HESI
CAT Exam 2026 | HESI RN Computer Adaptive Test |
Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
WHAT THIS STUDY RESOURCE INCLUDES
✓ HESI CAT 2026 practice questions
✓ HESI RN CAT exam preparation
✓ Correct answers
✓ Detailed rationales and explanations
✓ NCLEX-style clinical judgment practice
, HESI CAT Exam 2026 | HESI RN Computer
Adaptive Test | Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales
QUESTION 1
A 59-year-old male client is brought to the emergency room
where he is assessed to have a Glasgow Coma Scale of 3. Based
on this assessment, how should the nurse characterize the client's
condition?
A. Client has increased ICP
B. He has a good prognosis for recovery
C. This client is conscious, but is not oriented to time and place
D. He is in a coma and has a very poor prognosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3 is the lowest
possible score, indicating deep coma or brain death. The GCS
assesses eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, with
scores ranging from 3 (worst) to 15 (best). A score of 3 indicates
no eye opening, no verbal response, and no motor response. This
,correlates with a comatose state and carries a very poor prognosis
for recovery. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as a GCS of 3 does
not specifically indicate increased ICP, does not suggest a good
prognosis, and the client is not conscious.
QUESTION 2
At a community health fair, a 50-year-old female tells the nurse
that she has an annual physical exam that includes a breast exam
and an annual mammogram. How should the nurse respond?
A. Encourage the woman to explore her fears about breast cancer
B. Ask the woman if she performs monthly breast self-exams
C. Recommend the woman for adhering to the recommended
cancer detection guidelines
D. Advise the woman that mammograms are only needed every
two years of age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While the client is following recommended screening
guidelines with annual clinical breast exams and mammograms,
monthly breast self-exams (BSE) are also an important component
, of breast health awareness. The nurse should assess whether the
client performs BSE and provide education if needed. Option A is
not appropriate as the client has not expressed fears. Option C is
premature without assessing all aspects of breast health. Option
D is incorrect as current guidelines recommend annual
mammograms for women starting at age 40-50 depending on risk
factors.
QUESTION 3
Which assessment finding should indicate to the nurse that a
client with arterial hypertension is experiencing a cardiac
complication?
A. Complaints of occipital headache
B. Palpable dorsalis pedis pulse bilaterally
C. Complaints of SOB on exertion
D. BP of 160/90
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Shortness of breath (SOB) on exertion in a
hypertensive client indicates left-sided heart failure, a cardiac
CAT Exam 2026 | HESI RN Computer Adaptive Test |
Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
WHAT THIS STUDY RESOURCE INCLUDES
✓ HESI CAT 2026 practice questions
✓ HESI RN CAT exam preparation
✓ Correct answers
✓ Detailed rationales and explanations
✓ NCLEX-style clinical judgment practice
, HESI CAT Exam 2026 | HESI RN Computer
Adaptive Test | Practice Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales
QUESTION 1
A 59-year-old male client is brought to the emergency room
where he is assessed to have a Glasgow Coma Scale of 3. Based
on this assessment, how should the nurse characterize the client's
condition?
A. Client has increased ICP
B. He has a good prognosis for recovery
C. This client is conscious, but is not oriented to time and place
D. He is in a coma and has a very poor prognosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3 is the lowest
possible score, indicating deep coma or brain death. The GCS
assesses eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, with
scores ranging from 3 (worst) to 15 (best). A score of 3 indicates
no eye opening, no verbal response, and no motor response. This
,correlates with a comatose state and carries a very poor prognosis
for recovery. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as a GCS of 3 does
not specifically indicate increased ICP, does not suggest a good
prognosis, and the client is not conscious.
QUESTION 2
At a community health fair, a 50-year-old female tells the nurse
that she has an annual physical exam that includes a breast exam
and an annual mammogram. How should the nurse respond?
A. Encourage the woman to explore her fears about breast cancer
B. Ask the woman if she performs monthly breast self-exams
C. Recommend the woman for adhering to the recommended
cancer detection guidelines
D. Advise the woman that mammograms are only needed every
two years of age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While the client is following recommended screening
guidelines with annual clinical breast exams and mammograms,
monthly breast self-exams (BSE) are also an important component
, of breast health awareness. The nurse should assess whether the
client performs BSE and provide education if needed. Option A is
not appropriate as the client has not expressed fears. Option C is
premature without assessing all aspects of breast health. Option
D is incorrect as current guidelines recommend annual
mammograms for women starting at age 40-50 depending on risk
factors.
QUESTION 3
Which assessment finding should indicate to the nurse that a
client with arterial hypertension is experiencing a cardiac
complication?
A. Complaints of occipital headache
B. Palpable dorsalis pedis pulse bilaterally
C. Complaints of SOB on exertion
D. BP of 160/90
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Shortness of breath (SOB) on exertion in a
hypertensive client indicates left-sided heart failure, a cardiac
