PN HESI EXIT EXAM | HESI PN EXIT EXAM
WITH NGN ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
1. A PN student is caring for a patient with congestive heart failure. Which
finding indicates worsening fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Bilateral crackles in lungs
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Crackles indicate pulmonary edema due to fluid accumulation in
alveoli, a sign of worsening heart failure.
2. Which lab value indicates possible infection in a postoperative patient?
A. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
B. Platelets 200,000/µL
C. WBC 14,500/µL
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated WBC indicates an inflammatory response, commonly due to
infection.
3. Which action is the priority for a patient experiencing hypoglycemia with
blood glucose 48 mg/dL?
A. Give insulin
B. Give 15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Call provider immediately
D. Administer glucagon only if patient is alert
,Answer: B
Rationale: Mild hypoglycemia is treated with rapid carbohydrate intake. Glucagon
is used if patient is unconscious.
4. A patient with COPD is short of breath and using accessory muscles. Which
oxygen delivery method is best?
A. Nasal cannula 6 L/min
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather 15 L/min
D. CPAP
Answer: B
Rationale: Venturi mask delivers precise oxygen concentrations, important for
COPD patients to avoid suppressing their hypoxic drive.
5. A PN student administers an intramuscular injection. Which action ensures
proper technique?
A. Inject 0.5 mL at 90° in deltoid
B. Aspirate before injection if required
C. Use a 25-gauge needle for all IM sites
D. Massage vigorously after injection
Answer: B
Rationale: Aspiration may be required for certain IM injections to ensure the
needle is not in a blood vessel. Massage is site-dependent.
6. Which patient requires airborne precautions?
A. MRSA wound infection
B. Active tuberculosis
C. C. difficile diarrhea
D. Influenza
,Answer: B
Rationale: TB is transmitted via airborne droplets; requires negative pressure
room and N95 respirator.
7. Which finding is priority in a patient with hypokalemia (K⁺ 2.9 mEq/L)?
A. Constipation
B. Leg cramps
C. Premature ventricular contractions on cardiac monitor
D. Fatigue
Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac dysrhythmias are life-threatening complications of
hypokalemia.
8. Which medication is held if systolic BP < 100 mmHg?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Lisinopril
C. Furosemide
D. Metformin
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can further lower BP; check vital signs before
administration.
9. A patient is prescribed a PRN opioid for pain. Which assessment is priority
before administration?
A. Pain scale rating
B. Respiratory rate
C. BP
D. Temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression; RR must be assessed before
giving medication.
, 10. Which action helps prevent pressure injuries in an immobile patient?
A. Keep patient supine at all times
B. Reposition every 2 hours
C. Use a soft pillow under heels only
D. Massage bony prominences vigorously
Answer: B
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and prevents skin breakdown.
11. A PN student is caring for a patient with urinary retention. Which
intervention is appropriate first?
A. Administer diuretic
B. Assess bladder distention
C. Insert Foley catheter without assessment
D. Encourage caffeine intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment guides interventions; bladder distention confirms retention.
12. Which action is priority when a patient reports chest pain and shortness of
breath?
A. Administer PRN analgesic
B. Apply oxygen and assess vital signs
C. Notify family
D. Document and continue care
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway, breathing, circulation (ABC) is priority; oxygen may relieve
hypoxia and pain.
WITH NGN ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
1. A PN student is caring for a patient with congestive heart failure. Which
finding indicates worsening fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Bilateral crackles in lungs
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Crackles indicate pulmonary edema due to fluid accumulation in
alveoli, a sign of worsening heart failure.
2. Which lab value indicates possible infection in a postoperative patient?
A. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
B. Platelets 200,000/µL
C. WBC 14,500/µL
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated WBC indicates an inflammatory response, commonly due to
infection.
3. Which action is the priority for a patient experiencing hypoglycemia with
blood glucose 48 mg/dL?
A. Give insulin
B. Give 15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Call provider immediately
D. Administer glucagon only if patient is alert
,Answer: B
Rationale: Mild hypoglycemia is treated with rapid carbohydrate intake. Glucagon
is used if patient is unconscious.
4. A patient with COPD is short of breath and using accessory muscles. Which
oxygen delivery method is best?
A. Nasal cannula 6 L/min
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather 15 L/min
D. CPAP
Answer: B
Rationale: Venturi mask delivers precise oxygen concentrations, important for
COPD patients to avoid suppressing their hypoxic drive.
5. A PN student administers an intramuscular injection. Which action ensures
proper technique?
A. Inject 0.5 mL at 90° in deltoid
B. Aspirate before injection if required
C. Use a 25-gauge needle for all IM sites
D. Massage vigorously after injection
Answer: B
Rationale: Aspiration may be required for certain IM injections to ensure the
needle is not in a blood vessel. Massage is site-dependent.
6. Which patient requires airborne precautions?
A. MRSA wound infection
B. Active tuberculosis
C. C. difficile diarrhea
D. Influenza
,Answer: B
Rationale: TB is transmitted via airborne droplets; requires negative pressure
room and N95 respirator.
7. Which finding is priority in a patient with hypokalemia (K⁺ 2.9 mEq/L)?
A. Constipation
B. Leg cramps
C. Premature ventricular contractions on cardiac monitor
D. Fatigue
Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac dysrhythmias are life-threatening complications of
hypokalemia.
8. Which medication is held if systolic BP < 100 mmHg?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Lisinopril
C. Furosemide
D. Metformin
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can further lower BP; check vital signs before
administration.
9. A patient is prescribed a PRN opioid for pain. Which assessment is priority
before administration?
A. Pain scale rating
B. Respiratory rate
C. BP
D. Temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression; RR must be assessed before
giving medication.
, 10. Which action helps prevent pressure injuries in an immobile patient?
A. Keep patient supine at all times
B. Reposition every 2 hours
C. Use a soft pillow under heels only
D. Massage bony prominences vigorously
Answer: B
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and prevents skin breakdown.
11. A PN student is caring for a patient with urinary retention. Which
intervention is appropriate first?
A. Administer diuretic
B. Assess bladder distention
C. Insert Foley catheter without assessment
D. Encourage caffeine intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment guides interventions; bladder distention confirms retention.
12. Which action is priority when a patient reports chest pain and shortness of
breath?
A. Administer PRN analgesic
B. Apply oxygen and assess vital signs
C. Notify family
D. Document and continue care
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway, breathing, circulation (ABC) is priority; oxygen may relieve
hypoxia and pain.
