HESI Comprehensive Exit Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
1-Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which
assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the
medication?
A. Checking the client's blood pressure
B. Checking the client's peripheral pulses
C. Checking the most recent potassium level
D. Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours - Correct
answer-A. Checking the client's blood pressure
Checking the client's blood pressure
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,Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to
treat hypertension. One common side effect is postural hypotension. Therefore the
nurse would check the client's blood pressure immediately before administering
each dose. Checking the client's peripheral pulses, the results of the most recent
potassium level, and the intake and output for the previous 24 hours are not
specifically associated with this mediation.
2-A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and the
nurse provides instructions to the client about the test. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further instruction?
A. "The test will take about 30 minutes."
B. "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test."
C. "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a
Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
D. "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the liquid that I'll
have to drink for the test can be constipating." - Correct answer-C. "I need to drink
citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the
morning of the test."
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,An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus, duodenum, and upper
jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves swallowing a
contrast medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored milkshake.
Films are taken at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No
special preparation is necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must be
maintained for 8 hours before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is
prescribed a laxative to hasten elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in
the colon may become hard and difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
3-A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions and notes that the
dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the normal dose. The nurse calls the
physician's answering service and is told that the physician is off for the night and
will be available in the morning. The nurse should:
A. Call the nursing supervisor
B. Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C. Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the morning
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, D. Administer the medication but consult the physician when he becomes available
- Correct answer-B. Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
4.An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with suspected acute
myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to the coronary intensive care
unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of premature ventricular contractions
(PVCs) on the monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and determines that the
PVCs are not resulting in perfusion. The appropriate action by the nurse is:
A. Documenting the findings
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
C. Continuing to monitor the client's cardiac status
D. Informing the client that PVCs are expected after an MI - Correct answer-B.
Asking the ED physician to check the client
5.NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client scheduled to
undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On the morning of the
procedure, the nurse checks the client's record and notes that the client routinely
takes an oral antihypertensive medication each morning. The nurse should:
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
Questions and Answers
1-Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which
assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the
medication?
A. Checking the client's blood pressure
B. Checking the client's peripheral pulses
C. Checking the most recent potassium level
D. Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours - Correct
answer-A. Checking the client's blood pressure
Checking the client's blood pressure
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to
treat hypertension. One common side effect is postural hypotension. Therefore the
nurse would check the client's blood pressure immediately before administering
each dose. Checking the client's peripheral pulses, the results of the most recent
potassium level, and the intake and output for the previous 24 hours are not
specifically associated with this mediation.
2-A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and the
nurse provides instructions to the client about the test. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further instruction?
A. "The test will take about 30 minutes."
B. "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test."
C. "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a
Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
D. "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the liquid that I'll
have to drink for the test can be constipating." - Correct answer-C. "I need to drink
citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the
morning of the test."
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus, duodenum, and upper
jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves swallowing a
contrast medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored milkshake.
Films are taken at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No
special preparation is necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status must be
maintained for 8 hours before the test. After an upper GI series, the client is
prescribed a laxative to hasten elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in
the colon may become hard and difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
3-A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions and notes that the
dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the normal dose. The nurse calls the
physician's answering service and is told that the physician is off for the night and
will be available in the morning. The nurse should:
A. Call the nursing supervisor
B. Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C. Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the morning
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, D. Administer the medication but consult the physician when he becomes available
- Correct answer-B. Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
4.An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with suspected acute
myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to the coronary intensive care
unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of premature ventricular contractions
(PVCs) on the monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and determines that the
PVCs are not resulting in perfusion. The appropriate action by the nurse is:
A. Documenting the findings
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
C. Continuing to monitor the client's cardiac status
D. Informing the client that PVCs are expected after an MI - Correct answer-B.
Asking the ED physician to check the client
5.NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client scheduled to
undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On the morning of the
procedure, the nurse checks the client's record and notes that the client routinely
takes an oral antihypertensive medication each morning. The nurse should:
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
