RN HESI FUNDAMENTALS EXIT EXAM
2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery.
The client reports a ‘popping’ sensation and the nurse observes a loop of bowel protruding
through the incision. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Instruct the client to remain quiet and not cough.
B. Place the client in a low-Fowler’s position with knees bent.
C. Notify the surgeon immediately.
D. Apply a sterile dressing moistened with normal saline to the wound.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The priority is to protect
the exposed organs by covering them with sterile, saline-soaked dressings to prevent
drying and infection.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for wrist restraints. Which of the
following findings indicates a need to clarify the prescription with the provider?
A. The prescription is for 48 hours without a renewal requirement.
,B. The client is confused and attempting to pull out an IV line.
C. The nurse can fit two fingers between the restraint and the wrist.
D. The restraint is tied to the bed frame using a quick-release knot.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Restraint prescriptions must be renewed regularly (usually
every 24 hours for adults) and cannot be ‘PRN’ or open-ended. A 48-hour prescription
without renewal violates safety standards.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for a low-sodium diet. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I will flavor my food with lemon juice and herbs.
B. I should choose frozen vegetables instead of canned ones.
C. I can use sea salt instead of table salt because it is lower in sodium.
D. I can eat lunch meats if I rinse them under cold water.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Using herbs and lemon juice provides flavor without adding
sodium. Frozen vegetables are better than canned, but fresh or specifically labeled ‘low-
sodium’ items are best; however, option C is the strongest indicator of proactive dietary
management.
, 4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for airborne precautions. Which
of the following clients should the nurse anticipate requiring these precautions?
A. A client who has pulmonary tuberculosis.
B. A client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
C. A client who has Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
D. A client who has Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a private
room with negative pressure and the use of an N95 respirator. MRSA and C. diff require
contact precautions, while Pneumonia requires droplet precautions.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to an obese client. Which of the
following sites is the most appropriate to ensure the medication reaches the muscle?
A. Dorsogluteal
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Vastus lateralis
Answer: B
2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery.
The client reports a ‘popping’ sensation and the nurse observes a loop of bowel protruding
through the incision. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Instruct the client to remain quiet and not cough.
B. Place the client in a low-Fowler’s position with knees bent.
C. Notify the surgeon immediately.
D. Apply a sterile dressing moistened with normal saline to the wound.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The priority is to protect
the exposed organs by covering them with sterile, saline-soaked dressings to prevent
drying and infection.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for wrist restraints. Which of the
following findings indicates a need to clarify the prescription with the provider?
A. The prescription is for 48 hours without a renewal requirement.
,B. The client is confused and attempting to pull out an IV line.
C. The nurse can fit two fingers between the restraint and the wrist.
D. The restraint is tied to the bed frame using a quick-release knot.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Restraint prescriptions must be renewed regularly (usually
every 24 hours for adults) and cannot be ‘PRN’ or open-ended. A 48-hour prescription
without renewal violates safety standards.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for a low-sodium diet. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I will flavor my food with lemon juice and herbs.
B. I should choose frozen vegetables instead of canned ones.
C. I can use sea salt instead of table salt because it is lower in sodium.
D. I can eat lunch meats if I rinse them under cold water.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Using herbs and lemon juice provides flavor without adding
sodium. Frozen vegetables are better than canned, but fresh or specifically labeled ‘low-
sodium’ items are best; however, option C is the strongest indicator of proactive dietary
management.
, 4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for airborne precautions. Which
of the following clients should the nurse anticipate requiring these precautions?
A. A client who has pulmonary tuberculosis.
B. A client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
C. A client who has Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
D. A client who has Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a private
room with negative pressure and the use of an N95 respirator. MRSA and C. diff require
contact precautions, while Pneumonia requires droplet precautions.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to an obese client. Which of the
following sites is the most appropriate to ensure the medication reaches the muscle?
A. Dorsogluteal
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Vastus lateralis
Answer: B
