HESI PN FUNDAMENTALS EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 EDITION)
180 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Practice Exam
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This practice examination is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by
Elsevier/HESI, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), or any other testing organization. It is
provided for educational and self-assessment purposes only and is not a substitute for official nursing curricula,
the NCLEX-PN test plan, or professional guidance. Standards are subject to change; always consult current
HESI, NCSBN, and clinical best practices.
, Section 1: Basic Nursing Concepts – Nursing Process, Critical Thinking,
and Documentation (25 questions)
Q1: What is the correct order of the nursing process?
A. Planning, assessment, implementation, evaluation, analysis
B. Assessment, implementation, planning, evaluation, analysis
C. Implementation, assessment, planning, analysis, evaluation
D. Assessment, analysis/diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing process is assessment, analysis/diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation
(A-D-P-I-E). The others are incorrect.
Q2: The first step of the nursing process is:
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Assessment [CORRECT]
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step, gathering data about the patient. The others follow.
Q3: Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A. The patient states they are in pain
B. A blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg [CORRECT]
C. The patient reports nausea
D. The patient says they feel tired
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are measurable/observable (e.g., BP). Subjective data are the patient's reported
feelings.
Q4: Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. A temperature of 101°F
B. The patient reports pain of 7/10 [CORRECT]
C. A wound measurement
D. An oxygen saturation of 95%
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's report (e.g., pain rating). Objective data are measurable findings.
Q5: Which of the following is a component of a nursing care plan?
A. A measurable, patient-centered outcome or goal [CORRECT]
B. A physician's order
C. A medication prescription
D. A diagnostic test result
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Care plans include measurable patient-centered outcomes. The others are provider orders or
results.
HESI PN Fundamentals Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Which of the following is TRUE about 'analysis' in the nursing process?
A. It involves clustering data to identify the patient's nursing problems/diagnoses [CORRECT]
B. It is the same as evaluation
C. It occurs only at discharge
D. It ignores assessment data
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Analysis clusters data to identify nursing diagnoses. The others are incorrect.
Q7: Which of the following is an example of a nursing diagnosis?
A. 'Hypertension'
B. 'Diabetes mellitus'
C. 'Risk for falls related to impaired mobility' [CORRECT]
D. 'Pneumonia'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis is a nursing judgment (e.g., risk for falls). Medical diagnoses (hypertension,
diabetes, pneumonia) are not nursing diagnoses.
Q8: Which of the following is the correct sequence for prioritization?
A. Prioritize by convenience
B. Prioritize by room number
C. Prioritize by the least important first
D. Use ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) and Maslow's hierarchy [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prioritization uses ABCs and Maslow's hierarchy (physiologic needs first). The others are
incorrect.
Q9: Which of the following should be the priority when multiple patients need care?
A. The patient who is stable
B. The patient with an airway or breathing problem [CORRECT]
C. The patient who is sleeping
D. The patient requesting a snack
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway/breathing problems are the priority per ABCs. The others are lower priority.
Q10: Which of the following is TRUE about Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
A. Self-actualization is always the priority
B. Safety is the only priority
C. Physiologic needs (e.g., airway, breathing, circulation) are the foundation and highest priority [CORRECT]
D. Social needs come first
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physiologic needs are the foundation and priority in Maslow's hierarchy. The others are incorrect.
HESI PN Fundamentals Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which documentation format uses 'Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan'?
A. PIE
B. SOAP [CORRECT]
C. Charting by exception
D. Narrative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan. PIE is Problem, Intervention,
Evaluation.
Q12: Which of the following is TRUE about documentation?
A. Documentation is optional
B. Documentation may be vague
C. Only verbal orders are documented
D. Documentation must be accurate, complete, timely, and objective [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Documentation must be accurate, complete, timely, and objective. The others are incorrect.
Q13: Which of the following should be documented?
A. Objective assessment findings and nursing interventions [CORRECT]
B. Personal opinions about the patient
C. Gossip
D. Unverified speculation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Objective findings and interventions are documented. Personal opinions and speculation are not.
Q14: Which of the following is TRUE about 'charting by exception'?
A. It documents only deviations from established norms [CORRECT]
B. It documents everything
C. It is not used
D. It ignores abnormal findings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Charting by exception records only significant deviations from baseline. The others are incorrect.
Q15: Which of the following is TRUE about correcting an error in documentation?
A. Erase the error
B. White it out
C. Write over it
D. Draw a single line through the error, write 'error,' initial, and date it [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Errors are corrected with a single line, 'error,' initials, and date. Erasing or covering is improper.
HESI PN Fundamentals Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE (2026/2027 EDITION)
180 Multiple-Choice Questions - Complete Practice Exam
Independent-Study Disclaimer
This practice examination is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by
Elsevier/HESI, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), or any other testing organization. It is
provided for educational and self-assessment purposes only and is not a substitute for official nursing curricula,
the NCLEX-PN test plan, or professional guidance. Standards are subject to change; always consult current
HESI, NCSBN, and clinical best practices.
, Section 1: Basic Nursing Concepts – Nursing Process, Critical Thinking,
and Documentation (25 questions)
Q1: What is the correct order of the nursing process?
A. Planning, assessment, implementation, evaluation, analysis
B. Assessment, implementation, planning, evaluation, analysis
C. Implementation, assessment, planning, analysis, evaluation
D. Assessment, analysis/diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nursing process is assessment, analysis/diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation
(A-D-P-I-E). The others are incorrect.
Q2: The first step of the nursing process is:
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Assessment [CORRECT]
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step, gathering data about the patient. The others follow.
Q3: Which of the following is an example of objective data?
A. The patient states they are in pain
B. A blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg [CORRECT]
C. The patient reports nausea
D. The patient says they feel tired
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Objective data are measurable/observable (e.g., BP). Subjective data are the patient's reported
feelings.
Q4: Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. A temperature of 101°F
B. The patient reports pain of 7/10 [CORRECT]
C. A wound measurement
D. An oxygen saturation of 95%
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are the patient's report (e.g., pain rating). Objective data are measurable findings.
Q5: Which of the following is a component of a nursing care plan?
A. A measurable, patient-centered outcome or goal [CORRECT]
B. A physician's order
C. A medication prescription
D. A diagnostic test result
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Care plans include measurable patient-centered outcomes. The others are provider orders or
results.
HESI PN Fundamentals Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 2
, Q6: Which of the following is TRUE about 'analysis' in the nursing process?
A. It involves clustering data to identify the patient's nursing problems/diagnoses [CORRECT]
B. It is the same as evaluation
C. It occurs only at discharge
D. It ignores assessment data
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Analysis clusters data to identify nursing diagnoses. The others are incorrect.
Q7: Which of the following is an example of a nursing diagnosis?
A. 'Hypertension'
B. 'Diabetes mellitus'
C. 'Risk for falls related to impaired mobility' [CORRECT]
D. 'Pneumonia'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis is a nursing judgment (e.g., risk for falls). Medical diagnoses (hypertension,
diabetes, pneumonia) are not nursing diagnoses.
Q8: Which of the following is the correct sequence for prioritization?
A. Prioritize by convenience
B. Prioritize by room number
C. Prioritize by the least important first
D. Use ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) and Maslow's hierarchy [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Prioritization uses ABCs and Maslow's hierarchy (physiologic needs first). The others are
incorrect.
Q9: Which of the following should be the priority when multiple patients need care?
A. The patient who is stable
B. The patient with an airway or breathing problem [CORRECT]
C. The patient who is sleeping
D. The patient requesting a snack
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway/breathing problems are the priority per ABCs. The others are lower priority.
Q10: Which of the following is TRUE about Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
A. Self-actualization is always the priority
B. Safety is the only priority
C. Physiologic needs (e.g., airway, breathing, circulation) are the foundation and highest priority [CORRECT]
D. Social needs come first
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physiologic needs are the foundation and priority in Maslow's hierarchy. The others are incorrect.
HESI PN Fundamentals Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 3
, Q11: Which documentation format uses 'Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan'?
A. PIE
B. SOAP [CORRECT]
C. Charting by exception
D. Narrative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan. PIE is Problem, Intervention,
Evaluation.
Q12: Which of the following is TRUE about documentation?
A. Documentation is optional
B. Documentation may be vague
C. Only verbal orders are documented
D. Documentation must be accurate, complete, timely, and objective [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Documentation must be accurate, complete, timely, and objective. The others are incorrect.
Q13: Which of the following should be documented?
A. Objective assessment findings and nursing interventions [CORRECT]
B. Personal opinions about the patient
C. Gossip
D. Unverified speculation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Objective findings and interventions are documented. Personal opinions and speculation are not.
Q14: Which of the following is TRUE about 'charting by exception'?
A. It documents only deviations from established norms [CORRECT]
B. It documents everything
C. It is not used
D. It ignores abnormal findings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Charting by exception records only significant deviations from baseline. The others are incorrect.
Q15: Which of the following is TRUE about correcting an error in documentation?
A. Erase the error
B. White it out
C. Write over it
D. Draw a single line through the error, write 'error,' initial, and date it [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Errors are corrected with a single line, 'error,' initials, and date. Erasing or covering is improper.
HESI PN Fundamentals Exam - 2026/2027 Edition Page 4
