HESI RN Exit Exam V1–V10 – 160-Question NGN-Style
Examination Q&A with Expert Rationales, Complete
Exam Material
10 Full Sets • 16 Questions per Set • Multiple Choice • Answers & Expert
Rationales
Introduction
This document contains 160 NGN-style HESI RN Exit Exam questions
with answers and expert rationales covering adult health, maternal-
newborn nursing, pediatrics, mental health, pharmacology, leadership
and delegation, community health, and clinical judgment. It
emphasizes prioritization, ABCs, patient safety, acute deterioration,
medication safety, infection prevention, and nursing decision-making.
The material is organized into 10 sets and includes an answer key for
self-review.
Exam Questions and Answers
Set 1 – Fundamentals & Safety
1. A postoperative client is restless, has a respiratory rate of 28/min,
and an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Apply oxygen as prescribed.
B. Administer the prescribed opioid.
,C. Document the findings.
D. Encourage oral fluids.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority. The low oxygen
saturation with tachypnea requires prompt oxygen support and
reassessment.
2. Which intervention best reduces fall risk for a hospitalized older
adult?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position with the call light within reach.
B. Raise all four side rails.
C. Keep the room dark at night.
D. Encourage the client to walk independently.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Low bed position and easy access to the call light
reduce injury risk. Four side rails can function as a restraint.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medication to a client who
reports difficulty swallowing. What is the priority action?
A. Assess swallowing ability before giving the medication.
B. Crush all medications.
C. Ask the family to administer the medication.
,D. Place the medication at the bedside.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Swallowing difficulty creates aspiration risk.
Assessment must occur before administration.
4. A sterile field becomes wet during a dressing change. How should
the nurse respond?
A. Consider the wet area contaminated and replace the sterile supplies.
B. Continue because the field remains sterile.
C. Dry the field with sterile gauze.
D. Cover the wet area with a towel.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Moisture can allow microorganisms to travel
through a sterile barrier by capillary action.
5. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with new stridor after thyroid surgery.
B. A client requesting pain medication rated 6/10.
C. A client with constipation for three days.
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions.
Correct Answer: A
, Expert Rationale: Stridor indicates possible upper-airway obstruction
and is an immediate airway emergency.
6. A nurse discovers a medication error immediately after
administration. What is the first action?
A. Assess the client for adverse effects.
B. Complete an incident report.
C. Notify risk management.
D. Document the error in the chart.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Client safety comes first. The nurse must assess for
harm before completing reporting and documentation requirements.
7. Which finding is most consistent with fluid volume deficit?
A. Orthostatic hypotension and concentrated urine.
B. Bounding pulses and crackles.
C. Peripheral edema and weight gain.
D. Jugular venous distention.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Fluid deficit commonly causes decreased circulating
volume, orthostatic hypotension, and concentrated urine.
Examination Q&A with Expert Rationales, Complete
Exam Material
10 Full Sets • 16 Questions per Set • Multiple Choice • Answers & Expert
Rationales
Introduction
This document contains 160 NGN-style HESI RN Exit Exam questions
with answers and expert rationales covering adult health, maternal-
newborn nursing, pediatrics, mental health, pharmacology, leadership
and delegation, community health, and clinical judgment. It
emphasizes prioritization, ABCs, patient safety, acute deterioration,
medication safety, infection prevention, and nursing decision-making.
The material is organized into 10 sets and includes an answer key for
self-review.
Exam Questions and Answers
Set 1 – Fundamentals & Safety
1. A postoperative client is restless, has a respiratory rate of 28/min,
and an oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Apply oxygen as prescribed.
B. Administer the prescribed opioid.
,C. Document the findings.
D. Encourage oral fluids.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority. The low oxygen
saturation with tachypnea requires prompt oxygen support and
reassessment.
2. Which intervention best reduces fall risk for a hospitalized older
adult?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position with the call light within reach.
B. Raise all four side rails.
C. Keep the room dark at night.
D. Encourage the client to walk independently.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Low bed position and easy access to the call light
reduce injury risk. Four side rails can function as a restraint.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medication to a client who
reports difficulty swallowing. What is the priority action?
A. Assess swallowing ability before giving the medication.
B. Crush all medications.
C. Ask the family to administer the medication.
,D. Place the medication at the bedside.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Swallowing difficulty creates aspiration risk.
Assessment must occur before administration.
4. A sterile field becomes wet during a dressing change. How should
the nurse respond?
A. Consider the wet area contaminated and replace the sterile supplies.
B. Continue because the field remains sterile.
C. Dry the field with sterile gauze.
D. Cover the wet area with a towel.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Moisture can allow microorganisms to travel
through a sterile barrier by capillary action.
5. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with new stridor after thyroid surgery.
B. A client requesting pain medication rated 6/10.
C. A client with constipation for three days.
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions.
Correct Answer: A
, Expert Rationale: Stridor indicates possible upper-airway obstruction
and is an immediate airway emergency.
6. A nurse discovers a medication error immediately after
administration. What is the first action?
A. Assess the client for adverse effects.
B. Complete an incident report.
C. Notify risk management.
D. Document the error in the chart.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Client safety comes first. The nurse must assess for
harm before completing reporting and documentation requirements.
7. Which finding is most consistent with fluid volume deficit?
A. Orthostatic hypotension and concentrated urine.
B. Bounding pulses and crackles.
C. Peripheral edema and weight gain.
D. Jugular venous distention.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Fluid deficit commonly causes decreased circulating
volume, orthostatic hypotension, and concentrated urine.
