HESI RN Exit Exam (NGN) 2026 | Comprehensive Practice
Questions with Detailed Answers & Rationales | Exit Exam Review
Guide
1. A female client presents in the emergency department and tells the nurse
that she was raped last night. Which question is most important for the nurse
to ask?
A. Has she taken a bath since the rape occurred?
B. Is the place where she lives a safe place?
C. Does she know the person who raped her?
D. Did she report the rape to the police department?
Answer: A. Has she taken a bath since the rape occurred?
Rationale: The most important question is whether the client has bathed since the
assault because bathing can destroy forensic evidence. Evidence collection is time-
sensitive, and the nurse should first determine what evidence may still be available.
Safety assessment (B) and reporting (D) are also important but can be addressed
after preserving evidence.
2. The nurse should withhold which medication if the client's serum potassium
level is 6.2 mEq/L?
A. Metolazone
B. Furosemide
C. Spironolactone
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Answer: C. Spironolactone
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause
hyperkalemia. With a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L (above normal range),
,administering spironolactone would further increase potassium levels, potentially
leading to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
3. A client is diagnosed with Meniere's disease. Which problem should the
nurse identify as most important in the plan of care?
A. Risk for ineffective self-health management related to deficient knowledge
B. Ineffective coping related to personal vulnerability
C. Risk for injury related to vertigo
D. Anxiety related to disruption of lifestyle
Answer: C. Risk for injury related to vertigo
Rationale: Meniere's disease is characterized by episodes of vertigo, which places
the client at significant risk for falls and injury. Safety is the priority concern.
While the other issues are valid nursing diagnoses, physical safety takes
precedence over psychosocial concerns.
4. The mother of a 2-day old infant girl expresses concern about a "flea bite"
type rash on her daughter's body. The nurse identifies a pink papular rash
with vesicles superimposed over the thorax, back, buttocks, and abdomen.
Which explanation should the nurse offer?
A. This is a common newborn rash that will resolve after several days
B. The rash is due to distended oil glands that will resolve in a few weeks
C. The healthcare provider is being notified about the rash
D. This rash is characteristic of a medication reaction
Answer: A. This is a common newborn rash that will resolve after several
days
Rationale: This description is consistent with erythema toxicum neonatorum, a
benign, self-limiting newborn rash that typically appears 24-72 hours after birth
,and resolves within 1-2 weeks. It requires no treatment, and reassuring the mother
is appropriate.
5. When conducting diet teaching for a client who is on a postoperative full
liquid diet, which foods should the nurse encourage the client to eat? (Select
all that apply)
A. Cheese
B. Tea
C. Lentils
D. Whole grain breads
E. Potato soup
Answer: B. Tea, C. Lentils, E. Potato soup
Rationale: A full liquid diet includes foods that are liquid at room temperature.
Tea (B) is a clear liquid allowed on full liquid diets. Lentils (C) when pureed or as
broth can be included. Potato soup (E) is a liquid food. Cheese (A) is solid, and
whole grain breads (D) are not permitted on a liquid diet.
6. What might the nurse suggest to a client with fibrocystic breasts in an
attempt to help relieve her symptoms?
A. "Eliminate caffeine from your diet"
B. "Avoid vigorous physical exercise immediately after your menstrual periods"
C. "Eat a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet"
D. "Increase high-calcium foods in your diet"
Answer: D. "Increase high-calcium foods in your diet"
Rationale: Research suggests that increasing dietary calcium may help reduce
symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease. While some clients report relief with
, caffeine elimination, evidence is inconclusive. Calcium supplementation has
shown more consistent benefit in symptom management.
7. The nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for a client who had a
liver transplant. Which instruction is most important to include in this plan?
A. Increase activity and exercise gradually, as tolerated
B. Limit intake of fatty foods for one month after surgery
C. Avoid crowds for the first two months after surgery
D. Notify the healthcare provider if edema occurs
Answer: C. Avoid crowds for the first two months after surgery
Rationale: After liver transplantation, clients are immunosuppressed to prevent
organ rejection. Avoiding crowds reduces exposure to infections, which is the most
critical safety concern. While the other options are appropriate, infection
prevention is the highest priority.
8. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who reports tingling of
the feet and who is newly diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. Which
outcome should the nurse include in the plan of care for this client?
A. The client's skin on the lower legs will be intact at the next clinic visit
B. The client will express acceptance of their newly diagnosed health status
C. The client's blood pressure readings will be less than 160/90 mmHg
D. The nurse will encourage the client to walk thirty minutes every day
Answer: C. The client's blood pressure readings will be less than 160/90
mmHg
Rationale: For a client with peripheral vascular disease, blood pressure control is
critical to slow disease progression. Hypertension is a major risk factor for PVD
progression. While skin integrity (A) is important, it is an outcome not directly
Questions with Detailed Answers & Rationales | Exit Exam Review
Guide
1. A female client presents in the emergency department and tells the nurse
that she was raped last night. Which question is most important for the nurse
to ask?
A. Has she taken a bath since the rape occurred?
B. Is the place where she lives a safe place?
C. Does she know the person who raped her?
D. Did she report the rape to the police department?
Answer: A. Has she taken a bath since the rape occurred?
Rationale: The most important question is whether the client has bathed since the
assault because bathing can destroy forensic evidence. Evidence collection is time-
sensitive, and the nurse should first determine what evidence may still be available.
Safety assessment (B) and reporting (D) are also important but can be addressed
after preserving evidence.
2. The nurse should withhold which medication if the client's serum potassium
level is 6.2 mEq/L?
A. Metolazone
B. Furosemide
C. Spironolactone
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Answer: C. Spironolactone
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause
hyperkalemia. With a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L (above normal range),
,administering spironolactone would further increase potassium levels, potentially
leading to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
3. A client is diagnosed with Meniere's disease. Which problem should the
nurse identify as most important in the plan of care?
A. Risk for ineffective self-health management related to deficient knowledge
B. Ineffective coping related to personal vulnerability
C. Risk for injury related to vertigo
D. Anxiety related to disruption of lifestyle
Answer: C. Risk for injury related to vertigo
Rationale: Meniere's disease is characterized by episodes of vertigo, which places
the client at significant risk for falls and injury. Safety is the priority concern.
While the other issues are valid nursing diagnoses, physical safety takes
precedence over psychosocial concerns.
4. The mother of a 2-day old infant girl expresses concern about a "flea bite"
type rash on her daughter's body. The nurse identifies a pink papular rash
with vesicles superimposed over the thorax, back, buttocks, and abdomen.
Which explanation should the nurse offer?
A. This is a common newborn rash that will resolve after several days
B. The rash is due to distended oil glands that will resolve in a few weeks
C. The healthcare provider is being notified about the rash
D. This rash is characteristic of a medication reaction
Answer: A. This is a common newborn rash that will resolve after several
days
Rationale: This description is consistent with erythema toxicum neonatorum, a
benign, self-limiting newborn rash that typically appears 24-72 hours after birth
,and resolves within 1-2 weeks. It requires no treatment, and reassuring the mother
is appropriate.
5. When conducting diet teaching for a client who is on a postoperative full
liquid diet, which foods should the nurse encourage the client to eat? (Select
all that apply)
A. Cheese
B. Tea
C. Lentils
D. Whole grain breads
E. Potato soup
Answer: B. Tea, C. Lentils, E. Potato soup
Rationale: A full liquid diet includes foods that are liquid at room temperature.
Tea (B) is a clear liquid allowed on full liquid diets. Lentils (C) when pureed or as
broth can be included. Potato soup (E) is a liquid food. Cheese (A) is solid, and
whole grain breads (D) are not permitted on a liquid diet.
6. What might the nurse suggest to a client with fibrocystic breasts in an
attempt to help relieve her symptoms?
A. "Eliminate caffeine from your diet"
B. "Avoid vigorous physical exercise immediately after your menstrual periods"
C. "Eat a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet"
D. "Increase high-calcium foods in your diet"
Answer: D. "Increase high-calcium foods in your diet"
Rationale: Research suggests that increasing dietary calcium may help reduce
symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease. While some clients report relief with
, caffeine elimination, evidence is inconclusive. Calcium supplementation has
shown more consistent benefit in symptom management.
7. The nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for a client who had a
liver transplant. Which instruction is most important to include in this plan?
A. Increase activity and exercise gradually, as tolerated
B. Limit intake of fatty foods for one month after surgery
C. Avoid crowds for the first two months after surgery
D. Notify the healthcare provider if edema occurs
Answer: C. Avoid crowds for the first two months after surgery
Rationale: After liver transplantation, clients are immunosuppressed to prevent
organ rejection. Avoiding crowds reduces exposure to infections, which is the most
critical safety concern. While the other options are appropriate, infection
prevention is the highest priority.
8. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who reports tingling of
the feet and who is newly diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. Which
outcome should the nurse include in the plan of care for this client?
A. The client's skin on the lower legs will be intact at the next clinic visit
B. The client will express acceptance of their newly diagnosed health status
C. The client's blood pressure readings will be less than 160/90 mmHg
D. The nurse will encourage the client to walk thirty minutes every day
Answer: C. The client's blood pressure readings will be less than 160/90
mmHg
Rationale: For a client with peripheral vascular disease, blood pressure control is
critical to slow disease progression. Hypertension is a major risk factor for PVD
progression. While skin integrity (A) is important, it is an outcome not directly
