HESI COMPASS COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
CURRENTLY TESTING EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (100% CORRECT ANSWERS
/ALREADY GRADED A+
The HESI Compass Comprehensive Exit Exam is a high-stakes, standardized assessment used by
nursing programs to evaluate student readiness for the NCLEX-RN. This computer-adaptive
exam mimics the Next Generation NCLEX format, incorporating clinical judgment cases and
advanced question types such as matrix, multiple response, and drag-and-drop. The final
comprehensive examination within the HESI Compass course contains 263 items with no time
limit, allowing for focused testing without time pressure. Students are typically permitted up to
three attempts, with the grade calculated from the final submission. The exam is integrated into a
structured 9-to-12-week personalized review course. Its primary purpose is to identify
knowledge gaps, predict NCLEX success, and ensure safe, competent entry-level nursing
practice.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine IV. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to hold the medication and notify the
provider?
A. Blood pressure of 138/84 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Pain rating of 8/10
D. Heart rate of 92/min
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory rate below 10–
12/min requires holding the medication and notifying the provider.
1
,2. A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes mellitus about foot care. Which
instruction is appropriate?
A. Walk barefoot to improve circulation
B. Apply lotion between toes daily
C. Inspect feet every day for injuries
D. Soak feet in hot water for 30 minutes
Correct Answer: C. Inspect feet every day for injuries
Rationale: Daily foot inspection helps detect wounds early and prevent
complications such as diabetic ulcers.
3. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss, leading to
hypokalemia.
4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Mild incisional pain
B. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Decreased appetite
Correct Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
2
,Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires
immediate intervention to prevent further complications.
5. The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube. Which action is correct?
A. Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process
B. Position the client supine
C. Have the client hyperextend the neck
D. Insert the tube quickly without lubricant
Correct Answer: A. Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid
process
Rationale: This measurement approximates the distance from the nose to the
stomach, ensuring proper placement.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. Which finding is expected?
A. Clear lung sounds
B. Productive cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Low temperature
Correct Answer: B. Productive cough
Rationale: Pneumonia commonly causes cough with sputum due to airway
inflammation and infection.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin. Which action is correct?
A. Massage the injection site afterward
B. Rotate injection sites
C. Inject insulin into scar tissue
D. Store opened insulin in the freezer
3
, Correct Answer: B. Rotate injection sites
Rationale: Rotating sites prevents lipodystrophy and ensures consistent insulin
absorption.
8. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing hypoglycemia. Which symptom is
expected?
A. Dry skin
B. Increased thirst
C. Tremors and sweating
D. Slow breathing
Correct Answer: C. Tremors and sweating
Rationale: Tremors and sweating are sympathetic nervous system responses to low
blood glucose.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which symptom is expected?
A. Dry cough
B. Shortness of breath
C. Increased energy
D. Weight loss
Correct Answer: B. Shortness of breath
Rationale: Shortness of breath is a common symptom of heart failure due to fluid
accumulation in the lungs.
10. The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is
essential?
A. Verify the client's identity with two identifiers
B. Infuse the blood rapidly
4
CURRENTLY TESTING EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (100% CORRECT ANSWERS
/ALREADY GRADED A+
The HESI Compass Comprehensive Exit Exam is a high-stakes, standardized assessment used by
nursing programs to evaluate student readiness for the NCLEX-RN. This computer-adaptive
exam mimics the Next Generation NCLEX format, incorporating clinical judgment cases and
advanced question types such as matrix, multiple response, and drag-and-drop. The final
comprehensive examination within the HESI Compass course contains 263 items with no time
limit, allowing for focused testing without time pressure. Students are typically permitted up to
three attempts, with the grade calculated from the final submission. The exam is integrated into a
structured 9-to-12-week personalized review course. Its primary purpose is to identify
knowledge gaps, predict NCLEX success, and ensure safe, competent entry-level nursing
practice.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine IV. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to hold the medication and notify the
provider?
A. Blood pressure of 138/84 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Pain rating of 8/10
D. Heart rate of 92/min
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory rate below 10–
12/min requires holding the medication and notifying the provider.
1
,2. A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes mellitus about foot care. Which
instruction is appropriate?
A. Walk barefoot to improve circulation
B. Apply lotion between toes daily
C. Inspect feet every day for injuries
D. Soak feet in hot water for 30 minutes
Correct Answer: C. Inspect feet every day for injuries
Rationale: Daily foot inspection helps detect wounds early and prevent
complications such as diabetic ulcers.
3. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss, leading to
hypokalemia.
4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Mild incisional pain
B. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Decreased appetite
Correct Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
2
,Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires
immediate intervention to prevent further complications.
5. The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube. Which action is correct?
A. Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process
B. Position the client supine
C. Have the client hyperextend the neck
D. Insert the tube quickly without lubricant
Correct Answer: A. Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid
process
Rationale: This measurement approximates the distance from the nose to the
stomach, ensuring proper placement.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. Which finding is expected?
A. Clear lung sounds
B. Productive cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Low temperature
Correct Answer: B. Productive cough
Rationale: Pneumonia commonly causes cough with sputum due to airway
inflammation and infection.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin. Which action is correct?
A. Massage the injection site afterward
B. Rotate injection sites
C. Inject insulin into scar tissue
D. Store opened insulin in the freezer
3
, Correct Answer: B. Rotate injection sites
Rationale: Rotating sites prevents lipodystrophy and ensures consistent insulin
absorption.
8. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing hypoglycemia. Which symptom is
expected?
A. Dry skin
B. Increased thirst
C. Tremors and sweating
D. Slow breathing
Correct Answer: C. Tremors and sweating
Rationale: Tremors and sweating are sympathetic nervous system responses to low
blood glucose.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which symptom is expected?
A. Dry cough
B. Shortness of breath
C. Increased energy
D. Weight loss
Correct Answer: B. Shortness of breath
Rationale: Shortness of breath is a common symptom of heart failure due to fluid
accumulation in the lungs.
10. The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is
essential?
A. Verify the client's identity with two identifiers
B. Infuse the blood rapidly
4
