HESI PN EXIT EXAM PRACTICAL NURSING
COMPREHENSIVE LICENSURE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026/2027 | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
1. Fundamentals of Nursing: Safety, Infection Control, Basic Care
2. Medical-Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, GI, Renal,
Endocrine
3. Pharmacology and Medication Safety
4. Maternal-Newborn Nursing
5. Pediatric Nursing
6. Mental Health Nursing
7. Leadership, Delegation, and Prioritization
8. Clinical Judgment and NGN-Style Scenarios
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the practical nursing
knowledge and clinical judgment required for successful performance on
the HESI PN Exit Exam. It evaluates competency in fundamentals of
nursing, medical-surgical care, pharmacology, maternal-newborn,
pediatric, and mental health nursing, as well as leadership and
prioritization. The examination employs multiple-choice and Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style questions that mirror the actual HESI
format and difficulty. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking,
prioritization, safety, and evidence-based practical nursing interventions.
Success on this examination demonstrates readiness for NCLEX-PN
,licensure and confirms mastery of essential practical nursing
competencies.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client with a new colostomy.
Which observation indicates the stoma is healthy?
A. Dark purple and dry
B. Pink-red and moist
C. Black and dusky
D. Pale and dry
Correct answer B. Pink-red and moist
RATIONALE: A healthy stoma should be pink-red and moist,
similar to the inside of the mouth. Dark purple, black, or pale coloration
indicates compromised blood flow and requires immediate notification
of the RN or provider .
2. A PN is reinforcing teaching about crutch walking for a client
who has a leg injury. Which statement by the client indicates correct
understanding?
A. "I should support my weight on my underarms."
B. "I should keep the crutches 12 inches ahead of my feet."
C. "I should support my weight on my hands and arms."
D. "I should lean forward when I walk."
, Correct answer C. "I should support my weight on my hands and
arms."
RATIONALE: Weight should be supported on the hands and arms,
not the underarms, to prevent nerve damage (crutch palsy). Crutches
should be placed 6-8 inches ahead of the feet, and the client should stand
upright .
3. A PN is caring for a client with a urinary catheter. Which action
should the PN take to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract
infection (CAUTI)?
A. Irrigate the catheter routinely
B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
C. Disconnect the catheter to obtain urine samples
D. Change the catheter every 48 hours
Correct answer B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the
bladder
RATIONALE: Keeping the drainage bag below the bladder prevents
backflow of urine into the bladder, reducing infection risk. Routine
irrigation, disconnecting the system, and frequent catheter changes
increase infection risk .
4. A PN is assisting a client with a bed bath. Which action
demonstrates proper technique?
A. Washing from the perineal area toward the face
B. Washing from the face toward the perineal area
C. Using the same washcloth for the entire bath without rinsing
, D. Washing the legs before the arms
Correct answer B. Washing from the face toward the perineal area
RATIONALE: Bathing should proceed from cleanest to dirtiest
areas—face first, perineal area last—to prevent contamination. The
washcloth should be rinsed frequently .
5. A PN is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which
intervention is the priority?
A. Place the bed in the lowest position
B. Apply restraints
C. Keep the side rails up on all four sides
D. Restrict the client's mobility
Correct answer A. Place the bed in the lowest position
RATIONALE: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the
risk of injury if a fall occurs. Restraints and four side rails require
specific orders and can increase injury risk. Mobility should be
encouraged with assistance, not restricted .
6. A PN is preparing to administer medications to a client. Which
action demonstrates the "rights" of medication administration?
A. Administering medications without checking the client's
identification
B. Checking the client's identification using two identifiers
C. Administering medications prepared by another nurse without
verification
COMPREHENSIVE LICENSURE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026/2027 | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
1. Fundamentals of Nursing: Safety, Infection Control, Basic Care
2. Medical-Surgical Nursing: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, GI, Renal,
Endocrine
3. Pharmacology and Medication Safety
4. Maternal-Newborn Nursing
5. Pediatric Nursing
6. Mental Health Nursing
7. Leadership, Delegation, and Prioritization
8. Clinical Judgment and NGN-Style Scenarios
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the practical nursing
knowledge and clinical judgment required for successful performance on
the HESI PN Exit Exam. It evaluates competency in fundamentals of
nursing, medical-surgical care, pharmacology, maternal-newborn,
pediatric, and mental health nursing, as well as leadership and
prioritization. The examination employs multiple-choice and Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style questions that mirror the actual HESI
format and difficulty. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking,
prioritization, safety, and evidence-based practical nursing interventions.
Success on this examination demonstrates readiness for NCLEX-PN
,licensure and confirms mastery of essential practical nursing
competencies.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client with a new colostomy.
Which observation indicates the stoma is healthy?
A. Dark purple and dry
B. Pink-red and moist
C. Black and dusky
D. Pale and dry
Correct answer B. Pink-red and moist
RATIONALE: A healthy stoma should be pink-red and moist,
similar to the inside of the mouth. Dark purple, black, or pale coloration
indicates compromised blood flow and requires immediate notification
of the RN or provider .
2. A PN is reinforcing teaching about crutch walking for a client
who has a leg injury. Which statement by the client indicates correct
understanding?
A. "I should support my weight on my underarms."
B. "I should keep the crutches 12 inches ahead of my feet."
C. "I should support my weight on my hands and arms."
D. "I should lean forward when I walk."
, Correct answer C. "I should support my weight on my hands and
arms."
RATIONALE: Weight should be supported on the hands and arms,
not the underarms, to prevent nerve damage (crutch palsy). Crutches
should be placed 6-8 inches ahead of the feet, and the client should stand
upright .
3. A PN is caring for a client with a urinary catheter. Which action
should the PN take to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract
infection (CAUTI)?
A. Irrigate the catheter routinely
B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
C. Disconnect the catheter to obtain urine samples
D. Change the catheter every 48 hours
Correct answer B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the
bladder
RATIONALE: Keeping the drainage bag below the bladder prevents
backflow of urine into the bladder, reducing infection risk. Routine
irrigation, disconnecting the system, and frequent catheter changes
increase infection risk .
4. A PN is assisting a client with a bed bath. Which action
demonstrates proper technique?
A. Washing from the perineal area toward the face
B. Washing from the face toward the perineal area
C. Using the same washcloth for the entire bath without rinsing
, D. Washing the legs before the arms
Correct answer B. Washing from the face toward the perineal area
RATIONALE: Bathing should proceed from cleanest to dirtiest
areas—face first, perineal area last—to prevent contamination. The
washcloth should be rinsed frequently .
5. A PN is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which
intervention is the priority?
A. Place the bed in the lowest position
B. Apply restraints
C. Keep the side rails up on all four sides
D. Restrict the client's mobility
Correct answer A. Place the bed in the lowest position
RATIONALE: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the
risk of injury if a fall occurs. Restraints and four side rails require
specific orders and can increase injury risk. Mobility should be
encouraged with assistance, not restricted .
6. A PN is preparing to administer medications to a client. Which
action demonstrates the "rights" of medication administration?
A. Administering medications without checking the client's
identification
B. Checking the client's identification using two identifiers
C. Administering medications prepared by another nurse without
verification
