HESI EXIT RN EXAM V1-V7 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Pharmacology and Medication Administration*
*- Medical-Surgical Nursing*
*- Maternal-Newborn Nursing*
*- Pediatrics and Neonatal Care*
*- Mental Health Nursing*
*- Cardiovascular Nursing*
*- Respiratory Nursing*
*- Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing*
*- Leadership and Delegation in Nursing*
*- Critical Care Nursing*
The HESI Exit RN Exam assesses nursing students' readiness for professional practice and NCLEX success.
This comprehensive assessment evaluates critical clinical knowledge, decision-making skills, and ability to
apply nursing principles across diverse patient care scenarios. The multiple-choice and scenario-based
structure emphasizes real-world application, requiring candidates to prioritize care, recognize complications,
and make safe clinical judgments. Questions span foundational theory, applied professional knowledge,
regulatory compliance, ethics, and professional standards, ensuring thorough preparation for entry-level
nursing practice.
Section One: Questions 1–100
,Question 1
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who experienced excessive bleeding 2 hours after delivery. The client's
uterus feels boggy on palpation. Which intervention should the nurse perform FIRST?
A. Administer oxytocin IV as prescribed
B. Massage the uterus firmly
C. Check the client's vital signs
D. Insert a urinary catheter
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Uterine massage is the first-line intervention for a boggy uterus with postpartum hemorrhage
because it directly stimulates uterine contraction to control bleeding. Medication administration (oxytocin)
follows massage, vital signs are assessed after initial intervention, and urinary catheterization is not the priority
for uterine hemorrhage.
Question 2
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 0.125 mg PO to a client with heart failure. The client's current lab
results show a potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the digoxin as ordered
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Give the digoxin with potassium supplement
D. Recheck the potassium level in 4 hours
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse must
hold the medication and notify the provider before administering digoxin to a client with low potassium.
Administering without correction could cause life-threatening toxicity.
Question 3
A client with diabetes mellitus presents with blood glucose of 450 mg/dL, fruity breath odor, and deep rapid
breathing. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Lactic acidosis
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Diabetic ketoacidosis presents with severe hyperglycemia (>350 mg/dL), fruity breath
(acetone), and Kussmaul respirations (deep rapid breathing) as the body attempts to compensate for metabolic
acidosis. HHS typically has glucose >600 mg/dL without significant ketoacidosis.
Question 4
The nurse is delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Which task is appropriate for the LPN?
A. Assess a newly admitted client with chest pain
B. Administer IV push morphine to a postoperative client
C. Provide routine care for a stable client with diabetes
D. Develop a care plan for a client with schizophrenia
, 🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: LPNs can provide routine care for stable clients with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Assessment of new admissions, IV push medications, and care plan development require RN-level knowledge
and are outside the LPN scope.
Question 5
A client with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Furosemide
B. Sodium bicarbonate
C. Insulin and dextrose
D. Potassium chloride
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Insulin and dextrose rapidly shift potassium into cells, providing immediate treatment for
severe hyperkalemia. Furosemide increases potassium excretion but is slower. Sodium bicarbonate is less
effective. Potassium chloride would worsen hyperkalemia.
Question 6
The nurse observes a client with Parkinson's disease experiencing sudden episodes of inability to move. What is
this phenomenon called?
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Pharmacology and Medication Administration*
*- Medical-Surgical Nursing*
*- Maternal-Newborn Nursing*
*- Pediatrics and Neonatal Care*
*- Mental Health Nursing*
*- Cardiovascular Nursing*
*- Respiratory Nursing*
*- Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing*
*- Leadership and Delegation in Nursing*
*- Critical Care Nursing*
The HESI Exit RN Exam assesses nursing students' readiness for professional practice and NCLEX success.
This comprehensive assessment evaluates critical clinical knowledge, decision-making skills, and ability to
apply nursing principles across diverse patient care scenarios. The multiple-choice and scenario-based
structure emphasizes real-world application, requiring candidates to prioritize care, recognize complications,
and make safe clinical judgments. Questions span foundational theory, applied professional knowledge,
regulatory compliance, ethics, and professional standards, ensuring thorough preparation for entry-level
nursing practice.
Section One: Questions 1–100
,Question 1
A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who experienced excessive bleeding 2 hours after delivery. The client's
uterus feels boggy on palpation. Which intervention should the nurse perform FIRST?
A. Administer oxytocin IV as prescribed
B. Massage the uterus firmly
C. Check the client's vital signs
D. Insert a urinary catheter
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Uterine massage is the first-line intervention for a boggy uterus with postpartum hemorrhage
because it directly stimulates uterine contraction to control bleeding. Medication administration (oxytocin)
follows massage, vital signs are assessed after initial intervention, and urinary catheterization is not the priority
for uterine hemorrhage.
Question 2
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 0.125 mg PO to a client with heart failure. The client's current lab
results show a potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the digoxin as ordered
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Give the digoxin with potassium supplement
D. Recheck the potassium level in 4 hours
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse must
hold the medication and notify the provider before administering digoxin to a client with low potassium.
Administering without correction could cause life-threatening toxicity.
Question 3
A client with diabetes mellitus presents with blood glucose of 450 mg/dL, fruity breath odor, and deep rapid
breathing. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Lactic acidosis
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Diabetic ketoacidosis presents with severe hyperglycemia (>350 mg/dL), fruity breath
(acetone), and Kussmaul respirations (deep rapid breathing) as the body attempts to compensate for metabolic
acidosis. HHS typically has glucose >600 mg/dL without significant ketoacidosis.
Question 4
The nurse is delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Which task is appropriate for the LPN?
A. Assess a newly admitted client with chest pain
B. Administer IV push morphine to a postoperative client
C. Provide routine care for a stable client with diabetes
D. Develop a care plan for a client with schizophrenia
, 🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: LPNs can provide routine care for stable clients with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Assessment of new admissions, IV push medications, and care plan development require RN-level knowledge
and are outside the LPN scope.
Question 5
A client with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Furosemide
B. Sodium bicarbonate
C. Insulin and dextrose
D. Potassium chloride
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Insulin and dextrose rapidly shift potassium into cells, providing immediate treatment for
severe hyperkalemia. Furosemide increases potassium excretion but is slower. Sodium bicarbonate is less
effective. Potassium chloride would worsen hyperkalemia.
Question 6
The nurse observes a client with Parkinson's disease experiencing sudden episodes of inability to move. What is
this phenomenon called?
