HESI Critical Care EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026-2027
NEW VERSION
The nurse is giving discharge instructions to the parents of a newborn with a
prescription for
home phototherapy. Which statement by a parent indicates understanding of the
phototherapy?
A. "I should leave the baby under the light all of the time."
B. "I should dress the baby in light clothing when the baby is under the light."
C. "I need to change the baby's position every four hours."
D. "I will keep the baby's eyes covered when the baby is under the light." -
answer>>>D. "I will keep the baby's eyes covered when the baby is under the light."
RATIONALE:
Neonatal jaundice is related to subcutaneous deposition of fat-soluble (indirect)
bilirubin, which
is converted to a water-soluble form when the skin is exposed to an ultraviolet light,
so the
infant's eyes should be protected (C) by closing the eyes and placing patches over
them before
placing the baby under the phototherapy light source. The baby's position should be
changed
about every two hours, not (A), so that the light reaches all areas of the body to
promote
conversion to a water-soluble form of bilirubin, which is excreted in the urine. The
infant can be
removed from the light for feedings and diaper changes, but should receive
phototherapy
exposure for 18 hours a day (B). The baby should be naked or dressed in only a
diaper to expose
, -
as much skin as possible to the light (D).
A male client who had abdominal surgery has a nasogastric tube to suction, oxygen
per nasal
cannula, and complains of dry mouth. Which action should the nurse implement?
A. Apply a water soluble lubricant to the lips, oral mucosa and nares.
B. Put petroleum jelly on the lips and around the nasogastric tube.
C. Offer the client ice chips and instruct client to spit out the water.
D. Allow the client to drink water and record on the I and O record. - answer>>>A.
Apply a water soluble lubricant to the lips, oral mucosa and nares.
RATIONALE:
To ease the client's discomfort, a water soluble lubricant to the lips and nares assists
to keep the
mucous membranes moist (D). (A) is a petroleum-based product and should not be
used because
it is flammable. (B and C) should not be given to the client with a nasogastric tube to
suction
because it can cause further distension and interfere with fluid and electrolyte
balance.
The nurse is assessing the laboratory results for a client who is admitted with renal
failure
and osteodystrophy. Which findings are consistent with this client's clinical picture?
A. Hemoglobin of 10 g and hypophosphatemia.
B. Cloudy, amber urine with sediment, specific gravity of 1.040.
C. Serum potassium of 5.5 mEq and total calcium of 6 mg/dl.
D. Blood urea nitrogen 40 m and creatinine 1.0. - answer>>>C. Serum potassium of
5.5 mEq and total calcium of 6 mg/dl.
RATIONALE:
,In renal failure, normal serum electrolyte balance is altered because the kidneys fail
to activate
vitamin D, calcium absorption is impaired, and serum calcium decreases, which
stimulates the
release of PTH causing resorption of calcium and phosphate from the bone. A
decreased tubular
excretion and a decreased glomerular filtration rate results in hypocalcemia,
hyperphosphatemia,
and hyperkalemia (C). (A) is reflective of a non-renal cause, such as dehydration or
liver
pathology. (B) is more indicative of infection. Renal failure causes anemia and
hyperphosphatemia, not (D).
Which information should the nurse give a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
A. Obtain monthly B12 injections.
B. Restrict calcium-rich foods.
C. Avoid salt substitutes.
D. Increase daily intake of fiber. - answer>>>C. Avoid salt substitutes.
RATIONALE:
A client with CKD should restrict sodium and potassium dietary intake, and salt
substitutes
usually contain potassium, so (C) should be taught. Hypocalcemia is a complication
of CKD and
calcium supplements are often needed, not (A). Anemia related to CKD is treated
with iron, folic
acid, and erythropoietin, not (B). Although (D) is a common dietary
recommendation, it not an
essential part of client teaching for CKD.
A nurse is answering questions about breast cancer at a hospital-sponsored
community health
, -
fair. A woman asks the nurse to explain the use of tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Which
response should
the nurse provide?
A. Part of a combination of chemotherapeutic agents used to treat tumors.
B. An used to reduce the risk of breast cancer for all women.
C. Low doses of tamoxifen prevent menopausal hot flashes.
D. This anti-estrogen drug inhibits malignancy growth - answer>>>D. This anti-
estrogen drug inhibits malignancy growth.
RATIONALE:
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is used in postmenopausal women with breast cancer to
prevent and treat
recurrent cancer and inhibit the growth-stimulating effects (C) of estrogen by
blocking estrogen
receptor sites on malignant cells. A side effect of tamoxifen is hot flashes (A), which
is related to
the decreased estrogen. Tamoxifen is used for women with estrogen receptor-
positive breast
cancer, not all women (B), and is classified as a hormonal agent, not (D), used to
suppress
malignant cell growth.
Which information should the nurse provide a client who has undergone cryosurgery
for
Stage 1A cervical cancer?
A. Use condoms for sexual intercourse during the next week.
B. Notify the healthcare provider if heavy vaginal discharge occurs.
C. Use a sanitary napkin instead of a tampon.
D. Flat subclinical mucosal lesions are a common harmLess side effect. - answer>>>C.
Use a sanitary napkin instead of a tampon.
VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026-2027
NEW VERSION
The nurse is giving discharge instructions to the parents of a newborn with a
prescription for
home phototherapy. Which statement by a parent indicates understanding of the
phototherapy?
A. "I should leave the baby under the light all of the time."
B. "I should dress the baby in light clothing when the baby is under the light."
C. "I need to change the baby's position every four hours."
D. "I will keep the baby's eyes covered when the baby is under the light." -
answer>>>D. "I will keep the baby's eyes covered when the baby is under the light."
RATIONALE:
Neonatal jaundice is related to subcutaneous deposition of fat-soluble (indirect)
bilirubin, which
is converted to a water-soluble form when the skin is exposed to an ultraviolet light,
so the
infant's eyes should be protected (C) by closing the eyes and placing patches over
them before
placing the baby under the phototherapy light source. The baby's position should be
changed
about every two hours, not (A), so that the light reaches all areas of the body to
promote
conversion to a water-soluble form of bilirubin, which is excreted in the urine. The
infant can be
removed from the light for feedings and diaper changes, but should receive
phototherapy
exposure for 18 hours a day (B). The baby should be naked or dressed in only a
diaper to expose
, -
as much skin as possible to the light (D).
A male client who had abdominal surgery has a nasogastric tube to suction, oxygen
per nasal
cannula, and complains of dry mouth. Which action should the nurse implement?
A. Apply a water soluble lubricant to the lips, oral mucosa and nares.
B. Put petroleum jelly on the lips and around the nasogastric tube.
C. Offer the client ice chips and instruct client to spit out the water.
D. Allow the client to drink water and record on the I and O record. - answer>>>A.
Apply a water soluble lubricant to the lips, oral mucosa and nares.
RATIONALE:
To ease the client's discomfort, a water soluble lubricant to the lips and nares assists
to keep the
mucous membranes moist (D). (A) is a petroleum-based product and should not be
used because
it is flammable. (B and C) should not be given to the client with a nasogastric tube to
suction
because it can cause further distension and interfere with fluid and electrolyte
balance.
The nurse is assessing the laboratory results for a client who is admitted with renal
failure
and osteodystrophy. Which findings are consistent with this client's clinical picture?
A. Hemoglobin of 10 g and hypophosphatemia.
B. Cloudy, amber urine with sediment, specific gravity of 1.040.
C. Serum potassium of 5.5 mEq and total calcium of 6 mg/dl.
D. Blood urea nitrogen 40 m and creatinine 1.0. - answer>>>C. Serum potassium of
5.5 mEq and total calcium of 6 mg/dl.
RATIONALE:
,In renal failure, normal serum electrolyte balance is altered because the kidneys fail
to activate
vitamin D, calcium absorption is impaired, and serum calcium decreases, which
stimulates the
release of PTH causing resorption of calcium and phosphate from the bone. A
decreased tubular
excretion and a decreased glomerular filtration rate results in hypocalcemia,
hyperphosphatemia,
and hyperkalemia (C). (A) is reflective of a non-renal cause, such as dehydration or
liver
pathology. (B) is more indicative of infection. Renal failure causes anemia and
hyperphosphatemia, not (D).
Which information should the nurse give a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
A. Obtain monthly B12 injections.
B. Restrict calcium-rich foods.
C. Avoid salt substitutes.
D. Increase daily intake of fiber. - answer>>>C. Avoid salt substitutes.
RATIONALE:
A client with CKD should restrict sodium and potassium dietary intake, and salt
substitutes
usually contain potassium, so (C) should be taught. Hypocalcemia is a complication
of CKD and
calcium supplements are often needed, not (A). Anemia related to CKD is treated
with iron, folic
acid, and erythropoietin, not (B). Although (D) is a common dietary
recommendation, it not an
essential part of client teaching for CKD.
A nurse is answering questions about breast cancer at a hospital-sponsored
community health
, -
fair. A woman asks the nurse to explain the use of tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Which
response should
the nurse provide?
A. Part of a combination of chemotherapeutic agents used to treat tumors.
B. An used to reduce the risk of breast cancer for all women.
C. Low doses of tamoxifen prevent menopausal hot flashes.
D. This anti-estrogen drug inhibits malignancy growth - answer>>>D. This anti-
estrogen drug inhibits malignancy growth.
RATIONALE:
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is used in postmenopausal women with breast cancer to
prevent and treat
recurrent cancer and inhibit the growth-stimulating effects (C) of estrogen by
blocking estrogen
receptor sites on malignant cells. A side effect of tamoxifen is hot flashes (A), which
is related to
the decreased estrogen. Tamoxifen is used for women with estrogen receptor-
positive breast
cancer, not all women (B), and is classified as a hormonal agent, not (D), used to
suppress
malignant cell growth.
Which information should the nurse provide a client who has undergone cryosurgery
for
Stage 1A cervical cancer?
A. Use condoms for sexual intercourse during the next week.
B. Notify the healthcare provider if heavy vaginal discharge occurs.
C. Use a sanitary napkin instead of a tampon.
D. Flat subclinical mucosal lesions are a common harmLess side effect. - answer>>>C.
Use a sanitary napkin instead of a tampon.
