This comprehensive test bank contains 500 up-to-date practice questions designed
specifically for the HESI PN Exit Exam. Each question includes multiple-choice options, a
correct answer, and a detailed, medium-length rationale explaining the clinical reasoning.
Topics cover all core nursing areas: Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, Maternal-Newborn,
Pediatric, Psychiatric, Pharmacology, and Leadership. This resource is ideal for PN students,
LPN candidates, and practical nurses preparing for their exit exam or NCLEX-PN. Use this test
bank to build confidence, identify weak areas, and reinforce critical thinking skills. All
answers are verified for accuracy and relevance to current nursing practice standards.
Created in a user-friendly test bank format for effective exam preparation and self-
assessment.
1. The practical nurse (PN) is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult
client. Which site should the PN select for the safest administration?
1) Dorsogluteal
2) Ventrogluteal
3) Deltoid
4) Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the safest intramuscular injection site for adults because it is
free of major nerves and blood vessels, providing the lowest risk of injury to the sciatic nerve.
The dorsogluteal site carries a higher risk of sciatic nerve injury. The deltoid is safe but limited
to small volumes (up to 2 mL). The vastus lateralis is commonly used in infants and children but
is acceptable for adults as well.
[1]
,2. A client with diabetes mellitus is exhibiting signs of hypoglycemia. Which intervention should
the practical nurse (PN) implement first?
1) Administer 50% dextrose IV push
2) Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate
3) Check the client's blood glucose level
4) Administer glucagon 1 mg IM
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: The first action should be to check the client's blood glucose level to confirm
hypoglycemia before initiating treatment. While the client may exhibit signs of hypoglycemia,
treatment should not be initiated without verification. After confirmation, if the client is
conscious and able to swallow, 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate should be given. IV
dextrose or glucagon is used for unconscious clients or those unable to swallow.
3. The practical nurse (PN) is removing personal protective equipment (PPE). Which equipment
should the PN remove first?
1) Gown
2) Mask
3) Gloves
4) Eyewear
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Gloves are the most contaminated piece of PPE and should be removed first to
prevent contamination of the hands and subsequent cross-contamination when removing other
equipment. After removing gloves, the PN should remove the eyewear or face shield, followed
by the gown, and finally the mask. This sequence follows standard CDC guidelines for PPE
removal to minimize the risk of exposure to infectious materials and ensure proper infection
control practices.
4. A client whose first child was delivered by C-section is 20 weeks pregnant and is considering a
vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). What information is most important for the practical nurse
(PN) to obtain?
[2]
,1) History of contracting herpes simplex virus
2) The client's age
3) The client's weight
4) The client's blood type
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: A history of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most critical information to obtain
because active genital herpes lesions at the time of labor are a contraindication for vaginal
delivery. If the client has active HSV lesions, a cesarean section would be recommended to
prevent neonatal herpes transmission, which can be fatal to the newborn. While age, weight,
and blood type are relevant obstetric information, they are not as critical for determining VBAC
eligibility compared to active HSV status.
5. The practical nurse (PN) notices that a client's urine is pale yellow with a cloudy appearance
and has a foul odor. Which assessment should the PN complete next?
1) Ask the client about urinary frequency
2) Check the client's temperature
3) Assess the client's fluid intake
4) Obtain a urine specimen for culture
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Cloudy appearance with foul odor is indicative of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Asking about urinary frequency helps assess for common UTI symptoms including urgency,
frequency, and dysuria. While temperature, fluid intake, and urine culture are important
assessments, obtaining subjective symptom data about frequency should be the immediate
next step to gather comprehensive clinical information before performing further diagnostic
interventions.
6. The practical nurse (PN) is changing a postoperative dressing for a client with a horizontal
lower abdominal incision. What method should the PN use to remove the tape from the
dressing?
1) Pull from the left to right across the abdomen.
[3]
, 2) Peel across the abdomen from the right to the left.
3) Start from the top of the incision moving to the bottom.
4) Remove all four sides by moving to the center of the incision.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: The tape should be removed by starting from all four sides and moving toward the
center of the incision to prevent disruption of the wound edges and reduce tension on the
suture line. This technique minimizes trauma to the healing tissue and decreases the risk of
wound dehiscence. Removing tape from one direction only (options 1, 2, and 3) can cause
shearing force on the fragile healing wound and may damage newly formed epithelial tissue.
7. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) follow when applying an elasticized bandage to
a client's leg?
1) Secure the end with metal clips.
2) Overlap turns of the bandage equally.
3) Adjust the tension as needed.
4) Wrap from the proximal to distal end.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: The overlapping turns of an elasticized bandage should be evenly wrapped to
provide uniform pressure and support, which promotes venous return and prevents circulatory
compromise. Even overlapping prevents gaps that could cause skin irritation or uneven
pressure points. Metal clips may release and cause injury, tension adjustment should be
consistent rather than variable, and bandages should be applied from distal to proximal to
promote venous return, not proximal to distal.
8. An older client who has been on bed rest is not eating well and is exhibiting abdominal
distension, cramping, and is passing small amounts of liquid stool. Which prescribed action is
most important for the practical nurse (PN) to implement?
1) Place incontinent pads on the bed.
2) Give a PRN dose of a stool softener.
3) Digitally remove a fecal impaction.
[4]
specifically for the HESI PN Exit Exam. Each question includes multiple-choice options, a
correct answer, and a detailed, medium-length rationale explaining the clinical reasoning.
Topics cover all core nursing areas: Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, Maternal-Newborn,
Pediatric, Psychiatric, Pharmacology, and Leadership. This resource is ideal for PN students,
LPN candidates, and practical nurses preparing for their exit exam or NCLEX-PN. Use this test
bank to build confidence, identify weak areas, and reinforce critical thinking skills. All
answers are verified for accuracy and relevance to current nursing practice standards.
Created in a user-friendly test bank format for effective exam preparation and self-
assessment.
1. The practical nurse (PN) is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult
client. Which site should the PN select for the safest administration?
1) Dorsogluteal
2) Ventrogluteal
3) Deltoid
4) Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the safest intramuscular injection site for adults because it is
free of major nerves and blood vessels, providing the lowest risk of injury to the sciatic nerve.
The dorsogluteal site carries a higher risk of sciatic nerve injury. The deltoid is safe but limited
to small volumes (up to 2 mL). The vastus lateralis is commonly used in infants and children but
is acceptable for adults as well.
[1]
,2. A client with diabetes mellitus is exhibiting signs of hypoglycemia. Which intervention should
the practical nurse (PN) implement first?
1) Administer 50% dextrose IV push
2) Give 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate
3) Check the client's blood glucose level
4) Administer glucagon 1 mg IM
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: The first action should be to check the client's blood glucose level to confirm
hypoglycemia before initiating treatment. While the client may exhibit signs of hypoglycemia,
treatment should not be initiated without verification. After confirmation, if the client is
conscious and able to swallow, 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate should be given. IV
dextrose or glucagon is used for unconscious clients or those unable to swallow.
3. The practical nurse (PN) is removing personal protective equipment (PPE). Which equipment
should the PN remove first?
1) Gown
2) Mask
3) Gloves
4) Eyewear
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: Gloves are the most contaminated piece of PPE and should be removed first to
prevent contamination of the hands and subsequent cross-contamination when removing other
equipment. After removing gloves, the PN should remove the eyewear or face shield, followed
by the gown, and finally the mask. This sequence follows standard CDC guidelines for PPE
removal to minimize the risk of exposure to infectious materials and ensure proper infection
control practices.
4. A client whose first child was delivered by C-section is 20 weeks pregnant and is considering a
vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). What information is most important for the practical nurse
(PN) to obtain?
[2]
,1) History of contracting herpes simplex virus
2) The client's age
3) The client's weight
4) The client's blood type
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: A history of herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most critical information to obtain
because active genital herpes lesions at the time of labor are a contraindication for vaginal
delivery. If the client has active HSV lesions, a cesarean section would be recommended to
prevent neonatal herpes transmission, which can be fatal to the newborn. While age, weight,
and blood type are relevant obstetric information, they are not as critical for determining VBAC
eligibility compared to active HSV status.
5. The practical nurse (PN) notices that a client's urine is pale yellow with a cloudy appearance
and has a foul odor. Which assessment should the PN complete next?
1) Ask the client about urinary frequency
2) Check the client's temperature
3) Assess the client's fluid intake
4) Obtain a urine specimen for culture
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Cloudy appearance with foul odor is indicative of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Asking about urinary frequency helps assess for common UTI symptoms including urgency,
frequency, and dysuria. While temperature, fluid intake, and urine culture are important
assessments, obtaining subjective symptom data about frequency should be the immediate
next step to gather comprehensive clinical information before performing further diagnostic
interventions.
6. The practical nurse (PN) is changing a postoperative dressing for a client with a horizontal
lower abdominal incision. What method should the PN use to remove the tape from the
dressing?
1) Pull from the left to right across the abdomen.
[3]
, 2) Peel across the abdomen from the right to the left.
3) Start from the top of the incision moving to the bottom.
4) Remove all four sides by moving to the center of the incision.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: The tape should be removed by starting from all four sides and moving toward the
center of the incision to prevent disruption of the wound edges and reduce tension on the
suture line. This technique minimizes trauma to the healing tissue and decreases the risk of
wound dehiscence. Removing tape from one direction only (options 1, 2, and 3) can cause
shearing force on the fragile healing wound and may damage newly formed epithelial tissue.
7. Which action should the practical nurse (PN) follow when applying an elasticized bandage to
a client's leg?
1) Secure the end with metal clips.
2) Overlap turns of the bandage equally.
3) Adjust the tension as needed.
4) Wrap from the proximal to distal end.
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: The overlapping turns of an elasticized bandage should be evenly wrapped to
provide uniform pressure and support, which promotes venous return and prevents circulatory
compromise. Even overlapping prevents gaps that could cause skin irritation or uneven
pressure points. Metal clips may release and cause injury, tension adjustment should be
consistent rather than variable, and bandages should be applied from distal to proximal to
promote venous return, not proximal to distal.
8. An older client who has been on bed rest is not eating well and is exhibiting abdominal
distension, cramping, and is passing small amounts of liquid stool. Which prescribed action is
most important for the practical nurse (PN) to implement?
1) Place incontinent pads on the bed.
2) Give a PRN dose of a stool softener.
3) Digitally remove a fecal impaction.
[4]
