RN HESI Exit Exam V1 – Elsevier HESI RN Exit
Exam –Academic Year – Comprehensive Nursing
Exam with 150 Verified Questions and Answers
Original HESI-Style RN Exit Practice Exam (Questions 1–10)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client admitted with chest pain. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain rated 6/10 after receiving nitroglycerin
B. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
C. Heart rate of 96/min
D. Blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● A. Pain requires assessment but hypoxemia is a higher priority.
● B. Correct. Apply oxygen as prescribed, assess the client, and notify the provider
according to protocol.
● C. Mild tachycardia is less urgent.
● D. Elevated blood pressure is not the immediate priority.
Question 2
A client receiving heparin develops bleeding gums. Which laboratory test should the
nurse review?
,A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Serum sodium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● A. INR monitors warfarin.
● B. Correct. aPTT monitors unfractionated heparin therapy.
● C. Not related.
● D. Not related.
Question 3
A postoperative client suddenly becomes short of breath and reports chest pain. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing.
B. Apply oxygen, assess the client, and activate the appropriate emergency response
according to facility protocol.
C. Administer pain medication.
D. Reassess in 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● A. Helpful later but not first.
● B. Correct. This presentation may indicate a pulmonary embolism or another
life-threatening complication.
● C. Pain medication does not address the underlying emergency.
● D. Delaying assessment is unsafe.
,Question 4
Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving morphine IV?
A. Respiratory rate 8/min
B. Heart rate 84/min
C. Blood pressure 126/76 mm Hg
D. Pain score decreased from 8 to 3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
● A. Correct. Respiratory depression is the most serious opioid adverse effect.
● B–D. These findings are expected or less urgent.
Question 5
A client taking warfarin should immediately report:
A. Mild headache
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Dry mouth
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● B. Correct. Black, tarry stools may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding.
Question 6
A nurse is delegating care to an experienced UAP. Which task is appropriate?
A. Assess lung sounds.
, B. Teach insulin administration.
C. Assist a stable client with bathing.
D. Evaluate pain after medication.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
● C. Correct. Stable clients' activities of daily living can be delegated.
● A, B, D. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation remain RN responsibilities.
Question 7
A client with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 48 mg/dL and is awake. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Administer insulin.
B. Give 15 g of a rapid-acting carbohydrate if the client can swallow safely.
C. Notify the provider before treating.
D. Recheck glucose in one hour.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● B. Correct. Treat symptomatic hypoglycemia promptly, then recheck glucose
according to protocol.
Question 8
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting pain medication.
B. Client with a blood pressure of 82/46 mm Hg.
Exam –Academic Year – Comprehensive Nursing
Exam with 150 Verified Questions and Answers
Original HESI-Style RN Exit Practice Exam (Questions 1–10)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client admitted with chest pain. Which assessment finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain rated 6/10 after receiving nitroglycerin
B. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
C. Heart rate of 96/min
D. Blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● A. Pain requires assessment but hypoxemia is a higher priority.
● B. Correct. Apply oxygen as prescribed, assess the client, and notify the provider
according to protocol.
● C. Mild tachycardia is less urgent.
● D. Elevated blood pressure is not the immediate priority.
Question 2
A client receiving heparin develops bleeding gums. Which laboratory test should the
nurse review?
,A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Serum sodium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● A. INR monitors warfarin.
● B. Correct. aPTT monitors unfractionated heparin therapy.
● C. Not related.
● D. Not related.
Question 3
A postoperative client suddenly becomes short of breath and reports chest pain. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing.
B. Apply oxygen, assess the client, and activate the appropriate emergency response
according to facility protocol.
C. Administer pain medication.
D. Reassess in 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● A. Helpful later but not first.
● B. Correct. This presentation may indicate a pulmonary embolism or another
life-threatening complication.
● C. Pain medication does not address the underlying emergency.
● D. Delaying assessment is unsafe.
,Question 4
Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving morphine IV?
A. Respiratory rate 8/min
B. Heart rate 84/min
C. Blood pressure 126/76 mm Hg
D. Pain score decreased from 8 to 3
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
● A. Correct. Respiratory depression is the most serious opioid adverse effect.
● B–D. These findings are expected or less urgent.
Question 5
A client taking warfarin should immediately report:
A. Mild headache
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Dry mouth
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● B. Correct. Black, tarry stools may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding.
Question 6
A nurse is delegating care to an experienced UAP. Which task is appropriate?
A. Assess lung sounds.
, B. Teach insulin administration.
C. Assist a stable client with bathing.
D. Evaluate pain after medication.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
● C. Correct. Stable clients' activities of daily living can be delegated.
● A, B, D. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation remain RN responsibilities.
Question 7
A client with diabetes has a blood glucose level of 48 mg/dL and is awake. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Administer insulin.
B. Give 15 g of a rapid-acting carbohydrate if the client can swallow safely.
C. Notify the provider before treating.
D. Recheck glucose in one hour.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
● B. Correct. Treat symptomatic hypoglycemia promptly, then recheck glucose
according to protocol.
Question 8
Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting pain medication.
B. Client with a blood pressure of 82/46 mm Hg.
