WGU HESI’ FUNDAMENTALS PRACTICE TEST 2026
UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
A client who is 5' 5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for surgery the next day. What
question is most important for the nurse to include during the preoperative assessment?
A) What is your daily calorie consumption?
B) What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?
C) Do you feel that you are overweight?
D) Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery?
A) What is your daily calorie consumption?
Vitamin and mineral supplements (B) may impact medications used during the operative
period. (A and C) are appropriate questions for long-term dietary counseling. The nature of the
surgery and anesthesia will determine the need for a clear liquid diet (D), rather than the
client's preference
The nurse is performing nasotracheal suctioning. After suctioning the client's trachea for
fifteen seconds, large amounts of thick yellow secretions return. What action should the
nurse implement next?
A) Encourage the client to cough to help loosen secretions.
B) Advise the client to increase the intake of oral fluids.
C) Rotate the suction catheter to obtain any remaining secretions.
D) Re-oxygenate the client before attempting to suction again.
D) Re-oxygenate the client before attempting to suction again
Suctioning should not be continued for longer than ten to fifteen seconds, since the client's
oxygenation is compromised during this time (D). (A, B, and C) may be performed after the
client is re-oxygenated and additional suctioning is performed.
,A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings via a small-bore tube and a
continuous pump infusion. He reports that he had a bad bout of severe coughing a few
minutes ago, but feels fine now. What action is best for the nurse to take?
A) Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this time.
B) Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and notify the healthcare
provider.
C) After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the tube.
D) Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium for gurgling.
C) After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the tube
Coughing, vomiting, and suctioning can precipitate displacement of the tip of the small bore
feeding tube upward into the esophagus, placing the client at increased risk for aspiration.
Checking the sample of fluid withdrawn from the tube (after clearing the tube with 30 ml of air)
for acidic (stomach) or alkaline (intestine) values is a more sensitive method for these tubes,
and the nurse should assess tube placement in this way prior to taking any other action (C). (A
and B) are not indicated. The auscultating method (D) has been found to be unreliable for
small-bore feeding tubes.
A female client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states that she is nauseated.
The nurse assesses that there has been no drainage through the nasogastric tube in the last
two hours. What action should the nurse take first?
A) Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B) Reposition the client on her side.
C) Advance the nasogastric tube an additional five centimeters.
D) Administer an intravenous antiemetic prescribed for PRN use.
B) Reposition the client on her side
The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is functioning correctly, which would then
relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive intervention, (B), should be attempted first,
followed by (A and C), unless either of these interventions is contraindicated. If these measures
are unsuccessful, the client may require an antiemetic (D).
,The UAPs working on a chronic neuro unit ask the nurse to help them determine the safest
way to transfer an elderly client with left-sided weakness from the bed to the chair. What
method describes the correct transfer procedure for this client?
A) Place the chair at a right angle to the bed on the client's left side before moving.
B) Assist the client to a standing position, then place the right hand on the armrest.
C) Have the client place the left foot next to the chair and pivot to the left before sitting.
D) Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on the right foot
D) Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on the right foot
(D) uses the client's stronger side, the right side, for weight-bearing during the transfer, and is
the safest approach to take. (A, B, and C) are unsafe methods of transfer and include the use of
poor body mechanics by the caregiver.
When conducting an admission assessment, the nurse should ask the client about the use of
complimentary healing practices. Which statement is accurate regarding the use of these
practices?
A) Complimentary healing practices interfere with the efficacy of the medical model of
treatment.
B) Conventional medications are likely to interact with folk remedies and cause adverse
effects.
C) Many complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with conventional
practices.
D) Conventional medical practices will ultimately replace the use of complimentary healing
practices.
C) Many complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with conventional
practices
Conventional approaches to health care can be depersonalizing and often fail to take into
consideration all aspects of an individual, including body, mind, and spirit. Often complimentary
healing practices can be used in conjunction with conventional medical practices (C), rather
than interfering (A) with conventional practices, causing adverse effects (B), or replacing
conventional medical care (D).
, After completing an assessment and determining that a client has a problem, which action
should the nurse perform next?
A) Determine the etiology of the problem.
B) Prioritize nursing care interventions.
C) Plan appropriate interventions.
D) Collaborate with the client to set goals.
A) Determine the etiology of the problem
Before planning care, the nurse should determine the etiology, or cause, of the problem (A),
because this will help determine (B, C, and D).
The nurse notices that the Hispanic parents of a toddler who returns from surgery offer the
child only the broth that comes on the clear liquid tray. Other liquids, including gelatin,
popsicles, and juices, remain untouched. What explanation is most appropriate for this
behavior?
A) The belief is held that the "evil eye" enters the child if anything cold is ingested.
B) After surgery the child probably has refused all foods except broth.
C) Eating broth strengthens the child's innate energy called "chi."
D) Hot remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold" condition.
D) Hot remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold" condition
Common parental practices and health beliefs among Hispanic, Chinese, Filipino, and Arab
cultures classify diseases, areas of the body, and illnesses as "hot" or "cold" and must be
balanced to maintain health and prevent illness. The perception that surgery is a "cold"
condition implies that only "hot" remedies, such as soup, should be used to restore the healthy
balance within the body, so (D) is the correct interpretation. (A, B, and C) are not correct
interpretations of the noted behavior. "Chi" is a Chinese belief that an innate energy enters and
leaves the body via certain locations and pathways and maintains health. The "evil eye," or "mal
ojo," is believed by many cultures to be related to the balance of health and illness but is
unrelated to dietary practice.
UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
A client who is 5' 5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for surgery the next day. What
question is most important for the nurse to include during the preoperative assessment?
A) What is your daily calorie consumption?
B) What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?
C) Do you feel that you are overweight?
D) Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery?
A) What is your daily calorie consumption?
Vitamin and mineral supplements (B) may impact medications used during the operative
period. (A and C) are appropriate questions for long-term dietary counseling. The nature of the
surgery and anesthesia will determine the need for a clear liquid diet (D), rather than the
client's preference
The nurse is performing nasotracheal suctioning. After suctioning the client's trachea for
fifteen seconds, large amounts of thick yellow secretions return. What action should the
nurse implement next?
A) Encourage the client to cough to help loosen secretions.
B) Advise the client to increase the intake of oral fluids.
C) Rotate the suction catheter to obtain any remaining secretions.
D) Re-oxygenate the client before attempting to suction again.
D) Re-oxygenate the client before attempting to suction again
Suctioning should not be continued for longer than ten to fifteen seconds, since the client's
oxygenation is compromised during this time (D). (A, B, and C) may be performed after the
client is re-oxygenated and additional suctioning is performed.
,A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings via a small-bore tube and a
continuous pump infusion. He reports that he had a bad bout of severe coughing a few
minutes ago, but feels fine now. What action is best for the nurse to take?
A) Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this time.
B) Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and notify the healthcare
provider.
C) After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the tube.
D) Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium for gurgling.
C) After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the tube
Coughing, vomiting, and suctioning can precipitate displacement of the tip of the small bore
feeding tube upward into the esophagus, placing the client at increased risk for aspiration.
Checking the sample of fluid withdrawn from the tube (after clearing the tube with 30 ml of air)
for acidic (stomach) or alkaline (intestine) values is a more sensitive method for these tubes,
and the nurse should assess tube placement in this way prior to taking any other action (C). (A
and B) are not indicated. The auscultating method (D) has been found to be unreliable for
small-bore feeding tubes.
A female client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states that she is nauseated.
The nurse assesses that there has been no drainage through the nasogastric tube in the last
two hours. What action should the nurse take first?
A) Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B) Reposition the client on her side.
C) Advance the nasogastric tube an additional five centimeters.
D) Administer an intravenous antiemetic prescribed for PRN use.
B) Reposition the client on her side
The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is functioning correctly, which would then
relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive intervention, (B), should be attempted first,
followed by (A and C), unless either of these interventions is contraindicated. If these measures
are unsuccessful, the client may require an antiemetic (D).
,The UAPs working on a chronic neuro unit ask the nurse to help them determine the safest
way to transfer an elderly client with left-sided weakness from the bed to the chair. What
method describes the correct transfer procedure for this client?
A) Place the chair at a right angle to the bed on the client's left side before moving.
B) Assist the client to a standing position, then place the right hand on the armrest.
C) Have the client place the left foot next to the chair and pivot to the left before sitting.
D) Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on the right foot
D) Move the chair parallel to the right side of the bed, and stand the client on the right foot
(D) uses the client's stronger side, the right side, for weight-bearing during the transfer, and is
the safest approach to take. (A, B, and C) are unsafe methods of transfer and include the use of
poor body mechanics by the caregiver.
When conducting an admission assessment, the nurse should ask the client about the use of
complimentary healing practices. Which statement is accurate regarding the use of these
practices?
A) Complimentary healing practices interfere with the efficacy of the medical model of
treatment.
B) Conventional medications are likely to interact with folk remedies and cause adverse
effects.
C) Many complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with conventional
practices.
D) Conventional medical practices will ultimately replace the use of complimentary healing
practices.
C) Many complimentary healing practices can be used in conjunction with conventional
practices
Conventional approaches to health care can be depersonalizing and often fail to take into
consideration all aspects of an individual, including body, mind, and spirit. Often complimentary
healing practices can be used in conjunction with conventional medical practices (C), rather
than interfering (A) with conventional practices, causing adverse effects (B), or replacing
conventional medical care (D).
, After completing an assessment and determining that a client has a problem, which action
should the nurse perform next?
A) Determine the etiology of the problem.
B) Prioritize nursing care interventions.
C) Plan appropriate interventions.
D) Collaborate with the client to set goals.
A) Determine the etiology of the problem
Before planning care, the nurse should determine the etiology, or cause, of the problem (A),
because this will help determine (B, C, and D).
The nurse notices that the Hispanic parents of a toddler who returns from surgery offer the
child only the broth that comes on the clear liquid tray. Other liquids, including gelatin,
popsicles, and juices, remain untouched. What explanation is most appropriate for this
behavior?
A) The belief is held that the "evil eye" enters the child if anything cold is ingested.
B) After surgery the child probably has refused all foods except broth.
C) Eating broth strengthens the child's innate energy called "chi."
D) Hot remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold" condition.
D) Hot remedies restore balance after surgery, which is considered a "cold" condition
Common parental practices and health beliefs among Hispanic, Chinese, Filipino, and Arab
cultures classify diseases, areas of the body, and illnesses as "hot" or "cold" and must be
balanced to maintain health and prevent illness. The perception that surgery is a "cold"
condition implies that only "hot" remedies, such as soup, should be used to restore the healthy
balance within the body, so (D) is the correct interpretation. (A, B, and C) are not correct
interpretations of the noted behavior. "Chi" is a Chinese belief that an innate energy enters and
leaves the body via certain locations and pathways and maintains health. The "evil eye," or "mal
ojo," is believed by many cultures to be related to the balance of health and illness but is
unrelated to dietary practice.
