PN HESI Exit Exam Test Bank for the
2026-2027 HESI PN Exit Exam Prep –
160 Past and Correct Answers/ HESI PN
Exit Exam Prep 2026-2027
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary
catheter. Which action demonstrates proper sterile
technique?
• A) Opens the outer packaging and places it on the overbed
table
• B) Secures the drainage tubing to the client's thigh with a
securement device
• C) Empties the drainage bag every 24 hours
• D) Routinely irrigates the catheter with sterile water
Answer: B
Rationale: Securing the catheter prevents traction and
accidental removal. The drainage bag should be kept below
bladder level and emptied every 8 hours or when full. Routine
irrigation is not recommended .
2. A client reports difficulty swallowing pills. What should the
nurse do?
• A) Crush all medications regardless of formulation
, • B) Check with the pharmacist to see if the medication can
be crushed
• C) Administer the pill with a straw
• D) Skip the medication
Answer: B
Rationale: Some medications (extended-release, enteric-
coated) should not be crushed. The nurse must verify with a
pharmacist before altering dosage form .
3. Which action would contaminate a sterile field?
• A) Holding sterile items at waist level
• B) Placing sterile items 1 inch from the edge of the field
• C) Reaching across the sterile field to obtain a gauze pad
• D) Opening a sterile package away from the sterile field
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it.
Sterile items should be kept within sight and at or above waist
level .
4. A client with a Stage 2 pressure injury on the sacrum
requires dressing. Which dressing is most appropriate?
• A) Dry gauze
• B) Hydrocolloid or foam dressing
• C) Wet-to-dry dressing
, • D) Transparent film
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 pressure injuries are partial-thickness
wounds. Hydrocolloid or foam dressings maintain a moist
environment and promote healing .
5. A client with a tracheostomy has thick secretions. What
intervention should the nurse implement first?
• A) Suction the tracheostomy tube
• B) Increase humidity delivered via tracheostomy collar
• C) Instill normal saline into the tube
• D) Change the inner cannula
Answer: B
Rationale: Increasing humidity helps loosen thick secretions.
Suctioning may be needed after humidification. Saline
instillation is no longer routinely recommended .
6. A nurse is providing post-mortem care. Which action is
most appropriate?
• A) Remove all tubes before family views the body
• B) Place identification tags on the body and allow family
time if desired
• C) Wash the body with soap and water before autopsy
• D) Close eyes and mouth only after family leaves
, Answer: B
Rationale: Proper identification is essential. Family should be
given the option to spend time with the deceased .
7. A client is being digitally disimpacted for fecal impaction.
The nurse should stop if the client experiences:
• A) Bradycardia
• B) Abdominal cramping
• C) Passage of small amounts of stool
• D) Nausea
Answer: A
Rationale: Digital stimulation can trigger the vagus nerve,
causing bradycardia and hypotension. Stop immediately if heart
rate drops .
8. A client refuses a blood transfusion for religious reasons.
The nurse's best response is:
• A) "You will die without this transfusion"
• B) "I respect your decision. Let's discuss other treatment
options with your provider"
• C) "You are making a mistake"
• D) "I will call your family to convince you"
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must respect patient autonomy and
religious beliefs while advocating for alternative treatments .
2026-2027 HESI PN Exit Exam Prep –
160 Past and Correct Answers/ HESI PN
Exit Exam Prep 2026-2027
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary
catheter. Which action demonstrates proper sterile
technique?
• A) Opens the outer packaging and places it on the overbed
table
• B) Secures the drainage tubing to the client's thigh with a
securement device
• C) Empties the drainage bag every 24 hours
• D) Routinely irrigates the catheter with sterile water
Answer: B
Rationale: Securing the catheter prevents traction and
accidental removal. The drainage bag should be kept below
bladder level and emptied every 8 hours or when full. Routine
irrigation is not recommended .
2. A client reports difficulty swallowing pills. What should the
nurse do?
• A) Crush all medications regardless of formulation
, • B) Check with the pharmacist to see if the medication can
be crushed
• C) Administer the pill with a straw
• D) Skip the medication
Answer: B
Rationale: Some medications (extended-release, enteric-
coated) should not be crushed. The nurse must verify with a
pharmacist before altering dosage form .
3. Which action would contaminate a sterile field?
• A) Holding sterile items at waist level
• B) Placing sterile items 1 inch from the edge of the field
• C) Reaching across the sterile field to obtain a gauze pad
• D) Opening a sterile package away from the sterile field
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it.
Sterile items should be kept within sight and at or above waist
level .
4. A client with a Stage 2 pressure injury on the sacrum
requires dressing. Which dressing is most appropriate?
• A) Dry gauze
• B) Hydrocolloid or foam dressing
• C) Wet-to-dry dressing
, • D) Transparent film
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 pressure injuries are partial-thickness
wounds. Hydrocolloid or foam dressings maintain a moist
environment and promote healing .
5. A client with a tracheostomy has thick secretions. What
intervention should the nurse implement first?
• A) Suction the tracheostomy tube
• B) Increase humidity delivered via tracheostomy collar
• C) Instill normal saline into the tube
• D) Change the inner cannula
Answer: B
Rationale: Increasing humidity helps loosen thick secretions.
Suctioning may be needed after humidification. Saline
instillation is no longer routinely recommended .
6. A nurse is providing post-mortem care. Which action is
most appropriate?
• A) Remove all tubes before family views the body
• B) Place identification tags on the body and allow family
time if desired
• C) Wash the body with soap and water before autopsy
• D) Close eyes and mouth only after family leaves
, Answer: B
Rationale: Proper identification is essential. Family should be
given the option to spend time with the deceased .
7. A client is being digitally disimpacted for fecal impaction.
The nurse should stop if the client experiences:
• A) Bradycardia
• B) Abdominal cramping
• C) Passage of small amounts of stool
• D) Nausea
Answer: A
Rationale: Digital stimulation can trigger the vagus nerve,
causing bradycardia and hypotension. Stop immediately if heart
rate drops .
8. A client refuses a blood transfusion for religious reasons.
The nurse's best response is:
• A) "You will die without this transfusion"
• B) "I respect your decision. Let's discuss other treatment
options with your provider"
• C) "You are making a mistake"
• D) "I will call your family to convince you"
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must respect patient autonomy and
religious beliefs while advocating for alternative treatments .
