FORTIS COLLEGE NUR 210 HESI RN EXIT EXAM 2026: 150
Questions & Correct Verified Answers Graded A with
Rationales for Capstone Success | 2026-2027
Get the Upper Hand on the HESI RN Exit Exam with the #1 Exam Prep Resource for Fortis
College NUR 210! Is the Capstone HESI Exit Exam standing between you, your degree, and the
NCLEX? This comprehensive 2026 Study Guide is designed to tackle the high-stakes reality of
Fortis's requirement, where a minimum score of 900 or 950 is often mandatory to graduate.
This is not just a dump; it’s your streamlined success blueprint. It features 150 Actual Exam-
Style Questions curated specifically for the NUR 210 Capstone course. Each question comes
with Verified Correct Answers and In-Depth Rationales to explain the "why" behind the
answer, ensuring you truly understand the nursing concepts.
,1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value is most
important for the nurse to monitor?
a) Serum sodium
b) Serum potassium
c) Serum calcium
d) Serum magnesium
Answer: b) Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss in the
distal tubule. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, especially in clients taking
digoxin, making this the priority lab value to monitor.
2. The nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis who develops asterixis. What dietary
intervention is most appropriate?
a) High-protein diet
b) Low-sodium diet
c) Restricted fluid intake
d) Low-protein diet
Answer: d) Low-protein diet
Rationale: Asterixis is a sign of hepatic encephalopathy due to elevated ammonia levels.
A low-protein diet reduces ammonia production from protein breakdown in the gut,
helping to decrease neurological symptoms.
3. A postpartum client reports a gush of blood and a feeling of something coming out of
the vagina. The nurse observes umbilical cord tissue protruding. What is the priority
action?
a) Apply gentle traction to the cord
b) Push the cord back into the vagina
c) Place the client in Trendelenburg position
d) Administer oxytocin immediately
Answer: c) Place the client in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: Protruding umbilical cord indicates umbilical cord prolapse. Trendelenburg or
knee-chest position uses gravity to reduce pressure on the cord from the presenting fetal
part, preserving fetal oxygenation until intervention.
4. The nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes about sick-day management. Which
statement indicates understanding?
, a) "I will stop my insulin if I vomit."
b) "I will check my blood glucose every 4 hours."
c) "I will drink sugar-free liquids only."
d) "I will take my regular insulin dose even if I cannot eat."
Answer: d) "I will take my regular insulin dose even if I cannot eat."
Rationale: During illness, stress hormones increase blood glucose. Insulin should never
be omitted, even with poor oral intake. The client should continue taking insulin and test
blood glucose and ketones frequently.
5. A client on a mechanical ventilator has an endotracheal tube. Which finding indicates a
potential tube displacement?
a) Bilateral breath sounds
b) Absent breath sounds on the left side
c) Oxygen saturation of 95%
d) Equal chest rise
Answer: b) Absent breath sounds on the left side
Rationale: Endotracheal tube displacement often occurs into the right mainstem
bronchus due to its straighter anatomy. This results in absent or diminished breath
sounds on the left side and requires immediate repositioning.
6. The nurse is assessing a client with diabetic ketoacidosis. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
a) Blood glucose 350 mg/dL
b) Serum potassium 2.8 mEq/L
c) Serum bicarbonate 18 mEq/L
d) Anion gap 14 mEq/L
Answer: b) Serum potassium 2.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Severe hypokalemia (below 3.0 mEq/L) in DKA is life-threatening because
insulin therapy will drive potassium further into cells, precipitating cardiac arrhythmias.
Potassium replacement must begin before or alongside insulin infusion.
7. A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain radiating to the back.
Which position does the nurse teach the client to assume to reduce pain?
a) Supine with legs straight
b) Prone position
c) Side-lying with knees flexed
d) High-Fowler's position
Answer: c) Side-lying with knees flexed
Rationale: In acute pancreatitis, the fetal position (side-lying with knees flexed)
, decreases tension on the abdominal wall and reduces pancreatic stimulation, providing
the most effective pain relief.
8. The nurse is administering digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
a) Heart rate 72 bpm
b) Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L
c) Anorexia and nausea
d) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
Answer: c) Anorexia and nausea
Rationale: Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are early signs of digoxin toxicity, along with
visual disturbances like yellow-green halos. These symptoms warrant holding the
medication and checking a digoxin level.
9. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an arterial blood gas
showing pH 7.32, PaCO2 58 mmHg, and HCO3 30 mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as
which condition?
a) Acute respiratory acidosis
b) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
c) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
d) Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: b) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO2 is elevated (respiratory cause), and HCO3 is
elevated indicating renal compensation. However, since pH remains below 7.35,
compensation is incomplete or partial.
10. A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops chills, fever, and flushing. What is
the nurse's priority action?
a) Slow the transfusion rate
b) Administer diphenhydramine
c) Stop the transfusion immediately
d) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: c) Stop the transfusion immediately
Rationale: Chills, fever, and flushing suggest a febrile non-hemolytic or acute hemolytic
transfusion reaction. The priority is to stop the transfusion immediately, maintain IV
access with normal saline, and then notify the provider.
11. The nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which finding is most
characteristic?
a) Left lower quadrant pain
Questions & Correct Verified Answers Graded A with
Rationales for Capstone Success | 2026-2027
Get the Upper Hand on the HESI RN Exit Exam with the #1 Exam Prep Resource for Fortis
College NUR 210! Is the Capstone HESI Exit Exam standing between you, your degree, and the
NCLEX? This comprehensive 2026 Study Guide is designed to tackle the high-stakes reality of
Fortis's requirement, where a minimum score of 900 or 950 is often mandatory to graduate.
This is not just a dump; it’s your streamlined success blueprint. It features 150 Actual Exam-
Style Questions curated specifically for the NUR 210 Capstone course. Each question comes
with Verified Correct Answers and In-Depth Rationales to explain the "why" behind the
answer, ensuring you truly understand the nursing concepts.
,1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value is most
important for the nurse to monitor?
a) Serum sodium
b) Serum potassium
c) Serum calcium
d) Serum magnesium
Answer: b) Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss in the
distal tubule. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, especially in clients taking
digoxin, making this the priority lab value to monitor.
2. The nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis who develops asterixis. What dietary
intervention is most appropriate?
a) High-protein diet
b) Low-sodium diet
c) Restricted fluid intake
d) Low-protein diet
Answer: d) Low-protein diet
Rationale: Asterixis is a sign of hepatic encephalopathy due to elevated ammonia levels.
A low-protein diet reduces ammonia production from protein breakdown in the gut,
helping to decrease neurological symptoms.
3. A postpartum client reports a gush of blood and a feeling of something coming out of
the vagina. The nurse observes umbilical cord tissue protruding. What is the priority
action?
a) Apply gentle traction to the cord
b) Push the cord back into the vagina
c) Place the client in Trendelenburg position
d) Administer oxytocin immediately
Answer: c) Place the client in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: Protruding umbilical cord indicates umbilical cord prolapse. Trendelenburg or
knee-chest position uses gravity to reduce pressure on the cord from the presenting fetal
part, preserving fetal oxygenation until intervention.
4. The nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes about sick-day management. Which
statement indicates understanding?
, a) "I will stop my insulin if I vomit."
b) "I will check my blood glucose every 4 hours."
c) "I will drink sugar-free liquids only."
d) "I will take my regular insulin dose even if I cannot eat."
Answer: d) "I will take my regular insulin dose even if I cannot eat."
Rationale: During illness, stress hormones increase blood glucose. Insulin should never
be omitted, even with poor oral intake. The client should continue taking insulin and test
blood glucose and ketones frequently.
5. A client on a mechanical ventilator has an endotracheal tube. Which finding indicates a
potential tube displacement?
a) Bilateral breath sounds
b) Absent breath sounds on the left side
c) Oxygen saturation of 95%
d) Equal chest rise
Answer: b) Absent breath sounds on the left side
Rationale: Endotracheal tube displacement often occurs into the right mainstem
bronchus due to its straighter anatomy. This results in absent or diminished breath
sounds on the left side and requires immediate repositioning.
6. The nurse is assessing a client with diabetic ketoacidosis. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
a) Blood glucose 350 mg/dL
b) Serum potassium 2.8 mEq/L
c) Serum bicarbonate 18 mEq/L
d) Anion gap 14 mEq/L
Answer: b) Serum potassium 2.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Severe hypokalemia (below 3.0 mEq/L) in DKA is life-threatening because
insulin therapy will drive potassium further into cells, precipitating cardiac arrhythmias.
Potassium replacement must begin before or alongside insulin infusion.
7. A client with acute pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain radiating to the back.
Which position does the nurse teach the client to assume to reduce pain?
a) Supine with legs straight
b) Prone position
c) Side-lying with knees flexed
d) High-Fowler's position
Answer: c) Side-lying with knees flexed
Rationale: In acute pancreatitis, the fetal position (side-lying with knees flexed)
, decreases tension on the abdominal wall and reduces pancreatic stimulation, providing
the most effective pain relief.
8. The nurse is administering digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
a) Heart rate 72 bpm
b) Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L
c) Anorexia and nausea
d) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
Answer: c) Anorexia and nausea
Rationale: Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are early signs of digoxin toxicity, along with
visual disturbances like yellow-green halos. These symptoms warrant holding the
medication and checking a digoxin level.
9. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an arterial blood gas
showing pH 7.32, PaCO2 58 mmHg, and HCO3 30 mEq/L. The nurse interprets this as
which condition?
a) Acute respiratory acidosis
b) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
c) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
d) Metabolic alkalosis
Answer: b) Partially compensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: The pH is low (acidosis), PaCO2 is elevated (respiratory cause), and HCO3 is
elevated indicating renal compensation. However, since pH remains below 7.35,
compensation is incomplete or partial.
10. A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops chills, fever, and flushing. What is
the nurse's priority action?
a) Slow the transfusion rate
b) Administer diphenhydramine
c) Stop the transfusion immediately
d) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: c) Stop the transfusion immediately
Rationale: Chills, fever, and flushing suggest a febrile non-hemolytic or acute hemolytic
transfusion reaction. The priority is to stop the transfusion immediately, maintain IV
access with normal saline, and then notify the provider.
11. The nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which finding is most
characteristic?
a) Left lower quadrant pain
