EXIT HESI -PN Exam A PRACTICE Test Questions
And Answers Verified 100% Correct
A client with small cell carcinoma of the lung has also developed syndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which outcome finding is the priority for
this client?
A.Reduced peripheral edema
B.Urinary output of at least 70 mL/hr
C.Decrease in urine osmolarity
D.Serum sodium level of 137 mEq/L - ANSWER D
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) results from an abnormal
production or sustained secretion of antidiuretic hormone, causing fluid retention,
hyponatremia, and central nervous system (CNS) fluid shifts. The client's normalization
of the serum sodium level (normal is 135 to 145 mEq/L) (D) is the most important
outcome because sudden and severe hyponatremia caused by fluid overload can result
in heart failure. Fluid retention of SIADH contributes to daily weight gain, which can
predispose to peripheral edema (A), but the higher priority outcome is the effect on
serum electrolyte levels. Although (B and C) are findings associated with resolving
SIADH, they do not have the priority of (D).
Two days after swallowing 30 tablets of alprazolam (Xanax), a client with a history of
depression is hemodynamically stable but wants to leave the hospital against medical
advice. Which nursing action(s) is(are) most likely to maintain client safety? (Select
all that apply.)
A.Direct the client to sign a liability release form.
B.Restrict the client's ability to leave the unit.
C.Explain the benefits of remaining in the hospital.
D.Instruct the client to take medications as prescribed.
E.Provide the client with names of local support groups.
F.Notify the health care provider of the client's intention. - ANSWER CDF
Correct responses are (C, D, and F). To maintain safety and to provide information, the
nurse should explain the potential benefits of continuing treatment in the hospital (C)
and the need to take prescribed medications (D). This client, who is very likely
selfdestructive, should remain on the unit and the health care provider should be
notified (F). Signing a release form (A) before leaving the hospital does not contribute to
safety. The nurse may ask the client not to leave the hospital (B), but pressuring clients
is unethical behavior. (E) may be helpful at a later time in this client's treatment
program.
,Which assessment finding indicates that nystatin (Mycostatin) swish and swallow,
prescribed for a client with oral candidiasis, has been effective?
A.The client denies dysphagia.
B.The client is afebrile with warm and dry skin.
C.The oral mucosa is pink and intact.
D.There is no reflux following food intake. - ANSWER C
Mycostatin swish and swallow is prescribed for its local effect on the oral mucosa,
reducing the white curdlike lesions in the mouth and larynx (C). The ability to swallow
(A) does not indicate that the medication has been effective. (B and D) do not reflect
effectiveness of the local medication.
Because of census overload, the charge nurse of an acute care medical unit must select
a client who can be transferred back to a residential facility. The client with which
symptomology is the most stable?
A.A stage 3 sacral pressure ulcer, with colonized methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA)
B.Pneumonia, with a sputum culture of gram-negative bacteria
C.Urinary tract infection, with positive blood cultures
D.Culture of a diabetic foot ulcer shows gram-positive cocci - ANSWER A
The client with colonized MRSA (A) is the most stable client, because colonization does
not cause symptomatic disease. The gram-negative organisms causing pneumonia are
typically resistant to drug therapy (B), which makes recovery very difficult. Positive blood
cultures (C) indicate a systemic infection. Poor circulation places the diabetic with an
infected ulcer (D) at high risk for poor healing and bone infection.
An older client who resides in a long-term care facility is hearing-impaired. How should
the nurse modify interventions for this client?
A.Turn off the client's television and speak very loudly.
B.Communicate in writing whenever it is possible.
C.Speak very slowly while exaggerating each word.
D.Face the client and speak in a normal tone of voice. - ANSWER D A hearing-
impaired client frequently relies on lip reading and body language to determine what is
being said, so (D) should be implemented. (A and C) may distort the sounds and facial
expressions, which alters the client's ability to interpret the verbal message.
Communicating in writing is another option that could be used if verbal or body
language is ineffective (B).
The nurse is teaching the parents of a 10-year-old child with rheumatoid arthritis
measures to help reduce the pain associated with the disease. Which instruction should
the nurse provide to these parents?
,A.Administer a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) to the child prior to getting
the child out of bed in the morning.
B.Apply ice packs to edematous or tender joints to reduce pain and swelling.
C.Warm the child with an electric blanket prior to getting the child out of bed.
D.Immobilize swollen joints during acute exacerbations until function returns. -
ANSWER C
Early morning stiffness and pain are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Warming the child (C) in the morning helps reduce these symptoms. Although moist
heat is best, an electric blanket could also be used to help relieve early morning
discomfort. (A) on an empty stomach is likely to cause gastric discomfort. Warm (not
cold) packs or baths are used to minimize joint inflammation and stiffness (B). (D) is
contraindicated, because joints should be exercised, not immobilized.
The health care provider prescribes 1000 mL of Ringer's lactate solution with 30 units of
oxytocin (Pitocin) to infuse over 4 hours for a client who has just delivered a 10-lb infant
by cesarean section. The tubing has been changed to a 20 gtt/mL administration set.
The nurse should set the flow rate at how many gtt/min?
A.42
B.83
C.125
D.250 - ANSWER B
Use the following calculation (B):
20 gtt/mL × (1000 mL/4 hr) × (1 hr/60 min) = 83 gtt/min
The RN is caring for a client who is in skeletal traction. Which activity should the RN
assign to the PN?
A.Assess skeletal pins for infection.
B.Assist the client with toileting.
C.Establish thrombus prevention care.
D.Evaluate pain management plan. - ANSWER B
The PN can implement nursing care, such as (B). The PN assists the RN in the
development of a teaching plan and reinforces information to the client according to the
plan. (A, C, and D) are outside the scope of PN practice, but the PN can assist the RN
in gathering data, implementing nursing care, and contributing to the plan of care under
the supervision of the RN.
In conducting a routine assessment, which question should the nurse ask to determine
a client's risk for open-angle glaucoma?
A."Have you ever been told that you have hardening of the arteries?"
B."Do you frequently experience eye pain?"
, C."Do you have high blood pressure or kidney problems?"
D."Does anyone in your family have glaucoma?" - ANSWER D
Glaucoma has a definite genetic link, so clients should be screened for a positive family
history, especially an immediate family member (D). (A and C) are not related to
glaucoma. Glaucoma rarely causes pain (B), which is why screening is so important.
Which question is most relevant to ask the parents when obtaining the history of a 2-
year-old child recently diagnosed with osteomyelitis?
A."Has your child had an ear infection recently?"
B."Does your child seem resistant to toilet training?"
C."Is your child a picky eater?"
D."Do you have a family history of bone disorders?" - ANSWER A
Osteomyelitis can be caused by internal infections, such as otitis media (A). (B and C)
are normal developmental findings for a 2-year-old. Osteomyelitis is caused by a
bacterial infection, so (D) is not relevant.
A client with hemiplegia who is on bed rest is turned to the supine position, and the
nurse determines that the client's hips are externally rotated. Which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A.Request a prescription for a bed board to provide increased back support.
B.Reposition the client so that both feet are supported by the bed board.
C.Move the trapeze bar to allow the client to pull with the upper extremities.
D.Place trochanter rolls on the lateral aspects of the client's thighs. - ANSWER D
Trochanter rolls (D) should be placed on the lateral aspects of the thighs to prevent
external rotation of the hips when the client is in a supine position. Although (A, B, and
C) are supportive equipment used to maintain proper positioning of the client who is
immobile, it is most important to maintain the lower extremities in the aligned anatomical
position. A bed board (A) provides increased back support, especially with a soft
mattress. The footboard (B) maintains the feet in dorsiflexion and prevents foot drop.
The trapeze bar (C) allows the client to participate while turning in the bed, during
transfers in and out of bed, or performing upper arm exercises.
The nurse is assisting a father to change the diaper of his 2-day-old infant. The father
notices several bluish-black pigmented areas on the infant's buttocks and asks the
nurse, "What did you do to my baby?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
A."What makes you think we did anything to your baby?"
B."Are you or any of your blood relatives of Asian descent?"
C."Those are stork bites and will go away in about 2 years."
D."Those are Mongolian spots and will gradually fade in 1 or 2 years." - ANSWER D
Mongolian spots (D) are areas of bluish-black or gray-blue pigmentation seen primarily
on the dorsal area and buttocks of infants of Asian or African decent or dark-skinned
And Answers Verified 100% Correct
A client with small cell carcinoma of the lung has also developed syndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which outcome finding is the priority for
this client?
A.Reduced peripheral edema
B.Urinary output of at least 70 mL/hr
C.Decrease in urine osmolarity
D.Serum sodium level of 137 mEq/L - ANSWER D
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) results from an abnormal
production or sustained secretion of antidiuretic hormone, causing fluid retention,
hyponatremia, and central nervous system (CNS) fluid shifts. The client's normalization
of the serum sodium level (normal is 135 to 145 mEq/L) (D) is the most important
outcome because sudden and severe hyponatremia caused by fluid overload can result
in heart failure. Fluid retention of SIADH contributes to daily weight gain, which can
predispose to peripheral edema (A), but the higher priority outcome is the effect on
serum electrolyte levels. Although (B and C) are findings associated with resolving
SIADH, they do not have the priority of (D).
Two days after swallowing 30 tablets of alprazolam (Xanax), a client with a history of
depression is hemodynamically stable but wants to leave the hospital against medical
advice. Which nursing action(s) is(are) most likely to maintain client safety? (Select
all that apply.)
A.Direct the client to sign a liability release form.
B.Restrict the client's ability to leave the unit.
C.Explain the benefits of remaining in the hospital.
D.Instruct the client to take medications as prescribed.
E.Provide the client with names of local support groups.
F.Notify the health care provider of the client's intention. - ANSWER CDF
Correct responses are (C, D, and F). To maintain safety and to provide information, the
nurse should explain the potential benefits of continuing treatment in the hospital (C)
and the need to take prescribed medications (D). This client, who is very likely
selfdestructive, should remain on the unit and the health care provider should be
notified (F). Signing a release form (A) before leaving the hospital does not contribute to
safety. The nurse may ask the client not to leave the hospital (B), but pressuring clients
is unethical behavior. (E) may be helpful at a later time in this client's treatment
program.
,Which assessment finding indicates that nystatin (Mycostatin) swish and swallow,
prescribed for a client with oral candidiasis, has been effective?
A.The client denies dysphagia.
B.The client is afebrile with warm and dry skin.
C.The oral mucosa is pink and intact.
D.There is no reflux following food intake. - ANSWER C
Mycostatin swish and swallow is prescribed for its local effect on the oral mucosa,
reducing the white curdlike lesions in the mouth and larynx (C). The ability to swallow
(A) does not indicate that the medication has been effective. (B and D) do not reflect
effectiveness of the local medication.
Because of census overload, the charge nurse of an acute care medical unit must select
a client who can be transferred back to a residential facility. The client with which
symptomology is the most stable?
A.A stage 3 sacral pressure ulcer, with colonized methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA)
B.Pneumonia, with a sputum culture of gram-negative bacteria
C.Urinary tract infection, with positive blood cultures
D.Culture of a diabetic foot ulcer shows gram-positive cocci - ANSWER A
The client with colonized MRSA (A) is the most stable client, because colonization does
not cause symptomatic disease. The gram-negative organisms causing pneumonia are
typically resistant to drug therapy (B), which makes recovery very difficult. Positive blood
cultures (C) indicate a systemic infection. Poor circulation places the diabetic with an
infected ulcer (D) at high risk for poor healing and bone infection.
An older client who resides in a long-term care facility is hearing-impaired. How should
the nurse modify interventions for this client?
A.Turn off the client's television and speak very loudly.
B.Communicate in writing whenever it is possible.
C.Speak very slowly while exaggerating each word.
D.Face the client and speak in a normal tone of voice. - ANSWER D A hearing-
impaired client frequently relies on lip reading and body language to determine what is
being said, so (D) should be implemented. (A and C) may distort the sounds and facial
expressions, which alters the client's ability to interpret the verbal message.
Communicating in writing is another option that could be used if verbal or body
language is ineffective (B).
The nurse is teaching the parents of a 10-year-old child with rheumatoid arthritis
measures to help reduce the pain associated with the disease. Which instruction should
the nurse provide to these parents?
,A.Administer a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) to the child prior to getting
the child out of bed in the morning.
B.Apply ice packs to edematous or tender joints to reduce pain and swelling.
C.Warm the child with an electric blanket prior to getting the child out of bed.
D.Immobilize swollen joints during acute exacerbations until function returns. -
ANSWER C
Early morning stiffness and pain are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Warming the child (C) in the morning helps reduce these symptoms. Although moist
heat is best, an electric blanket could also be used to help relieve early morning
discomfort. (A) on an empty stomach is likely to cause gastric discomfort. Warm (not
cold) packs or baths are used to minimize joint inflammation and stiffness (B). (D) is
contraindicated, because joints should be exercised, not immobilized.
The health care provider prescribes 1000 mL of Ringer's lactate solution with 30 units of
oxytocin (Pitocin) to infuse over 4 hours for a client who has just delivered a 10-lb infant
by cesarean section. The tubing has been changed to a 20 gtt/mL administration set.
The nurse should set the flow rate at how many gtt/min?
A.42
B.83
C.125
D.250 - ANSWER B
Use the following calculation (B):
20 gtt/mL × (1000 mL/4 hr) × (1 hr/60 min) = 83 gtt/min
The RN is caring for a client who is in skeletal traction. Which activity should the RN
assign to the PN?
A.Assess skeletal pins for infection.
B.Assist the client with toileting.
C.Establish thrombus prevention care.
D.Evaluate pain management plan. - ANSWER B
The PN can implement nursing care, such as (B). The PN assists the RN in the
development of a teaching plan and reinforces information to the client according to the
plan. (A, C, and D) are outside the scope of PN practice, but the PN can assist the RN
in gathering data, implementing nursing care, and contributing to the plan of care under
the supervision of the RN.
In conducting a routine assessment, which question should the nurse ask to determine
a client's risk for open-angle glaucoma?
A."Have you ever been told that you have hardening of the arteries?"
B."Do you frequently experience eye pain?"
, C."Do you have high blood pressure or kidney problems?"
D."Does anyone in your family have glaucoma?" - ANSWER D
Glaucoma has a definite genetic link, so clients should be screened for a positive family
history, especially an immediate family member (D). (A and C) are not related to
glaucoma. Glaucoma rarely causes pain (B), which is why screening is so important.
Which question is most relevant to ask the parents when obtaining the history of a 2-
year-old child recently diagnosed with osteomyelitis?
A."Has your child had an ear infection recently?"
B."Does your child seem resistant to toilet training?"
C."Is your child a picky eater?"
D."Do you have a family history of bone disorders?" - ANSWER A
Osteomyelitis can be caused by internal infections, such as otitis media (A). (B and C)
are normal developmental findings for a 2-year-old. Osteomyelitis is caused by a
bacterial infection, so (D) is not relevant.
A client with hemiplegia who is on bed rest is turned to the supine position, and the
nurse determines that the client's hips are externally rotated. Which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A.Request a prescription for a bed board to provide increased back support.
B.Reposition the client so that both feet are supported by the bed board.
C.Move the trapeze bar to allow the client to pull with the upper extremities.
D.Place trochanter rolls on the lateral aspects of the client's thighs. - ANSWER D
Trochanter rolls (D) should be placed on the lateral aspects of the thighs to prevent
external rotation of the hips when the client is in a supine position. Although (A, B, and
C) are supportive equipment used to maintain proper positioning of the client who is
immobile, it is most important to maintain the lower extremities in the aligned anatomical
position. A bed board (A) provides increased back support, especially with a soft
mattress. The footboard (B) maintains the feet in dorsiflexion and prevents foot drop.
The trapeze bar (C) allows the client to participate while turning in the bed, during
transfers in and out of bed, or performing upper arm exercises.
The nurse is assisting a father to change the diaper of his 2-day-old infant. The father
notices several bluish-black pigmented areas on the infant's buttocks and asks the
nurse, "What did you do to my baby?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
A."What makes you think we did anything to your baby?"
B."Are you or any of your blood relatives of Asian descent?"
C."Those are stork bites and will go away in about 2 years."
D."Those are Mongolian spots and will gradually fade in 1 or 2 years." - ANSWER D
Mongolian spots (D) are areas of bluish-black or gray-blue pigmentation seen primarily
on the dorsal area and buttocks of infants of Asian or African decent or dark-skinned
