,HESI PN EXIT EXAM TEST BANK 2026-2027
COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
EXAM V1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT
SAFETY
Questions 1-150
1. A PN enters a client's room to administer medications, but the client is on the
phone. What is the best action?
A. Leave the medication on the bedside table with instructions
B. Wait for the client to finish and observe them taking the medication
C. Ask the client to call back later and administer the medication
D. Document that the client refused the medication
Answer: B
Rationale: The five rights of medication administration include the right to observe the
client actually taking the medication. Leaving medication unattended violates safety
protocols. Asking the client to hang up disregards their autonomy. Documenting refusal
without attempting to administer is incorrect because the client did not refuse.
2. A disoriented resident in a long-term care facility has no identification band or
picture. What is the best action before administering medications?
,A. Ask the resident to state their name and date of birth
B. Ask another staff member to identify the resident
C. Ask family members to confirm the resident's identity
D. Confirm the room and bed number match the medication record
Answer: D
Rationale: The facility policy requires confirmation of multiple identifiers. Since the
resident is disoriented and lacks an ID band, confirming the room and bed number with
the medication record is the safest approach. Asking a disoriented person to state their
name is unreliable. Staff and family confirmation is not a standard identifier.
3. A client with a new colostomy is concerned about odor. Which food is most
likely to reduce odor?
A. Eggs
B. Yogurt
C. Onions
D. Fish
Answer: B
Rationale: Yogurt contains probiotics that may reduce colostomy odor. Eggs, onions,
and fish can increase odor due to their sulfur content and strong digestive byproducts.
4. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action would contaminate the field?
A. Placing sterile items at least one inch from the edge
B. Holding sterile items above waist level
C. Reaching across the sterile field to obtain a gauze pad
D. Opening sterile packages away from the field
Answer: C
, Rationale: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it because the arms are not
sterile. Sterile items should be kept within sight and at or above waist level. The one-
inch border is considered unsterile.
5. A client reports difficulty swallowing pills. What should the nurse do?
A. Crush all medications and mix with applesauce
B. Check with the pharmacist to see if the medication can be crushed
C. Request liquid formulations for all medications
D. Skip the medication and document the issue
Answer: B
Rationale: Extended-release and enteric-coated medications should not be crushed.
The nurse must verify with the pharmacist before altering any dosage form. Not all
medications have liquid formulations available, and skipping medications is never
appropriate.
6. During skin assessment, the PN notes a 0.7 cm crusted lesion on an older adult's
forehead. What is the best action?
A. Report the lesion to the healthcare provider
B. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage
C. Document the finding and reassess in one week
D. Clean the lesion with saline and remove the crust
Answer: A
Rationale: Crusted lesions can indicate skin cancer, especially in older adults, and
require professional evaluation. Self-treatment or delaying assessment could allow a
malignancy to progress.
COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
EXAM V1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT
SAFETY
Questions 1-150
1. A PN enters a client's room to administer medications, but the client is on the
phone. What is the best action?
A. Leave the medication on the bedside table with instructions
B. Wait for the client to finish and observe them taking the medication
C. Ask the client to call back later and administer the medication
D. Document that the client refused the medication
Answer: B
Rationale: The five rights of medication administration include the right to observe the
client actually taking the medication. Leaving medication unattended violates safety
protocols. Asking the client to hang up disregards their autonomy. Documenting refusal
without attempting to administer is incorrect because the client did not refuse.
2. A disoriented resident in a long-term care facility has no identification band or
picture. What is the best action before administering medications?
,A. Ask the resident to state their name and date of birth
B. Ask another staff member to identify the resident
C. Ask family members to confirm the resident's identity
D. Confirm the room and bed number match the medication record
Answer: D
Rationale: The facility policy requires confirmation of multiple identifiers. Since the
resident is disoriented and lacks an ID band, confirming the room and bed number with
the medication record is the safest approach. Asking a disoriented person to state their
name is unreliable. Staff and family confirmation is not a standard identifier.
3. A client with a new colostomy is concerned about odor. Which food is most
likely to reduce odor?
A. Eggs
B. Yogurt
C. Onions
D. Fish
Answer: B
Rationale: Yogurt contains probiotics that may reduce colostomy odor. Eggs, onions,
and fish can increase odor due to their sulfur content and strong digestive byproducts.
4. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action would contaminate the field?
A. Placing sterile items at least one inch from the edge
B. Holding sterile items above waist level
C. Reaching across the sterile field to obtain a gauze pad
D. Opening sterile packages away from the field
Answer: C
, Rationale: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it because the arms are not
sterile. Sterile items should be kept within sight and at or above waist level. The one-
inch border is considered unsterile.
5. A client reports difficulty swallowing pills. What should the nurse do?
A. Crush all medications and mix with applesauce
B. Check with the pharmacist to see if the medication can be crushed
C. Request liquid formulations for all medications
D. Skip the medication and document the issue
Answer: B
Rationale: Extended-release and enteric-coated medications should not be crushed.
The nurse must verify with the pharmacist before altering any dosage form. Not all
medications have liquid formulations available, and skipping medications is never
appropriate.
6. During skin assessment, the PN notes a 0.7 cm crusted lesion on an older adult's
forehead. What is the best action?
A. Report the lesion to the healthcare provider
B. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage
C. Document the finding and reassess in one week
D. Clean the lesion with saline and remove the crust
Answer: A
Rationale: Crusted lesions can indicate skin cancer, especially in older adults, and
require professional evaluation. Self-treatment or delaying assessment could allow a
malignancy to progress.
