PN Exit HESI Exam Questions and Correct Answers | Practical Nursing Exit Exam 2026–2027

PN Exit HESI Exam Questions and
Correct Answers | Practical Nursing Exit
Exam 2026–2027
PN EXIT HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | 2026–2027



OVERVIEW

• This comprehensive 200-question study guide mirrors the actual PN Exit HESI
exam format, featuring clinically relevant scenarios and evidence-based questions
across all major nursing domains to build confidence and knowledge retention.

• Study this material by reviewing each question carefully, attempting to answer
before checking the correct answer, and focusing deeply on rationales to
understand the clinical reasoning behind each correct response.




QUESTIONS 1–25: NURSING FUNDAMENTALS & PATIENT SAFETY



QUESTION 1

A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. Which action is
most important to ensure patient safety?

A) Administering the medication quickly to save time

B) Verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers

C) Asking the patient if they remember the medication name

D) Checking the medication expiration date only when opening a new bottle

E) Having another nurse watch while you administer the medication

CORRECT ANSWER: B) Verifying the patient's identity using two identifiers

RATIONALE: The use of two patient identifiers (such as name and date of birth or
medical record number) is a critical patient safety standard established by The Joint

,Commission to prevent medication errors and wrong-patient incidents. This is a
fundamental step in the medication administration process that must occur before
giving any medication. While checking expiration dates and working efficiently are
important, they do not take priority over positive patient identification. The other
options do not represent best practice safety protocols.



QUESTION 2

A nurse observes a patient displaying signs of a pressure injury at stage 2.
Which finding is consistent with this stage?

A) A deep crater with undermining tissue

B) Partial-thickness loss of skin with a red or pink wound bed

C) Full-thickness skin loss with exposed subcutaneous tissue

D) Intact skin with non-blanching erythema

E) A black, necrotic eschar covering the wound

CORRECT ANSWER: B) Partial-thickness loss of skin with a red or pink wound
bed

RATIONALE: Stage 2 pressure injuries are characterized by partial-thickness skin
loss involving the epidermis and dermis. The wound bed typically appears red or
pink and may present as an abrasion, blister, or shallow crater. Stage 1 presents as
non-blanching erythema on intact skin. Stage 3 involves full-thickness skin loss.
Stage 4 includes exposed bone, tendon, or muscle. This classification is essential for
appropriate wound management and documentation.



QUESTION 3

When performing hand hygiene, the nurse uses alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Under which condition is this method NOT appropriate?

A) Before taking a patient's blood pressure

,B) After touching bodily fluids of a patient with suspected Clostridioides difficile
infection

C) Before preparing medications

D) After removing gloves

E) Before eating in the break room

CORRECT ANSWER: B) After touching bodily fluids of a patient with suspected
Clostridioides difficile infection

RATIONALE: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against Clostridioides
difficile spores, which require soap and water for removal. In cases of known or
suspected C. difficile infection, the nurse must use soap and running water to
mechanically remove spores. Alcohol-based sanitizers are appropriate for routine
hand hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled and in all other listed scenarios.
This is a critical infection control principle.



QUESTION 4

A nurse is caring for a patient who is on contact precautions. Which action
should the nurse take?

A) Wear a surgical mask during all patient interactions

B) Use gloves and a gown for all patient care activities and direct contact

C) Place the patient in a negative pressure isolation room

D) Require all visitors to wear full protective equipment including a respirator

E) Restrict all visitors from entering the patient's room

CORRECT ANSWER: B) Use gloves and a gown for all patient care activities and
direct contact

RATIONALE: Contact precautions require the use of gloves and gowns for all
interactions involving direct patient contact or contact with contaminated
equipment or surfaces. A private room is preferred but not always required; a semi-
private room with appropriate cohorting is acceptable. Negative pressure isolation

, is used for airborne precautions, not contact precautions. Surgical masks and
respirators are not required for contact precautions unless the patient also
requires droplet or airborne precautions.



QUESTION 5

A patient receiving intravenous therapy develops phlebitis. Which assessment
finding is most consistent with this complication?

A) Pale, cool skin around the insertion site

B) Redness, warmth, swelling, and pain along the vein

C) Absence of blood return when applying negative pressure to the IV catheter

D) Puffiness and coolness in the limb distal to the IV site

E) A hard, cordlike vein that is painless to palpation

CORRECT ANSWER: B) Redness, warmth, swelling, and pain along the vein

RATIONALE: Phlebitis presents with classical signs of inflammation: redness,
warmth, swelling, and pain along the vein tract. The risk increases with duration of
catheterization, improper insertion technique, or use of irritating medications. Pale,
cool skin suggests venous obstruction or infiltration. Absence of blood return
suggests catheter malposition. A hard, cordlike vein indicates thrombophlebitis.
Immediate action includes removing the IV and reporting to the healthcare
provider.



QUESTION 6

When caring for a patient with a urinary catheter, which nursing action best
prevents catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?

A) Irrigating the catheter every 4 hours with normal saline

B) Keeping the drainage bag at the level of the patient's heart

C) Cleansing the perineal area around the catheter daily with soap and water