2026 HESI RN Exit Exam Prep- 200 Practice Questions & Detailed
Answers | NGN Nursing Questions | Latest PDF Update
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting, leading to hypokalemia, which
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and cardiac arrhythmias.
2. A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is receiving teaching about disease management. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "Using salt, herbs, and spices will improve the flavor of foods."
B) "I will get my eyes examined by an ophthalmologist every year."
C) "I need to arrange my diet schedule around three regular meals a day."
D) "I'll inspect my feet every month for ingrown nails, cuts, and calluses."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic clients are at high risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. Annual
eye exams by an ophthalmologist are essential. Foot inspections should be daily, not monthly.
,3. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A) Assessing a client's pain level
B) Administering oral medications
C) Ambulating a stable client
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delegation follows the "Five Rights." UAPs can ambulate stable clients, assist with activities of
daily living, and obtain vital signs on stable clients. Assessment, medication administration, and
evaluation are the responsibility of the licensed nurse.
4. A nurse receives a telephone order from a provider for a client's pain medication. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A) Implement the order immediately
B) Write the order in the chart and sign "TO"
C) Read the order back to the provider for verification
D) Ask another nurse to listen to the order
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "read back" process is a critical safety measure that ensures accurate communication of
verbal and telephone orders.
,5. A client is postoperative day 2 with a platelet count of 20,000/mm³. Which intervention should the
nurse implement?
A) Use an electric razor for shaving
B) Administer IM pain medication
C) Apply warm compresses to IV sites
D) Encourage the client to floss teeth daily
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: With severe thrombocytopenia (platelets <50,000), bleeding precautions should be
implemented: electric razor, soft toothbrush, no IM injections, and avoid rectal temperatures.
6. A 68yearold male presents with suddenonset severe "tearing" chest pain radiating to his back. BP is
190/110 mmHg in the right arm and 100/60 mmHg in the left arm. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
B) Obtain a 12lead ECG
C) Administer IV morphine for pain
D) Notify the provider immediately and prepare for CT angiography
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This presentation is classic for aortic dissection. CT angiography is the definitive diagnostic
study, and immediate provider notification is critical for rapid treatment.
7. A client with Parkinson's disease is prescribed carbidopa/levodopa. Which statement indicates a need
for further teaching?
, A) "I will take this medication with food to prevent nausea."
B) "It may take several weeks to see improvement in my symptoms."
C) "I should stop the medication immediately if I feel better."
D) "I may notice my urine turning a dark color."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levodopa should never be stopped abruptly as this can cause neuroleptic malignant
syndrome or severe worsening of Parkinson symptoms. The medication should be tapered under
provider guidance.
8. A male client with stomach cancer returns to the unit following a total gastrectomy. One hour after
admission, the nurse notes 300 mL of blood in the suction canister, heart rate 155 beats/minute, and BP
78/48 mmHg. In addition to reporting the finding to the surgeon, which action should the nurse
implement first?
A) Measure and document the client's urinary output
B) Request the client's reserved unit of packed red blood cells
C) Prepare the placement of a central venous catheter
D) Increase the IV fluid rate and infuse a fluid bolus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient is in hypovolemic shock. The priority is to increase intravascular volume with a
fluid bolus while preparing for blood transfusion. Increasing IV fluids is the immediate action the nurse
can take independently before the blood product arrives.
9. The nurse is triaging several children after a school bus accident. Which child requires the most
immediate intervention?
Answers | NGN Nursing Questions | Latest PDF Update
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting, leading to hypokalemia, which
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and cardiac arrhythmias.
2. A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is receiving teaching about disease management. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) "Using salt, herbs, and spices will improve the flavor of foods."
B) "I will get my eyes examined by an ophthalmologist every year."
C) "I need to arrange my diet schedule around three regular meals a day."
D) "I'll inspect my feet every month for ingrown nails, cuts, and calluses."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic clients are at high risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. Annual
eye exams by an ophthalmologist are essential. Foot inspections should be daily, not monthly.
,3. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A) Assessing a client's pain level
B) Administering oral medications
C) Ambulating a stable client
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delegation follows the "Five Rights." UAPs can ambulate stable clients, assist with activities of
daily living, and obtain vital signs on stable clients. Assessment, medication administration, and
evaluation are the responsibility of the licensed nurse.
4. A nurse receives a telephone order from a provider for a client's pain medication. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A) Implement the order immediately
B) Write the order in the chart and sign "TO"
C) Read the order back to the provider for verification
D) Ask another nurse to listen to the order
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The "read back" process is a critical safety measure that ensures accurate communication of
verbal and telephone orders.
,5. A client is postoperative day 2 with a platelet count of 20,000/mm³. Which intervention should the
nurse implement?
A) Use an electric razor for shaving
B) Administer IM pain medication
C) Apply warm compresses to IV sites
D) Encourage the client to floss teeth daily
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: With severe thrombocytopenia (platelets <50,000), bleeding precautions should be
implemented: electric razor, soft toothbrush, no IM injections, and avoid rectal temperatures.
6. A 68yearold male presents with suddenonset severe "tearing" chest pain radiating to his back. BP is
190/110 mmHg in the right arm and 100/60 mmHg in the left arm. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
B) Obtain a 12lead ECG
C) Administer IV morphine for pain
D) Notify the provider immediately and prepare for CT angiography
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This presentation is classic for aortic dissection. CT angiography is the definitive diagnostic
study, and immediate provider notification is critical for rapid treatment.
7. A client with Parkinson's disease is prescribed carbidopa/levodopa. Which statement indicates a need
for further teaching?
, A) "I will take this medication with food to prevent nausea."
B) "It may take several weeks to see improvement in my symptoms."
C) "I should stop the medication immediately if I feel better."
D) "I may notice my urine turning a dark color."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levodopa should never be stopped abruptly as this can cause neuroleptic malignant
syndrome or severe worsening of Parkinson symptoms. The medication should be tapered under
provider guidance.
8. A male client with stomach cancer returns to the unit following a total gastrectomy. One hour after
admission, the nurse notes 300 mL of blood in the suction canister, heart rate 155 beats/minute, and BP
78/48 mmHg. In addition to reporting the finding to the surgeon, which action should the nurse
implement first?
A) Measure and document the client's urinary output
B) Request the client's reserved unit of packed red blood cells
C) Prepare the placement of a central venous catheter
D) Increase the IV fluid rate and infuse a fluid bolus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient is in hypovolemic shock. The priority is to increase intravascular volume with a
fluid bolus while preparing for blood transfusion. Increasing IV fluids is the immediate action the nurse
can take independently before the blood product arrives.
9. The nurse is triaging several children after a school bus accident. Which child requires the most
immediate intervention?
