HESI EXIT 3 EXAMINATION TEST QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
◉ The practical nurse (PN) applies and then releases pressure to a
client's fingernail as seen in the photo. Normal nail color returns in 2
seconds. Which action should the PN take?
A. Report abnormal findings to the charge nurse.
B. Observe for blanching of the nailbed.
C. Repeat the process with a different nailbed.
D. Document the capillary refill time.. Answer: D. Document the
capillary refill time.
◉ A client who had a knee replacement surgery and received a
prescription for enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously every 12 hours for
10 days. The medication is available in 30 mg per 0.3 mL pre-filled
syringes. How many mL should the practical nurse (PN) administer
each day? (Enter numerical value only.). Answer: 0.6
◉ In caring for a client who requires seizure precautions, the practical
nurse (PN) should ensure the ready availability of equipment to
perform which procedure?
A. Suction the trachea.
B. Insert a urinary catheter.
C. Apply soft restraints.
D. Insert a nasogastric tube.. Answer: A. Suction the trachea.
,◉ The practical nurse (PN) is told that she keeps her 2-year-old child
in a playpen so he will not get dirty. Which statement should the PN
use in responding to this concern about using a playpen?
A. Overconcern about appearance can be harmful.
B. Playpens provide a sense of security for the child.
C. Playpens provide a safe environment for a toddler.
D. Children need time to actively explore their environment.. Answer:
D. Children need time to actively explore their environment.
◉ At the first dressing change, the practical nurse (PN) tells the client
that her mastectomy incision is healing well, but the client refuses to
look at the incision and refuses to talk about it. Which response by the
PN to the client's silence is best?
A. "It's OK if you don't want to look or talk about the mastectomy. I
will be available when you're ready."
B. "Would you like me to call another nurse to be here while I show
you the wound?"
C. "Part of recovery is accepting your new body image, and you will
need to look at your incision."
D. "You will feel better when you see that the incision is not as bad as
you may think.". Answer: A. "It's OK if you don't want to look or talk
about the mastectomy. I will be available when you're ready."
◉ Prior to giving digoxin, the practical nurse (PN) assesses that a 2-
month-old infant's heart rate is 120 beats/minute. Based on this
finding, what action should the PN take?
,A. Administer the medication and alert the charge nurse.
B. Hold the medication and document cardiac assessment.
C. Administer the medication and document the heart rate.
D. Hold the medication and recheck the heart rate in 1 hour.. Answer:
C. Administer the medication and document the heart rate.
◉ Which information should the practical nurse (PN) collect during
the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care
facility?
A. Health care proxy documentation.
B. Name of funeral home to contact.
C. Client's wishes regarding organ donation.
D. Contact information for the client's next of kin.
E. Contact information for the client's next of kin.. Answer: A. Health
care proxy documentation.
◉ The practical nurse (PN) learns that a client who is receiving
chemotherapy has developed stomatitis. Which information should
the PN obtain from the client during a focused assessment?
A. Urinary output.
B. Ability to swallow.
C. Frequency of bowel movements.
D. Blood pressure while standing.. Answer: B. Ability to swallow.
, ◉ A male client tells the practical nurse (PN) that the pill he has been
taking at home is a different color and size than the one the PN is
trying to give him now. How should the PN respond?
A. Explain that the healthcare provider probably prescribed a different
medication while he is hospitalized.
B. Tell the client that he is probably confused since being hospitalized
tends to disorient clients.
C. Tell the client that the PN will verify that the dispensed medication
is the valid prescription.
D. Explain that the pharmacy often substitutes generic equivalents for
more expensive brands.. Answer: C. Tell the client that the PN will
verify that the dispensed medication is the valid prescription.
◉ A client reports experiencing numbness and tingling in the
extremities. Which of the client's serum laboratory values should the
practical nurse (PN) prioritize reporting to the healthcare provider?
A. Hematocrit
B. Albumin and protein levels
C. Electrolytes
D. White blood cell count (WBC). Answer: C. Electrolytes
◉ The mother of a school-aged boy tells the practical nurse (PN) that
he fell out of a tree and hurt his arm and shoulder. Which assessment
should the practical nurse (PN) note as the most significant indicator
of possible child abuse?
A. The child looks at the floor when answering the nurse's questions.
B. The mother describes in detail what she did for her injured child.
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
◉ The practical nurse (PN) applies and then releases pressure to a
client's fingernail as seen in the photo. Normal nail color returns in 2
seconds. Which action should the PN take?
A. Report abnormal findings to the charge nurse.
B. Observe for blanching of the nailbed.
C. Repeat the process with a different nailbed.
D. Document the capillary refill time.. Answer: D. Document the
capillary refill time.
◉ A client who had a knee replacement surgery and received a
prescription for enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously every 12 hours for
10 days. The medication is available in 30 mg per 0.3 mL pre-filled
syringes. How many mL should the practical nurse (PN) administer
each day? (Enter numerical value only.). Answer: 0.6
◉ In caring for a client who requires seizure precautions, the practical
nurse (PN) should ensure the ready availability of equipment to
perform which procedure?
A. Suction the trachea.
B. Insert a urinary catheter.
C. Apply soft restraints.
D. Insert a nasogastric tube.. Answer: A. Suction the trachea.
,◉ The practical nurse (PN) is told that she keeps her 2-year-old child
in a playpen so he will not get dirty. Which statement should the PN
use in responding to this concern about using a playpen?
A. Overconcern about appearance can be harmful.
B. Playpens provide a sense of security for the child.
C. Playpens provide a safe environment for a toddler.
D. Children need time to actively explore their environment.. Answer:
D. Children need time to actively explore their environment.
◉ At the first dressing change, the practical nurse (PN) tells the client
that her mastectomy incision is healing well, but the client refuses to
look at the incision and refuses to talk about it. Which response by the
PN to the client's silence is best?
A. "It's OK if you don't want to look or talk about the mastectomy. I
will be available when you're ready."
B. "Would you like me to call another nurse to be here while I show
you the wound?"
C. "Part of recovery is accepting your new body image, and you will
need to look at your incision."
D. "You will feel better when you see that the incision is not as bad as
you may think.". Answer: A. "It's OK if you don't want to look or talk
about the mastectomy. I will be available when you're ready."
◉ Prior to giving digoxin, the practical nurse (PN) assesses that a 2-
month-old infant's heart rate is 120 beats/minute. Based on this
finding, what action should the PN take?
,A. Administer the medication and alert the charge nurse.
B. Hold the medication and document cardiac assessment.
C. Administer the medication and document the heart rate.
D. Hold the medication and recheck the heart rate in 1 hour.. Answer:
C. Administer the medication and document the heart rate.
◉ Which information should the practical nurse (PN) collect during
the admission assessment of a terminally ill client to an acute care
facility?
A. Health care proxy documentation.
B. Name of funeral home to contact.
C. Client's wishes regarding organ donation.
D. Contact information for the client's next of kin.
E. Contact information for the client's next of kin.. Answer: A. Health
care proxy documentation.
◉ The practical nurse (PN) learns that a client who is receiving
chemotherapy has developed stomatitis. Which information should
the PN obtain from the client during a focused assessment?
A. Urinary output.
B. Ability to swallow.
C. Frequency of bowel movements.
D. Blood pressure while standing.. Answer: B. Ability to swallow.
, ◉ A male client tells the practical nurse (PN) that the pill he has been
taking at home is a different color and size than the one the PN is
trying to give him now. How should the PN respond?
A. Explain that the healthcare provider probably prescribed a different
medication while he is hospitalized.
B. Tell the client that he is probably confused since being hospitalized
tends to disorient clients.
C. Tell the client that the PN will verify that the dispensed medication
is the valid prescription.
D. Explain that the pharmacy often substitutes generic equivalents for
more expensive brands.. Answer: C. Tell the client that the PN will
verify that the dispensed medication is the valid prescription.
◉ A client reports experiencing numbness and tingling in the
extremities. Which of the client's serum laboratory values should the
practical nurse (PN) prioritize reporting to the healthcare provider?
A. Hematocrit
B. Albumin and protein levels
C. Electrolytes
D. White blood cell count (WBC). Answer: C. Electrolytes
◉ The mother of a school-aged boy tells the practical nurse (PN) that
he fell out of a tree and hurt his arm and shoulder. Which assessment
should the practical nurse (PN) note as the most significant indicator
of possible child abuse?
A. The child looks at the floor when answering the nurse's questions.
B. The mother describes in detail what she did for her injured child.
