EXIT HESI 2 KEY CONCEPTS AND CLINICAL
APPLICATIONS GUIDE 2026
◉ Two unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are arguing on the unit
about who deserves to take a break first. Which is the most
important basic guideline that the nurse should follow in resolving
the conflict?
A. Deal with issues and not personalities.
B. Require the UAPs to reach a compromise.
C. Weigh the consequences of each possible solution.
D. Encourage the two to view the humor of the conflict. Answer: A.
Deal with issues and not personalities.
Dealing with issues that are concrete, not personalities which
include emotional reactions, is one of seven important key behaviors
in managing conflict. The other choices do not resolve the conflict
when diverse opinions are expressed emotionally.
◉ A client who is one week postoperative after an aortic valve
replacement suddenly develops severe pain in the left leg. On
assessment, the nurse determines that the client's leg is pale and
cool, and no pulses are palpable in the left leg. After notifying the
healthcare provider, which action should the nurse take?
,A. Medicate for pain.
B. Apply firm pressure to the femoral artery.
C. Keep the legs elevated when in bed or chair.
D. Encourage the client to exercise the leg. Answer: C. Keep the legs
elevated when in bed or chair.
A common postoperative complication after valve replacement is
arterial occlusion from a clot, which requires anticoagulant therapy
to prevent further enlargement of the thrombus and reduce the risk
of embolization. Recently formed thrombi can also be effectively
treated with an intraarterial infusion of a thrombolytic agent.
Supportive therapy for DVT has typically included bed rest and
elevation of the extremity. However, research shows that ambulation
does not increase the risk of pulmonary embolus. The risk of
pulmonary embolism (PE) associated with more aggressive activity
is unknown. The accepted approach is a gradual increase in
ambulation as tolerated by the patient. Allowing patients to
ambulate may decrease their fear and anxiety about dislodging the
clot and life-threatening complications. Teach the patient to elevate
his or her legs when in the bed and chair.
◉ The nurse is teaching staff in a long-term facility home the
principles of caring for clients with essential (primary/idiopathic)
hypertension. Which comment should the nurse include in the
inservice presentation about the care of clients with hypertension?
,A. "Clients with an elevated blood pressure often exhibit a stiff neck
and are diaphoretic."
B. "As long as clients receive daily antihypertensive medications, no
further interventions are needed."
C. "Caregivers should only conduct blood pressure checks under a
registered nurse's direct supervision."
D. "Frequent blood pressure checks, including readings taken by
automated machines, are recommended." Answer: D. "Frequent
blood pressure checks, including readings taken by automated
machines, are recommended."
Frequent blood pressure checks are recommended for hypertensive
clients to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Symptoms such as
a stiff neck are not typical of essential hypertension, which is an
asymptomatic disease. Treatment usually includes dietary
modifications and exercise, which should not be discontinued when
medications are added to the treatment plan. While the registered
nurse (RN) is ultimately responsible for the assessment of blood
pressure, caregivers are not restricted from obtaining blood
pressure readings.
◉ A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the
medical unit. What action is most important for the nurse to
implement?
, A. Place an isolation cart in the hallway.
B. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
C. Don a clean gown for client care.
D. Assign the client to a negative airflow room. Answer: D. Assign the
client to a negative airflow room.
Active tuberculosis requires implementation of airborne
precautions, so the client should be assigned to a negative-pressure
air-flow room.
◉ A young adult female arrives at the emergency department with a
black right eye and is bleeding from the left side of her head. She
reports that her boyfriend has been abusing her physically. The
nurse performs a history and physical examination. How should the
nurse document these findings?
A. Client alleges that her boyfriend beat her up. Client is bleeding
from the left side of the face.
B. Client reports her boyfriend hit her in the eye and on the head.
Bruises and lacerations present on face.
C. Client presents with a right black eye and a cut on the left side of
her head that is bleeding. Reports abusive boyfriend responsible for
injuries. Needs referral to a safe place to stay.
D. Young adult female presents with periorbital ecchymosis on right
side, 3 cm laceration on left parietal area, approximately 1 cm deep
APPLICATIONS GUIDE 2026
◉ Two unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) are arguing on the unit
about who deserves to take a break first. Which is the most
important basic guideline that the nurse should follow in resolving
the conflict?
A. Deal with issues and not personalities.
B. Require the UAPs to reach a compromise.
C. Weigh the consequences of each possible solution.
D. Encourage the two to view the humor of the conflict. Answer: A.
Deal with issues and not personalities.
Dealing with issues that are concrete, not personalities which
include emotional reactions, is one of seven important key behaviors
in managing conflict. The other choices do not resolve the conflict
when diverse opinions are expressed emotionally.
◉ A client who is one week postoperative after an aortic valve
replacement suddenly develops severe pain in the left leg. On
assessment, the nurse determines that the client's leg is pale and
cool, and no pulses are palpable in the left leg. After notifying the
healthcare provider, which action should the nurse take?
,A. Medicate for pain.
B. Apply firm pressure to the femoral artery.
C. Keep the legs elevated when in bed or chair.
D. Encourage the client to exercise the leg. Answer: C. Keep the legs
elevated when in bed or chair.
A common postoperative complication after valve replacement is
arterial occlusion from a clot, which requires anticoagulant therapy
to prevent further enlargement of the thrombus and reduce the risk
of embolization. Recently formed thrombi can also be effectively
treated with an intraarterial infusion of a thrombolytic agent.
Supportive therapy for DVT has typically included bed rest and
elevation of the extremity. However, research shows that ambulation
does not increase the risk of pulmonary embolus. The risk of
pulmonary embolism (PE) associated with more aggressive activity
is unknown. The accepted approach is a gradual increase in
ambulation as tolerated by the patient. Allowing patients to
ambulate may decrease their fear and anxiety about dislodging the
clot and life-threatening complications. Teach the patient to elevate
his or her legs when in the bed and chair.
◉ The nurse is teaching staff in a long-term facility home the
principles of caring for clients with essential (primary/idiopathic)
hypertension. Which comment should the nurse include in the
inservice presentation about the care of clients with hypertension?
,A. "Clients with an elevated blood pressure often exhibit a stiff neck
and are diaphoretic."
B. "As long as clients receive daily antihypertensive medications, no
further interventions are needed."
C. "Caregivers should only conduct blood pressure checks under a
registered nurse's direct supervision."
D. "Frequent blood pressure checks, including readings taken by
automated machines, are recommended." Answer: D. "Frequent
blood pressure checks, including readings taken by automated
machines, are recommended."
Frequent blood pressure checks are recommended for hypertensive
clients to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Symptoms such as
a stiff neck are not typical of essential hypertension, which is an
asymptomatic disease. Treatment usually includes dietary
modifications and exercise, which should not be discontinued when
medications are added to the treatment plan. While the registered
nurse (RN) is ultimately responsible for the assessment of blood
pressure, caregivers are not restricted from obtaining blood
pressure readings.
◉ A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the
medical unit. What action is most important for the nurse to
implement?
, A. Place an isolation cart in the hallway.
B. Fit the client with a respirator mask.
C. Don a clean gown for client care.
D. Assign the client to a negative airflow room. Answer: D. Assign the
client to a negative airflow room.
Active tuberculosis requires implementation of airborne
precautions, so the client should be assigned to a negative-pressure
air-flow room.
◉ A young adult female arrives at the emergency department with a
black right eye and is bleeding from the left side of her head. She
reports that her boyfriend has been abusing her physically. The
nurse performs a history and physical examination. How should the
nurse document these findings?
A. Client alleges that her boyfriend beat her up. Client is bleeding
from the left side of the face.
B. Client reports her boyfriend hit her in the eye and on the head.
Bruises and lacerations present on face.
C. Client presents with a right black eye and a cut on the left side of
her head that is bleeding. Reports abusive boyfriend responsible for
injuries. Needs referral to a safe place to stay.
D. Young adult female presents with periorbital ecchymosis on right
side, 3 cm laceration on left parietal area, approximately 1 cm deep
