HESI Comprehensive Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
The nurse is caring for a client with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) who is
receiving enteral tube feedings. Which task performed by the UAP requires
immediate intervention by the nurse?
A.Suctions oral secretions from mouth
B.Positions head of bed flat when changing sheets
C.Takes temperature using the axillary method
D.Keeps head of bed elevated at 30 degrees - Correct answer-B
Rationale:
Positioning the head of the bed flat when enteral feedings are in progress puts the
client at risk for aspiration (B). The others are all acceptable tasks performed by
the UAP (A, C, and D).
When caring for a postsurgical client who has undergone multiple blood
transfusions, which serum laboratory finding is of most concern to the nurse?
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,A.Sodium level, 137 mEq/L
B.Potassium level, 5.5 mEq/L
C.Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, 18 mg/dL
D.Calcium level, 10 mEq/L - Correct answer-B
Rationale:
Multiple blood transfusions are a risk factor for hyperkalemia. A serum potassium
level higher than 5.0 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia (B). The others are normal
findings (A, C, and D).
Which vaccination should the nurse administer to a newborn?
A.Hepatitis B
B.Human papilloma virus (HPV)
C.Varicella
D.Meningococcal vaccine - Correct answer-A
Rationale:
The hepatitis B vaccination should be given to all newborns before hospital
discharge (A). HPV is not recommended until adolescence (B). Varicella
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,immunization begins at 12 months (C). Meningococcal vaccine is administered
beginning at 2 years (D).
The nurse is caring for a client on the medical unit. Which task can be delegated to
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A.Assess the need to change a central line dressing.
B.Obtain a fingerstick blood glucose level.
C.Answer a family member's questions about the client's plan of care.
D.Teach the client side effects to report related to the current medication regimen. -
Correct answer-B
Rationale:
Obtaining a fingerstick blood glucose level is a simple treatment and is an
appropriate skill for UAP to perform (B). (A, C, and D) are skills that cannot be
delegated to UAP.
The nurse is caring for a client with an ischemic stroke who has a prescription for
tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) IV. Which action(s) should the nurse expect to
implement? (Select all that apply.)
A.Administer aspirin with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA).
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, B.Complete the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
C.Assess the client for signs of bleeding during and after the infusion.
D.Start t-PA within 6 hours after the onset of stroke symptoms.
E.Initiate multidisciplinary consult for potential rehabilitation. - Correct answer-
B,C,E
Rationale:
Neurologic assessment, including the NIHSS, is indicated for the client receiving t-
PA. This includes close monitoring for bleeding during and after the infusion; if
bleeding or other signs of neurologic impairment occur, the infusion should be
stopped (B, C, and E). Aspirin is contraindicated with t-PA because it increases the
risk for bleeding (A). The administration of t-PA within 6 hours of symptoms is
concurrent with a diagnosis of a myocardial infarction and within 4.5 hours of
symptoms is concurrent for a stroke (D).
When caring for a client in labor, which finding is most important to report to the
primary health care provider?
A.Maternal heart rate, 90 beats/min.
B.Fetal heart rate, 100 beats/min
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Questions and Answers
The nurse is caring for a client with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) who is
receiving enteral tube feedings. Which task performed by the UAP requires
immediate intervention by the nurse?
A.Suctions oral secretions from mouth
B.Positions head of bed flat when changing sheets
C.Takes temperature using the axillary method
D.Keeps head of bed elevated at 30 degrees - Correct answer-B
Rationale:
Positioning the head of the bed flat when enteral feedings are in progress puts the
client at risk for aspiration (B). The others are all acceptable tasks performed by
the UAP (A, C, and D).
When caring for a postsurgical client who has undergone multiple blood
transfusions, which serum laboratory finding is of most concern to the nurse?
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,A.Sodium level, 137 mEq/L
B.Potassium level, 5.5 mEq/L
C.Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, 18 mg/dL
D.Calcium level, 10 mEq/L - Correct answer-B
Rationale:
Multiple blood transfusions are a risk factor for hyperkalemia. A serum potassium
level higher than 5.0 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia (B). The others are normal
findings (A, C, and D).
Which vaccination should the nurse administer to a newborn?
A.Hepatitis B
B.Human papilloma virus (HPV)
C.Varicella
D.Meningococcal vaccine - Correct answer-A
Rationale:
The hepatitis B vaccination should be given to all newborns before hospital
discharge (A). HPV is not recommended until adolescence (B). Varicella
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,immunization begins at 12 months (C). Meningococcal vaccine is administered
beginning at 2 years (D).
The nurse is caring for a client on the medical unit. Which task can be delegated to
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A.Assess the need to change a central line dressing.
B.Obtain a fingerstick blood glucose level.
C.Answer a family member's questions about the client's plan of care.
D.Teach the client side effects to report related to the current medication regimen. -
Correct answer-B
Rationale:
Obtaining a fingerstick blood glucose level is a simple treatment and is an
appropriate skill for UAP to perform (B). (A, C, and D) are skills that cannot be
delegated to UAP.
The nurse is caring for a client with an ischemic stroke who has a prescription for
tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) IV. Which action(s) should the nurse expect to
implement? (Select all that apply.)
A.Administer aspirin with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA).
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, B.Complete the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
C.Assess the client for signs of bleeding during and after the infusion.
D.Start t-PA within 6 hours after the onset of stroke symptoms.
E.Initiate multidisciplinary consult for potential rehabilitation. - Correct answer-
B,C,E
Rationale:
Neurologic assessment, including the NIHSS, is indicated for the client receiving t-
PA. This includes close monitoring for bleeding during and after the infusion; if
bleeding or other signs of neurologic impairment occur, the infusion should be
stopped (B, C, and E). Aspirin is contraindicated with t-PA because it increases the
risk for bleeding (A). The administration of t-PA within 6 hours of symptoms is
concurrent with a diagnosis of a myocardial infarction and within 4.5 hours of
symptoms is concurrent for a stroke (D).
When caring for a client in labor, which finding is most important to report to the
primary health care provider?
A.Maternal heart rate, 90 beats/min.
B.Fetal heart rate, 100 beats/min
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