HESI EXIT EXAM A 2026/2027 COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED
A+
A client with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is taking 25 mg of
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) PO and 40 mg of furosemide (Lasix) PO daily.
Today, at a routine clinic visit, the client's serum potassium level is 4 mEq/L. What
is the most likely cause of this client's potassium level?
A.The client is noncompliant with his medications.
B.The client recently consumed large quantities of pears or nuts.
C.The client's renal function has affected his potassium level.
D.The client needs to be started on a potassium supplement.
C
The client has a normalized potassium level despite diuretic use (C). The kidney
automatically secretes 90% of potassium consumed, but in chronic renal
insufficiency (CRI), less potassium is excreted than normal. Therefore, the two
potassium-wasting drugs, a thiazide diuretic and loop diuretic, are not likely to
affect potassium levels. The normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L, and with a
potassium level of 4 mEq/L, there is no reason to believe that the client is
noncompliant with his treatment (A). Pears and nuts do not affect the serum
potassium level (B). There is no need for a potassium supplement (D) because the
client's potassium level is within the normal range.
A registered nurse (RN) delivers telehealth services to clients via electronic
communication. Which nursing action creates the greatest risk for professional
liability and has the potential for a malpractice lawsuit?
,A.Participating in telephone consultations with clients
B.Identifying oneself by name and title to clients in telehealth communications
C.Sending medical records to health care providers via the Internet
D.Answering a client-initiated health question via electronic mail
C
Sending medical records over the Internet, even with the latest security protection,
creates the greatest risk for liability because of the high potential of breaching
client confidentiality and the amount of information being transferred (C). Client
confidentiality is protected by federal wiretapping laws making telephone
consultation (A) a private and protected form of communication. By stating one's
name and credentials in telehealth communication (B), one is taking responsibility
for the encounter. E-mail initiated by the client (D) poses less risk than sending
records via the Internet.
Which pathophysiologic response supports the contraindication for opioids, such
as morphine, in clients with increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A.Sedation produced by opioids is a result of a prolonged half-life when the ICP is
elevated.
B.Higher doses of opioids are required when cerebral blood flow is reduced by an
elevated ICP.
C.Dysphoria from opioids contributes to altered levels of consciousness with an
elevated ICP.
D.Opioids suppress respirations, which increases Pco2 and contributes to an
elevated ICP.
D
The greatest risk associated with opioids such as morphine (D) is respiratory
depression that causes an increase in Pco2, which increases ICP and masks the
,early signs of intracranial bleeding in head injury. (A, B, and C) do not support the
risks associated with opioid use in a client with increased ICP.
The charge nurse of a medical surgical unit is alerted to an impending disaster
requiring implementation of the hospital's disaster plan. Specific facts about the
nature of this disaster are not yet known. Which instruction should the charge
nurse give to the other staff members at this time?
A.Prepare to evacuate the unit, starting with the bedridden clients.
B.UAPs should report to the emergency center to handle transports.
C.The licensed staff should begin counting wheelchairs and IV poles on the unit.
D.Continue with current assignments until more instructions are received.
D
When faced with an impending disaster, hospital personnel may be alerted but
should continue with current client care assignments until further instructions are
received (D). Evacuation is typically a response of last resort that begins with
clients who are most able to ambulate (A). (B) is premature and is likely to
increase the chaos if incoming casualties are anticipated. (C) is poor utilization of
personnel.
The nurse assesses a client while the UAP measures the client's vital signs. The
client's vital signs change suddenly, and the nurse determines that the client's
condition is worsening. The nurse is unsure of the client's resuscitative status and
needs to check the client's medical record for any advanced directives. Which
action should the nurse implement?
A.Ask the UAP to check for the advanced directive while the nurse completes the
assessment.
, B.Assign the UAP to complete the assessment while the nurse checks for the
advanced directive.
C.Check the medical record for the advanced directive and then complete the client
assessment.
D.Call for the charge nurse to check the advanced directive while continuing to
assess the client.
D
Because the client's condition is worsening, the nurse should remain with the client
and continue the assessment while calling for help from the charge nurse to
determine the client's resuscitative status (D). (A and B) are tasks that must be
completed by a nurse and cannot be delegated to the UAP. (C) is contraindicated.
A nurse who has recently completed orientation is beginning work in the labor and
delivery unit for the first time. When making assignments, which client should the
charge nurse assign to this new nurse?
A.A primigravida who is 8 cm dilated after 14 hours of labor
B.A client scheduled for a repeat cesarean birth at 38 weeks' gestation
C.A client being induced for fetal demise at 20 weeks' gestation
D.A multiparous client who is dilated 5 cm and 50% effaced
D
The new nurse should be assigned the least complicated client to gain experience
and confidence, as well as protect client safety. Of the clients available for
assignment, (D) is progressing well and is the least complicated. (A, B and C) have
actual or potential complications and should be assigned to a more experienced
nurse.
A client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has white lesions in
the oral cavity that resemble milk curds. Nystatin (Mycostatin) preparation is
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED
A+
A client with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is taking 25 mg of
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) PO and 40 mg of furosemide (Lasix) PO daily.
Today, at a routine clinic visit, the client's serum potassium level is 4 mEq/L. What
is the most likely cause of this client's potassium level?
A.The client is noncompliant with his medications.
B.The client recently consumed large quantities of pears or nuts.
C.The client's renal function has affected his potassium level.
D.The client needs to be started on a potassium supplement.
C
The client has a normalized potassium level despite diuretic use (C). The kidney
automatically secretes 90% of potassium consumed, but in chronic renal
insufficiency (CRI), less potassium is excreted than normal. Therefore, the two
potassium-wasting drugs, a thiazide diuretic and loop diuretic, are not likely to
affect potassium levels. The normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5 mEq/L, and with a
potassium level of 4 mEq/L, there is no reason to believe that the client is
noncompliant with his treatment (A). Pears and nuts do not affect the serum
potassium level (B). There is no need for a potassium supplement (D) because the
client's potassium level is within the normal range.
A registered nurse (RN) delivers telehealth services to clients via electronic
communication. Which nursing action creates the greatest risk for professional
liability and has the potential for a malpractice lawsuit?
,A.Participating in telephone consultations with clients
B.Identifying oneself by name and title to clients in telehealth communications
C.Sending medical records to health care providers via the Internet
D.Answering a client-initiated health question via electronic mail
C
Sending medical records over the Internet, even with the latest security protection,
creates the greatest risk for liability because of the high potential of breaching
client confidentiality and the amount of information being transferred (C). Client
confidentiality is protected by federal wiretapping laws making telephone
consultation (A) a private and protected form of communication. By stating one's
name and credentials in telehealth communication (B), one is taking responsibility
for the encounter. E-mail initiated by the client (D) poses less risk than sending
records via the Internet.
Which pathophysiologic response supports the contraindication for opioids, such
as morphine, in clients with increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A.Sedation produced by opioids is a result of a prolonged half-life when the ICP is
elevated.
B.Higher doses of opioids are required when cerebral blood flow is reduced by an
elevated ICP.
C.Dysphoria from opioids contributes to altered levels of consciousness with an
elevated ICP.
D.Opioids suppress respirations, which increases Pco2 and contributes to an
elevated ICP.
D
The greatest risk associated with opioids such as morphine (D) is respiratory
depression that causes an increase in Pco2, which increases ICP and masks the
,early signs of intracranial bleeding in head injury. (A, B, and C) do not support the
risks associated with opioid use in a client with increased ICP.
The charge nurse of a medical surgical unit is alerted to an impending disaster
requiring implementation of the hospital's disaster plan. Specific facts about the
nature of this disaster are not yet known. Which instruction should the charge
nurse give to the other staff members at this time?
A.Prepare to evacuate the unit, starting with the bedridden clients.
B.UAPs should report to the emergency center to handle transports.
C.The licensed staff should begin counting wheelchairs and IV poles on the unit.
D.Continue with current assignments until more instructions are received.
D
When faced with an impending disaster, hospital personnel may be alerted but
should continue with current client care assignments until further instructions are
received (D). Evacuation is typically a response of last resort that begins with
clients who are most able to ambulate (A). (B) is premature and is likely to
increase the chaos if incoming casualties are anticipated. (C) is poor utilization of
personnel.
The nurse assesses a client while the UAP measures the client's vital signs. The
client's vital signs change suddenly, and the nurse determines that the client's
condition is worsening. The nurse is unsure of the client's resuscitative status and
needs to check the client's medical record for any advanced directives. Which
action should the nurse implement?
A.Ask the UAP to check for the advanced directive while the nurse completes the
assessment.
, B.Assign the UAP to complete the assessment while the nurse checks for the
advanced directive.
C.Check the medical record for the advanced directive and then complete the client
assessment.
D.Call for the charge nurse to check the advanced directive while continuing to
assess the client.
D
Because the client's condition is worsening, the nurse should remain with the client
and continue the assessment while calling for help from the charge nurse to
determine the client's resuscitative status (D). (A and B) are tasks that must be
completed by a nurse and cannot be delegated to the UAP. (C) is contraindicated.
A nurse who has recently completed orientation is beginning work in the labor and
delivery unit for the first time. When making assignments, which client should the
charge nurse assign to this new nurse?
A.A primigravida who is 8 cm dilated after 14 hours of labor
B.A client scheduled for a repeat cesarean birth at 38 weeks' gestation
C.A client being induced for fetal demise at 20 weeks' gestation
D.A multiparous client who is dilated 5 cm and 50% effaced
D
The new nurse should be assigned the least complicated client to gain experience
and confidence, as well as protect client safety. Of the clients available for
assignment, (D) is progressing well and is the least complicated. (A, B and C) have
actual or potential complications and should be assigned to a more experienced
nurse.
A client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has white lesions in
the oral cavity that resemble milk curds. Nystatin (Mycostatin) preparation is
