members may skew info and not
translate the exact information, so (C) is not preferred.)
An African-American grandmother tells the nurse that her 4-year-old grandson is
suffering with "miseries." Based on this statement, which focused assessment
should the nurse conduct?
A. Inquire about the source and type of pain.
B. Examine the nose for congestion and discharge.
C. Take vital signs for temperature elevation.
D. Explore the abdominal area for distention. - correct-answer - A. Inquire about
the source and type of pain
, 2
(Different cultural groups often have their own terms for health conditions.
African-Americans clients may refer to pain as "the miseries." Based on
understanding this term, the nurse should conduct a focused assessment on the
source and type of pain (A). (B, C, and D) are important, but do not focus on
"miseries" (pain).)
The nurse notices that the mother a 9-year-old Vietnamese child always looks at
the floor when she talks to the nurse. What action should the nurse take?
A. Talk directly to the child instead of the mother.
B. Continue asking the mother questions about the child.
C. Ask another nurse to interview the mother now.
D. Tell the mother politely to look at you when answering. - correct-answer - B.
Continue asking the mother questions about the child.
(Eye contact is culturally-influenced form of non-verbal communication. In some
non-Western cultures, such as the Vietnamese culture, a client or family member
may avoid eye contact as a form of respect, so the nurse should continue to ask
the mother questions about the child (B). (A, C, and D) are not indicated.)
The nurse notices that the Hispanic parents of a toddler who returns from surgery
offer the child only the broth that comes on the clear liquid tray. Other liquids,
including gelatin, popsicles, and juices, remain untouched. What explanation is
most appropriate for this behavior?
A. The belief is held that the "evil eye" enters the child if anything cold is ingested.
B. After surgery the child probably has refused all foods except broth.
C. Eating broth strengthens the child's innate energy called "chi."
D. "Hot" remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold"
condition. - correct-answer - D. "Hot" remedies restore balance after surgery,
which is considered a "cold" condition.
Which nutritional assessment data should the nurse collect to best reflect total
muscle mass in an adolescent?
, 3
A. Height in inches or centimeters.
B. Weight in kilograms or pounds.
C. Triceps skin fold thickness.
D. Upper arm circumference. - correct-answer - B. Weight in kilograms or pounds
(Upper arm circumference (D) is an indirect measure of muscle mass. (A and B) do
not distinguish between fat (adipose) and muscularity. (C) is a measure of body
fat.)
A client is receiving a cephalosporin antibiotic IV and complains of pain and
irritation at the infusion site. The nurse observes erythema, swelling, and a red
streak along the vessel above the IV access site. Which action should the nurse
take at this time?
A. Administer the medication more rapidly using the same IV site.
B. Initiate an alternate site for the IV infusion of the medication.
C. Notify the HCP before administering the next dose.
D. Give the client a PRN dose of aspirin while the medication infuses. - correct-
answer - B. Initiate an alternate site for the IV infusion of the medication.
(A cephalosporin antibiotic that is administered IV may cause vessel irritation.
Rotating the infusion site minimizes the risk of thrombophlebitis, so an alternate
infusion site should be initiated (B) before administering the next dose. Rapid
administration (A) of intravenous cephalosporins can potentiate vessel irritation
and increase the risk of thrombophlebitis. (C) is not necessary to initiate an
alternate IV site. Although aspirin has antiinflammatory actions, (D) is not
indicated.)
On admission, a client presents a signed living will that includes a Do Not
Resuscitate (DNR) prescription. When the client stops breathing, the nurse
performs a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and successfully revives the
client. What legal issues could be brought against the nurse? - correct-answer -
battery
(civil laws protect individual rights and include intentional torts, such as assault
(an intentional threat to engage in harmful contact with another) or battery
(unwanted touching). Performing a procedure against the client's wishes can
, 4
potentially poise a legal issue, such as battery (B) even if the procedure is of
questionable benefit to the client. (A, C, and D) are not examples against the
client's request.)
A resident in a skilled nursing facility for short-term rehabilitation after a hip
replacement tells the nurse, "I don't want any more blood taken for those useless
tests." Which narrative documentation should the nurse enter in the client's
medical record?
A. HCP notified of failure to collect specimens for prescribed blood studies.
B. Blood specimens not collected because client no longer wants blood tests
performed.
C. HCP notified of client's refusal to have blood specimens collected for testing.
D. Client irritable, uncooperative, and refuses to have blood collected. HCP
notified. - correct-answer - C. HCP notified of client's refusal to have blood
specimens collected for testing.
At the beginning of the shift, the nurse assesses a client who is admitted from the
post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). When should the nurse document the client's
findings?
A) At the beginning, middle, and end of the shift.
B) After client priorities are identified for the development of the nursing care
plan.
C) At the end of the shift so full attention can be given to the client's needs.
D) Immediately after the assessments are completed - correct-answer - D.
Immediately after the assessments are completed.
A Sub-Saharan African widowed immigrant woman lives with her deceased
husband's brother and his family, which includes the brother-in-law's children and
the widow's adult children. Each family member speaks fluent English. Surgery
was recommended for the client. What is the best plan to obtain consent for
HESI FUNDAMENTALS EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
A female client asks the nurse to find someone who can translate into her native
language her concerns about a treatment. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Explain that anyone who speaks her language can answer her questions.
B. Provide a translator only in an emergency situation.
C. Ask a family member or friend of the client to translate.
D. Request and document the name of the certified translator. - correct-answer -
D. Request and document the name of the certified translator. (A certified
translator should be requested to ensure the exchanged information is reliable
and unaltered. To adhere to legal requirements in some states, the name of the
translator should be documented (D). Client information that is translated is
private and protected under HIPAA rules, so (A) is not the best action. Although
an emergency situation may require extenuating circumstances (B), a translator
should be provided in most situations. Family members may skew info and not
translate the exact information, so (C) is not preferred.)
An African-American grandmother tells the nurse that her 4-year-old grandson is
suffering with "miseries." Based on this statement, which focused assessment
should the nurse conduct?
A. Inquire about the source and type of pain.
B. Examine the nose for congestion and discharge.
C. Take vital signs for temperature elevation.
D. Explore the abdominal area for distention. - correct-answer - A. Inquire about
the source and type of pain
, 2
(Different cultural groups often have their own terms for health conditions.
African-Americans clients may refer to pain as "the miseries." Based on
understanding this term, the nurse should conduct a focused assessment on the
source and type of pain (A). (B, C, and D) are important, but do not focus on
"miseries" (pain).)
The nurse notices that the mother a 9-year-old Vietnamese child always looks at
the floor when she talks to the nurse. What action should the nurse take?
A. Talk directly to the child instead of the mother.
B. Continue asking the mother questions about the child.
C. Ask another nurse to interview the mother now.
D. Tell the mother politely to look at you when answering. - correct-answer - B.
Continue asking the mother questions about the child.
(Eye contact is culturally-influenced form of non-verbal communication. In some
non-Western cultures, such as the Vietnamese culture, a client or family member
may avoid eye contact as a form of respect, so the nurse should continue to ask
the mother questions about the child (B). (A, C, and D) are not indicated.)
The nurse notices that the Hispanic parents of a toddler who returns from surgery
offer the child only the broth that comes on the clear liquid tray. Other liquids,
including gelatin, popsicles, and juices, remain untouched. What explanation is
most appropriate for this behavior?
A. The belief is held that the "evil eye" enters the child if anything cold is ingested.
B. After surgery the child probably has refused all foods except broth.
C. Eating broth strengthens the child's innate energy called "chi."
D. "Hot" remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold"
condition. - correct-answer - D. "Hot" remedies restore balance after surgery,
which is considered a "cold" condition.
Which nutritional assessment data should the nurse collect to best reflect total
muscle mass in an adolescent?
, 3
A. Height in inches or centimeters.
B. Weight in kilograms or pounds.
C. Triceps skin fold thickness.
D. Upper arm circumference. - correct-answer - B. Weight in kilograms or pounds
(Upper arm circumference (D) is an indirect measure of muscle mass. (A and B) do
not distinguish between fat (adipose) and muscularity. (C) is a measure of body
fat.)
A client is receiving a cephalosporin antibiotic IV and complains of pain and
irritation at the infusion site. The nurse observes erythema, swelling, and a red
streak along the vessel above the IV access site. Which action should the nurse
take at this time?
A. Administer the medication more rapidly using the same IV site.
B. Initiate an alternate site for the IV infusion of the medication.
C. Notify the HCP before administering the next dose.
D. Give the client a PRN dose of aspirin while the medication infuses. - correct-
answer - B. Initiate an alternate site for the IV infusion of the medication.
(A cephalosporin antibiotic that is administered IV may cause vessel irritation.
Rotating the infusion site minimizes the risk of thrombophlebitis, so an alternate
infusion site should be initiated (B) before administering the next dose. Rapid
administration (A) of intravenous cephalosporins can potentiate vessel irritation
and increase the risk of thrombophlebitis. (C) is not necessary to initiate an
alternate IV site. Although aspirin has antiinflammatory actions, (D) is not
indicated.)
On admission, a client presents a signed living will that includes a Do Not
Resuscitate (DNR) prescription. When the client stops breathing, the nurse
performs a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and successfully revives the
client. What legal issues could be brought against the nurse? - correct-answer -
battery
(civil laws protect individual rights and include intentional torts, such as assault
(an intentional threat to engage in harmful contact with another) or battery
(unwanted touching). Performing a procedure against the client's wishes can
, 4
potentially poise a legal issue, such as battery (B) even if the procedure is of
questionable benefit to the client. (A, C, and D) are not examples against the
client's request.)
A resident in a skilled nursing facility for short-term rehabilitation after a hip
replacement tells the nurse, "I don't want any more blood taken for those useless
tests." Which narrative documentation should the nurse enter in the client's
medical record?
A. HCP notified of failure to collect specimens for prescribed blood studies.
B. Blood specimens not collected because client no longer wants blood tests
performed.
C. HCP notified of client's refusal to have blood specimens collected for testing.
D. Client irritable, uncooperative, and refuses to have blood collected. HCP
notified. - correct-answer - C. HCP notified of client's refusal to have blood
specimens collected for testing.
At the beginning of the shift, the nurse assesses a client who is admitted from the
post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). When should the nurse document the client's
findings?
A) At the beginning, middle, and end of the shift.
B) After client priorities are identified for the development of the nursing care
plan.
C) At the end of the shift so full attention can be given to the client's needs.
D) Immediately after the assessments are completed - correct-answer - D.
Immediately after the assessments are completed.
A Sub-Saharan African widowed immigrant woman lives with her deceased
husband's brother and his family, which includes the brother-in-law's children and
the widow's adult children. Each family member speaks fluent English. Surgery
was recommended for the client. What is the best plan to obtain consent for
