HESI PN EXAM /ACTUAL PN HESI PROCTORED EXAM TEST BANK
2026/2027 HIGH YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM
1. A practical nurse is caring for an older adult who becomes suddenly
confused, restless, and attempts to climb out of bed several hours after
admission for pneumonia. The client's oxygen saturation has decreased
from 96% to 88%. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply oxygen as prescribed and reassess the client's respiratory status
B. Administer the prescribed sedative to decrease the client's agitation
C. Place the client in restraints to prevent a fall
D. Notify the family that the client is developing dementia
Answer: A
2. A client with heart failure is receiving furosemide and has a potassium level
of 3.0 mEq/L. The client reports weakness and intermittent palpitations.
Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake
B. Notify the healthcare provider about the potassium level and symptoms
C. Administer the next dose of furosemide as scheduled
D. Restrict dietary potassium until the cardiac rhythm stabilizes
Answer: B
3. A client receiving digoxin reports nausea, decreased appetite, and seeing
yellow-green halos around lights. The apical pulse is 52 beats/minute.
Which action should the practical nurse take?
A. Administer the medication with food
B. Encourage the client to ambulate to improve circulation
C. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
D. Document the findings as expected adverse effects
Answer: C
4. A postoperative client suddenly develops shortness of breath, chest pain,
tachycardia, and an oxygen saturation of 84%. Which action should the
pg. 1
, nurse prioritize?
A. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe
B. Assist the client to ambulate
C. Place the client in a supine position
D. Apply oxygen and immediately activate the appropriate emergency
response
Answer: D
5. A client with diabetes mellitus is pale, diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. The
blood glucose level is 48 mg/dL, and the client is awake and able to
swallow. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Give approximately 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Administer the client's scheduled long-acting insulin
C. Give a high-protein meal without carbohydrates
D. Encourage the client to exercise before eating
Answer: A
6. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen at 2
L/minute by nasal cannula. The client becomes increasingly drowsy and
difficult to arouse. Which finding requires immediate attention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 91%
B. New decreased level of consciousness
C. Productive cough with clear sputum
D. Respiratory rate of 20/minute
Answer: B
7. A client with a history of peptic ulcer disease suddenly reports severe
abdominal pain, and the abdomen becomes rigid and boardlike. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Constipation
B. Gastroesophageal reflux
C. Perforation with peritonitis
D. Uncomplicated gastric irritation
Answer: C
pg. 2
, 8. A client is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. Which infection-
control intervention should the practical nurse implement initially?
A. Use airborne precautions for the entire hospitalization
B. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
C. Allow unrestricted visitors wearing no protective equipment
D. Initiate droplet precautions according to facility policy
Answer: D
9. A client with a new prescription for warfarin asks which laboratory test is
commonly used to monitor its therapeutic effect. Which response is
correct?
A. INR
B. Serum amylase
C. Troponin
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: A
10. A client receiving heparin develops bleeding from the gums and several
large bruises. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Encourage vigorous tooth brushing
B. Assess the client and promptly report significant bleeding
C. Administer aspirin to prevent thrombosis
D. Continue the infusion without further assessment
Answer: B
11. A client with a central venous catheter suddenly develops dyspnea, chest
pain, and decreased oxygen saturation during catheter manipulation. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Constipation
C. Air embolism
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
pg. 3
, 12. A client has been prescribed subcutaneous insulin. Which technique should
the practical nurse use to reduce the risk of injecting into muscle when
administering a routine subcutaneous dose?
A. Insert the needle directly through clothing
B. Massage the injection site vigorously afterward
C. Inject into the deltoid muscle
D. Select appropriate subcutaneous tissue and use the prescribed needle
and angle
Answer: D
13. A client with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L and
reports muscle weakness. Which finding is most concerning?
A. Tall, peaked T waves on the ECG
B. Increased appetite
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
14. A client with pneumonia has a temperature of 39.2°C (102.6°F), respiratory
rate of 30/minute, and increasing confusion. Which nursing assessment is
the priority?
A. Dietary preferences
B. Airway and breathing status
C. Sleep pattern
D. Bowel elimination history
Answer: B
15. A client with a suspected stroke develops facial drooping and weakness of
the right arm and leg. Which information is particularly important to
determine immediately?
A. The client's usual bedtime
B. The client's preferred diet
C. The time the client was last known to be well
pg. 4
2026/2027 HIGH YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE
COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM
1. A practical nurse is caring for an older adult who becomes suddenly
confused, restless, and attempts to climb out of bed several hours after
admission for pneumonia. The client's oxygen saturation has decreased
from 96% to 88%. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply oxygen as prescribed and reassess the client's respiratory status
B. Administer the prescribed sedative to decrease the client's agitation
C. Place the client in restraints to prevent a fall
D. Notify the family that the client is developing dementia
Answer: A
2. A client with heart failure is receiving furosemide and has a potassium level
of 3.0 mEq/L. The client reports weakness and intermittent palpitations.
Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake
B. Notify the healthcare provider about the potassium level and symptoms
C. Administer the next dose of furosemide as scheduled
D. Restrict dietary potassium until the cardiac rhythm stabilizes
Answer: B
3. A client receiving digoxin reports nausea, decreased appetite, and seeing
yellow-green halos around lights. The apical pulse is 52 beats/minute.
Which action should the practical nurse take?
A. Administer the medication with food
B. Encourage the client to ambulate to improve circulation
C. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
D. Document the findings as expected adverse effects
Answer: C
4. A postoperative client suddenly develops shortness of breath, chest pain,
tachycardia, and an oxygen saturation of 84%. Which action should the
pg. 1
, nurse prioritize?
A. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe
B. Assist the client to ambulate
C. Place the client in a supine position
D. Apply oxygen and immediately activate the appropriate emergency
response
Answer: D
5. A client with diabetes mellitus is pale, diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. The
blood glucose level is 48 mg/dL, and the client is awake and able to
swallow. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Give approximately 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. Administer the client's scheduled long-acting insulin
C. Give a high-protein meal without carbohydrates
D. Encourage the client to exercise before eating
Answer: A
6. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen at 2
L/minute by nasal cannula. The client becomes increasingly drowsy and
difficult to arouse. Which finding requires immediate attention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 91%
B. New decreased level of consciousness
C. Productive cough with clear sputum
D. Respiratory rate of 20/minute
Answer: B
7. A client with a history of peptic ulcer disease suddenly reports severe
abdominal pain, and the abdomen becomes rigid and boardlike. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Constipation
B. Gastroesophageal reflux
C. Perforation with peritonitis
D. Uncomplicated gastric irritation
Answer: C
pg. 2
, 8. A client is admitted with suspected bacterial meningitis. Which infection-
control intervention should the practical nurse implement initially?
A. Use airborne precautions for the entire hospitalization
B. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
C. Allow unrestricted visitors wearing no protective equipment
D. Initiate droplet precautions according to facility policy
Answer: D
9. A client with a new prescription for warfarin asks which laboratory test is
commonly used to monitor its therapeutic effect. Which response is
correct?
A. INR
B. Serum amylase
C. Troponin
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: A
10. A client receiving heparin develops bleeding from the gums and several
large bruises. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Encourage vigorous tooth brushing
B. Assess the client and promptly report significant bleeding
C. Administer aspirin to prevent thrombosis
D. Continue the infusion without further assessment
Answer: B
11. A client with a central venous catheter suddenly develops dyspnea, chest
pain, and decreased oxygen saturation during catheter manipulation. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Constipation
C. Air embolism
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
pg. 3
, 12. A client has been prescribed subcutaneous insulin. Which technique should
the practical nurse use to reduce the risk of injecting into muscle when
administering a routine subcutaneous dose?
A. Insert the needle directly through clothing
B. Massage the injection site vigorously afterward
C. Inject into the deltoid muscle
D. Select appropriate subcutaneous tissue and use the prescribed needle
and angle
Answer: D
13. A client with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L and
reports muscle weakness. Which finding is most concerning?
A. Tall, peaked T waves on the ECG
B. Increased appetite
C. Warm, flushed skin
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A
14. A client with pneumonia has a temperature of 39.2°C (102.6°F), respiratory
rate of 30/minute, and increasing confusion. Which nursing assessment is
the priority?
A. Dietary preferences
B. Airway and breathing status
C. Sleep pattern
D. Bowel elimination history
Answer: B
15. A client with a suspected stroke develops facial drooping and weakness of
the right arm and leg. Which information is particularly important to
determine immediately?
A. The client's usual bedtime
B. The client's preferred diet
C. The time the client was last known to be well
pg. 4
