1
HESI PN EXIT EXAM (V4) - ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
NGN-STYLE | EXPERT VERIFIED | 75 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+
GRADED
QUESTION 1
The PN is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder who is experiencing panic attacks. Which
intervention should the PN implement first?
A. Administer prescribed PRN lorazepam
B. Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
C. Encourage the client to deep breathe independently
D. Place the client in a quiet, dark room
Rationale: The priority intervention during a panic attack is to stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring
approach. This provides a sense of safety and helps the client feel supported. Medication is an adjunct, not the
first intervention. Leaving the client alone or placing them in a dark room may increase anxiety.
QUESTION 2
A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). Which statement by the client
indicates understanding of the medication?
A. "I will feel better immediately after taking the first dose"
B. "It may take 2-4 weeks before I notice improvement"
C. "I can stop the medication when I feel better"
D. "I will take the medication only when I feel depressed"
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline typically take 2-4 weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect. Clients should be
educated about this delay to improve adherence. The medication should not be stopped abruptly or taken
only when symptoms are present.
QUESTION 3
The PN is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
communication technique is most therapeutic?
A. "I don't hear any voices, so they must not be real"
B. "I understand you are hearing voices. I am here with you."
,2
C. "You need to ignore those voices"
D. "Tell me exactly what the voices are saying"
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's experience without reinforcing the hallucination is therapeutic.
Statements like "I understand you are hearing voices" validate the client's experience without confirming the
reality of the hallucination. Arguing with the client or dismissing their experience is not therapeutic.
QUESTION 4
The PN is providing education to a client with bipolar disorder who is prescribed lithium (Lithobid). Which
instruction should the PN reinforce?
A. Maintain adequate fluid intake and monitor for signs of toxicity
B. Take the medication with high-sodium foods
C. Discontinue the medication if side effects occur
D. Take the medication only during manic episodes
Rationale: Lithium requires adequate fluid intake to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent toxicity. Signs of
toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, and confusion. Sodium intake should be consistent, not
high. The medication should not be discontinued abruptly.
QUESTION 5
A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is experiencing flashbacks. Which intervention should the
PN implement?
A. Use grounding techniques to bring the client to the present
B. Encourage the client to describe the flashback in detail
C. Leave the client alone to process the flashback
D. Administer a sedative immediately
Rationale: Grounding techniques help the client focus on the present moment and reduce the intensity of
flashbacks. Encouraging detailed description may worsen symptoms, and leaving the client alone may
increase distress. Sedatives should not be the first intervention.
QUESTION 6
The PN is caring for a client with social anxiety disorder. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to avoid social situations
B. Use cognitive-behavioral techniques to challenge negative thoughts
, 3
C. Administer antipsychotic medications
D. Recommend immediate exposure therapy
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral techniques help clients identify and challenge negative thoughts related to
social situations. Avoidance reinforces anxiety, and antipsychotics are not first-line treatment. Exposure
therapy should be gradual and done with a trained therapist.
QUESTION 7
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reports spending hours washing hands. Which
intervention should the PN implement?
A. Set limits on the time allowed for handwashing
B. Allow the client to wash hands as needed
C. Encourage the client to wash hands more frequently
D. Place the client in seclusion
Rationale: Setting limits on compulsive behaviors helps reduce the time spent on rituals and promotes
healthier coping. Allowing unlimited handwashing reinforces the behavior, and seclusion is not appropriate.
Encouraging more frequent washing would worsen symptoms.
QUESTION 8
The PN is providing education to a client with depression who is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). Which side
effect should the PN monitor for?
A. Sexual dysfunction
B. Weight gain
C. Hypotension
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia) is a common side effect of SSRIs like fluoxetine.
Weight loss may occur initially, and hypotension and bradycardia are not typical side effects of SSRIs.
QUESTION 9
A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which finding is most consistent with mania?
A. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep
B. Social withdrawal and isolation
C. Anhedonia and fatigue
D. Psychomotor retardation
HESI PN EXIT EXAM (V4) - ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
NGN-STYLE | EXPERT VERIFIED | 75 VERIFIED Q&A |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+
GRADED
QUESTION 1
The PN is caring for a client with generalized anxiety disorder who is experiencing panic attacks. Which
intervention should the PN implement first?
A. Administer prescribed PRN lorazepam
B. Stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring approach
C. Encourage the client to deep breathe independently
D. Place the client in a quiet, dark room
Rationale: The priority intervention during a panic attack is to stay with the client and use a calm, reassuring
approach. This provides a sense of safety and helps the client feel supported. Medication is an adjunct, not the
first intervention. Leaving the client alone or placing them in a dark room may increase anxiety.
QUESTION 2
A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed sertraline (Zoloft). Which statement by the client
indicates understanding of the medication?
A. "I will feel better immediately after taking the first dose"
B. "It may take 2-4 weeks before I notice improvement"
C. "I can stop the medication when I feel better"
D. "I will take the medication only when I feel depressed"
Rationale: SSRIs like sertraline typically take 2-4 weeks to achieve full therapeutic effect. Clients should be
educated about this delay to improve adherence. The medication should not be stopped abruptly or taken
only when symptoms are present.
QUESTION 3
The PN is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing auditory hallucinations. Which
communication technique is most therapeutic?
A. "I don't hear any voices, so they must not be real"
B. "I understand you are hearing voices. I am here with you."
,2
C. "You need to ignore those voices"
D. "Tell me exactly what the voices are saying"
Rationale: Acknowledging the client's experience without reinforcing the hallucination is therapeutic.
Statements like "I understand you are hearing voices" validate the client's experience without confirming the
reality of the hallucination. Arguing with the client or dismissing their experience is not therapeutic.
QUESTION 4
The PN is providing education to a client with bipolar disorder who is prescribed lithium (Lithobid). Which
instruction should the PN reinforce?
A. Maintain adequate fluid intake and monitor for signs of toxicity
B. Take the medication with high-sodium foods
C. Discontinue the medication if side effects occur
D. Take the medication only during manic episodes
Rationale: Lithium requires adequate fluid intake to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent toxicity. Signs of
toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, and confusion. Sodium intake should be consistent, not
high. The medication should not be discontinued abruptly.
QUESTION 5
A client with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is experiencing flashbacks. Which intervention should the
PN implement?
A. Use grounding techniques to bring the client to the present
B. Encourage the client to describe the flashback in detail
C. Leave the client alone to process the flashback
D. Administer a sedative immediately
Rationale: Grounding techniques help the client focus on the present moment and reduce the intensity of
flashbacks. Encouraging detailed description may worsen symptoms, and leaving the client alone may
increase distress. Sedatives should not be the first intervention.
QUESTION 6
The PN is caring for a client with social anxiety disorder. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the client to avoid social situations
B. Use cognitive-behavioral techniques to challenge negative thoughts
, 3
C. Administer antipsychotic medications
D. Recommend immediate exposure therapy
Rationale: Cognitive-behavioral techniques help clients identify and challenge negative thoughts related to
social situations. Avoidance reinforces anxiety, and antipsychotics are not first-line treatment. Exposure
therapy should be gradual and done with a trained therapist.
QUESTION 7
A client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) reports spending hours washing hands. Which
intervention should the PN implement?
A. Set limits on the time allowed for handwashing
B. Allow the client to wash hands as needed
C. Encourage the client to wash hands more frequently
D. Place the client in seclusion
Rationale: Setting limits on compulsive behaviors helps reduce the time spent on rituals and promotes
healthier coping. Allowing unlimited handwashing reinforces the behavior, and seclusion is not appropriate.
Encouraging more frequent washing would worsen symptoms.
QUESTION 8
The PN is providing education to a client with depression who is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). Which side
effect should the PN monitor for?
A. Sexual dysfunction
B. Weight gain
C. Hypotension
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Sexual dysfunction (decreased libido, anorgasmia) is a common side effect of SSRIs like fluoxetine.
Weight loss may occur initially, and hypotension and bradycardia are not typical side effects of SSRIs.
QUESTION 9
A client with bipolar disorder is experiencing a manic episode. Which finding is most consistent with mania?
A. Grandiosity and decreased need for sleep
B. Social withdrawal and isolation
C. Anhedonia and fatigue
D. Psychomotor retardation
