HESI Fundamentals Test Bank ( Updated 2025 )
1. A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings via a
small-bore tube and a continuous pump infusion. He reports that he had a
bad bout of severe coughing a few minutes ago, but feels fine now. What
action is best for the nurse to take?
A) Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this time.
B) Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and notify
the healthcare provider.
C) After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn
from the tube.
D) Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium for
gurgling.:
Answer:
C) After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from
the tube
Coughing, vomiting, and suctioning can precipitate displacement of the tip of the
small bore feeding tube upward into the esophagus, placing the client at increased
risk for aspiration. Checking the sample of fluid withdrawn from the tube (after
clearing the tube with 30 ml of air) for acidic (stomach) or alkaline (intestine)
values is a more sensitive method for these tubes, and the nurse should assess
tube placement in this way prior to taking any other action (C). (A and B) are
not indicated. The auscultating method (D) has been found to be unreliable for
small-bore feeding tubes.
2. A female client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states
that she is nauseated. The nurse assesses that there has been no drainage
through the nasogastric tube in the last two hours. What action should the
nurse take first?
A) Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B) Reposition the client on her side.
C) Advance the nasogastric tube an additional five centimeters.
D) Administer an intravenous antiemetic prescribed for PRN use.:
Answer:
B) Reposition the client on her side
The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is functioning correctly, which
would then relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive intervention, (B), should
be attempted first, followed by (A and C), unless either of these interventions is
contraindicated. If these measures are unsuccessful, the client may require an
antiemetic (D).
,3. The UAPs working on a chronic neuro unit ask the nurse to help them
determine the safest way to transfer an elderly client with left-sided weakness
from the bed to the chair. What method describes the correct transfer
procedure for this client?
A) Place the chair at a right angle to the bed on the client's left side before
moving.
B) Assist the client to a standing position, then place the right hand on the
armrest.
C) Have the client place the left foot next to the chair and pivot to the left
before sitting.
D) Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on
the right foot:
Answer:
D) Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on the
right foot
(D) uses the client's stronger side, the right side, for weight-bearing during the
transfer, and is the safest approach to take. (A, B, and C) are unsafe methods of
transfer and include the use of poor body mechanics by the caregiver.
4. When conducting an admission assessment, the nurse should ask the
client about the use of complimentary healing practices. Which statement is
accurate regarding the use of these practices?
A) Complimentary healing practices interfere with the efficacy of the medical
model of treatment.
B) Conventional medications are likely to interact with folk remedies and
cause adverse effects.
C) Many complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with
conventional practices.
D) Conventional medical practices will ultimately replace the use of
complimentary
healing practices.:
Answer:
C) Many complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with
conventional practices
Conventional approaches to health care can be depersonalizing and often fail
to take into consideration all aspects of an individual, including body, mind, and
spirit. Often complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with
conventional medical practices (C), rather than interfering (A) with conventional
practices, causing adverse effects (B), or replacing conventional medical care (D).
5. After completing an assessment and determining that a client has a
problem, which action should the nurse perform next?
A) Determine the etiology of the problem.
B) Prioritize nursing care interventions.
, C) Plan appropriate interventions.
D) Collaborate with the client to set goals.:
Answer:
A) Determine the etiology of the problem
Before planning care, the nurse should determine the etiology, or cause, of the
problem (A), because this will help determine (B, C, and D).
6. The nurse notices that the Hispanic parents of a toddler who returns from
surgery offer the child only the broth that comes on the clear liquid tray.
Other liquids, including gelatin, popsicles, and juices, remain untouched.
What explanation is most appropriate for this behavior?
A) The belief is held that the "evil eye" enters the child if anything cold is
ingested.
B) After surgery the child probably has refused all foods except broth.
C) Eating broth strengthens the child's innate energy called "chi."
D) Hot remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold"
condition.:
Answer:
D) Hot remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold"
condition
Common parental practices and health beliefs among Hispanic, Chinese, Filipino,
and Arab cultures classify diseases, areas of the body, and illnesses as "hot" or
"cold" and must be balanced to maintain health and prevent illness. The perception
that surgery is a "cold" condition implies that only "hot" remedies, such as soup,
should be used to restore the healthy balance within the body, so (D) is the correct
interpretation. (A, B, and C) are not correct interpretations of the noted behavior.
"Chi" is a Chinese belief that an innate energy enters and leaves the body via
certain locations and pathways and maintains health. The "evil eye," or "mal ojo,"
is believed by many cultures to be related to the balance of health and illness but
is unrelated to dietary practice.
7. Three days following surgery, a male client observes his colostomy for
the first time. He becomes quite upset and tells the nurse that it is much
bigger than he expected. What is the best response by the nurse?
A) Reassure the client that he will become accustomed to the stoma appearance
in time.
B) Instruct the client that the stoma will become smaller when the initial
swelling diminishes.
C) Offer to contact a member of the local ostomy support group to help him
with his concerns.
D) Encourage the client to handle the stoma equipment to gain confidence
with the procedure:
Answer:
1. A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings via a
small-bore tube and a continuous pump infusion. He reports that he had a
bad bout of severe coughing a few minutes ago, but feels fine now. What
action is best for the nurse to take?
A) Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this time.
B) Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and notify
the healthcare provider.
C) After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn
from the tube.
D) Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium for
gurgling.:
Answer:
C) After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from
the tube
Coughing, vomiting, and suctioning can precipitate displacement of the tip of the
small bore feeding tube upward into the esophagus, placing the client at increased
risk for aspiration. Checking the sample of fluid withdrawn from the tube (after
clearing the tube with 30 ml of air) for acidic (stomach) or alkaline (intestine)
values is a more sensitive method for these tubes, and the nurse should assess
tube placement in this way prior to taking any other action (C). (A and B) are
not indicated. The auscultating method (D) has been found to be unreliable for
small-bore feeding tubes.
2. A female client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states
that she is nauseated. The nurse assesses that there has been no drainage
through the nasogastric tube in the last two hours. What action should the
nurse take first?
A) Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B) Reposition the client on her side.
C) Advance the nasogastric tube an additional five centimeters.
D) Administer an intravenous antiemetic prescribed for PRN use.:
Answer:
B) Reposition the client on her side
The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is functioning correctly, which
would then relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive intervention, (B), should
be attempted first, followed by (A and C), unless either of these interventions is
contraindicated. If these measures are unsuccessful, the client may require an
antiemetic (D).
,3. The UAPs working on a chronic neuro unit ask the nurse to help them
determine the safest way to transfer an elderly client with left-sided weakness
from the bed to the chair. What method describes the correct transfer
procedure for this client?
A) Place the chair at a right angle to the bed on the client's left side before
moving.
B) Assist the client to a standing position, then place the right hand on the
armrest.
C) Have the client place the left foot next to the chair and pivot to the left
before sitting.
D) Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on
the right foot:
Answer:
D) Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on the
right foot
(D) uses the client's stronger side, the right side, for weight-bearing during the
transfer, and is the safest approach to take. (A, B, and C) are unsafe methods of
transfer and include the use of poor body mechanics by the caregiver.
4. When conducting an admission assessment, the nurse should ask the
client about the use of complimentary healing practices. Which statement is
accurate regarding the use of these practices?
A) Complimentary healing practices interfere with the efficacy of the medical
model of treatment.
B) Conventional medications are likely to interact with folk remedies and
cause adverse effects.
C) Many complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with
conventional practices.
D) Conventional medical practices will ultimately replace the use of
complimentary
healing practices.:
Answer:
C) Many complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with
conventional practices
Conventional approaches to health care can be depersonalizing and often fail
to take into consideration all aspects of an individual, including body, mind, and
spirit. Often complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with
conventional medical practices (C), rather than interfering (A) with conventional
practices, causing adverse effects (B), or replacing conventional medical care (D).
5. After completing an assessment and determining that a client has a
problem, which action should the nurse perform next?
A) Determine the etiology of the problem.
B) Prioritize nursing care interventions.
, C) Plan appropriate interventions.
D) Collaborate with the client to set goals.:
Answer:
A) Determine the etiology of the problem
Before planning care, the nurse should determine the etiology, or cause, of the
problem (A), because this will help determine (B, C, and D).
6. The nurse notices that the Hispanic parents of a toddler who returns from
surgery offer the child only the broth that comes on the clear liquid tray.
Other liquids, including gelatin, popsicles, and juices, remain untouched.
What explanation is most appropriate for this behavior?
A) The belief is held that the "evil eye" enters the child if anything cold is
ingested.
B) After surgery the child probably has refused all foods except broth.
C) Eating broth strengthens the child's innate energy called "chi."
D) Hot remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold"
condition.:
Answer:
D) Hot remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold"
condition
Common parental practices and health beliefs among Hispanic, Chinese, Filipino,
and Arab cultures classify diseases, areas of the body, and illnesses as "hot" or
"cold" and must be balanced to maintain health and prevent illness. The perception
that surgery is a "cold" condition implies that only "hot" remedies, such as soup,
should be used to restore the healthy balance within the body, so (D) is the correct
interpretation. (A, B, and C) are not correct interpretations of the noted behavior.
"Chi" is a Chinese belief that an innate energy enters and leaves the body via
certain locations and pathways and maintains health. The "evil eye," or "mal ojo,"
is believed by many cultures to be related to the balance of health and illness but
is unrelated to dietary practice.
7. Three days following surgery, a male client observes his colostomy for
the first time. He becomes quite upset and tells the nurse that it is much
bigger than he expected. What is the best response by the nurse?
A) Reassure the client that he will become accustomed to the stoma appearance
in time.
B) Instruct the client that the stoma will become smaller when the initial
swelling diminishes.
C) Offer to contact a member of the local ostomy support group to help him
with his concerns.
D) Encourage the client to handle the stoma equipment to gain confidence
with the procedure:
Answer:
