1
HESI CAT Exit Exam – Computerized
Adaptive Testing with Latest 2025
Questions
Fundamentals of Nursing (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation using a cane. Which instruction is most
appropriate?
A. Hold the cane on the weaker side
B. Hold the cane on the stronger side
C. Lean heavily on the cane
D. Move the cane after stepping with both legs
Answer: B. Hold the cane on the stronger side
Rationale: Holding the cane on the stronger side supports the weaker leg, enhancing
stability. Holding it on the weaker side, leaning heavily, or moving it after both legs
reduces balance and increases fall risk.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about preventing pressure injuries. What is the priority
instruction?
A. Stay in one position for comfort
B. Change position every 2 hours
C. Apply heat to bony prominences
D. Avoid moisturizing the skin
Answer: B. Change position every 2 hours
Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours reduces pressure on bony areas, preventing
injuries. Static positioning, heat application, or avoiding moisturizer increases risk.
3. Select All That Apply: Which actions should the nurse take when performing hand
hygiene?
A. Use soap and water for at least 15 seconds
B. Rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds
C. Dry hands with a clean towel
D. Use alcohol-based sanitizer if hands are soiled
E. Rinse hands under running water
Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Vigorous rubbing for 20 seconds, drying with a clean towel, and rinsing under
water ensure effective hand hygiene. Soap and water require 40–60 seconds, and alcohol-
based sanitizers are ineffective on soiled hands.
4. A nurse is assisting a client with a bed bath. Which action ensures client safety?
A. Leave the side rails down
B. Raise the bed to the nurse’s waist level
C. Use cold water for washing
, 2
D. Cover the client with a towel after bathing
Answer: B. Raise the bed to the nurse’s waist level
Rationale: Raising the bed prevents nurse back strain and ensures safe positioning.
Lowered side rails risk falls, cold water is uncomfortable, and covering after bathing is
secondary to safety.
5. A client reports pain at an IV insertion site. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Continue the infusion
B. Assess the site for redness or swelling
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Apply a warm compress
Answer: B. Assess the site for redness or swelling
Rationale: Pain at the IV site may indicate infiltration or phlebitis; assessment guides
intervention. Continuing or increasing the infusion risks harm, and warm compresses are
not the priority.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which site is most
appropriate for an adult client?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Rectus femoris
Answer: B. Vastus lateralis
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is preferred for IM injections in adults due to its large
muscle mass and low risk of nerve injury. Deltoid is suitable for smaller volumes,
dorsogluteal risks sciatic nerve damage, and rectus femoris is less commonly used.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about using a walker. Which instruction is correct?
A. Move the walker and weaker leg together
B. Hold the walker with one hand
C. Lean heavily on the walker
D. Use the walker without rubber tips
Answer: A. Move the walker and weaker leg together
Rationale: Moving the walker with the weaker leg ensures stability. One-handed use,
leaning heavily, or missing rubber tips increases fall risk.
8. Select All That Apply: Which measures prevent catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTIs)?
A. Secure the catheter to prevent pulling
B. Clean the insertion site daily
C. Reuse the drainage bag
D. Maintain a closed drainage system
E. Restrict fluid intake
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Securing the catheter, daily cleaning, and maintaining a closed system reduce
CAUTI risk. Reusing drainage bags or restricting fluids increases infection risk.
9. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused client. What is the priority action?
A. Tie restraints tightly to the bed frame
B. Check circulation every 2 hours
C. Obtain a provider’s order
, 3
D. Use a quick-release knot
Answer: C. Obtain a provider’s order
Rationale: A provider’s order is required for restraints to ensure legal and ethical use.
Tight knots, delayed circulation checks, or quick-release knots are secondary to obtaining
an order.
10. A client is at risk for falls. Which intervention is most effective?
A. Use dim lighting at night
B. Install handrails in the bathroom
C. Keep walkways cluttered
D. Encourage loose-fitting shoes
Answer: B. Install handrails in the bathroom
Rationale: Handrails provide support in high-risk areas, reducing fall risk. Dim lighting,
clutter, or loose shoes increase danger.
11. A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate?
A. Assessing a client’s pain level
B. Administering oral medications
C. Taking vital signs
D. Developing a care plan
Answer: C. Taking vital signs
Rationale: Taking vital signs is within the UAP’s scope. Assessing pain, administering
medications, and care planning require a nurse’s judgment.
12. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which action prevents
complications?
A. Secure the tube to the client’s gown
B. Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
C. Position the client flat
D. Check placement monthly
Answer: A. Secure the tube to the client’s gown
Rationale: Securing the tube prevents dislodgement. Flushing with 100 mL risks
aspiration, flat positioning increases reflux, and placement checks are needed before each
use.
13. A nurse is teaching a client about proper body mechanics. Which instruction is
correct?
A. Bend at the waist to lift objects
B. Keep objects close to the body when lifting
C. Lift with the arms only
D. Stand far from the object being lifted
Answer: B. Keep objects close to the body when lifting
Rationale: Keeping objects close reduces back strain. Bending at the waist, using only
arms, or standing far increases injury risk.
14. A client with a new colostomy asks about pouch care. What should the nurse teach?
A. Change the pouch monthly
B. Empty the pouch when one-third full
C. Avoid cleaning the stoma
D. Restrict fluid intake
HESI CAT Exit Exam – Computerized
Adaptive Testing with Latest 2025
Questions
Fundamentals of Nursing (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation using a cane. Which instruction is most
appropriate?
A. Hold the cane on the weaker side
B. Hold the cane on the stronger side
C. Lean heavily on the cane
D. Move the cane after stepping with both legs
Answer: B. Hold the cane on the stronger side
Rationale: Holding the cane on the stronger side supports the weaker leg, enhancing
stability. Holding it on the weaker side, leaning heavily, or moving it after both legs
reduces balance and increases fall risk.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about preventing pressure injuries. What is the priority
instruction?
A. Stay in one position for comfort
B. Change position every 2 hours
C. Apply heat to bony prominences
D. Avoid moisturizing the skin
Answer: B. Change position every 2 hours
Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours reduces pressure on bony areas, preventing
injuries. Static positioning, heat application, or avoiding moisturizer increases risk.
3. Select All That Apply: Which actions should the nurse take when performing hand
hygiene?
A. Use soap and water for at least 15 seconds
B. Rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds
C. Dry hands with a clean towel
D. Use alcohol-based sanitizer if hands are soiled
E. Rinse hands under running water
Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Vigorous rubbing for 20 seconds, drying with a clean towel, and rinsing under
water ensure effective hand hygiene. Soap and water require 40–60 seconds, and alcohol-
based sanitizers are ineffective on soiled hands.
4. A nurse is assisting a client with a bed bath. Which action ensures client safety?
A. Leave the side rails down
B. Raise the bed to the nurse’s waist level
C. Use cold water for washing
, 2
D. Cover the client with a towel after bathing
Answer: B. Raise the bed to the nurse’s waist level
Rationale: Raising the bed prevents nurse back strain and ensures safe positioning.
Lowered side rails risk falls, cold water is uncomfortable, and covering after bathing is
secondary to safety.
5. A client reports pain at an IV insertion site. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Continue the infusion
B. Assess the site for redness or swelling
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Apply a warm compress
Answer: B. Assess the site for redness or swelling
Rationale: Pain at the IV site may indicate infiltration or phlebitis; assessment guides
intervention. Continuing or increasing the infusion risks harm, and warm compresses are
not the priority.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which site is most
appropriate for an adult client?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Rectus femoris
Answer: B. Vastus lateralis
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is preferred for IM injections in adults due to its large
muscle mass and low risk of nerve injury. Deltoid is suitable for smaller volumes,
dorsogluteal risks sciatic nerve damage, and rectus femoris is less commonly used.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about using a walker. Which instruction is correct?
A. Move the walker and weaker leg together
B. Hold the walker with one hand
C. Lean heavily on the walker
D. Use the walker without rubber tips
Answer: A. Move the walker and weaker leg together
Rationale: Moving the walker with the weaker leg ensures stability. One-handed use,
leaning heavily, or missing rubber tips increases fall risk.
8. Select All That Apply: Which measures prevent catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTIs)?
A. Secure the catheter to prevent pulling
B. Clean the insertion site daily
C. Reuse the drainage bag
D. Maintain a closed drainage system
E. Restrict fluid intake
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Securing the catheter, daily cleaning, and maintaining a closed system reduce
CAUTI risk. Reusing drainage bags or restricting fluids increases infection risk.
9. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused client. What is the priority action?
A. Tie restraints tightly to the bed frame
B. Check circulation every 2 hours
C. Obtain a provider’s order
, 3
D. Use a quick-release knot
Answer: C. Obtain a provider’s order
Rationale: A provider’s order is required for restraints to ensure legal and ethical use.
Tight knots, delayed circulation checks, or quick-release knots are secondary to obtaining
an order.
10. A client is at risk for falls. Which intervention is most effective?
A. Use dim lighting at night
B. Install handrails in the bathroom
C. Keep walkways cluttered
D. Encourage loose-fitting shoes
Answer: B. Install handrails in the bathroom
Rationale: Handrails provide support in high-risk areas, reducing fall risk. Dim lighting,
clutter, or loose shoes increase danger.
11. A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate?
A. Assessing a client’s pain level
B. Administering oral medications
C. Taking vital signs
D. Developing a care plan
Answer: C. Taking vital signs
Rationale: Taking vital signs is within the UAP’s scope. Assessing pain, administering
medications, and care planning require a nurse’s judgment.
12. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which action prevents
complications?
A. Secure the tube to the client’s gown
B. Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
C. Position the client flat
D. Check placement monthly
Answer: A. Secure the tube to the client’s gown
Rationale: Securing the tube prevents dislodgement. Flushing with 100 mL risks
aspiration, flat positioning increases reflux, and placement checks are needed before each
use.
13. A nurse is teaching a client about proper body mechanics. Which instruction is
correct?
A. Bend at the waist to lift objects
B. Keep objects close to the body when lifting
C. Lift with the arms only
D. Stand far from the object being lifted
Answer: B. Keep objects close to the body when lifting
Rationale: Keeping objects close reduces back strain. Bending at the waist, using only
arms, or standing far increases injury risk.
14. A client with a new colostomy asks about pouch care. What should the nurse teach?
A. Change the pouch monthly
B. Empty the pouch when one-third full
C. Avoid cleaning the stoma
D. Restrict fluid intake
