HESI RN EXIT [2026] | A+ VERIFIED ANSWERS | UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS | DETAILED STUDY GUIDE AND FINAL
REVIEW
• 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.
• A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and the
nurse provides instructions to the client about the test. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further instruction?
A) "The test will take about 30 minutes"
B) "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test"
C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a
Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
D) "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the liquid that I'll
have to drink for the test can be constipating." -✓✓ANSWER: C) "I need to drink
, citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the
morning of the test."
Rationale
An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus, duodenum, and upper
jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves swallowing a
contrast
medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored milkshake. Films are
taken
at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No special preparation
is
necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must be maintained for 8
hours
before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed a laxative to
hasten
elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon may become hard
and
difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
• A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions and notes that
the dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the normal dose. The nurse
calls the physician's answering service and is told that the physician if off for the
night and will be available the next morning. The nurse should:
A) call the nursing supervisor
B) Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C) Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the morning
ACTUAL QUESTIONS | DETAILED STUDY GUIDE AND FINAL
REVIEW
• 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.
• A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and the
nurse provides instructions to the client about the test. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further instruction?
A) "The test will take about 30 minutes"
B) "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test"
C) "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a
Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
D) "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the liquid that I'll
have to drink for the test can be constipating." -✓✓ANSWER: C) "I need to drink
, citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the
morning of the test."
Rationale
An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus, duodenum, and upper
jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves swallowing a
contrast
medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored milkshake. Films are
taken
at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No special preparation
is
necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must be maintained for 8
hours
before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed a laxative to
hasten
elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon may become hard
and
difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
• A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions and notes that
the dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the normal dose. The nurse
calls the physician's answering service and is told that the physician if off for the
night and will be available the next morning. The nurse should:
A) call the nursing supervisor
B) Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C) Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the morning
