HESI PN Fundamentals Version 4
2025/2026 | Actual Exam with Complete
Questions and Answers | Practical Nurse
Fundamentals | HESI Exit Exam
Preparation
HESI PN Fundamentals Exam – Questions 1–200
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which site is
considered appropriate?
A. Vastus lateralis
B. Deltoid
C. Abdomen
D. Dorsogluteal
Answer: C. Abdomen
Rationale: The abdomen provides abundant subcutaneous tissue and allows consistent
absorption. Other sites are primarily for intramuscular injections or have higher risk of
complications.
Question 2: When caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter, the nurse
should:
A. Clean the catheter insertion site once a week
B. Maintain a closed drainage system
C. Clamp the catheter every 2 hours
D. Remove the catheter daily
Answer: B. Maintain a closed drainage system
Rationale: A closed drainage system reduces the risk of infection. Daily removal is only
when no longer needed; clamping and infrequent cleaning increase infection risk.
,Question 3: A client is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Which statement by
the nurse is correct?
A. Oxygen is delivered at 50% concentration
B. The flow rate is too high for safety
C. Humidification is usually not required
D. The client should remove the cannula while eating
Answer: C. Humidification is usually not required
Rationale: Nasal cannula oxygen flow rates up to 4 L/min usually do not require
humidification. Higher flow rates or prolonged use may require it.
Question 4: Which action by the nurse demonstrates correct hand hygiene?
A. Rubbing hands for 5 seconds with soap
B. Using hand sanitizer before and after patient contact
C. Wearing gloves instead of washing hands
D. Only washing hands when visibly soiled
Answer: B. Using hand sanitizer before and after patient contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene should occur before and after patient contact. Alcohol-based
sanitizer is effective unless hands are visibly soiled.
Question 5: A nurse is instructing a client on performing deep-breathing exercises.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Exhale rapidly through the nose
B. Place hands on the abdomen
C. Take shallow breaths only
D. Perform exercises once a day
Answer: B. Place hands on the abdomen
Rationale: Placing hands on the abdomen helps the client visualize diaphragmatic
movement and ensures effective deep breathing.
Question 6: The nurse finds a client lying on the floor after a fall. What is the priority
action?
A. Help the client sit up immediately
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Call the client’s family
D. Document the fall before intervention
,Answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: ABC assessment ensures client safety and identifies life-threatening
conditions before moving the client.
Question 7: Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing orthostatic
hypotension?
A. Encourage rapid standing
B. Have the client change positions slowly
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Avoid sitting in chairs
Answer: B. Have the client change positions slowly
Rationale: Gradual position changes reduce the risk of dizziness and falls associated
with orthostatic hypotension.
Question 8: A nurse is teaching a client about using a walker. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A. The client should lift the walker completely off the floor
B. The client should move the walker first, then step forward
C. The client should take two steps per walker movement
D. The client should hold the walker with one hand
Answer: B. The client should move the walker first, then step forward
Rationale: Proper walker use requires advancing the walker, then stepping forward to
maintain balance and prevent falls.
Question 9: Which type of precaution is required for a client with tuberculosis?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Standard
Answer: C. Airborne
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles; N95 respirators and
negative-pressure rooms are required.
Question 10: A client reports pain at a surgical site. Which nursing action is priority?
A. Document the pain level
, B. Assess pain characteristics
C. Administer prescribed analgesic immediately
D. Encourage distraction techniques
Answer: B. Assess pain characteristics
Rationale: Pain assessment guides appropriate interventions and ensures safe
medication administration.
Question 11: Which vital sign change indicates hypovolemia?
A. Elevated blood pressure, slow pulse
B. Decreased blood pressure, rapid pulse
C. Normal blood pressure, irregular pulse
D. Increased blood pressure, irregular pulse
Answer: B. Decreased blood pressure, rapid pulse
Rationale: Hypovolemia reduces circulating volume, causing hypotension and
compensatory tachycardia.
Question 12: A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which action is
correct before administering medications?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
B. Clamp the tube for 30 minutes
C. Aspirate gastric contents only once per day
D. Leave the tube open to air
Answer: A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
Rationale: Flushing ensures tube patency and prevents clogging before and after
medication administration.
Question 13: Which method is best to prevent pressure ulcers in a bedridden client?
A. Apply lotion to the sacrum hourly
B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
C. Keep the client on a firm mattress without padding
D. Elevate the head of the bed 90 degrees at all times
Answer: B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves pressure on bony prominences, reducing the
risk of ulcers.
2025/2026 | Actual Exam with Complete
Questions and Answers | Practical Nurse
Fundamentals | HESI Exit Exam
Preparation
HESI PN Fundamentals Exam – Questions 1–200
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which site is
considered appropriate?
A. Vastus lateralis
B. Deltoid
C. Abdomen
D. Dorsogluteal
Answer: C. Abdomen
Rationale: The abdomen provides abundant subcutaneous tissue and allows consistent
absorption. Other sites are primarily for intramuscular injections or have higher risk of
complications.
Question 2: When caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter, the nurse
should:
A. Clean the catheter insertion site once a week
B. Maintain a closed drainage system
C. Clamp the catheter every 2 hours
D. Remove the catheter daily
Answer: B. Maintain a closed drainage system
Rationale: A closed drainage system reduces the risk of infection. Daily removal is only
when no longer needed; clamping and infrequent cleaning increase infection risk.
,Question 3: A client is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 3 L/min. Which statement by
the nurse is correct?
A. Oxygen is delivered at 50% concentration
B. The flow rate is too high for safety
C. Humidification is usually not required
D. The client should remove the cannula while eating
Answer: C. Humidification is usually not required
Rationale: Nasal cannula oxygen flow rates up to 4 L/min usually do not require
humidification. Higher flow rates or prolonged use may require it.
Question 4: Which action by the nurse demonstrates correct hand hygiene?
A. Rubbing hands for 5 seconds with soap
B. Using hand sanitizer before and after patient contact
C. Wearing gloves instead of washing hands
D. Only washing hands when visibly soiled
Answer: B. Using hand sanitizer before and after patient contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene should occur before and after patient contact. Alcohol-based
sanitizer is effective unless hands are visibly soiled.
Question 5: A nurse is instructing a client on performing deep-breathing exercises.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Exhale rapidly through the nose
B. Place hands on the abdomen
C. Take shallow breaths only
D. Perform exercises once a day
Answer: B. Place hands on the abdomen
Rationale: Placing hands on the abdomen helps the client visualize diaphragmatic
movement and ensures effective deep breathing.
Question 6: The nurse finds a client lying on the floor after a fall. What is the priority
action?
A. Help the client sit up immediately
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Call the client’s family
D. Document the fall before intervention
,Answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: ABC assessment ensures client safety and identifies life-threatening
conditions before moving the client.
Question 7: Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing orthostatic
hypotension?
A. Encourage rapid standing
B. Have the client change positions slowly
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Avoid sitting in chairs
Answer: B. Have the client change positions slowly
Rationale: Gradual position changes reduce the risk of dizziness and falls associated
with orthostatic hypotension.
Question 8: A nurse is teaching a client about using a walker. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A. The client should lift the walker completely off the floor
B. The client should move the walker first, then step forward
C. The client should take two steps per walker movement
D. The client should hold the walker with one hand
Answer: B. The client should move the walker first, then step forward
Rationale: Proper walker use requires advancing the walker, then stepping forward to
maintain balance and prevent falls.
Question 9: Which type of precaution is required for a client with tuberculosis?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Standard
Answer: C. Airborne
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles; N95 respirators and
negative-pressure rooms are required.
Question 10: A client reports pain at a surgical site. Which nursing action is priority?
A. Document the pain level
, B. Assess pain characteristics
C. Administer prescribed analgesic immediately
D. Encourage distraction techniques
Answer: B. Assess pain characteristics
Rationale: Pain assessment guides appropriate interventions and ensures safe
medication administration.
Question 11: Which vital sign change indicates hypovolemia?
A. Elevated blood pressure, slow pulse
B. Decreased blood pressure, rapid pulse
C. Normal blood pressure, irregular pulse
D. Increased blood pressure, irregular pulse
Answer: B. Decreased blood pressure, rapid pulse
Rationale: Hypovolemia reduces circulating volume, causing hypotension and
compensatory tachycardia.
Question 12: A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which action is
correct before administering medications?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
B. Clamp the tube for 30 minutes
C. Aspirate gastric contents only once per day
D. Leave the tube open to air
Answer: A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
Rationale: Flushing ensures tube patency and prevents clogging before and after
medication administration.
Question 13: Which method is best to prevent pressure ulcers in a bedridden client?
A. Apply lotion to the sacrum hourly
B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
C. Keep the client on a firm mattress without padding
D. Elevate the head of the bed 90 degrees at all times
Answer: B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves pressure on bony prominences, reducing the
risk of ulcers.
