WGU D455 HCV2 Exit HESI Mock Exam | 150 Original Questions, Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Professional Nursing Role Transition 2026.
This is an independently created study resource—not an actual, recalled, or leaked WGU/HESI
examination. Select the single best answer unless the question says Select all that apply.
Questions 1–25: Fundamentals, Safety, and Prioritization
1. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A postoperative client reporting incisional pain of 7/10
B. A client with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from 92% to 84%
C. A client with diabetes whose premeal glucose is 68 mg/dL
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: B
Rationale: The acute decline in oxygen saturation indicates impaired oxygenation, which takes
priority under airway-breathing-circulation principles. Mild hypoglycemia also requires
treatment, but the respiratory deterioration is the most immediate threat.
2. A confused client repeatedly attempts to remove an IV catheter. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Apply bilateral wrist restraints
B. Request a sedative prescription
C. Reorient the client and conceal the tubing
D. Ask security to remain at the bedside
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must try the least restrictive intervention first. Reorientation, concealing
equipment, distraction, family presence, and closer observation should precede restraints or
medication.
3. Which action contaminates a sterile field?
A. Keeping sterile objects above waist level
B. Opening the farthest wrapper flap first
,C. Reaching across the sterile field
D. Placing a sterile item near the center
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field can introduce microorganisms from clothing or the
nurse’s arm. A sterile field must remain visible and above waist level.
4. A client develops chills and low-back pain 10 minutes after a blood transfusion
begins. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer diphenhydramine
D. Obtain a urine specimen
Answer: B
Rationale: These findings suggest an acute transfusion reaction. The nurse must immediately
stop the transfusion to prevent additional incompatible blood from entering the client, then
maintain IV access with normal saline using new tubing.
5. Which client requires airborne precautions?
A. Client with influenza
B. Client with pulmonary tuberculosis
C. Client with bacterial meningitis
D. Client with an MRSA wound
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure
room and a fit-tested N95 respirator. Influenza and meningitis generally require droplet
precautions.
6. A client has Clostridioides difficile infection. Which hand-hygiene method is
appropriate?
A. Alcohol-based sanitizer only
B. Soap and water
,C. Chlorhexidine wipes only
D. Sterile water
Answer: B
Rationale: Soap and water physically remove C. difficile spores. Alcohol-based products do not
reliably destroy the spores.
7. Which finding indicates that a client understands incentive-spirometer
teaching?
A. The client exhales forcefully into the device
B. The client inhales slowly and holds the breath briefly
C. The client uses the device once each morning
D. The client lies flat while using the device
Answer: B
Rationale: The client should sit upright, seal the lips around the mouthpiece, inhale slowly and
deeply, and hold the breath for several seconds. This promotes alveolar expansion.
8. Which intervention best reduces aspiration risk during enteral feeding?
A. Place the client supine
B. Warm formula in a microwave
C. Elevate the head of the bed 30–45 degrees
D. Add blue dye to the formula
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed during feeding and afterward reduces reflux and
aspiration. Supine positioning increases aspiration risk.
9. Which task may the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Evaluate pain after an analgesic
B. Teach incentive-spirometer use
C. Obtain routine vital signs on a stable client
D. Assess a client reporting dizziness
, Answer: C
Rationale: UAP may collect routine data from stable clients. Assessment, teaching, clinical
judgment, and evaluation remain the registered nurse’s responsibilities.
10. A client falls while walking to the bathroom. What should the nurse do first?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Notify the family
C. Assess the client for injury
D. Document that staffing was inadequate
Answer: C
Rationale: The client’s immediate safety takes priority. The nurse first assesses for injury and
obtains necessary assistance before notification, documentation, and reporting.
11. Which prescription should the nurse question?
A. Potassium chloride 10 mEq diluted in IV fluid
B. Potassium chloride 10 mEq IV push
C. Oral potassium with food
D. Serum potassium measurement after replacement
Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium must never be administered by IV push because rapid administration can
cause fatal dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest.
12. A fire starts in a client’s wastebasket. According to RACE, what should the
nurse do first?
A. Activate the alarm
B. Contain the fire
C. Extinguish the fire
D. Rescue clients in immediate danger
Answer: D
Detailed Rationales | Professional Nursing Role Transition 2026.
This is an independently created study resource—not an actual, recalled, or leaked WGU/HESI
examination. Select the single best answer unless the question says Select all that apply.
Questions 1–25: Fundamentals, Safety, and Prioritization
1. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A postoperative client reporting incisional pain of 7/10
B. A client with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from 92% to 84%
C. A client with diabetes whose premeal glucose is 68 mg/dL
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: B
Rationale: The acute decline in oxygen saturation indicates impaired oxygenation, which takes
priority under airway-breathing-circulation principles. Mild hypoglycemia also requires
treatment, but the respiratory deterioration is the most immediate threat.
2. A confused client repeatedly attempts to remove an IV catheter. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Apply bilateral wrist restraints
B. Request a sedative prescription
C. Reorient the client and conceal the tubing
D. Ask security to remain at the bedside
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must try the least restrictive intervention first. Reorientation, concealing
equipment, distraction, family presence, and closer observation should precede restraints or
medication.
3. Which action contaminates a sterile field?
A. Keeping sterile objects above waist level
B. Opening the farthest wrapper flap first
,C. Reaching across the sterile field
D. Placing a sterile item near the center
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field can introduce microorganisms from clothing or the
nurse’s arm. A sterile field must remain visible and above waist level.
4. A client develops chills and low-back pain 10 minutes after a blood transfusion
begins. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer diphenhydramine
D. Obtain a urine specimen
Answer: B
Rationale: These findings suggest an acute transfusion reaction. The nurse must immediately
stop the transfusion to prevent additional incompatible blood from entering the client, then
maintain IV access with normal saline using new tubing.
5. Which client requires airborne precautions?
A. Client with influenza
B. Client with pulmonary tuberculosis
C. Client with bacterial meningitis
D. Client with an MRSA wound
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulmonary tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure
room and a fit-tested N95 respirator. Influenza and meningitis generally require droplet
precautions.
6. A client has Clostridioides difficile infection. Which hand-hygiene method is
appropriate?
A. Alcohol-based sanitizer only
B. Soap and water
,C. Chlorhexidine wipes only
D. Sterile water
Answer: B
Rationale: Soap and water physically remove C. difficile spores. Alcohol-based products do not
reliably destroy the spores.
7. Which finding indicates that a client understands incentive-spirometer
teaching?
A. The client exhales forcefully into the device
B. The client inhales slowly and holds the breath briefly
C. The client uses the device once each morning
D. The client lies flat while using the device
Answer: B
Rationale: The client should sit upright, seal the lips around the mouthpiece, inhale slowly and
deeply, and hold the breath for several seconds. This promotes alveolar expansion.
8. Which intervention best reduces aspiration risk during enteral feeding?
A. Place the client supine
B. Warm formula in a microwave
C. Elevate the head of the bed 30–45 degrees
D. Add blue dye to the formula
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed during feeding and afterward reduces reflux and
aspiration. Supine positioning increases aspiration risk.
9. Which task may the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Evaluate pain after an analgesic
B. Teach incentive-spirometer use
C. Obtain routine vital signs on a stable client
D. Assess a client reporting dizziness
, Answer: C
Rationale: UAP may collect routine data from stable clients. Assessment, teaching, clinical
judgment, and evaluation remain the registered nurse’s responsibilities.
10. A client falls while walking to the bathroom. What should the nurse do first?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Notify the family
C. Assess the client for injury
D. Document that staffing was inadequate
Answer: C
Rationale: The client’s immediate safety takes priority. The nurse first assesses for injury and
obtains necessary assistance before notification, documentation, and reporting.
11. Which prescription should the nurse question?
A. Potassium chloride 10 mEq diluted in IV fluid
B. Potassium chloride 10 mEq IV push
C. Oral potassium with food
D. Serum potassium measurement after replacement
Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium must never be administered by IV push because rapid administration can
cause fatal dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest.
12. A fire starts in a client’s wastebasket. According to RACE, what should the
nurse do first?
A. Activate the alarm
B. Contain the fire
C. Extinguish the fire
D. Rescue clients in immediate danger
Answer: D
