HESI PN EXIT PRACTICE EXAM WITH NGN |
STUDY GUIDE | TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS | 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS
## Table of Contents
Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Leadership, Delegation, and Prioritization
Clinical Judgment (Next Generation Nursing)
Safety and Infection Prevention
Nutrition and Fluid/Electrolyte Balance
Fundamentals of Nursing
Ethical and Legal Nursing Practice
Introduction
The HESI PN Exit Examination evaluates whether practical nursing students
possess the clinical judgment, nursing knowledge, and decision-making skills
required for safe entry-level practice. This practice examination follows the
latest 2026/2027 nursing standards and incorporates Next Generation
Nursing (NGN) concepts emphasizing clinical judgment, prioritization, cue
recognition, analysis, and evidence-based interventions. Questions are
designed to mirror the complexity of actual HESI PN Exit examinations by
integrating realistic patient scenarios, pharmacology, medical-surgical
nursing, maternal-child care, mental health, leadership, safety, and
professional practice. Success requires application of nursing principles
,rather than simple memorization, preparing candidates for both HESI
success and safe clinical practice.
Question 1
A practical nurse receives morning report on four clients. Which client
should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with pneumonia whose oxygen saturation decreased from 95% to
88% on 2 L/min oxygen.
B. A client with diabetes reporting hunger before breakfast with a blood
glucose of 78 mg/dL.
C. A client with osteoarthritis requesting pain medication rated 7/10.
D. A postoperative client who has not had a bowel movement for 48 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Airway and breathing take priority. A significant drop in
oxygen saturation despite supplemental oxygen indicates impaired gas
exchange requiring immediate assessment.
Question 2
A client with heart failure develops sudden weight gain of 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) in
48 hours, bilateral crackles, and increasing ankle edema. Which nursing
action is most appropriate?
A. Encourage increased oral fluids.
B. Notify the healthcare provider of worsening fluid overload.
,C. Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
D. Restrict activity for 24 hours without further intervention.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Rapid weight gain, crackles, and edema indicate worsening
heart failure and fluid overload requiring prompt provider notification for
treatment adjustments.
Question 3
A client receiving IV vancomycin suddenly develops flushing of the face,
itching, and hypotension. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Continue the infusion and monitor.
B. Slow the infusion and assess the client.
C. Stop the infusion immediately.
D. Administer acetaminophen.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The client may be experiencing Red Man Syndrome or an
infusion reaction. Stopping the infusion is the priority before further
interventions.
Question 4
A client with chronic kidney disease has the following laboratory values:
, Potassium: 6.4 mEq/L
Sodium: 138 mEq/L
Calcium: 9.2 mg/dL
Magnesium: 2.0 mg/dL
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias and requires immediate treatment.
Question 5
An older adult admitted with confusion suddenly attempts to climb over the
side rails. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Apply wrist restraints.
B. Move the client closer to the nurses' station.
C. Administer a sedative.
D. Raise all four side rails.
Correct Answer: B
STUDY GUIDE | TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS | 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS
## Table of Contents
Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Leadership, Delegation, and Prioritization
Clinical Judgment (Next Generation Nursing)
Safety and Infection Prevention
Nutrition and Fluid/Electrolyte Balance
Fundamentals of Nursing
Ethical and Legal Nursing Practice
Introduction
The HESI PN Exit Examination evaluates whether practical nursing students
possess the clinical judgment, nursing knowledge, and decision-making skills
required for safe entry-level practice. This practice examination follows the
latest 2026/2027 nursing standards and incorporates Next Generation
Nursing (NGN) concepts emphasizing clinical judgment, prioritization, cue
recognition, analysis, and evidence-based interventions. Questions are
designed to mirror the complexity of actual HESI PN Exit examinations by
integrating realistic patient scenarios, pharmacology, medical-surgical
nursing, maternal-child care, mental health, leadership, safety, and
professional practice. Success requires application of nursing principles
,rather than simple memorization, preparing candidates for both HESI
success and safe clinical practice.
Question 1
A practical nurse receives morning report on four clients. Which client
should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with pneumonia whose oxygen saturation decreased from 95% to
88% on 2 L/min oxygen.
B. A client with diabetes reporting hunger before breakfast with a blood
glucose of 78 mg/dL.
C. A client with osteoarthritis requesting pain medication rated 7/10.
D. A postoperative client who has not had a bowel movement for 48 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Airway and breathing take priority. A significant drop in
oxygen saturation despite supplemental oxygen indicates impaired gas
exchange requiring immediate assessment.
Question 2
A client with heart failure develops sudden weight gain of 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) in
48 hours, bilateral crackles, and increasing ankle edema. Which nursing
action is most appropriate?
A. Encourage increased oral fluids.
B. Notify the healthcare provider of worsening fluid overload.
,C. Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
D. Restrict activity for 24 hours without further intervention.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Rapid weight gain, crackles, and edema indicate worsening
heart failure and fluid overload requiring prompt provider notification for
treatment adjustments.
Question 3
A client receiving IV vancomycin suddenly develops flushing of the face,
itching, and hypotension. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Continue the infusion and monitor.
B. Slow the infusion and assess the client.
C. Stop the infusion immediately.
D. Administer acetaminophen.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The client may be experiencing Red Man Syndrome or an
infusion reaction. Stopping the infusion is the priority before further
interventions.
Question 4
A client with chronic kidney disease has the following laboratory values:
, Potassium: 6.4 mEq/L
Sodium: 138 mEq/L
Calcium: 9.2 mg/dL
Magnesium: 2.0 mg/dL
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias and requires immediate treatment.
Question 5
An older adult admitted with confusion suddenly attempts to climb over the
side rails. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Apply wrist restraints.
B. Move the client closer to the nurses' station.
C. Administer a sedative.
D. Raise all four side rails.
Correct Answer: B
