HESI PN Exit Exam (Latest 2026/2027 Update) |
200 Questions &Answers with Rationales |
Nursing HESI Prep
1. A PN is preparing to ambulate a client who is postoperative after cardiac surgery. Which action
is most important to ensure client safety?
A) Place the bed in the highest position
B) Ensure the client has non-skid footwear
C) Position the bedside table directly in front of the client
D) Raise all four side rails before ambulating
Answer B: Ensure the client has non-skid footwear
Rationale: Non-skid footwear reduces slipping and fall risk. The bed should be in the lowest position;
side rails impede ambulation.
2. A PN enters a client's room and finds the client unresponsive. What is the first action?
A) Call the family
B) Check for a pulse
C) Start chest compressions
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer B: Check for a pulse
Rationale: Checking for a pulse determines the need for CPR; this follows the ABC approach to
emergency assessment.
3. A confused resident in a long-term care facility has no ID band or picture. What is the best
action before administering medications?
A) Ask a regular staff member to confirm identity
B) Hold the medication until a family member arrives
,C) Reorient the resident to name, place, and situation
D) Confirm the room and bed number match the medication record
Answer D: Confirm the room and bed number match the medication record
Rationale: Using multiple identifiers per facility policy ensures patient safety; staff confirmation alone is
insufficient.
4. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and back pain. What is the PN's priority
action?
A) Slow the transfusion rate
B) Stop the transfusion immediately
C) Administer acetaminophen as ordered
D) Notify the provider after slowing the rate
Answer B: Stop the transfusion immediately
Rationale: Chills and back pain suggest a hemolytic reaction; stop the transfusion immediately, then
notify provider and maintain IV access with normal saline.
5. A client with a tracheostomy requires suctioning. What should the PN do first?
A) Apply suction while inserting the catheter
B) Hyperoxygenate the client
C) Insert the catheter gently
D) Suction for 20 seconds
Answer B: Hyperoxygenate the client
Rationale: Hyperoxygenation before suctioning prevents hypoxia. Suction is only applied during catheter
withdrawal.
6. Which intervention should the PN reinforce for a client with pruritus?
A) Encourage a warm sleeping environment
B) Keep fingernails trimmed short
,C) Discourage use of skin lubricants
D) Do not take any type of tub bath
Answer B: Keep fingernails trimmed short
Rationale: Short nails prevent skin excoriation from scratching. Skin lubricants are encouraged; tepid
baths are recommended.
7. A client confides to the PN that he has been using herbal supplements instead of prescribed
hypertension medications. What is the best initial response?
A) Ask the client's reasons for using herbal supplements instead of prescription drugs
B) Reinforce that the provider prescribed medications with a purpose
C) Have the client describe complications of uncontrolled high blood pressure
D) Explain the risks of using herbs instead of prescribed medications
Answer A: Ask the client's reasons for using herbal supplements instead of prescription drugs
Rationale: Open, nonjudgmental communication establishes trust and explores the client's beliefs before
teaching.
8. A client has a nasogastric tube connected to suction. Before administering medications through
the tube, the PN should first:
A) Auscultate for bowel sounds
B) Check the placement of the tube by aspirating gastric contents
C) Flush the tube with 50 mL of air
D) Disconnect the suction and wait 10 minutes
Answer B: Check the placement of the tube by aspirating gastric contents
Rationale: Aspiration of gastric contents confirms proper tube placement before medication
administration.
9. The PN is observing a newly hired PN who is preparing to administer a liquid medication via a
client's feeding tube using an incorrect procedure. What action should the PN take?
, A) Demonstrate how to administer medication via a feeding tube
B) Confirm that the medication is only administered once daily
C) Determine if the medication is compatible with the solution
D) Offer to assist in calculating the rate of flow
Answer A: Demonstrate how to administer medication via a feeding tube
Rationale: Demonstrating the correct procedure ensures safe medication administration and proper staff
training.
10. The PN is reinforcing teaching to a group of evacuees after a natural flooding disaster. Which
information should the PN include? (Select all that apply)
A) Take all doses of prophylactic prescriptions for diarrhea
B) Drink only boiled water or bottled oral rehydration solutions
C) Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly
D) Avoid contact with floodwater
Answer B: , C, D
Rationale: Evacuees should drink only boiled/bottled water, wash produce thoroughly, and avoid
floodwater to prevent waterborne illnesses.
11. A client is placed on protective (reverse/neutropenic) precautions. Which visitor should the PN
allow to enter the client's room?
A) A grandchild with a mild cold
B) A neighbor who just received a flu shot
C) A family member who is healthy
D) A friend who has been coughing
Answer C: A family member who is healthy
Rationale: Neutropenic clients are at high infection risk; only healthy visitors without signs of illness
should be allowed.
200 Questions &Answers with Rationales |
Nursing HESI Prep
1. A PN is preparing to ambulate a client who is postoperative after cardiac surgery. Which action
is most important to ensure client safety?
A) Place the bed in the highest position
B) Ensure the client has non-skid footwear
C) Position the bedside table directly in front of the client
D) Raise all four side rails before ambulating
Answer B: Ensure the client has non-skid footwear
Rationale: Non-skid footwear reduces slipping and fall risk. The bed should be in the lowest position;
side rails impede ambulation.
2. A PN enters a client's room and finds the client unresponsive. What is the first action?
A) Call the family
B) Check for a pulse
C) Start chest compressions
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer B: Check for a pulse
Rationale: Checking for a pulse determines the need for CPR; this follows the ABC approach to
emergency assessment.
3. A confused resident in a long-term care facility has no ID band or picture. What is the best
action before administering medications?
A) Ask a regular staff member to confirm identity
B) Hold the medication until a family member arrives
,C) Reorient the resident to name, place, and situation
D) Confirm the room and bed number match the medication record
Answer D: Confirm the room and bed number match the medication record
Rationale: Using multiple identifiers per facility policy ensures patient safety; staff confirmation alone is
insufficient.
4. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and back pain. What is the PN's priority
action?
A) Slow the transfusion rate
B) Stop the transfusion immediately
C) Administer acetaminophen as ordered
D) Notify the provider after slowing the rate
Answer B: Stop the transfusion immediately
Rationale: Chills and back pain suggest a hemolytic reaction; stop the transfusion immediately, then
notify provider and maintain IV access with normal saline.
5. A client with a tracheostomy requires suctioning. What should the PN do first?
A) Apply suction while inserting the catheter
B) Hyperoxygenate the client
C) Insert the catheter gently
D) Suction for 20 seconds
Answer B: Hyperoxygenate the client
Rationale: Hyperoxygenation before suctioning prevents hypoxia. Suction is only applied during catheter
withdrawal.
6. Which intervention should the PN reinforce for a client with pruritus?
A) Encourage a warm sleeping environment
B) Keep fingernails trimmed short
,C) Discourage use of skin lubricants
D) Do not take any type of tub bath
Answer B: Keep fingernails trimmed short
Rationale: Short nails prevent skin excoriation from scratching. Skin lubricants are encouraged; tepid
baths are recommended.
7. A client confides to the PN that he has been using herbal supplements instead of prescribed
hypertension medications. What is the best initial response?
A) Ask the client's reasons for using herbal supplements instead of prescription drugs
B) Reinforce that the provider prescribed medications with a purpose
C) Have the client describe complications of uncontrolled high blood pressure
D) Explain the risks of using herbs instead of prescribed medications
Answer A: Ask the client's reasons for using herbal supplements instead of prescription drugs
Rationale: Open, nonjudgmental communication establishes trust and explores the client's beliefs before
teaching.
8. A client has a nasogastric tube connected to suction. Before administering medications through
the tube, the PN should first:
A) Auscultate for bowel sounds
B) Check the placement of the tube by aspirating gastric contents
C) Flush the tube with 50 mL of air
D) Disconnect the suction and wait 10 minutes
Answer B: Check the placement of the tube by aspirating gastric contents
Rationale: Aspiration of gastric contents confirms proper tube placement before medication
administration.
9. The PN is observing a newly hired PN who is preparing to administer a liquid medication via a
client's feeding tube using an incorrect procedure. What action should the PN take?
, A) Demonstrate how to administer medication via a feeding tube
B) Confirm that the medication is only administered once daily
C) Determine if the medication is compatible with the solution
D) Offer to assist in calculating the rate of flow
Answer A: Demonstrate how to administer medication via a feeding tube
Rationale: Demonstrating the correct procedure ensures safe medication administration and proper staff
training.
10. The PN is reinforcing teaching to a group of evacuees after a natural flooding disaster. Which
information should the PN include? (Select all that apply)
A) Take all doses of prophylactic prescriptions for diarrhea
B) Drink only boiled water or bottled oral rehydration solutions
C) Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly
D) Avoid contact with floodwater
Answer B: , C, D
Rationale: Evacuees should drink only boiled/bottled water, wash produce thoroughly, and avoid
floodwater to prevent waterborne illnesses.
11. A client is placed on protective (reverse/neutropenic) precautions. Which visitor should the PN
allow to enter the client's room?
A) A grandchild with a mild cold
B) A neighbor who just received a flu shot
C) A family member who is healthy
D) A friend who has been coughing
Answer C: A family member who is healthy
Rationale: Neutropenic clients are at high infection risk; only healthy visitors without signs of illness
should be allowed.
