HESI PN Exit Exam (Latest 2026 Update) |
200 Q&As with Rationales | Nursing HESI
Prep
An 80 year old male client who has arthritis and who is having difficulty walking tells the
practical nurse (PN). ''It's awful to be old. It seems as though every day a struggle. No
one cares about an old person." What is the best response for the PN to provide.
A. "its true. We are a youth- oriented society."
B. Oh, lets not focus on the negative. Tell me something good."
C. "It sounds as though you're having a difficult time. Tell me about it."
D. "You're still able to get around, and your mind is as sharp as a tack." - answer- C. "It
sounds as though you're having a difficult time. Tell me about it."
An essential component of the nurse-client relationship is communicating empathy,
which indicates to a client that his feelings are important, so acknowledging the clients
difficulty (C) best allows the client to express his feelings. (A,B,D) dismiss the client's
verbal and nonverbal communication and do not reflect an understanding of the despair
the client is communicating.
A client's indwelling urinary catheter is removed at 9:30am. The practical nurse (PN)
assesses the client every 2 hours for the desire to void. Which documented assessment
requires further intervention by the PN?
A. 1:30pm- unable to void.
B. 5:30pm- unable to void
C. 3:30pm- unable to void
D 11:30 am- unable to void. - answer- B. 5:30pm- unable to void.
A client is due to void within 8 hours of catheter removal, so at 5:30pm (B), longer than
8 hours after removal, catheter reinsertion may be necessary. If the bladder is not
distended, further action may not be needed at times indicated in (A,C, D)
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?
A. Cyanosis in a client with dark skin is seen only in the sclera.
B. Abnormal skin color changes in a client with dark skin cannot be determined.
C. The lips and mucous membranes of a client with dark skin are dusky in color.
D. Blanching the soles of the feet in a client with dark skin reveals cyanosis. - answer-
C. The lips and mucous membranes of a client with dark skin are dusky in color
Causes of cyanosis include hypoxemia and decreased cardiac output, which provided
clues to respiratory status with changes in skin color and mucous membranes.
Cyanosis, a late sign of hypoxia, is best observed in the tissue that has superficial
capillary supply, such as mucous membranes, the conjunctivae, lips, palms and under
, the tongue (C), which is readily visible in dark skin. (A,B,D) do not provide accurate
assessment.
What action should the practical nurse (PN) take when drawing medication from an
ampule?
A. Aspirate with a filter needle and syringe
B. Tap the bottom of the ampule lightly.
C. Snap the neck of ampule towards nurse.
D. Use an alcohol swab to open ampule. - answer- A. Aspirate with a filter needle and
syringe
An ampule is made of glass with a constricted neck that is snapped off to allow access
to the medication. Medications are easily withdrawn from the ampule by aspirating the
fluid with a filter needle and syringe. Filter needles are used when withdrawing
medication from a glass ampule to prevent glass particles from being drawn into the
syringe with the medication (A). Tap the top, not the bottom (B) of the ampule lightly to
allow all of the medication to drop to the bottom. When opening the ampule, the top
should be snapped away from the nurse's face and body (C). An opened alcohol swab
wrapped around the top of the ampule may allow alcohol to leak into the ampule (D).
The healthcare provider prescribes a cleansing enema for an adult prior to bowel
surgery. Which intervention(s) should the practical nurse implement to ensure adequate
bowel cleansing? (Select all that apply.)
A. Place the client on left side in Sim's position.
B. Use enema fluid that is near 105F
C. Repeat enemas until expelled fluid is clear
D. Instill 500ml to 1,000 ml fluids slowly.
E. Raise the enema container 20 inches above anus.
F. Encourage the client to retain 10 to 15 minutes. - answer- A. Place the client on left
side in Sim's position.
B. Use enema fluid that is near 105F
D. Instill 500ml to 1,000 ml fluids slowly.
F. Encourage the client to retain 10 to 15 minutes.
Placing the client in an optimal position (A), using a sufficient fluid temperature (B) and
volume (D) that stimulates peristalsis for an adequate retention time (F) ensures
maximal bowl evacuation and cleansing. (C) is not included in the prescription. Fluid
instilled at the height of 20 inches (E) can causes excessive pressure and pain, which
compromise the client's ability to retain the fluid for proper bowl cleansing.
Which food should the practical (PN) recommend for a client to increase the dietary
intake of potassium?
A. Corn
B. Baked potato
C. Popcorn
D. Grape juice - answer- B. Baked potato
A baked potato (B), including its skin, contains the highest amount of potassium.
(A,B,D) are low in potassium.
200 Q&As with Rationales | Nursing HESI
Prep
An 80 year old male client who has arthritis and who is having difficulty walking tells the
practical nurse (PN). ''It's awful to be old. It seems as though every day a struggle. No
one cares about an old person." What is the best response for the PN to provide.
A. "its true. We are a youth- oriented society."
B. Oh, lets not focus on the negative. Tell me something good."
C. "It sounds as though you're having a difficult time. Tell me about it."
D. "You're still able to get around, and your mind is as sharp as a tack." - answer- C. "It
sounds as though you're having a difficult time. Tell me about it."
An essential component of the nurse-client relationship is communicating empathy,
which indicates to a client that his feelings are important, so acknowledging the clients
difficulty (C) best allows the client to express his feelings. (A,B,D) dismiss the client's
verbal and nonverbal communication and do not reflect an understanding of the despair
the client is communicating.
A client's indwelling urinary catheter is removed at 9:30am. The practical nurse (PN)
assesses the client every 2 hours for the desire to void. Which documented assessment
requires further intervention by the PN?
A. 1:30pm- unable to void.
B. 5:30pm- unable to void
C. 3:30pm- unable to void
D 11:30 am- unable to void. - answer- B. 5:30pm- unable to void.
A client is due to void within 8 hours of catheter removal, so at 5:30pm (B), longer than
8 hours after removal, catheter reinsertion may be necessary. If the bladder is not
distended, further action may not be needed at times indicated in (A,C, D)
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?
A. Cyanosis in a client with dark skin is seen only in the sclera.
B. Abnormal skin color changes in a client with dark skin cannot be determined.
C. The lips and mucous membranes of a client with dark skin are dusky in color.
D. Blanching the soles of the feet in a client with dark skin reveals cyanosis. - answer-
C. The lips and mucous membranes of a client with dark skin are dusky in color
Causes of cyanosis include hypoxemia and decreased cardiac output, which provided
clues to respiratory status with changes in skin color and mucous membranes.
Cyanosis, a late sign of hypoxia, is best observed in the tissue that has superficial
capillary supply, such as mucous membranes, the conjunctivae, lips, palms and under
, the tongue (C), which is readily visible in dark skin. (A,B,D) do not provide accurate
assessment.
What action should the practical nurse (PN) take when drawing medication from an
ampule?
A. Aspirate with a filter needle and syringe
B. Tap the bottom of the ampule lightly.
C. Snap the neck of ampule towards nurse.
D. Use an alcohol swab to open ampule. - answer- A. Aspirate with a filter needle and
syringe
An ampule is made of glass with a constricted neck that is snapped off to allow access
to the medication. Medications are easily withdrawn from the ampule by aspirating the
fluid with a filter needle and syringe. Filter needles are used when withdrawing
medication from a glass ampule to prevent glass particles from being drawn into the
syringe with the medication (A). Tap the top, not the bottom (B) of the ampule lightly to
allow all of the medication to drop to the bottom. When opening the ampule, the top
should be snapped away from the nurse's face and body (C). An opened alcohol swab
wrapped around the top of the ampule may allow alcohol to leak into the ampule (D).
The healthcare provider prescribes a cleansing enema for an adult prior to bowel
surgery. Which intervention(s) should the practical nurse implement to ensure adequate
bowel cleansing? (Select all that apply.)
A. Place the client on left side in Sim's position.
B. Use enema fluid that is near 105F
C. Repeat enemas until expelled fluid is clear
D. Instill 500ml to 1,000 ml fluids slowly.
E. Raise the enema container 20 inches above anus.
F. Encourage the client to retain 10 to 15 minutes. - answer- A. Place the client on left
side in Sim's position.
B. Use enema fluid that is near 105F
D. Instill 500ml to 1,000 ml fluids slowly.
F. Encourage the client to retain 10 to 15 minutes.
Placing the client in an optimal position (A), using a sufficient fluid temperature (B) and
volume (D) that stimulates peristalsis for an adequate retention time (F) ensures
maximal bowl evacuation and cleansing. (C) is not included in the prescription. Fluid
instilled at the height of 20 inches (E) can causes excessive pressure and pain, which
compromise the client's ability to retain the fluid for proper bowl cleansing.
Which food should the practical (PN) recommend for a client to increase the dietary
intake of potassium?
A. Corn
B. Baked potato
C. Popcorn
D. Grape juice - answer- B. Baked potato
A baked potato (B), including its skin, contains the highest amount of potassium.
(A,B,D) are low in potassium.
