Foundations of Nursing HESI Exam 1 Practice Exam
2026/2027 (LATEST EDITION) | Complete Questions &
Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A – Herzing
University LPN
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer nitroglycerin
B) Assess the character, location, and duration of the pain
C) Notify the provider
D) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process; gather data before intervening.
2. Which finding indicates a client is experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication?
A) Bradycardia
B) Urticaria and wheezing
C) Constipation
D) Dry mouth
Answer: B
Rationale: Hives and wheezing are classic signs of an allergic reaction; stop medication and notify
provider.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection. Which site is preferred for an adult?
A) Deltoid
B) Ventrogluteal
,C) Dorsogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: B
Rationale: Ventrogluteal is safe, with no major nerves or blood vessels.
4. A client with a new colostomy asks how to prevent skin irritation. Which instruction is correct?
A) Use alcohol to clean the skin
B) Cut the wafer to fit exactly around the stoma
C) Apply baby powder around the stoma
D) Change the pouch daily
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper fit prevents effluent from contacting the skin.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which finding indicates proper placement?
A) Client reports nausea
B) Aspiration of gastric contents with pH ≤5
C) Bubbling when end is placed in water
D) Tube marking at naris has changed
Answer: B
Rationale: pH testing is reliable for ongoing verification; X-ray is gold standard for initial placement.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the client avoid?
A) Fresh apple
B) Canned tomato soup
C) Grilled chicken
D) Brown rice
Answer: B
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium; fresh foods are lower.
2
,7. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which technique is required?
A) Clean technique
B) Sterile technique
C) Medical asepsis
D) No gloves needed
Answer: B
Rationale: Sterile technique prevents catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
8. A client falls while ambulating. What should the nurse do first?
A) Help the client back to bed
B) Assess the client for injury
C) Notify the provider
D) Complete an incident report
Answer: B
Rationale: Assess for injury before moving the client; then notify provider and document.
9. A nurse is documenting a client’s refusal of medication. Which entry is correct?
A) “Client uncooperative”
B) “Client refused furosemide 40 mg at 08:00, stating ‘I don’t need it.’ Provider notified.”
C) “Client refused – non-compliant”
D) “Client refused, no further action”
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective documentation includes the client’s exact words and provider notification.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which action is correct when
suctioning?
3
, A) Apply suction while inserting the catheter
B) Insert the catheter without suction, then apply suction during withdrawal
C) Suction for 20 seconds per pass
D) Suction every 15 minutes regardless of need
Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning on insertion damages mucosa; limit time to 10-15 seconds.
11. Which of the following is a therapeutic communication technique?
A) “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
B) “Tell me more about what you are feeling.”
C) “Why did you do that?”
D) “You should not feel that way.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage expression; avoid false reassurance and “why” questions.
12. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is essential?
A) Premedicate with acetaminophen
B) Verify client identity and blood product with another nurse
C) Warm blood in a microwave
D) Use a blood filter for all units
Answer: B
Rationale: Two-nurse verification prevents ABO incompatibility.
13. A nurse is caring for a client with a pressure injury. Which intervention promotes healing?
A) Keep wound dry
B) Reposition the client every 2 hours
C) Massage surrounding area
D) Use a donut-shaped cushion
4
2026/2027 (LATEST EDITION) | Complete Questions &
Verified Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A – Herzing
University LPN
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer nitroglycerin
B) Assess the character, location, and duration of the pain
C) Notify the provider
D) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process; gather data before intervening.
2. Which finding indicates a client is experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication?
A) Bradycardia
B) Urticaria and wheezing
C) Constipation
D) Dry mouth
Answer: B
Rationale: Hives and wheezing are classic signs of an allergic reaction; stop medication and notify
provider.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection. Which site is preferred for an adult?
A) Deltoid
B) Ventrogluteal
,C) Dorsogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
Answer: B
Rationale: Ventrogluteal is safe, with no major nerves or blood vessels.
4. A client with a new colostomy asks how to prevent skin irritation. Which instruction is correct?
A) Use alcohol to clean the skin
B) Cut the wafer to fit exactly around the stoma
C) Apply baby powder around the stoma
D) Change the pouch daily
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper fit prevents effluent from contacting the skin.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which finding indicates proper placement?
A) Client reports nausea
B) Aspiration of gastric contents with pH ≤5
C) Bubbling when end is placed in water
D) Tube marking at naris has changed
Answer: B
Rationale: pH testing is reliable for ongoing verification; X-ray is gold standard for initial placement.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the client avoid?
A) Fresh apple
B) Canned tomato soup
C) Grilled chicken
D) Brown rice
Answer: B
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium; fresh foods are lower.
2
,7. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which technique is required?
A) Clean technique
B) Sterile technique
C) Medical asepsis
D) No gloves needed
Answer: B
Rationale: Sterile technique prevents catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
8. A client falls while ambulating. What should the nurse do first?
A) Help the client back to bed
B) Assess the client for injury
C) Notify the provider
D) Complete an incident report
Answer: B
Rationale: Assess for injury before moving the client; then notify provider and document.
9. A nurse is documenting a client’s refusal of medication. Which entry is correct?
A) “Client uncooperative”
B) “Client refused furosemide 40 mg at 08:00, stating ‘I don’t need it.’ Provider notified.”
C) “Client refused – non-compliant”
D) “Client refused, no further action”
Answer: B
Rationale: Objective documentation includes the client’s exact words and provider notification.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which action is correct when
suctioning?
3
, A) Apply suction while inserting the catheter
B) Insert the catheter without suction, then apply suction during withdrawal
C) Suction for 20 seconds per pass
D) Suction every 15 minutes regardless of need
Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning on insertion damages mucosa; limit time to 10-15 seconds.
11. Which of the following is a therapeutic communication technique?
A) “Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
B) “Tell me more about what you are feeling.”
C) “Why did you do that?”
D) “You should not feel that way.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Open-ended questions encourage expression; avoid false reassurance and “why” questions.
12. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is essential?
A) Premedicate with acetaminophen
B) Verify client identity and blood product with another nurse
C) Warm blood in a microwave
D) Use a blood filter for all units
Answer: B
Rationale: Two-nurse verification prevents ABO incompatibility.
13. A nurse is caring for a client with a pressure injury. Which intervention promotes healing?
A) Keep wound dry
B) Reposition the client every 2 hours
C) Massage surrounding area
D) Use a donut-shaped cushion
4
