BSN 366 HESI RN Exit Exam Questions and Answers
Plus Rationale
200 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 BSN 366 HESI RN Exit Exam Questions and Answers Plus Rationale
,Q1
Which fluid will the nurse select to administer with a prescribed blood transfusion?
A) 5% Dextrose and water
B) Normal saline CORRECT
C) Lactated Ringer's solution
D) 5% Dextrose and lactated Ringer's
Rationale
Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is the only solution compatible with blood components. Dextrose
solutions can cause hemolysis and agglutination, and Lactated Ringer's contains calcium which can
cause clotting in the blood tubing .
Q2
When assisting a client from the bed to a chair, which technique is best for the nurse to use?
A) Place the chair parallel to the bed with its back toward the head of the bed
B) Stand with feet spread apart and knees aligned with the client's knees, then
CORRECT
pivot
C) Assist the client by lifting upward underneath the axillae
D) Have the client place arms around the nurse's neck and move to the chair
Rationale
This technique provides a wide base of support for the nurse while stabilizing the client's knees. Lifting
under the axillae can damage nerves, and clients should never place arms around the nurse's neck due
to risk of injury to both parties .
Q3
A nurse is calculating intake for a client. Record includes: 1200 mL water, 4 oz gelatin, 8 oz
orange juice, 355 mL soda, 1 cup soup. How many mL should be documented?
A) 1955 mL
B) 2055 mL
C) 2155 mL CORRECT
2
,D) 2255 mL
Rationale
Convert ounces to mL (1 oz = 30 mL). 4 oz gelatin = 120 mL; 8 oz juice = 240 mL; 1 cup soup = 240 mL.
Total: 1200 + 120 + 240 + 355 + 240 = 2155 mL .
Q4
The nurse observes a UAP taking a blood pressure in the lower extremity. Which observation
requires intervention?
A) The cuff wraps around the girth of the leg
B) The UAP auscultates the popliteal pulse with the cuff on the lower leg CORRECT
C) The client is placed in a prone position
D) The systolic reading is 20 mm Hg higher than in the arm
Rationale
The popliteal pulse is auscultated with the cuff placed around the thigh, not the lower leg. The nurse
should intervene to correct this technique .
Q5
A client receiving opioid analgesics is difficult to arouse with a respiratory rate of 7/min. What is
the priority action?
A) Administer naloxone CORRECT
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Document the findings
D) Provide oxygen only
Rationale
Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and
sedation. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate reversal .
3
, Q6
Which signs are expected in a client with hypoglycemia? (Select all that apply)
A) Diaphoresis CORRECT
B) Tremors
C) Confusion
D) Bradycardia
E) Hunger
Rationale
Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing diaphoresis, tremors, tachycardia (not
bradycardia), confusion, and hunger .
Q7
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has been prescribed furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Potassium CORRECT
C) Platelets
D) Sodium
Rationale
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle, leading
to increased excretion of potassium. Hypokalemia is a serious adverse effect that can precipitate cardiac
dysrhythmias .
Q8
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen saturation of 88% on
room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Encourage deep breathing and coughing
B) Administer oxygen as prescribed CORRECT
C) Raise the head of the bed to 45 degrees
4
Plus Rationale
200 QUESTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
# TOPIC
1 BSN 366 HESI RN Exit Exam Questions and Answers Plus Rationale
,Q1
Which fluid will the nurse select to administer with a prescribed blood transfusion?
A) 5% Dextrose and water
B) Normal saline CORRECT
C) Lactated Ringer's solution
D) 5% Dextrose and lactated Ringer's
Rationale
Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is the only solution compatible with blood components. Dextrose
solutions can cause hemolysis and agglutination, and Lactated Ringer's contains calcium which can
cause clotting in the blood tubing .
Q2
When assisting a client from the bed to a chair, which technique is best for the nurse to use?
A) Place the chair parallel to the bed with its back toward the head of the bed
B) Stand with feet spread apart and knees aligned with the client's knees, then
CORRECT
pivot
C) Assist the client by lifting upward underneath the axillae
D) Have the client place arms around the nurse's neck and move to the chair
Rationale
This technique provides a wide base of support for the nurse while stabilizing the client's knees. Lifting
under the axillae can damage nerves, and clients should never place arms around the nurse's neck due
to risk of injury to both parties .
Q3
A nurse is calculating intake for a client. Record includes: 1200 mL water, 4 oz gelatin, 8 oz
orange juice, 355 mL soda, 1 cup soup. How many mL should be documented?
A) 1955 mL
B) 2055 mL
C) 2155 mL CORRECT
2
,D) 2255 mL
Rationale
Convert ounces to mL (1 oz = 30 mL). 4 oz gelatin = 120 mL; 8 oz juice = 240 mL; 1 cup soup = 240 mL.
Total: 1200 + 120 + 240 + 355 + 240 = 2155 mL .
Q4
The nurse observes a UAP taking a blood pressure in the lower extremity. Which observation
requires intervention?
A) The cuff wraps around the girth of the leg
B) The UAP auscultates the popliteal pulse with the cuff on the lower leg CORRECT
C) The client is placed in a prone position
D) The systolic reading is 20 mm Hg higher than in the arm
Rationale
The popliteal pulse is auscultated with the cuff placed around the thigh, not the lower leg. The nurse
should intervene to correct this technique .
Q5
A client receiving opioid analgesics is difficult to arouse with a respiratory rate of 7/min. What is
the priority action?
A) Administer naloxone CORRECT
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Document the findings
D) Provide oxygen only
Rationale
Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and
sedation. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate reversal .
3
, Q6
Which signs are expected in a client with hypoglycemia? (Select all that apply)
A) Diaphoresis CORRECT
B) Tremors
C) Confusion
D) Bradycardia
E) Hunger
Rationale
Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing diaphoresis, tremors, tachycardia (not
bradycardia), confusion, and hunger .
Q7
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has been prescribed furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Potassium CORRECT
C) Platelets
D) Sodium
Rationale
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle, leading
to increased excretion of potassium. Hypokalemia is a serious adverse effect that can precipitate cardiac
dysrhythmias .
Q8
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen saturation of 88% on
room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Encourage deep breathing and coughing
B) Administer oxygen as prescribed CORRECT
C) Raise the head of the bed to 45 degrees
4
