HESI Exit RN V4 | High Yield | Priority Nursing Interventions
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. I. Medical Surgical - Heart Failure Dyspnea Orthopnea PND Crackles Edema Weight Gain BNP Priority Daily Weights Same Time Same Scale Same
Clothes I&O Low Sodium 2 g Fluid Restriction Diuretics Furosemide Monitor Potassium Elevate Legs BNP EF ACE Beta Blocker, COPD Exacerbation
Bronchodilators Albuterol Ipratropium Steroids Prednisone Antibiotics Purulent Oxygen Target 88-92% Low Flow Prevent CO2 Retention Cough Deep
Breathing
2. II. Cardiac Emergency - STEMI Anterior Crushing Substernal Radiating Left Arm Diaphoresis Nausea ST Elevations V1-V4 Priority Aspirin 325 mg
Chewed Oxygen if Hypoxic NTG if No Contraindications Heparin Activate Cath Lab PCI 90 min Door to Balloon Troponin EKG Morphine, Stroke Sudden
Unilateral Weakness Facial Droop Aphasia Last Known Well 1 Hour Within Window Priority Activate Stroke Protocol CT Non-Contrast Rule Out
Hemorrhage NIHSS tPA Alteplase if Ischemic Within 4.5 Hours No Contraindications BP Management Swallow Screen
3. III. Endocrine Diabetes - DKA Polyuria Polydipsia Nausea Vomiting Abdominal Pain Kussmaul Breathing Glucose 450 pH 7.1 Bicarbonate 8 Ketones
Positive Priority IV Fluids NS 0.9% 1 L First Hour Insulin Infusion Regular 0.1 Units/kg/hr After Fluids Monitor Potassium Initially High Then Low Correct
Acidosis I&O, Hyperkalemia K 6.8 Peaked T Waves Priority Calcium Gluconate Chloride Stabilizes Cardiac Membrane Then Insulin Glucose Shifts K Into
Cells Kayexalate Dialysis Stop K Sources EKG, Hypoglycemia Glucose 45 <70 Diaphoresis Confusion Tachycardia Priority Conscious Oral Glucose 15 g
Juice Unconscious D50 IV Glucagon IM Recheck 15 min Rule of 15
4. IV. Pharmacology - Warfarin INR 4.5 Bleeding Gums High Supratherapeutic Priority Hold Warfarin Per Order Vitamin K Injection Assess Bleeding Diet
Drug Interactions PT INR Normal 0.8-1.2 Therapeutic 2-3 Afib DVT, Heparin aPTT Therapeutic 60-80, DVT Calf Pain Swelling Do Not Massage Do Not
Homan's Doppler Ultrasound Anticoagulation Heparin Warfarin DOAC Apixaban Elevation Compression Stockings Early Ambulation After Anticoagulation
5. V. Maternal Newborn - Postpartum Hemorrhage Boggy Uterus Heavy Bleeding Priority Fundal Massage Firm Oxytocin Pitocin Infusion Empty Bladder
Vitals Quantify Blood Loss Check Lacerations Retained Placenta Methylergonovine Misoprostol, Preeclampsia BP 150/95 Proteinuria Headache Visual
Changes Epigastric Pain Severe Features Priority Magnesium Sulfate Prevent Seizures Antihypertensive Labetalol Hydralazine Nifedipine if Severe
>160/110 Delivery Definitive Monitor Reflexes Respirations Urine Output Toxicity Calcium Gluconate Antidote, Newborn Respiratory Distress Cyanosis
Feeding Difficulty Assess Congenital Heart Disease Cyanotic vs Acyanotic Vitals Pulse Ox Pre Post Ductal Murmurs Pulses Capillary Refill
6. VI. Pediatrics - Dehydration Sunken Eyes Decreased Skin Turgor Dry Mucous Membranes Decreased Urine Output Tachycardia Hypotension Mild
3-5% Moderate 6-9% Severe >=10% Management ORS Mild Moderate IV Fluids NS LR Severe, Asthma Exacerbation Wheezing Dyspnea Decreased
Peak Flow First Line SABA Albuterol Nebulizer MDI Spacer Oxygen Steroids Prednisone if Moderate Severe Ipratropium Assess Peak Flow Trigger
Avoidance, Pneumonia Fever Productive Cough Crackles Infiltrate Priority Antibiotics Within 4-6 Hours Blood Cultures First Oxygen Hydration Cough
Deep Breathe Incentive Spirometry Fever Control
7. VII. Mental Health - Major Depressive Disorder Anhedonia Weight Loss Insomnia Suicidal Ideation With Plan Priority Safety 1:1 Observation Remove
Harmful Objects Safety Contract Not Reliable Assess Plan Means Intent SSRI Sertraline Black Box Warning Initial Weeks, Schizophrenia Hearing Voices
Paranoid Delusions Therapeutic Communication Do Not Argue Delusions Acknowledge Feelings Focus Reality Ask Voices Content Safety Assess
Suicidal Homicidal Ideation Medication Adherence Antipsychotic
8. VIII. Critical Care Emergency - Anaphylaxis Bee Sting Dyspnea Wheezing Hypotension Hives Priority Epinephrine 0.3-0.5 mg IM Anterolateral Thigh
Oxygen IV Fluids Antihistamine Diphenhydramine Corticosteroid Monitor Airway, Post-Op Day 1 Abdominal Surgery Decreased Urine Output
Hypotension Tachycardia Dry Mucous Membranes Hypovolemia Third Spacing Bleeding Priority IV Fluids Bolus NS LR I&O Vitals Assess Bleeding Labs
Hgb Hct Notify Provider, CKD Creatinine BUN High Hyperkalemia Edema Diet Low Protein 0.6-0.8 g/kg Low Sodium 2 g Low Potassium Low Phosphorus
Fluid Restriction Monitor I&O Daily Weights
9. IX. Practice Questions - Each Asked Like Real HESI Exit RN V4 Exam
10. X. Answer Key with Detailed Rationales
,HESI EXIT RN V4 - PRACTICE QUESTIONS - EACH QUESTION ASKED LIKE REAL EXAM
Based on HESI Exit RN V4 Blueprint - Medical Surgical Cardiac Endocrine Pharmacology Maternal Newborn Pediatrics Mental Health Critical Care Emergency Fundamentals. High Yield.
1. A client with preeclampsia blood pressure 150/95 proteinuria headache visual changes epigastric pain. What is priority?
A. Only delivery
B. No magnesium
C. Only fluids
D. Preeclampsia - BP 150/95 proteinuria headache visual changes epigastric pain - severe features - priority magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures, antihypertensive labetalol
hydralazine nifedipine if severe >160/110, delivery definitive, monitor reflexes respirations urine output toxicity calcium gluconate antidote
Answer: D
Rationale: Preeclampsia severe features BP 150/95 proteinuria headache visual changes epigastric pain priority magnesium sulfate prevent seizures antihypertensive
labetalol hydralazine nifedipine if severe >160/110 delivery definitive monitor reflexes respirations urine output toxicity calcium gluconate antidote.
2. A client with asthma exacerbation wheezing dyspnea decreased peak flow. What is first line treatment?
A. Only oxygen
B. No bronchodilator
C. Asthma exacerbation wheezing dyspnea decreased peak flow - first line SABA albuterol nebulizer MDI spacer, oxygen, steroids prednisone if moderate severe, ipratropium,
assess peak flow, trigger avoidance
D. Only steroids
Answer: C
Rationale: Asthma exacerbation wheezing dyspnea decreased peak flow first line SABA albuterol nebulizer MDI spacer oxygen steroids prednisone if moderate severe
ipratropium assess peak flow trigger avoidance.
3. A client with COPD exacerbation increased dyspnea, wheezing, increased sputum purulent, hypoxia. What is priority intervention?
A. Only antibiotics
B. No oxygen
C. High flow oxygen 100%
D. COPD exacerbation - priority bronchodilators albuterol ipratropium, steroids prednisone 40 mg, antibiotics if purulent, oxygen target 88-92% low flow to prevent CO2
retention, encourage coughing deep breathing
Answer: D
Rationale: COPD exacerbation bronchodilators albuterol ipratropium steroids prednisone antibiotics if purulent oxygen target 88-92% low flow prevent CO2 retention coughing
deep breathing.
4. A client with asthma exacerbation wheezing dyspnea decreased peak flow. What is first line treatment?
A. Only steroids
B. Asthma exacerbation wheezing dyspnea decreased peak flow - first line SABA albuterol nebulizer MDI spacer, oxygen, steroids prednisone if moderate severe, ipratropium,
assess peak flow, trigger avoidance
C. Only oxygen
D. No bronchodilator
Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma exacerbation wheezing dyspnea decreased peak flow first line SABA albuterol nebulizer MDI spacer oxygen steroids prednisone if moderate severe
ipratropium assess peak flow trigger avoidance.
5. A client with major depressive disorder anhedonia weight loss insomnia suicidal ideation with plan. What is priority nursing action?
A. Only reassure
B. No safety
C. MDD anhedonia weight loss insomnia suicidal ideation with plan - priority safety - 1:1 observation, remove harmful objects, safety contract no suicide contract not reliable,
assess plan means intent, SSRI sertraline but black box warning initial weeks
D. Leave alone
Answer: C
Rationale: MDD anhedonia weight loss insomnia suicidal ideation plan priority safety 1:1 observation remove harmful objects safety contract not reliable assess plan means
intent SSRI sertraline black box warning initial weeks.
6. A client with major depressive disorder anhedonia weight loss insomnia suicidal ideation with plan. What is priority nursing action?
A. No safety
B. Leave alone
C. MDD anhedonia weight loss insomnia suicidal ideation with plan - priority safety - 1:1 observation, remove harmful objects, safety contract no suicide contract not reliable,
assess plan means intent, SSRI sertraline but black box warning initial weeks
D. Only reassure
Answer: C
Rationale: MDD anhedonia weight loss insomnia suicidal ideation plan priority safety 1:1 observation remove harmful objects safety contract not reliable assess plan means
intent SSRI sertraline black box warning initial weeks.
7. A client on warfarin with INR 4.5, bleeding gums. What is priority action?
A. No action
B. Only fluids
C. Give vitamin K injection and hold warfarin per order, assess bleeding, check diet, drug interactions, PT INR
D. Give more warfarin
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin INR 4.5 bleeding gums high supratherapeutic priority hold warfarin per order vitamin K injection assess bleeding diet drug interactions PT INR normal
0.8-1.2 therapeutic 2-3 Afib DVT.
8. A client with postpartum hemorrhage boggy uterus, heavy bleeding. What is priority nursing intervention?
A. Only fluids
B. No massage
C. Postpartum hemorrhage boggy uterus - priority fundal massage firm, oxytocin Pitocin infusion, empty bladder, vital signs, quantify blood loss, check for lacerations retained
placenta, methylergonovine misoprostol if needed
,D. Only massage once
Answer: C
Rationale: PPH boggy uterus priority fundal massage firm oxytocin Pitocin infusion empty bladder vitals quantify blood loss check lacerations retained placenta
methylergonovine misoprostol if needed.
9. A client with hyperkalemia potassium 6.8 peaked T waves. What is priority treatment?
A. Hyperkalemia K 6.8 peaked T waves - priority calcium gluconate or calcium chloride stabilizes cardiac membrane, then insulin glucose shifts K into cells, kayexalate,
dialysis, stop K sources, EKG monitor
B. No treatment
C. Only fluids
D. Give potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia K 6.8 peaked T waves priority calcium gluconate chloride stabilizes cardiac membrane then insulin glucose shifts K into cells kayexalate dialysis stop
K sources EKG monitor.
10. A client with schizophrenia hearing voices, paranoid delusions. What is therapeutic communication?
A. Schizophrenia hearing voices paranoid delusions - therapeutic communication: do not argue delusions, acknowledge feelings, focus on reality, ask about voices content
safety, assess suicidal homicidal ideation, medication adherence antipsychotic
B. No communication
C. Argue with delusions
D. Reinforce delusions
Answer: A
Rationale: Schizophrenia hearing voices paranoid delusions therapeutic communication do not argue delusions acknowledge feelings focus reality ask voices content safety
assess suicidal homicidal ideation medication adherence antipsychotic.
11. A client with pneumonia fever productive cough crackles chest X-ray infiltrate. What is priority nursing intervention?
A. No antibiotics
B. Pneumonia fever productive cough crackles infiltrate - priority antibiotics within 4-6 hours blood cultures first, oxygen, hydration, cough deep breathe incentive spirometry,
fever control
C. Only rest
D. Only oxygen
Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumonia fever productive cough crackles infiltrate priority antibiotics within 4-6 hours blood cultures first oxygen hydration cough deep breathe incentive
spirometry fever control.
12. A client with schizophrenia hearing voices, paranoid delusions. What is therapeutic communication?
A. Argue with delusions
B. Schizophrenia hearing voices paranoid delusions - therapeutic communication: do not argue delusions, acknowledge feelings, focus on reality, ask about voices content
safety, assess suicidal homicidal ideation, medication adherence antipsychotic
C. Reinforce delusions
D. No communication
Answer: B
Rationale: Schizophrenia hearing voices paranoid delusions therapeutic communication do not argue delusions acknowledge feelings focus reality ask voices content safety
assess suicidal homicidal ideation medication adherence antipsychotic.
13. A client with chronic kidney disease creatinine high BUN high hyperkalemia edema. What is priority diet teaching?
A. High protein
B. No diet
C. High potassium diet
D. CKD creatinine BUN high hyperkalemia edema - priority diet low protein 0.6-0.8 g/kg, low sodium 2 g, low potassium, low phosphorus, fluid restriction, monitor I&O daily
weights
Answer: D
Rationale: CKD creatinine BUN high hyperkalemia edema diet low protein 0.6-0.8 g/kg low sodium 2 g low potassium low phosphorus fluid restriction monitor I&O daily
weights.
14. A client with postpartum hemorrhage boggy uterus, heavy bleeding. What is priority nursing intervention?
A. Postpartum hemorrhage boggy uterus - priority fundal massage firm, oxytocin Pitocin infusion, empty bladder, vital signs, quantify blood loss, check for lacerations retained
placenta, methylergonovine misoprostol if needed
B. Only massage once
C. Only fluids
D. No massage
Answer: A
Rationale: PPH boggy uterus priority fundal massage firm oxytocin Pitocin infusion empty bladder vitals quantify blood loss check lacerations retained placenta
methylergonovine misoprostol if needed.
15. A client with preeclampsia blood pressure 150/95 proteinuria headache visual changes epigastric pain. What is priority?
A. No magnesium
B. Preeclampsia - BP 150/95 proteinuria headache visual changes epigastric pain - severe features - priority magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures, antihypertensive labetalol
hydralazine nifedipine if severe >160/110, delivery definitive, monitor reflexes respirations urine output toxicity calcium gluconate antidote
C. Only delivery
D. Only fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Preeclampsia severe features BP 150/95 proteinuria headache visual changes epigastric pain priority magnesium sulfate prevent seizures antihypertensive
labetalol hydralazine nifedipine if severe >160/110 delivery definitive monitor reflexes respirations urine output toxicity calcium gluconate antidote.
16. A client with deep vein thrombosis calf pain swelling positive Homan's? Actually Homan's not reliable. What is management?
A. DVT calf pain swelling - do not massage, do not do Homan's, Doppler ultrasound, anticoagulation heparin warfarin DOAC apixaban, elevation, compression stockings later,
early ambulation after anticoagulation
, B. No anticoagulation
C. Massage calf
D. Only rest
Answer: A
Rationale: DVT calf pain swelling do not massage do not Homan's Doppler ultrasound anticoagulation heparin warfarin DOAC apixaban elevation compression stockings later
early ambulation after anticoagulation.
17. A client with chest pain crushing substernal radiating left arm diaphoresis nausea ST elevations V1-V4. What is priority action?
A. Only reassure
B. No aspirin
C. Give antacid
D. STEMI anterior - priority aspirin 325 mg chewed, oxygen if hypoxic, nitroglycerin if no contraindications hypotension Viagra, heparin, activate cath lab PCI within 90 min door
to balloon, troponin, EKG, morphine if pain
Answer: D
Rationale: STEMI anterior crushing substernal radiating left arm diaphoresis nausea ST elevations V1-V4 priority aspirin 325 mg chewed oxygen if hypoxic NTG if no
contraindications heparin activate cath lab PCI 90 min troponin EKG morphine if pain.
18. A client on warfarin with INR 4.5, bleeding gums. What is priority action?
A. Give vitamin K injection and hold warfarin per order, assess bleeding, check diet, drug interactions, PT INR
B. No action
C. Only fluids
D. Give more warfarin
Answer: A
Rationale: Warfarin INR 4.5 bleeding gums high supratherapeutic priority hold warfarin per order vitamin K injection assess bleeding diet drug interactions PT INR normal
0.8-1.2 therapeutic 2-3 Afib DVT.
19. A client with hyperkalemia potassium 6.8 peaked T waves. What is priority treatment?
A. Only fluids
B. Give potassium
C. No treatment
D. Hyperkalemia K 6.8 peaked T waves - priority calcium gluconate or calcium chloride stabilizes cardiac membrane, then insulin glucose shifts K into cells, kayexalate,
dialysis, stop K sources, EKG monitor
Answer: D
Rationale: Hyperkalemia K 6.8 peaked T waves priority calcium gluconate chloride stabilizes cardiac membrane then insulin glucose shifts K into cells kayexalate dialysis stop
K sources EKG monitor.
20. A client with pneumonia fever productive cough crackles chest X-ray infiltrate. What is priority nursing intervention?
A. Only oxygen
B. Pneumonia fever productive cough crackles infiltrate - priority antibiotics within 4-6 hours blood cultures first, oxygen, hydration, cough deep breathe incentive spirometry,
fever control
C. Only rest
D. No antibiotics
Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumonia fever productive cough crackles infiltrate priority antibiotics within 4-6 hours blood cultures first oxygen hydration cough deep breathe incentive
spirometry fever control.
21. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis polyuria polydipsia nausea vomiting abdominal pain Kussmaul breathing glucose 450 pH 7.1 bicarbonate 8 ketones
positive. What is priority nursing action?
A. Only oral meds
B. No fluids
C. Give bicarbonate
D. DKA priority IV fluids NS 0.9% 1 L first hour, insulin infusion regular insulin 0.1 units/kg/hr after fluids, monitor potassium initially high then low, correct acidosis, monitor
glucose electrolytes I&O
Answer: D
Rationale: DKA priority IV fluids NS 0.9% 1 L first hour insulin infusion regular 0.1 units/kg/hr after fluids monitor potassium initially high then low correct acidosis monitor
glucose electrolytes I&O.
22. A client with chest pain crushing substernal radiating left arm diaphoresis nausea ST elevations V1-V4. What is priority action?
A. No aspirin
B. STEMI anterior - priority aspirin 325 mg chewed, oxygen if hypoxic, nitroglycerin if no contraindications hypotension Viagra, heparin, activate cath lab PCI within 90 min door
to balloon, troponin, EKG, morphine if pain
C. Only reassure
D. Give antacid
Answer: B
Rationale: STEMI anterior crushing substernal radiating left arm diaphoresis nausea ST elevations V1-V4 priority aspirin 325 mg chewed oxygen if hypoxic NTG if no
contraindications heparin activate cath lab PCI 90 min troponin EKG morphine if pain.
23. A client with chest pain crushing substernal radiating left arm diaphoresis nausea ST elevations V1-V4. What is priority action?
A. STEMI anterior - priority aspirin 325 mg chewed, oxygen if hypoxic, nitroglycerin if no contraindications hypotension Viagra, heparin, activate cath lab PCI within 90 min door
to balloon, troponin, EKG, morphine if pain
B. No aspirin
C. Give antacid
D. Only reassure
Answer: A
Rationale: STEMI anterior crushing substernal radiating left arm diaphoresis nausea ST elevations V1-V4 priority aspirin 325 mg chewed oxygen if hypoxic NTG if no
contraindications heparin activate cath lab PCI 90 min troponin EKG morphine if pain.
24. A client with asthma exacerbation wheezing dyspnea decreased peak flow. What is first line treatment?