EXIT HESI - COMPREHENSIVE PN EXAM A
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
2026
A nurse who has recently completed orientation is beginning work in the labor and delivery unit for the
first time. When making assignments, which client should the charge nurse assign to this new nurse? -
correct answer-A multiparous client who is dilated 5 cm and 50% effaced
A client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has white lesions in the oral cavity that re
semble milk curds. Nystatin (Mycostatin) preparation is prescribed as a swish and swallow. Which infor
mation is most important for the nurse to provide the client? - correct answer-
Oral hygiene should be performed before the medication.
A client who is admitted with emphysema is having difficulty breathing. In which position should the n
urse place the client? - correct answer-
Sitting upright and forward with both arms supported on an over the bed table
A client with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is taking 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) PO and
40 mg of furosemide (Lasix) PO daily. Today, at a routine clinic visit, the client's serum potassium level
is 4 mEq/L. What is the most likely cause of this client's potassium level? - correct answer-
The client's renal function has affected his potassium level.
A registered nurse (RN) delivers telehealth services to clients via electronic communication. Which nurs
ing action creates the greatest risk for professional liability and has the potential forBa malpractice lawsu
it? - correct answer-Sending medical records to health care providers via the Internet
Which pathophysiologic response supports the contraindication for opioids, such as morphine, in clients
with increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A.Sedation produced by opioids is a result of a prolonged half-life when the ICP is elevated.
B.Higher doses of opioids are required when cerebral blood flow is reduced by an elevated ICP.
C.Dysphoria from opioids contributes to altered levels of consciousness with an elevated ICP.
D.Opioids suppress respirations, which increases Pco2 and contributes to an elevated ICP. -
correct answer-D
,The greatest risk associated with opioids such as morphine (D) is respiratory depression that causes an i
ncrease in Pco2, which increases ICP and masks the early signs of intracranial bleeding in head injury. (
A, B, and C) do not support the risks associated with opioid use in a client with increased ICP.
The charge nurse of a medical surgical unit is alerted to an impending disaster requiring implementation
of the hospital's disaster plan. Specific facts about the nature of this disaster are not yet known. Which
instruction should the charge nurse give to the other staff members at this time?
A.Prepare to evacuate the unit, starting with the bedridden clients.
B.UAPs should report to the emergency center to handle transports.
C.The licensed staff should begin counting wheelchairs and IV poles on the unit.
D.Continue with current assignments until more instructions are received. - correct answer-D
When faced with an impending disaster, hospital personnel may be alerted but should continue with cur
rent client care assignments until further instructions are received (D). Evacuation is typically a respons
e of last resort that begins with clients who are most able to ambulateB(A). (B) is premature and is likel
y to increase the chaos if incoming casualties are anticipated. (C) is poor utilization of personnel.
The nurse assesses a client while the UAP measures the client's vital signs. The client's vital signs chan
ge suddenly, and the nurse determines that the client's condition is worsening. The nurse is unsure of th
e client's resuscitative status and needs to check the client's medical record for any advanced directives.
Which action should the nurse implement?
A.Ask the UAP to check for the advanced directive while the nurse completes the assessment.
B.Assign the UAP to complete the assessment while the nurse checks for the advanced directive.
C.Check the medical record for the advanced directive and then complete the client assessment.
D.Call for the charge nurse to check the advanced directive while continuing to assess the client. -
correct answer-D
Because the client's condition is worsening, the nurse should remain with the client and continue the ass
essment while calling for help from the charge nurse to determine the client's resuscitative status (D). (
A and B) are tasks that must be completed by a nurse and cannot be delegated to the UAP. (C) is contra
indicated.
The nurse is preparing a client for surgery scheduled in 2 hours. A UAP is helping the nurse. Which tas
k is important for the nurse to perform, rather than the UAP?
, A.Remove the client's nail polish and dentures.
B.Assist the client to the restroom to void.
C.Obtain the client's height andBweight.
D.Offer the client emotional support. - correct answer-D
By using therapeutic techniques to offer support (D), the nurse can determine any client concerns that n
eed to be addressed. (A, B, and C) are all actions that can be performed by the UAP under the supervisi
on of the nurse.
Until the census on the obstetrics (OB) unit increases, an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who usu
ally works in labor and delivery and the newborn nursery is assigned to work on the postoperative unit.
Which client would be best for the charge nurse to assign to this UAP?
A. An adolescent who was readmitted to the hospital because of a postoperative infection
B. A woman with a new colostomy who requires discharge teaching
C. A woman who had a hip replacement and may be transferred to the home care unit
D. A man who had a cholecystectomy and currently has a nasogastric tube set to intermittent suction -
correct answer-C
The charge nurse will be responsible for providing a report to the home care unit if the transfer occurs (
A). The client is infected and an employee who works on an OB unit should be assigned to clean cases
in case the employee is required to return to the OB unit (B). This requires the skills of aBregistered nur
se (RN) to do discharge teachingBand provide emotional support (D). This may require skills beyond the
level of this UAP.
A male client is admitted for observation after being hit on the head with a baseball bat. Six hours after
admission, the client attempts to crawl out of bed and asks the nurse why there are so many bugs in his
bed. His vital signs are stable, and the pulse oximeter reading is 98% on room air. Which intervention s
hould the nurse perform first?
A. Administer oxygen per nasal cannula at 2 L/min.
B. Plan to check his vital signs again in 30 minutes.
C. Notify the health care provider of the change in mental status.
D. Ask the client why he thinks there are bugs in the bed. - correct answer-C
One of the earliest signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a change in mental status (C). It is i
mportant to act early and quickly when symptoms of increased ICP occur. Because his oxygen saturatio
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
2026
A nurse who has recently completed orientation is beginning work in the labor and delivery unit for the
first time. When making assignments, which client should the charge nurse assign to this new nurse? -
correct answer-A multiparous client who is dilated 5 cm and 50% effaced
A client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has white lesions in the oral cavity that re
semble milk curds. Nystatin (Mycostatin) preparation is prescribed as a swish and swallow. Which infor
mation is most important for the nurse to provide the client? - correct answer-
Oral hygiene should be performed before the medication.
A client who is admitted with emphysema is having difficulty breathing. In which position should the n
urse place the client? - correct answer-
Sitting upright and forward with both arms supported on an over the bed table
A client with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is taking 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) PO and
40 mg of furosemide (Lasix) PO daily. Today, at a routine clinic visit, the client's serum potassium level
is 4 mEq/L. What is the most likely cause of this client's potassium level? - correct answer-
The client's renal function has affected his potassium level.
A registered nurse (RN) delivers telehealth services to clients via electronic communication. Which nurs
ing action creates the greatest risk for professional liability and has the potential forBa malpractice lawsu
it? - correct answer-Sending medical records to health care providers via the Internet
Which pathophysiologic response supports the contraindication for opioids, such as morphine, in clients
with increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A.Sedation produced by opioids is a result of a prolonged half-life when the ICP is elevated.
B.Higher doses of opioids are required when cerebral blood flow is reduced by an elevated ICP.
C.Dysphoria from opioids contributes to altered levels of consciousness with an elevated ICP.
D.Opioids suppress respirations, which increases Pco2 and contributes to an elevated ICP. -
correct answer-D
,The greatest risk associated with opioids such as morphine (D) is respiratory depression that causes an i
ncrease in Pco2, which increases ICP and masks the early signs of intracranial bleeding in head injury. (
A, B, and C) do not support the risks associated with opioid use in a client with increased ICP.
The charge nurse of a medical surgical unit is alerted to an impending disaster requiring implementation
of the hospital's disaster plan. Specific facts about the nature of this disaster are not yet known. Which
instruction should the charge nurse give to the other staff members at this time?
A.Prepare to evacuate the unit, starting with the bedridden clients.
B.UAPs should report to the emergency center to handle transports.
C.The licensed staff should begin counting wheelchairs and IV poles on the unit.
D.Continue with current assignments until more instructions are received. - correct answer-D
When faced with an impending disaster, hospital personnel may be alerted but should continue with cur
rent client care assignments until further instructions are received (D). Evacuation is typically a respons
e of last resort that begins with clients who are most able to ambulateB(A). (B) is premature and is likel
y to increase the chaos if incoming casualties are anticipated. (C) is poor utilization of personnel.
The nurse assesses a client while the UAP measures the client's vital signs. The client's vital signs chan
ge suddenly, and the nurse determines that the client's condition is worsening. The nurse is unsure of th
e client's resuscitative status and needs to check the client's medical record for any advanced directives.
Which action should the nurse implement?
A.Ask the UAP to check for the advanced directive while the nurse completes the assessment.
B.Assign the UAP to complete the assessment while the nurse checks for the advanced directive.
C.Check the medical record for the advanced directive and then complete the client assessment.
D.Call for the charge nurse to check the advanced directive while continuing to assess the client. -
correct answer-D
Because the client's condition is worsening, the nurse should remain with the client and continue the ass
essment while calling for help from the charge nurse to determine the client's resuscitative status (D). (
A and B) are tasks that must be completed by a nurse and cannot be delegated to the UAP. (C) is contra
indicated.
The nurse is preparing a client for surgery scheduled in 2 hours. A UAP is helping the nurse. Which tas
k is important for the nurse to perform, rather than the UAP?
, A.Remove the client's nail polish and dentures.
B.Assist the client to the restroom to void.
C.Obtain the client's height andBweight.
D.Offer the client emotional support. - correct answer-D
By using therapeutic techniques to offer support (D), the nurse can determine any client concerns that n
eed to be addressed. (A, B, and C) are all actions that can be performed by the UAP under the supervisi
on of the nurse.
Until the census on the obstetrics (OB) unit increases, an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who usu
ally works in labor and delivery and the newborn nursery is assigned to work on the postoperative unit.
Which client would be best for the charge nurse to assign to this UAP?
A. An adolescent who was readmitted to the hospital because of a postoperative infection
B. A woman with a new colostomy who requires discharge teaching
C. A woman who had a hip replacement and may be transferred to the home care unit
D. A man who had a cholecystectomy and currently has a nasogastric tube set to intermittent suction -
correct answer-C
The charge nurse will be responsible for providing a report to the home care unit if the transfer occurs (
A). The client is infected and an employee who works on an OB unit should be assigned to clean cases
in case the employee is required to return to the OB unit (B). This requires the skills of aBregistered nur
se (RN) to do discharge teachingBand provide emotional support (D). This may require skills beyond the
level of this UAP.
A male client is admitted for observation after being hit on the head with a baseball bat. Six hours after
admission, the client attempts to crawl out of bed and asks the nurse why there are so many bugs in his
bed. His vital signs are stable, and the pulse oximeter reading is 98% on room air. Which intervention s
hould the nurse perform first?
A. Administer oxygen per nasal cannula at 2 L/min.
B. Plan to check his vital signs again in 30 minutes.
C. Notify the health care provider of the change in mental status.
D. Ask the client why he thinks there are bugs in the bed. - correct answer-C
One of the earliest signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a change in mental status (C). It is i
mportant to act early and quickly when symptoms of increased ICP occur. Because his oxygen saturatio
