HESI RN Exit Exam Success Questions
with Comprehensive Rationales
## Fundamentals of Nursing
**1. When prioritizing care using Maslow's hierarchy, which client
should the nurse see first?**
- A. Client with anxiety about surgery
- B. Client with urinary retention
- C. Client with shortness of breath
- D. Client with a fractured arm
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Airway and breathing are the highest priority according
to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Physiological needs must be addressed
before safety, love, esteem, or self-actualization needs .
---
,**2. Which action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?**
- A. Washing hands for 5 seconds
- B. Using hot water
- C. Rubbing hands with soap for 20 seconds
- D. Drying hands on uniform
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Effective hand hygiene requires scrubbing with soap for
at least 20 seconds to remove pathogens. Hand hygiene is the most
important intervention for preventing healthcare-associated infections .
---
**3. A nurse delegates ambulation of a stable client to a UAP. What is
the nurse's responsibility?**
- A. Document the distance ambulated
- B. Supervise the UAP
- C. Assess the client before ambulation
- D. Allow UAP to determine safety
**Answer: C**
,**Rationale:** Assessment cannot be delegated; the nurse must
determine client stability and safety before delegating ambulation. The
RN retains accountability for the delegation process .
---
**4. Which finding requires immediate intervention?**
- A. BP 138/88
- B. HR 58
- C. RR 8
- D. Temp 99°F
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Respiratory depression (RR 8) is life-threatening and
requires immediate action. This indicates potential respiratory failure
requiring rapid assessment and intervention .
---
**5. Proper body mechanics include:**
- A. Bending at the waist
- B. Keeping feet close together
- C. Holding object away from body
, - D. Using leg muscles to lift
**Answer: D**
**Rationale:** Using leg muscles to lift reduces back strain and injury
risk. Proper body mechanics protect the nurse from musculoskeletal
injury .
---
**6. A client refuses medication. What is the nurse's best response?**
- A. Document refusal
- B. Force medication
- C. Hide medication in food
- D. Call provider immediately
**Answer: A**
**Rationale:** A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment.
The nurse should document the refusal and notify the healthcare
provider. Forcing medication violates patient autonomy and legal rights
.
---
with Comprehensive Rationales
## Fundamentals of Nursing
**1. When prioritizing care using Maslow's hierarchy, which client
should the nurse see first?**
- A. Client with anxiety about surgery
- B. Client with urinary retention
- C. Client with shortness of breath
- D. Client with a fractured arm
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Airway and breathing are the highest priority according
to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Physiological needs must be addressed
before safety, love, esteem, or self-actualization needs .
---
,**2. Which action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?**
- A. Washing hands for 5 seconds
- B. Using hot water
- C. Rubbing hands with soap for 20 seconds
- D. Drying hands on uniform
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Effective hand hygiene requires scrubbing with soap for
at least 20 seconds to remove pathogens. Hand hygiene is the most
important intervention for preventing healthcare-associated infections .
---
**3. A nurse delegates ambulation of a stable client to a UAP. What is
the nurse's responsibility?**
- A. Document the distance ambulated
- B. Supervise the UAP
- C. Assess the client before ambulation
- D. Allow UAP to determine safety
**Answer: C**
,**Rationale:** Assessment cannot be delegated; the nurse must
determine client stability and safety before delegating ambulation. The
RN retains accountability for the delegation process .
---
**4. Which finding requires immediate intervention?**
- A. BP 138/88
- B. HR 58
- C. RR 8
- D. Temp 99°F
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Respiratory depression (RR 8) is life-threatening and
requires immediate action. This indicates potential respiratory failure
requiring rapid assessment and intervention .
---
**5. Proper body mechanics include:**
- A. Bending at the waist
- B. Keeping feet close together
- C. Holding object away from body
, - D. Using leg muscles to lift
**Answer: D**
**Rationale:** Using leg muscles to lift reduces back strain and injury
risk. Proper body mechanics protect the nurse from musculoskeletal
injury .
---
**6. A client refuses medication. What is the nurse's best response?**
- A. Document refusal
- B. Force medication
- C. Hide medication in food
- D. Call provider immediately
**Answer: A**
**Rationale:** A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment.
The nurse should document the refusal and notify the healthcare
provider. Forcing medication violates patient autonomy and legal rights
.
---
