HESI CAT Exit Exam 2026/2027 – Practice
Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales (100% Verified) Guaranteed
Pass GRADED A+
Question 1: Pulse Oximetry
The alarm of a client's pulse oximeter sounds and the nurse
notes that the oxygen saturation rate is indicated at 85%.
What action should the nurse take first?
A) Increase the oxygen flow rate immediately
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Check the probe position
D) Assess the client's respiratory status
Correct Answer: C – Check the probe position
Rationale: Before taking any action on a low SpO₂ reading, the
nurse should first verify the accuracy of the measurement. A
dislodged or poorly positioned probe is a common cause of false
low readings. After verifying probe placement, the nurse should
assess the client's clinical status and intervene accordingly.
Question 2: Glasgow Coma Scale
,A client is comatose upon arrival to the emergency
department after falling from a roof. The client flexes with
painful stimuli, and the nurse determines the client's Glasgow
Coma Scale (GCS) is 6. Which intervention should the nurse
prepare to implement to maintain the client's airway?
A) Insertion of an oral airway
B) Endotracheal intubation
C) A nasopharyngeal tube
D) Positioning in the recovery position
Correct Answer: C – A nasopharyngeal tube
Rationale: A GCS of 6 indicates severe brain injury and an
inability to protect the airway. A nasopharyngeal airway can help
maintain patency in a client with clenched teeth or jaw spasm.
Endotracheal intubation may eventually be needed, but a
nasopharyngeal airway is often the first intervention to establish
an airway.
Question 3: Hemodialysis Outcomes
The nurse is assessing a client following hemodialysis. What
finding indicates that an expected outcome of dialysis was
achieved?
A) Increase in BUN
B) Decrease in blood pressure
C) Increase in serum potassium
D) Decrease in urine output
,Correct Answer: B – Decrease in blood pressure
Rationale: Hemodialysis removes excess fluid from the body,
which typically results in a decrease in blood pressure toward
normal levels. Other expected outcomes include decreased BUN,
creatinine, and potassium levels. Dialysis removes waste products
and excess fluid.
Question 4: Acute Pancreatitis
A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Trousseau sign positive
B) Abdominal pain rated 6/10
C) Nausea and vomiting
D) Serum amylase 300 U/L
Correct Answer: A – Trousseau sign positive
Rationale: Trousseau sign (carpal spasm when blood pressure
cuff is inflated) indicates hypocalcemia, a life-threatening
complication of acute pancreatitis that can lead to tetany and
cardiac dysrhythmias. This finding requires immediate intervention
with IV calcium replacement. Pain, nausea, and elevated amylase
are expected findings in pancreatitis and do not indicate an
immediate life-threatening complication.
, Question 5: Heart Failure with BNP Elevation
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has a BNP
level of 900 pg/mL. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Administer a diuretic as prescribed
B) Encourage increased oral fluid intake
C) Place the client in Trendelenburg position
D) Administer a bronchodilator
Correct Answer: A – Administer a diuretic as prescribed
Rationale: BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) is a hormone released
by the ventricles in response to volume overload. A BNP > 100
pg/mL indicates heart failure. A level of 900 pg/mL indicates
significant fluid overload, and diuretic therapy is indicated to
reduce fluid volume. Fluid intake should be restricted, not
increased; Trendelenburg position worsens respiratory status;
bronchodilators are not indicated for heart failure unless
concurrent respiratory issues exist.
Question 6: Chest Tube Assessment
A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber. Which action should the nurse
implement?
A) Clamp the chest tube immediately
B) Document the finding as an expected occurrence
Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales (100% Verified) Guaranteed
Pass GRADED A+
Question 1: Pulse Oximetry
The alarm of a client's pulse oximeter sounds and the nurse
notes that the oxygen saturation rate is indicated at 85%.
What action should the nurse take first?
A) Increase the oxygen flow rate immediately
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Check the probe position
D) Assess the client's respiratory status
Correct Answer: C – Check the probe position
Rationale: Before taking any action on a low SpO₂ reading, the
nurse should first verify the accuracy of the measurement. A
dislodged or poorly positioned probe is a common cause of false
low readings. After verifying probe placement, the nurse should
assess the client's clinical status and intervene accordingly.
Question 2: Glasgow Coma Scale
,A client is comatose upon arrival to the emergency
department after falling from a roof. The client flexes with
painful stimuli, and the nurse determines the client's Glasgow
Coma Scale (GCS) is 6. Which intervention should the nurse
prepare to implement to maintain the client's airway?
A) Insertion of an oral airway
B) Endotracheal intubation
C) A nasopharyngeal tube
D) Positioning in the recovery position
Correct Answer: C – A nasopharyngeal tube
Rationale: A GCS of 6 indicates severe brain injury and an
inability to protect the airway. A nasopharyngeal airway can help
maintain patency in a client with clenched teeth or jaw spasm.
Endotracheal intubation may eventually be needed, but a
nasopharyngeal airway is often the first intervention to establish
an airway.
Question 3: Hemodialysis Outcomes
The nurse is assessing a client following hemodialysis. What
finding indicates that an expected outcome of dialysis was
achieved?
A) Increase in BUN
B) Decrease in blood pressure
C) Increase in serum potassium
D) Decrease in urine output
,Correct Answer: B – Decrease in blood pressure
Rationale: Hemodialysis removes excess fluid from the body,
which typically results in a decrease in blood pressure toward
normal levels. Other expected outcomes include decreased BUN,
creatinine, and potassium levels. Dialysis removes waste products
and excess fluid.
Question 4: Acute Pancreatitis
A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Trousseau sign positive
B) Abdominal pain rated 6/10
C) Nausea and vomiting
D) Serum amylase 300 U/L
Correct Answer: A – Trousseau sign positive
Rationale: Trousseau sign (carpal spasm when blood pressure
cuff is inflated) indicates hypocalcemia, a life-threatening
complication of acute pancreatitis that can lead to tetany and
cardiac dysrhythmias. This finding requires immediate intervention
with IV calcium replacement. Pain, nausea, and elevated amylase
are expected findings in pancreatitis and do not indicate an
immediate life-threatening complication.
, Question 5: Heart Failure with BNP Elevation
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has a BNP
level of 900 pg/mL. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Administer a diuretic as prescribed
B) Encourage increased oral fluid intake
C) Place the client in Trendelenburg position
D) Administer a bronchodilator
Correct Answer: A – Administer a diuretic as prescribed
Rationale: BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) is a hormone released
by the ventricles in response to volume overload. A BNP > 100
pg/mL indicates heart failure. A level of 900 pg/mL indicates
significant fluid overload, and diuretic therapy is indicated to
reduce fluid volume. Fluid intake should be restricted, not
increased; Trendelenburg position worsens respiratory status;
bronchodilators are not indicated for heart failure unless
concurrent respiratory issues exist.
Question 6: Chest Tube Assessment
A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber. Which action should the nurse
implement?
A) Clamp the chest tube immediately
B) Document the finding as an expected occurrence
