✅ Hondros HESI PN Exit Exam Guide —
150 Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. A client with COPD is receiving 2 L/min of oxygen via
nasal cannula. The nurse notes oxygen saturation is 89%.
What action should the nurse take?
A. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Place in supine position
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: COPD clients rely on hypoxic drive; increasing O₂ too high can suppress
respirations. First use noninvasive methods like pursed-lip breathing.
2. The PN is giving digoxin 0.25 mg. The apical pulse is 54
bpm. What action is correct?
A. Give medication
B. Hold medication and notify RN/provider
C. Give half the dose
D. Check temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hold digoxin when HR < 60 bpm in adults.
3. A client receiving furosemide reports leg cramps. Which
lab should the nurse review first?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle cramps may indicate hypokalemia secondary to loop diuretics.
4. A PN is caring for a client with heart failure. Which
finding indicates fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Decreased weight
C. Bounding pulse
D. Sunken eyes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bounding pulse occurs with excess intravascular volume.
5. A client with diabetes is sweaty, shaky, and confused.
What is the priority action?
A. Check blood glucose
B. Notify provider
C. Give insulin
D. Provide a meal tray
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia → check glucose immediately.
6. A PN reinforces teaching about warfarin. Which
statement requires intervention?
A. “I will avoid dark leafy vegetables.”
B. “I will use an electric razor.”
C. “I will avoid aspirin.”
D. “I will take the medication at the same time each day.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients do NOT need to avoid vitamin K foods—just keep intake consistent.
7. A child with asthma is wheezing and tachypneic. Which
medication should the nurse expect to give?
,A. Montelukast
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Ipratropium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue bronchodilator for acute asthma attacks.
8. A client with a colostomy reports skin irritation. What
action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply extra tape
B. Resize the wafer opening
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Notify the stoma therapist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leakage due to an opening too large causes skin irritation.
9. A PN prepares to administer insulin lispro. When
should the nurse give it?
A. 30 minutes before meals
B. Only at bedtime
C. With meals or right before eating
D. After blood sugar checks only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting (onset 15 min) → give with food.
10. A client receiving morphine reports difficulty
breathing. Respirations are 8/min. What is the priority?
A. Give naloxone
B. Increase IV fluids
C. Reposition client
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Narcan reverses opioid respiratory depression.
, 11. A client with TB is being discharged. Which statement
shows understanding?
A. “I’ll stop medications when symptoms go away.”
B. “I will cover my mouth when coughing.”
C. “I don’t need follow-up visits.”
D. “I can stop isolation immediately.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cough etiquette is essential. Treatment lasts 6–12 months.
12. The PN assists a client after a seizure. What is
priority?
A. Insert a tongue blade
B. Keep client side-lying
C. Restrict fluids
D. Start CPR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side-lying prevents aspiration.
13. A mother asks why her newborn receives vitamin K.
The PN responds:
A. “It prevents bleeding.”
B. “It helps with digestion.”
C. “It boosts immunity.”
D. “It helps regulate temperature.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K prevents hemorrhagic disease.
14. A PN is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis.
Which action is appropriate?
A. Give a high-fat diet
B. Maintain NPO status
150 Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. A client with COPD is receiving 2 L/min of oxygen via
nasal cannula. The nurse notes oxygen saturation is 89%.
What action should the nurse take?
A. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Place in supine position
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: COPD clients rely on hypoxic drive; increasing O₂ too high can suppress
respirations. First use noninvasive methods like pursed-lip breathing.
2. The PN is giving digoxin 0.25 mg. The apical pulse is 54
bpm. What action is correct?
A. Give medication
B. Hold medication and notify RN/provider
C. Give half the dose
D. Check temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hold digoxin when HR < 60 bpm in adults.
3. A client receiving furosemide reports leg cramps. Which
lab should the nurse review first?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle cramps may indicate hypokalemia secondary to loop diuretics.
4. A PN is caring for a client with heart failure. Which
finding indicates fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Decreased weight
C. Bounding pulse
D. Sunken eyes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bounding pulse occurs with excess intravascular volume.
5. A client with diabetes is sweaty, shaky, and confused.
What is the priority action?
A. Check blood glucose
B. Notify provider
C. Give insulin
D. Provide a meal tray
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia → check glucose immediately.
6. A PN reinforces teaching about warfarin. Which
statement requires intervention?
A. “I will avoid dark leafy vegetables.”
B. “I will use an electric razor.”
C. “I will avoid aspirin.”
D. “I will take the medication at the same time each day.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients do NOT need to avoid vitamin K foods—just keep intake consistent.
7. A child with asthma is wheezing and tachypneic. Which
medication should the nurse expect to give?
,A. Montelukast
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Ipratropium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue bronchodilator for acute asthma attacks.
8. A client with a colostomy reports skin irritation. What
action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply extra tape
B. Resize the wafer opening
C. Increase fluid intake
D. Notify the stoma therapist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leakage due to an opening too large causes skin irritation.
9. A PN prepares to administer insulin lispro. When
should the nurse give it?
A. 30 minutes before meals
B. Only at bedtime
C. With meals or right before eating
D. After blood sugar checks only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting (onset 15 min) → give with food.
10. A client receiving morphine reports difficulty
breathing. Respirations are 8/min. What is the priority?
A. Give naloxone
B. Increase IV fluids
C. Reposition client
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Narcan reverses opioid respiratory depression.
, 11. A client with TB is being discharged. Which statement
shows understanding?
A. “I’ll stop medications when symptoms go away.”
B. “I will cover my mouth when coughing.”
C. “I don’t need follow-up visits.”
D. “I can stop isolation immediately.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cough etiquette is essential. Treatment lasts 6–12 months.
12. The PN assists a client after a seizure. What is
priority?
A. Insert a tongue blade
B. Keep client side-lying
C. Restrict fluids
D. Start CPR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side-lying prevents aspiration.
13. A mother asks why her newborn receives vitamin K.
The PN responds:
A. “It prevents bleeding.”
B. “It helps with digestion.”
C. “It boosts immunity.”
D. “It helps regulate temperature.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K prevents hemorrhagic disease.
14. A PN is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis.
Which action is appropriate?
A. Give a high-fat diet
B. Maintain NPO status
