HESI EXIT EXAM COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE TEST 200
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS Based on the HESI Exit Exam Content Blueprint
and Current Nursing Practice Standards|| EXAM 2026/2027
|200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES LATEST EDITION
SECTION 1: PHARMACOLOGY (Questions 1-40)
1. Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which
assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the
medication?
A) Checking the client's blood pressure
B) Checking the client's peripheral pulses
C) Checking the most recent potassium level
D) Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours
Answer: A) Checking the client's blood pressure
Rationale:Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor used to treat hypertension. One common side effect is postural
hypotension. Therefore, the nurse would check the client's blood pressure
immediately before administering each dose. Checking peripheral pulses,
potassium levels, and intake/output are not specifically associated with this
medication's priority assessment.
,2. Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg by way of intravenous (IV) injection is prescribed
for a client for the management of anxiety. The nurse prepares the medication
as prescribed and administers the medication over a period of:
A) 3 minutes
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 30 minutes
Answer: A) 3 minutes
Rationale: Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause respiratory
depression when administered too rapidly. The IV push rate should not
exceed 2 mg per minute. For a 1 mg dose, administration over at least 3
minutes is appropriate to prevent adverse effects.
3. A client is taking prescribed ibuprofen (Motrin), 300 mg orally four times
daily, to relieve joint pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis. The client tells
the nurse that the medication is causing nausea and indigestion. The nurse
should tell the client to:
A) Contact the physician
B) Stop taking the medication
C) Take the medication with food
D) Take the medication twice a day instead of four times
,Answer: C) Take the medication with food
Rationale: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that
can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Taking the medication with food or milk
helps reduce nausea and indigestion. The client should not stop taking the
medication without consulting the physician.
4. Phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) is prescribed for a client with depression. The
nurse provides information to the client about the adverse effects of the
medication and tells the client to contact the physician immediately if she
experiences:
A) Dry mouth
B) Restlessness
C) Feelings of depression
D) Neck stiffness or soreness
Answer: D) Neck stiffness or soreness
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Neck stiffness
or soreness could indicate hypertensive crisis, a life-threatening adverse effect
that requires immediate medical attention. Dry mouth and restlessness are
common side effects that do not require immediate intervention.
, 5. Risperidone (Risperdal) is prescribed for a client hospitalized in the mental
health unit for the treatment of a psychotic disorder. Which finding in the
client's medical record would prompt the nurse to contact the prescribing
physician before administering the medication?
A) The client has a history of cataracts
B) The client has a history of hypothyroidism
C) The client takes a prescribed antihypertensive
D) The client is allergic to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
Answer: C) The client takes a prescribed antihypertensive
Rationale: Risperidone can cause hypotension, particularly orthostatic
hypotension. When taken with antihypertensive medications, there is an
increased risk of severe hypotension. The nurse should contact the physician
to discuss potential interactions before administering.
6. A client who has been undergoing long-term therapy with an antipsychotic
medication is admitted to the inpatient mental health unit. Which finding
does the nurse, knowing that long-term use of an antipsychotic medication
can cause tardive dyskinesia, monitor in the client?**
A) Fever
B) Diarrhea
C) Hypertension
D) Tongue protrusion
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS Based on the HESI Exit Exam Content Blueprint
and Current Nursing Practice Standards|| EXAM 2026/2027
|200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES LATEST EDITION
SECTION 1: PHARMACOLOGY (Questions 1-40)
1. Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which
assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the
medication?
A) Checking the client's blood pressure
B) Checking the client's peripheral pulses
C) Checking the most recent potassium level
D) Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours
Answer: A) Checking the client's blood pressure
Rationale:Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor used to treat hypertension. One common side effect is postural
hypotension. Therefore, the nurse would check the client's blood pressure
immediately before administering each dose. Checking peripheral pulses,
potassium levels, and intake/output are not specifically associated with this
medication's priority assessment.
,2. Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg by way of intravenous (IV) injection is prescribed
for a client for the management of anxiety. The nurse prepares the medication
as prescribed and administers the medication over a period of:
A) 3 minutes
B) 10 seconds
C) 15 seconds
D) 30 minutes
Answer: A) 3 minutes
Rationale: Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause respiratory
depression when administered too rapidly. The IV push rate should not
exceed 2 mg per minute. For a 1 mg dose, administration over at least 3
minutes is appropriate to prevent adverse effects.
3. A client is taking prescribed ibuprofen (Motrin), 300 mg orally four times
daily, to relieve joint pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis. The client tells
the nurse that the medication is causing nausea and indigestion. The nurse
should tell the client to:
A) Contact the physician
B) Stop taking the medication
C) Take the medication with food
D) Take the medication twice a day instead of four times
,Answer: C) Take the medication with food
Rationale: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that
can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Taking the medication with food or milk
helps reduce nausea and indigestion. The client should not stop taking the
medication without consulting the physician.
4. Phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) is prescribed for a client with depression. The
nurse provides information to the client about the adverse effects of the
medication and tells the client to contact the physician immediately if she
experiences:
A) Dry mouth
B) Restlessness
C) Feelings of depression
D) Neck stiffness or soreness
Answer: D) Neck stiffness or soreness
Rationale: Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Neck stiffness
or soreness could indicate hypertensive crisis, a life-threatening adverse effect
that requires immediate medical attention. Dry mouth and restlessness are
common side effects that do not require immediate intervention.
, 5. Risperidone (Risperdal) is prescribed for a client hospitalized in the mental
health unit for the treatment of a psychotic disorder. Which finding in the
client's medical record would prompt the nurse to contact the prescribing
physician before administering the medication?
A) The client has a history of cataracts
B) The client has a history of hypothyroidism
C) The client takes a prescribed antihypertensive
D) The client is allergic to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
Answer: C) The client takes a prescribed antihypertensive
Rationale: Risperidone can cause hypotension, particularly orthostatic
hypotension. When taken with antihypertensive medications, there is an
increased risk of severe hypotension. The nurse should contact the physician
to discuss potential interactions before administering.
6. A client who has been undergoing long-term therapy with an antipsychotic
medication is admitted to the inpatient mental health unit. Which finding
does the nurse, knowing that long-term use of an antipsychotic medication
can cause tardive dyskinesia, monitor in the client?**
A) Fever
B) Diarrhea
C) Hypertension
D) Tongue protrusion
