HESI PN Fundamentals Exam
2025/2026 – Actual Exam 72 Questions
with Verified Correct Answers and
Expert Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with a history of hypertension who reports dizziness upon standing.
Which action should the nurse take first? A. Obtain a blood pressure reading in the supine
position. B. Instruct the client to sit down slowly. C. Administer an antihypertensive medication.
D. Encourage fluid intake immediately.
B. Instruct the client to sit down slowly. Rationale: Dizziness upon standing indicates
orthostatic hypotension, a potential fall risk. The priority is to ensure client safety by
preventing a fall, which is addressed first by having the client sit down slowly before
further assessment or interventions.
Question 2
A client newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus asks the nurse about dietary changes.
Which instruction should the nurse provide? A. Eliminate all carbohydrates from the diet. B.
Increase intake of simple sugars for energy. C. Focus on balanced meals with complex
carbohydrates and fiber. D. Avoid all fruits due to high sugar content.
C. Focus on balanced meals with complex carbohydrates and fiber. Rationale: Type 2
diabetes management emphasizes glycemic control through a balanced diet rich in complex
carbohydrates and fiber, which help stabilize blood glucose levels, unlike eliminating all
carbs or increasing simple sugars.
Question 3
The nurse is teaching a client about infection prevention after surgery. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding? A. "I should wash my hands only before meals." B. "Keeping the
incision site clean and dry is important." C. "I can share my med ications with family members."
D. "It's okay to ignore redness around the wound."
B. "Keeping the incision site clean and dry is important." Rationale: Proper wound care,
including keeping the site clean and dry, reduces infection risk. The other statements
reflect misconceptions about hygiene and medication safety.
, Question 4
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing dyspnea. Which
position should the nurse recommend? A. Supine with knees flexed. B. High Fowler's position.
C. Prone with head turned. D. Side-lying with pillow support.
B. High Fowler's position. Rationale: High Fowler's position (semi-upright at 90 degrees)
facilitates lung expansion and reduces dyspnea in COPD clients by optimizing
diaphragmatic movement.
Question 5
When administering oral medications to an adult client, the nurse should: A. Administer all
medications at once regardless of type. B. Ensure the client is NPO for at least 2 hours prior. C.
Check for allergies and explain the purpose of each drug. D. Crush all tablets to facilitate
swallowing.
C. Check for allergies and explain the purpose of each drug. Rationale: Verifying allergies
prevents adverse reactions, and educating the client promotes adherence and informed
consent, aligning with the rights of medication administration.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for an older adult client at risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate? A. Encourage use of assistive devices like a walker. B. Limit mobility to bed rest
only. C. Administer sedatives to promote rest. D. Remove all call bells from the room.
A. Encourage use of assistive devices like a walker. Rationale: Assistive devices enhance
mobility and balance, reducing fall risk in older adults, whereas bed rest or sedatives can
increase weakness and disorientation.
Question 7
The nurse observes a client experiencing signs of hypoglycemia. Which action should the nurse
take? A. Administer insulin immediately. B. Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate source. C.
Encourage deep breathing exercises. D. Position the client flat on the back.
B. Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate source. Rationale: Hypoglycemia requires rapid
glucose elevation with sources like juice or glucose tablets to reverse symptoms like tremors
and confusion.
Question 8
2025/2026 – Actual Exam 72 Questions
with Verified Correct Answers and
Expert Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with a history of hypertension who reports dizziness upon standing.
Which action should the nurse take first? A. Obtain a blood pressure reading in the supine
position. B. Instruct the client to sit down slowly. C. Administer an antihypertensive medication.
D. Encourage fluid intake immediately.
B. Instruct the client to sit down slowly. Rationale: Dizziness upon standing indicates
orthostatic hypotension, a potential fall risk. The priority is to ensure client safety by
preventing a fall, which is addressed first by having the client sit down slowly before
further assessment or interventions.
Question 2
A client newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus asks the nurse about dietary changes.
Which instruction should the nurse provide? A. Eliminate all carbohydrates from the diet. B.
Increase intake of simple sugars for energy. C. Focus on balanced meals with complex
carbohydrates and fiber. D. Avoid all fruits due to high sugar content.
C. Focus on balanced meals with complex carbohydrates and fiber. Rationale: Type 2
diabetes management emphasizes glycemic control through a balanced diet rich in complex
carbohydrates and fiber, which help stabilize blood glucose levels, unlike eliminating all
carbs or increasing simple sugars.
Question 3
The nurse is teaching a client about infection prevention after surgery. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding? A. "I should wash my hands only before meals." B. "Keeping the
incision site clean and dry is important." C. "I can share my med ications with family members."
D. "It's okay to ignore redness around the wound."
B. "Keeping the incision site clean and dry is important." Rationale: Proper wound care,
including keeping the site clean and dry, reduces infection risk. The other statements
reflect misconceptions about hygiene and medication safety.
, Question 4
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing dyspnea. Which
position should the nurse recommend? A. Supine with knees flexed. B. High Fowler's position.
C. Prone with head turned. D. Side-lying with pillow support.
B. High Fowler's position. Rationale: High Fowler's position (semi-upright at 90 degrees)
facilitates lung expansion and reduces dyspnea in COPD clients by optimizing
diaphragmatic movement.
Question 5
When administering oral medications to an adult client, the nurse should: A. Administer all
medications at once regardless of type. B. Ensure the client is NPO for at least 2 hours prior. C.
Check for allergies and explain the purpose of each drug. D. Crush all tablets to facilitate
swallowing.
C. Check for allergies and explain the purpose of each drug. Rationale: Verifying allergies
prevents adverse reactions, and educating the client promotes adherence and informed
consent, aligning with the rights of medication administration.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for an older adult client at risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate? A. Encourage use of assistive devices like a walker. B. Limit mobility to bed rest
only. C. Administer sedatives to promote rest. D. Remove all call bells from the room.
A. Encourage use of assistive devices like a walker. Rationale: Assistive devices enhance
mobility and balance, reducing fall risk in older adults, whereas bed rest or sedatives can
increase weakness and disorientation.
Question 7
The nurse observes a client experiencing signs of hypoglycemia. Which action should the nurse
take? A. Administer insulin immediately. B. Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate source. C.
Encourage deep breathing exercises. D. Position the client flat on the back.
B. Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate source. Rationale: Hypoglycemia requires rapid
glucose elevation with sources like juice or glucose tablets to reverse symptoms like tremors
and confusion.
Question 8
