HESI PN EXIT EXAM V1 | 300
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS & CLINICAL
RATIONALES | VERIFIED ANSWERS
PLUS RATIONALES | 100% CORRECT
| NEWEST!!
1. The practical nurse enters a male client's room to administer
routine morning medications, but the client is on the phone. Which
action is best for the PN to take?
A. Ask another nurse to return later
B. Wait for the client to finish the call and observe medication intake
C. Return medication and document refusal
D. Leave medication at bedside
Answer: B. Wait for the client to finish the call and observe
medication intake
• Rationale: Medication administration requires verification of the
five rights and direct observation of ingestion. Waiting respects the
client while maintaining safety. Leaving medications unattended
violates policy and increases the risk of error. Documenting refusal
without the client refusing is inaccurate.
2. A client with two chest tubes after a left lobectomy has tidaling
and bubbling in the suction chamber. What should the PN do?
A. Clamp the chest tube
B. Notify the RN immediately
C. Maintain the system as is
D. Apply an occlusive dressing
,Answer: C. Maintain the system as is
• Rationale: Tidaling (fluctuations with respirations) and gentle
bubbling in the suction chamber are expected findings. These
indicate that negative pressure is functioning properly. Clamping
the tube can cause a tension pneumothorax. Maintaining system
integrity supports lung re-expansion.
3. A 9-month-old infant diagnosed with RSV is scheduled to attend
a birthday party. What should the nurse advise?
A. Avoid exposing other children
B. RSV is no longer contagious
C. The infant should wear a mask
D. Avoid children under 5 months only
Answer: A. Avoid exposing other children
• Rationale: RSV is highly contagious through respiratory droplets
and contaminated surfaces. Infants can transmit RSV even before
severe symptoms appear. Social gatherings increase the risk of
spread. Avoiding exposure protects vulnerable infants and children.
4. Immediately after total hip replacement, which intervention is
most important?
A. Encourage walker use
B. Maintain hip abduction
C. Sit before standing
D. Monitor urinary output
Answer: B. Maintain hip abduction
• Rationale: Hip dislocation is a serious postoperative complication.
Maintaining abduction keeps the prosthesis aligned. Proper
positioning is the priority in the immediate phase. Early ambulation
is important but only after alignment is ensured.
5. A client with a new colostomy asks how often to change the
pouch. Which teaching is correct?
A. "I will change the pouch every day."
B. "I will empty the pouch when it is about one-third to one-half full."
,C. "I can use any lotion or soap to clean the skin around the stoma."
D. "I will restrict my fluid intake."
Answer: B. "I will empty the pouch when it is about one-third to
one-half full."
• Rationale: Emptying the colostomy pouch when it is one-third to
one-half full prevents it from becoming too heavy and leaking or
detaching. This is a key principle of stoma care and indicates good
understanding.
6. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, flank pain,
and hypotension. What is the PN's priority action?
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer antihistamines
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
• Rationale: These are signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction. The
priority is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further
complications. After stopping the transfusion, the RN and
healthcare provider should be notified.
7. A client with a history of seizures is prescribed phenytoin
(Dilantin). Which side effect should the PN monitor for?
A. Gingival hyperplasia
B. Weight gain
C. Insomnia
D. Dry mouth
Answer: A. Gingival hyperplasia
• Rationale: Gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gum tissue) is a
common side effect of phenytoin. Good oral hygiene is important
to manage this side effect.
8. A client with a new diagnosis of tuberculosis is placed in airborne
precautions. Which PPE is essential for the PN to wear when
, entering the room?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Gloves and gown
D. Face shield
Answer: B. N95 respirator
• Rationale: An N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions
to filter out Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A surgical mask does not
provide adequate filtration for airborne pathogens.
9. A client is prescribed an MAOI for depression. Which dietary
restriction is most important to emphasize?
A. Avoid foods high in tyramine
B. Limit caffeine intake
C. Increase potassium-rich foods
D. Avoid foods high in vitamin K
Answer: A. Avoid foods high in tyramine
• Rationale: Foods high in tyramine (aged cheeses, cured meats, red
wine) must be avoided to prevent a hypertensive crisis when taking
MAOIs.
10. The PN is caring for a client with major depressive disorder.
Which statement by the client is the highest priority to report to the
RN?
A. "I feel so sad all the time."
B. "I just want to end it all."
C. "I can't seem to eat or sleep."
D. "I don't want to talk to anyone."
Answer: B. "I just want to end it all."
• Rationale: Any statement indicating suicidal ideation, a plan, or a
means to carry out the plan is the highest priority. Immediate
intervention is required to ensure client safety.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS & CLINICAL
RATIONALES | VERIFIED ANSWERS
PLUS RATIONALES | 100% CORRECT
| NEWEST!!
1. The practical nurse enters a male client's room to administer
routine morning medications, but the client is on the phone. Which
action is best for the PN to take?
A. Ask another nurse to return later
B. Wait for the client to finish the call and observe medication intake
C. Return medication and document refusal
D. Leave medication at bedside
Answer: B. Wait for the client to finish the call and observe
medication intake
• Rationale: Medication administration requires verification of the
five rights and direct observation of ingestion. Waiting respects the
client while maintaining safety. Leaving medications unattended
violates policy and increases the risk of error. Documenting refusal
without the client refusing is inaccurate.
2. A client with two chest tubes after a left lobectomy has tidaling
and bubbling in the suction chamber. What should the PN do?
A. Clamp the chest tube
B. Notify the RN immediately
C. Maintain the system as is
D. Apply an occlusive dressing
,Answer: C. Maintain the system as is
• Rationale: Tidaling (fluctuations with respirations) and gentle
bubbling in the suction chamber are expected findings. These
indicate that negative pressure is functioning properly. Clamping
the tube can cause a tension pneumothorax. Maintaining system
integrity supports lung re-expansion.
3. A 9-month-old infant diagnosed with RSV is scheduled to attend
a birthday party. What should the nurse advise?
A. Avoid exposing other children
B. RSV is no longer contagious
C. The infant should wear a mask
D. Avoid children under 5 months only
Answer: A. Avoid exposing other children
• Rationale: RSV is highly contagious through respiratory droplets
and contaminated surfaces. Infants can transmit RSV even before
severe symptoms appear. Social gatherings increase the risk of
spread. Avoiding exposure protects vulnerable infants and children.
4. Immediately after total hip replacement, which intervention is
most important?
A. Encourage walker use
B. Maintain hip abduction
C. Sit before standing
D. Monitor urinary output
Answer: B. Maintain hip abduction
• Rationale: Hip dislocation is a serious postoperative complication.
Maintaining abduction keeps the prosthesis aligned. Proper
positioning is the priority in the immediate phase. Early ambulation
is important but only after alignment is ensured.
5. A client with a new colostomy asks how often to change the
pouch. Which teaching is correct?
A. "I will change the pouch every day."
B. "I will empty the pouch when it is about one-third to one-half full."
,C. "I can use any lotion or soap to clean the skin around the stoma."
D. "I will restrict my fluid intake."
Answer: B. "I will empty the pouch when it is about one-third to
one-half full."
• Rationale: Emptying the colostomy pouch when it is one-third to
one-half full prevents it from becoming too heavy and leaking or
detaching. This is a key principle of stoma care and indicates good
understanding.
6. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, flank pain,
and hypotension. What is the PN's priority action?
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer antihistamines
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
• Rationale: These are signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction. The
priority is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further
complications. After stopping the transfusion, the RN and
healthcare provider should be notified.
7. A client with a history of seizures is prescribed phenytoin
(Dilantin). Which side effect should the PN monitor for?
A. Gingival hyperplasia
B. Weight gain
C. Insomnia
D. Dry mouth
Answer: A. Gingival hyperplasia
• Rationale: Gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gum tissue) is a
common side effect of phenytoin. Good oral hygiene is important
to manage this side effect.
8. A client with a new diagnosis of tuberculosis is placed in airborne
precautions. Which PPE is essential for the PN to wear when
, entering the room?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Gloves and gown
D. Face shield
Answer: B. N95 respirator
• Rationale: An N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions
to filter out Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A surgical mask does not
provide adequate filtration for airborne pathogens.
9. A client is prescribed an MAOI for depression. Which dietary
restriction is most important to emphasize?
A. Avoid foods high in tyramine
B. Limit caffeine intake
C. Increase potassium-rich foods
D. Avoid foods high in vitamin K
Answer: A. Avoid foods high in tyramine
• Rationale: Foods high in tyramine (aged cheeses, cured meats, red
wine) must be avoided to prevent a hypertensive crisis when taking
MAOIs.
10. The PN is caring for a client with major depressive disorder.
Which statement by the client is the highest priority to report to the
RN?
A. "I feel so sad all the time."
B. "I just want to end it all."
C. "I can't seem to eat or sleep."
D. "I don't want to talk to anyone."
Answer: B. "I just want to end it all."
• Rationale: Any statement indicating suicidal ideation, a plan, or a
means to carry out the plan is the highest priority. Immediate
intervention is required to ensure client safety.
