HESI RN Exit Exam Newest 2026/2027 Questions and
Correct Detailed Answers with Rationales Already Graded
A+
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. The client admits to drinking
a pint of bourbon daily. The nurse medicates the client for pain and monitors vital
signs every 2 hours. Which finding should the nurse report immediately to the
healthcare provider?
A) Anorexia and abdominal distention
B) Abdominal pain and vomiting
C) Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
D) Heart rate of 102 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory depression (rate of 10/min) is a life-threatening finding
that requires immediate intervention, particularly in a client receiving pain
medication. This may indicate opioid overdose or acute respiratory compromise.
,Anorexia, abdominal pain, vomiting, and tachycardia are expected findings in
pancreatitis but are not immediately life-threatening .
Question 2
A nurse receives a report on an older adult client with middle-stage dementia.
Which information suggests the nurse should do immediate follow-up rather than
delegate care to the nursing assistant?
A) The client had a change in respiratory rate by an increase of 2 breaths
B) The client had a change in heart rate by an increase of 10 beats
C) The client was minimally responsive to voice and touch
D) The client had a blood pressure change by a drop of 8 mmHg systolic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness to minimal responsiveness to voice
and touch is a critical change that requires immediate nursing assessment. This
may indicate a neurological emergency such as stroke, infection, or metabolic
disturbance. Changes in vital signs are important but less urgent .
Question 3
,The healthcare provider prescribes methylergonovine maleate for a postpartum
client with uterine atony. What finding should indicate to the nurse to withhold
the next dose of the medication?
A) Difficulty locating the uterine fundus
B) Excessive lochia
C) Saturation of more than one pad per hour
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Methylergonovine is a vasoconstrictor used to control postpartum
hemorrhage. It is contraindicated in clients with hypertension because it can
cause severe hypertensive crisis. Difficulty locating the fundus, excessive lochia,
and heavy bleeding indicate continued uterine atony and are reasons to continue
the medication, not withhold it .
Question 4
While caring for a client's postoperative dressing, the nurse observes purulent
drainage at the wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider,
the nurse should review which of the client's laboratory values?
, A) Serum albumin
B) Culture for sensitive organisms
C) Serum blood glucose level
D) Creatinine level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Purulent drainage indicates a potential wound infection. Before
reporting, the nurse should verify whether a wound culture and sensitivity has
been obtained, as this will guide appropriate antibiotic selection. Serum albumin,
glucose, and creatinine provide supporting information but do not directly
identify the infecting organism .
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client with full-thickness burns to both lower extremities.
Which assessment findings warrant immediate intervention? Select all that apply.
A) Sloughing tissue around wound edges
B) Complaint of increased pain and pressure
Correct Detailed Answers with Rationales Already Graded
A+
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. The client admits to drinking
a pint of bourbon daily. The nurse medicates the client for pain and monitors vital
signs every 2 hours. Which finding should the nurse report immediately to the
healthcare provider?
A) Anorexia and abdominal distention
B) Abdominal pain and vomiting
C) Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
D) Heart rate of 102 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory depression (rate of 10/min) is a life-threatening finding
that requires immediate intervention, particularly in a client receiving pain
medication. This may indicate opioid overdose or acute respiratory compromise.
,Anorexia, abdominal pain, vomiting, and tachycardia are expected findings in
pancreatitis but are not immediately life-threatening .
Question 2
A nurse receives a report on an older adult client with middle-stage dementia.
Which information suggests the nurse should do immediate follow-up rather than
delegate care to the nursing assistant?
A) The client had a change in respiratory rate by an increase of 2 breaths
B) The client had a change in heart rate by an increase of 10 beats
C) The client was minimally responsive to voice and touch
D) The client had a blood pressure change by a drop of 8 mmHg systolic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness to minimal responsiveness to voice
and touch is a critical change that requires immediate nursing assessment. This
may indicate a neurological emergency such as stroke, infection, or metabolic
disturbance. Changes in vital signs are important but less urgent .
Question 3
,The healthcare provider prescribes methylergonovine maleate for a postpartum
client with uterine atony. What finding should indicate to the nurse to withhold
the next dose of the medication?
A) Difficulty locating the uterine fundus
B) Excessive lochia
C) Saturation of more than one pad per hour
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Methylergonovine is a vasoconstrictor used to control postpartum
hemorrhage. It is contraindicated in clients with hypertension because it can
cause severe hypertensive crisis. Difficulty locating the fundus, excessive lochia,
and heavy bleeding indicate continued uterine atony and are reasons to continue
the medication, not withhold it .
Question 4
While caring for a client's postoperative dressing, the nurse observes purulent
drainage at the wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider,
the nurse should review which of the client's laboratory values?
, A) Serum albumin
B) Culture for sensitive organisms
C) Serum blood glucose level
D) Creatinine level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Purulent drainage indicates a potential wound infection. Before
reporting, the nurse should verify whether a wound culture and sensitivity has
been obtained, as this will guide appropriate antibiotic selection. Serum albumin,
glucose, and creatinine provide supporting information but do not directly
identify the infecting organism .
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client with full-thickness burns to both lower extremities.
Which assessment findings warrant immediate intervention? Select all that apply.
A) Sloughing tissue around wound edges
B) Complaint of increased pain and pressure
