HESI PN Fundamentals Exit Exam V2
2025 – Verified Questions and 100%
Correct Answers with Rationales
Question 1
A practical nurse (PN) is assisting a client with ambulation after knee surgery. Which action
should the PN prioritize to ensure safety?
A. Allow the client to ambulate without assistance
B. Use a walker to support the client
C. Hold the client’s hand during ambulation
D. Encourage rapid walking to build strength
Correct Answer: B. Use a walker to support the client
Rationale: A walker provides stability and support for a client post-knee surgery, reducing fall
risk due to limited mobility. Allowing independent ambulation or holding the client’s hand is
unsafe, and rapid walking may cause injury.
Question 2
A client with an indwelling catheter reports a burning sensation. What should the PN assess first?
A. The client’s temperature
B. The catheter tubing for obstructions
C. The client’s fluid output
D. The catheter insertion site for redness
Correct Answer: B. The catheter tubing for obstructions
Rationale: A burning sensation may indicate an obstruction in the catheter tubing, causing urine
backup and discomfort. Assessing tubing is the priority. Temperature, output, and insertion site
are relevant but secondary.
Question 3
A PN is teaching a client with diabetes about skin care. Which client statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I should use a heating pad on my legs.”
,B. “I should avoid walking barefoot.”
C. “I can apply alcohol to dry skin.”
D. “I should trim my toenails with scissors.”
Correct Answer: B. I should avoid walking barefoot.
Rationale: Avoiding barefoot walking prevents foot injuries in clients with diabetes, who are
prone to poor healing. Heating pads risk burns, alcohol dries skin, and improper nail trimming
can cause injury.
Question 4
A client receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per
minute. What should the PN do first?
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate
B. Assess the client for respiratory distress
C. Check the client’s blood pressure
D. Reposition the nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B. Assess the client for respiratory distress
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute suggests distress, requiring immediate
assessment for symptoms like dyspnea or cyanosis. Increasing oxygen, checking blood pressure,
or repositioning are secondary until the cause is identified.
Question 5
A PN is preparing to give a client a partial bath. Which action promotes client comfort?
A. Use cold water to save time
B. Expose only the area being washed
C. Leave the client uncovered for efficiency
D. Use a single washcloth for the entire bath
Correct Answer: B. Expose only the area being washed
Rationale: Exposing only the area being washed maintains client warmth and dignity. Cold
water causes discomfort, leaving the client uncovered violates privacy, and a single washcloth
risks cross-contamination.
Question 6
A client with congestive heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. Which finding should the PN
report immediately?
, A. Potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L
B. Weight loss of 0.5 kg
C. Blood pressure of 125/80 mm Hg
D. Heart rate of 70 bpm
Correct Answer: A. Potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, and a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L
indicates hyperkalemia, a serious condition requiring immediate reporting. Other findings are
normal or less urgent.
Question 7
A PN is preparing to administer enteral feedings via a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action
ensures safe administration?
A. Check residual volume before feeding
B. Administer feedings at a rapid rate
C. Position the client supine
D. Flush the tube with cold water
Correct Answer: A. Check residual volume before feeding
Rationale: Checking residual volume ensures the stomach is digesting feedings, preventing
aspiration or overfeeding. Rapid administration, supine positioning, and cold water flushing
increase complications.
Question 8
A client with a stage 1 pressure injury is being repositioned. Which position should the PN use to
relieve pressure?
A. Side-lying with pillows for support
B. Directly on the affected area
C. Supine with no pillows
D. Prone without padding
Correct Answer: A. Side-lying with pillows for support
Rationale: Side-lying with pillows relieves pressure on the affected area, preventing worsening
of the injury. Positioning directly on the area increases damage, and supine or prone positions
without support are less effective.
Question 9
2025 – Verified Questions and 100%
Correct Answers with Rationales
Question 1
A practical nurse (PN) is assisting a client with ambulation after knee surgery. Which action
should the PN prioritize to ensure safety?
A. Allow the client to ambulate without assistance
B. Use a walker to support the client
C. Hold the client’s hand during ambulation
D. Encourage rapid walking to build strength
Correct Answer: B. Use a walker to support the client
Rationale: A walker provides stability and support for a client post-knee surgery, reducing fall
risk due to limited mobility. Allowing independent ambulation or holding the client’s hand is
unsafe, and rapid walking may cause injury.
Question 2
A client with an indwelling catheter reports a burning sensation. What should the PN assess first?
A. The client’s temperature
B. The catheter tubing for obstructions
C. The client’s fluid output
D. The catheter insertion site for redness
Correct Answer: B. The catheter tubing for obstructions
Rationale: A burning sensation may indicate an obstruction in the catheter tubing, causing urine
backup and discomfort. Assessing tubing is the priority. Temperature, output, and insertion site
are relevant but secondary.
Question 3
A PN is teaching a client with diabetes about skin care. Which client statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I should use a heating pad on my legs.”
,B. “I should avoid walking barefoot.”
C. “I can apply alcohol to dry skin.”
D. “I should trim my toenails with scissors.”
Correct Answer: B. I should avoid walking barefoot.
Rationale: Avoiding barefoot walking prevents foot injuries in clients with diabetes, who are
prone to poor healing. Heating pads risk burns, alcohol dries skin, and improper nail trimming
can cause injury.
Question 4
A client receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min has a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per
minute. What should the PN do first?
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate
B. Assess the client for respiratory distress
C. Check the client’s blood pressure
D. Reposition the nasal cannula
Correct Answer: B. Assess the client for respiratory distress
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute suggests distress, requiring immediate
assessment for symptoms like dyspnea or cyanosis. Increasing oxygen, checking blood pressure,
or repositioning are secondary until the cause is identified.
Question 5
A PN is preparing to give a client a partial bath. Which action promotes client comfort?
A. Use cold water to save time
B. Expose only the area being washed
C. Leave the client uncovered for efficiency
D. Use a single washcloth for the entire bath
Correct Answer: B. Expose only the area being washed
Rationale: Exposing only the area being washed maintains client warmth and dignity. Cold
water causes discomfort, leaving the client uncovered violates privacy, and a single washcloth
risks cross-contamination.
Question 6
A client with congestive heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. Which finding should the PN
report immediately?
, A. Potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L
B. Weight loss of 0.5 kg
C. Blood pressure of 125/80 mm Hg
D. Heart rate of 70 bpm
Correct Answer: A. Potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, and a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L
indicates hyperkalemia, a serious condition requiring immediate reporting. Other findings are
normal or less urgent.
Question 7
A PN is preparing to administer enteral feedings via a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action
ensures safe administration?
A. Check residual volume before feeding
B. Administer feedings at a rapid rate
C. Position the client supine
D. Flush the tube with cold water
Correct Answer: A. Check residual volume before feeding
Rationale: Checking residual volume ensures the stomach is digesting feedings, preventing
aspiration or overfeeding. Rapid administration, supine positioning, and cold water flushing
increase complications.
Question 8
A client with a stage 1 pressure injury is being repositioned. Which position should the PN use to
relieve pressure?
A. Side-lying with pillows for support
B. Directly on the affected area
C. Supine with no pillows
D. Prone without padding
Correct Answer: A. Side-lying with pillows for support
Rationale: Side-lying with pillows relieves pressure on the affected area, preventing worsening
of the injury. Positioning directly on the area increases damage, and supine or prone positions
without support are less effective.
Question 9
