HESI Fundamentals Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is preparing to assess a client’s pain. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Ask the client to describe the pain using the nurse’s terminology
B. Assume the client is not experiencing pain if vital signs are n
C. Ask the client to rate the pain using an appropriate pain scale
D. Ask the family member to determine the severity of the pain
Answer: C. Ask the client to rate the pain using an appropriate pain scale
Rationale: Pain is subjective and should be assessed directly from the client
whenever possible. A standardized pain scale helps quantify the client’s
perception of pain.
2. Which intervention is most effective for preventing the spread of
infection in a healthcare setting?
A. Wearing a mask for every client interaction
B. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
C. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
D. Wearing sterile gloves when entering every client room
Answer: C. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most important measure for preventing
transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication. Which
assessment is most important before administration?
A. Client’s ability to ambulate
B. Client’s ability to swallow safely
C. Client’s level of physical activity
D. Client’s usual sleeping pattern
Answer: B. Client’s ability to swallow safely
Rationale: The nurse must determine whether the client can safely swallow
oral medication to reduce the risk of aspiration.
4. Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing
difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High-Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C. High-Fowler’s
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position promotes maximum lung expansion and
can decrease the work of breathing.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has been placed on fall precautions.
Which intervention is appropriate?
,A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Keep the room completely dark at night
C. Place the call light within the client’s reach
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: C. Place the call light within the client’s reach
Rationale: The call light should be accessible so the client can request
assistance before attempting to get out of bed.
6. Which finding should the nurse identify as a normal adult respiratory
rate?
A. 6 breaths/min
B. 10 breaths/min
C. 16 breaths/min
D. 28 breaths/min
Answer: C. 16 breaths/min
Rationale: A normal resting adult respiratory rate is generally about 12 to
20 breaths per minute.
7. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
B. Pulse of 78/min
C. Respiratory rate of 16/min
D. Oxygen saturation of 84%
Answer: D. Oxygen saturation of 84%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 84% indicates significant hypoxemia
and requires prompt assessment and intervention.
, 8. A nurse is measuring a client’s blood pressure. Which action promotes
an accurate reading?
A. Place the cuff over clothing
B. Use a cuff that is too small
C. Position the client’s arm at heart level
D. Have the client talk during the measurement
Answer: C. Position the client’s arm at heart level
Rationale: The arm should be supported at heart level to help ensure an
accurate blood pressure measurement.
9. Which statement by a client demonstrates correct understanding of
incentive spirometer use?
A. “I will breathe out forcefully into the device.”
B. “I will use it only when I feel short of breath.”
C. “I will inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece.”
D. “I should use it once each morning.”
Answer: C. “I will inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece.”
Rationale: The incentive spirometer encourages slow, deep inhalation to
promote alveolar expansion and help prevent atelectasis.
10. Which nursing action is appropriate when providing oral care to
an unconscious client?
A. Place the client flat on the back
B. Give the client water to rinse the mouth
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is preparing to assess a client’s pain. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Ask the client to describe the pain using the nurse’s terminology
B. Assume the client is not experiencing pain if vital signs are n
C. Ask the client to rate the pain using an appropriate pain scale
D. Ask the family member to determine the severity of the pain
Answer: C. Ask the client to rate the pain using an appropriate pain scale
Rationale: Pain is subjective and should be assessed directly from the client
whenever possible. A standardized pain scale helps quantify the client’s
perception of pain.
2. Which intervention is most effective for preventing the spread of
infection in a healthcare setting?
A. Wearing a mask for every client interaction
B. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
C. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
D. Wearing sterile gloves when entering every client room
Answer: C. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most important measure for preventing
transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication. Which
assessment is most important before administration?
A. Client’s ability to ambulate
B. Client’s ability to swallow safely
C. Client’s level of physical activity
D. Client’s usual sleeping pattern
Answer: B. Client’s ability to swallow safely
Rationale: The nurse must determine whether the client can safely swallow
oral medication to reduce the risk of aspiration.
4. Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing
difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High-Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C. High-Fowler’s
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position promotes maximum lung expansion and
can decrease the work of breathing.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has been placed on fall precautions.
Which intervention is appropriate?
,A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Keep the room completely dark at night
C. Place the call light within the client’s reach
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: C. Place the call light within the client’s reach
Rationale: The call light should be accessible so the client can request
assistance before attempting to get out of bed.
6. Which finding should the nurse identify as a normal adult respiratory
rate?
A. 6 breaths/min
B. 10 breaths/min
C. 16 breaths/min
D. 28 breaths/min
Answer: C. 16 breaths/min
Rationale: A normal resting adult respiratory rate is generally about 12 to
20 breaths per minute.
7. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
B. Pulse of 78/min
C. Respiratory rate of 16/min
D. Oxygen saturation of 84%
Answer: D. Oxygen saturation of 84%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 84% indicates significant hypoxemia
and requires prompt assessment and intervention.
, 8. A nurse is measuring a client’s blood pressure. Which action promotes
an accurate reading?
A. Place the cuff over clothing
B. Use a cuff that is too small
C. Position the client’s arm at heart level
D. Have the client talk during the measurement
Answer: C. Position the client’s arm at heart level
Rationale: The arm should be supported at heart level to help ensure an
accurate blood pressure measurement.
9. Which statement by a client demonstrates correct understanding of
incentive spirometer use?
A. “I will breathe out forcefully into the device.”
B. “I will use it only when I feel short of breath.”
C. “I will inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece.”
D. “I should use it once each morning.”
Answer: C. “I will inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece.”
Rationale: The incentive spirometer encourages slow, deep inhalation to
promote alveolar expansion and help prevent atelectasis.
10. Which nursing action is appropriate when providing oral care to
an unconscious client?
A. Place the client flat on the back
B. Give the client water to rinse the mouth
