HESI Comprehensive Review for the
NCLEX-RN Examination Questions
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the first action a nurse should take when a client with a tracheostomy develops sudden
respiratory distress?
✔✔Suction the tracheostomy and assess airway patency
A client with type 1 diabetes is confused, sweaty, and shaky. What should the nurse do first?
✔✔Administer a fast-acting carbohydrate such as orange juice
A postoperative client has a respiratory rate of 8/min after receiving morphine. What is the
priority nursing action?
✔✔Administer naloxone and monitor respiratory status
A client with COPD is short of breath. Which position will best promote optimal breathing?
✔✔Place the client in high Fowler’s position with arms supported on pillows
1
,A client receiving total parenteral nutrition develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain.
What complication should the nurse suspect?
✔✔Air embolism
A client with heart failure reports a sudden weight gain of 3 lbs in 24 hours. What is the nurse’s
first action?
✔✔Notify the healthcare provider and monitor for fluid overload
A client with hypokalemia is prescribed potassium chloride. What instruction is most important
for the nurse to give?
✔✔Never crush or chew extended-release tablets and monitor potassium levels closely
A client post-thyroidectomy reports tingling around the mouth and in the fingers. What is the
priority action?
✔✔Assess serum calcium levels for signs of hypocalcemia
A client with cirrhosis is confused and has flapping tremors of the hands. Which intervention is
most appropriate?
✔✔Monitor for hepatic encephalopathy and implement safety precautions
2
,A client with pneumonia is producing thick secretions. What nursing action will most effectively
help clear secretions?
✔✔Encourage increased oral fluids and perform effective coughing techniques
A client prescribed warfarin asks which foods to avoid. Which response demonstrates correct
teaching?
✔✔Avoid foods high in vitamin K such as spinach, kale, and broccoli
A client with burns covering 40% of body surface area is at greatest risk during the first 24 hours
for which complication?
✔✔Hypovolemic shock
A client receiving furosemide develops muscle weakness and irregular heartbeats. What lab
value should the nurse check immediately?
✔✔Serum potassium level
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
✔✔Bradycardia, nausea, and visual disturbances
3
, A nurse is preparing to administer blood. What action is most important to prevent a hemolytic
reaction?
✔✔Verify client identity with another licensed nurse before starting the transfusion
A client with a nasogastric tube is receiving enteral feeding. What is the most important
intervention to prevent aspiration?
✔✔Elevate the head of the bed 30–45 degrees during feeding and keep elevated for 30–60
minutes afterward
A client with acute asthma reports wheezing and is unable to speak full sentences. What is the
priority nursing action?
✔✔Assess airway, administer prescribed bronchodilator, and monitor oxygen saturation
A client prescribed prednisone asks about potential side effects. Which response by the nurse is
correct?
✔✔Monitor blood glucose levels as corticosteroids can cause hyperglycemia
4
NCLEX-RN Examination Questions
and Answers | Latest Version |
2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What is the first action a nurse should take when a client with a tracheostomy develops sudden
respiratory distress?
✔✔Suction the tracheostomy and assess airway patency
A client with type 1 diabetes is confused, sweaty, and shaky. What should the nurse do first?
✔✔Administer a fast-acting carbohydrate such as orange juice
A postoperative client has a respiratory rate of 8/min after receiving morphine. What is the
priority nursing action?
✔✔Administer naloxone and monitor respiratory status
A client with COPD is short of breath. Which position will best promote optimal breathing?
✔✔Place the client in high Fowler’s position with arms supported on pillows
1
,A client receiving total parenteral nutrition develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain.
What complication should the nurse suspect?
✔✔Air embolism
A client with heart failure reports a sudden weight gain of 3 lbs in 24 hours. What is the nurse’s
first action?
✔✔Notify the healthcare provider and monitor for fluid overload
A client with hypokalemia is prescribed potassium chloride. What instruction is most important
for the nurse to give?
✔✔Never crush or chew extended-release tablets and monitor potassium levels closely
A client post-thyroidectomy reports tingling around the mouth and in the fingers. What is the
priority action?
✔✔Assess serum calcium levels for signs of hypocalcemia
A client with cirrhosis is confused and has flapping tremors of the hands. Which intervention is
most appropriate?
✔✔Monitor for hepatic encephalopathy and implement safety precautions
2
,A client with pneumonia is producing thick secretions. What nursing action will most effectively
help clear secretions?
✔✔Encourage increased oral fluids and perform effective coughing techniques
A client prescribed warfarin asks which foods to avoid. Which response demonstrates correct
teaching?
✔✔Avoid foods high in vitamin K such as spinach, kale, and broccoli
A client with burns covering 40% of body surface area is at greatest risk during the first 24 hours
for which complication?
✔✔Hypovolemic shock
A client receiving furosemide develops muscle weakness and irregular heartbeats. What lab
value should the nurse check immediately?
✔✔Serum potassium level
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
✔✔Bradycardia, nausea, and visual disturbances
3
, A nurse is preparing to administer blood. What action is most important to prevent a hemolytic
reaction?
✔✔Verify client identity with another licensed nurse before starting the transfusion
A client with a nasogastric tube is receiving enteral feeding. What is the most important
intervention to prevent aspiration?
✔✔Elevate the head of the bed 30–45 degrees during feeding and keep elevated for 30–60
minutes afterward
A client with acute asthma reports wheezing and is unable to speak full sentences. What is the
priority nursing action?
✔✔Assess airway, administer prescribed bronchodilator, and monitor oxygen saturation
A client prescribed prednisone asks about potential side effects. Which response by the nurse is
correct?
✔✔Monitor blood glucose levels as corticosteroids can cause hyperglycemia
4
