HESI Fundamentals Practice Exam
Practice Questions and Explanations
2026
The practical nurse (PN) is assessing a client with dark skin
who is in respiratory distress. Which client response should
the PN evaluate to determine cyanosis in the client? -
Correct Answers ✅The lips and mucous membranes of a
client with dark skin are dusky in color.
Which technique should the practical nurse (PN) use to most
accurately assess a client's baseline blood pressure during a
routine health examination? - Correct Answers ✅Measure
the pressure in each arm while the client sits with the arm
supported at heart level.
A client with gastroenteritis, nausea, and vomiting is
currently on "Nothing by mouth(NPO)" status. The healthcare
provider prescribes oral intake to be advanced as tolerated.
Which fluid should the practical nurse offer first? - Correct
Answers ✅Water.
An older client who is admitted to the hospital with
dehydration and electrolyte imbalance is confused and
incontinent of urine. Which action provides the best strategy
for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for the client's
incontinence? - Correct Answers ✅Establish a 2-hour
voiding schedule.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement
to reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections in a client
, HESI Fundamentals Practice Exam
Practice Questions and Explanations
2026
with an indwelling catheter? - Correct Answers ✅Cleanse
perineum area with soap and water BID and PRN.
A male client is upset with the healthcare provider's
recommendation that he should consent to an above-knee
amputation. He tells the practical nurse (PN). "If they want to
cut off my leg,they should just shoot me instead." How should
the PN respond? - Correct Answers ✅Ask the client how
the surgery might effect his lifestyle.
A client with cancer who has been taking opioid analgesics
for two years now requires increased doses to obtain pain
relief. The client expresses fear about becoming addicted to
these drugs. What information should the practical nurse (PN)
provide? - Correct Answers ✅Prescribed opiates for cancer
pain relief improve quality of life.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement
to help a client cope effectively with chronic pain? - Correct
Answers ✅Encourage using relaxation techniques.
A young woman who is the primary caregiver for her mother
who has Alzheimer's disease tells the practical nurse (PN).
"Sometimes I hate my mother for living this long and my Dad
for dying and not caring for her." What response should the
PN offer? - Correct Answers ✅What do you do to cope with
these feelings?"
Practice Questions and Explanations
2026
The practical nurse (PN) is assessing a client with dark skin
who is in respiratory distress. Which client response should
the PN evaluate to determine cyanosis in the client? -
Correct Answers ✅The lips and mucous membranes of a
client with dark skin are dusky in color.
Which technique should the practical nurse (PN) use to most
accurately assess a client's baseline blood pressure during a
routine health examination? - Correct Answers ✅Measure
the pressure in each arm while the client sits with the arm
supported at heart level.
A client with gastroenteritis, nausea, and vomiting is
currently on "Nothing by mouth(NPO)" status. The healthcare
provider prescribes oral intake to be advanced as tolerated.
Which fluid should the practical nurse offer first? - Correct
Answers ✅Water.
An older client who is admitted to the hospital with
dehydration and electrolyte imbalance is confused and
incontinent of urine. Which action provides the best strategy
for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for the client's
incontinence? - Correct Answers ✅Establish a 2-hour
voiding schedule.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement
to reduce the incidence of urinary tract infections in a client
, HESI Fundamentals Practice Exam
Practice Questions and Explanations
2026
with an indwelling catheter? - Correct Answers ✅Cleanse
perineum area with soap and water BID and PRN.
A male client is upset with the healthcare provider's
recommendation that he should consent to an above-knee
amputation. He tells the practical nurse (PN). "If they want to
cut off my leg,they should just shoot me instead." How should
the PN respond? - Correct Answers ✅Ask the client how
the surgery might effect his lifestyle.
A client with cancer who has been taking opioid analgesics
for two years now requires increased doses to obtain pain
relief. The client expresses fear about becoming addicted to
these drugs. What information should the practical nurse (PN)
provide? - Correct Answers ✅Prescribed opiates for cancer
pain relief improve quality of life.
Which intervention should the practical nurse (PN) implement
to help a client cope effectively with chronic pain? - Correct
Answers ✅Encourage using relaxation techniques.
A young woman who is the primary caregiver for her mother
who has Alzheimer's disease tells the practical nurse (PN).
"Sometimes I hate my mother for living this long and my Dad
for dying and not caring for her." What response should the
PN offer? - Correct Answers ✅What do you do to cope with
these feelings?"
