HESI PN PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
The nurse is planning care for the a client who has fourth degree midline laceration that
occurred during vaginal delivery of an 8 pound 10 ounce infant. What intervention has
the highest priority?
A. Administer Prescribed stool softner
B. Administer prescribed PRN sleep medications.
C. Encourage breastfeeding to promote uterine involution
D. Encourage use of prescribed analgesic perineal sprays. - ANS-A. Administer
Prescribed stool softner
The nurse is palpating the right upper hypochondriac region of the abdomen of a client.
What organ lies underneath this area.
A. Duodenum
B. Gastric Pylorus
C. Liver
D. Spleen - ANS-C. Liver
A client comes to the antepartal clinic and tells the nurse that she is 6 weeks pregnant.
Which sign is she most likely to report?
A. Decreased sexual libido
B. Amenorrhea
C. Quickening
D. Nocturia - ANS-B Amenorrhea
A client's daughter phones the charge nurse to report that the night nurse did not
provide good care for her mother. What response should the nurse make?
A. Ask for a description of what happened during the night
B. Tell the daughter to talk to the unit's nurse manager
C. Reassure the daughter that the mother will get better care.
D. Explain that all the staff are doing the best they can. - ANS-A. Ask for a description of
what happened during the night
,A hosptitalized toddler who is recovering from a sickle cell crisis holds a toy and say's
"mine". According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, this child's behavior
is a demonstration of which developmental stage?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt.
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. intiative vs. Guilt
D. Trust vs. Mistrust - ANS-A. Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt.
Which action should the nurse implement in caring for a client following an
electroencephalogram (EEG)?
A. Monitor the client's vital signs q4h
B. Assess for sensation in the client's lower extremities
C. Instruct the client to maintain bed rest for eight hours
D. Wash any paste from the client's hair and scalp - ANS-D. Wash any paste from the
client's hair and scalp
The nurse is caring for a 75- year-old male client who is beginning to form a decubitus
ulcer at the coccyx. Which intervention will be most helpfull in preventing further
development of the decubitus?
A. Encourage the client to eat foods high in protein
B. Assess the client with daily range of motion exercises
C. Teach the family how to perform sterile wound care
D. Ensure the IV fluids are administered as prescribed - ANS-A. Encourage the client to
eat foods high in protein
What is the homeostatic cellular transport mechanism that moves water from a
hypotonic to a hypertonic fluid space?
A. Filtration
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Active transport - ANS-C. Osmosis
The nurse is taking blood presure of a client admitted with a possible myocardial
infarction. When taking the client's BP at the brachial artery, the nurse should place the
client's arm in which position?
A. Slightly above the level of the heart
B. At the level of the heart
C. At the level of comfort for the client
D. Below the level of the heart - ANS-B. At the level of the heart
What are the final parameters that produce blood pressure? (select all that apply)
,A. Heart rate
B. Stroke volume
C. Peripheral resistance
D. Neuroendocring hormones
E. Muscle tone - ANS-A. Heart rate
B. Stroke volume
C. Peripheral resistance
A client begins an antidepressant drug during the second day of hospitalization. Which
assessment is most important for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care while
the client is taking the antidepressant?
A. Appetite
B. Mood
C. Withdrawl
D. Energy level - ANS-B. Mood
Based on the documentation in the medical record, which action should the nurse
implement next?
A. Give the rubella vaccine subcutaneously
B. Observe the mother breastfeeding her infant
C. Call the nursery for the infant's blodd type result
D. Administer Vicodin one tablet for pain - ANS-A. Give the rubella vaccine
subcutaneously
A client is adminitted to the hosptial with a diagnosis of Pneumonia. Which intervetion
should the nurse implement to prevent complications associated with Pneumonia?
A. Enourage mobilization and ambulation
B. Encourage energy conservation with complete bed rest
C. Provide humidified oxygen per nasal cannula
D. Restrict PO and intravenous fluids - ANS-A. Enourage mobilization and ambulation
The practical nurse is preparing to administer a prescription for cefazolin (kefzol) 600
mg IM every 6 hours. The available vial is labeled, "Cefazolin (Kefzol) 1 gram and the
instrutions for reconsittution, "For IM use add 2ml sterile water for injection. Total
volume after reconstruction = 2.5 ml. "when reconstituded, how many milligrams are in
each mil of solutions (Enter numeric value only) - ANS-15
Which nursing activity is within the scope of practice for the practical nurse?
A. Complete an admission assessment in the normal newborn nursery.
B. Discontinue a central venous catheter that has become dislodged
C. Observe a client rotate the subcutaneous site for an insulin pump
, D. Monitor a continous narcotic epidural for a postoperative client - ANS-C. Observe a
client rotate the subcutaneous site for an insulin pump
After morning dressing changes are completed, a male client who has paraplegia
contaminates his ischial decubiti dressing with a diarrheal stool. What activity is best for
the nurse to assign to the unlicensed assistive personnel?
A. Identify the need for additional supplies to provide an extra dressing change
B. Provide perianal care and collect clean linens for the dressing change
C. Document the diarrhea that necessitates an additional dressing change
D. Position the client for access to the decubiti sties and remove dressings - ANS-B.
Provide perianal care and collect clean linens for the dressing change
The nurse is planning to evaluate the effectiveness of several drugs administered by
different routes. Arrage the routes of administration in the order from fastest to slowest
rate of absorption.
Subcutaenous
Intravenous
Intramuscular
Sublingual
Oral - ANS-Intravenous, sublingual, intramuscular, subcutaneous, oral.
A 26-year-old gravida 4, para 0 had a spontaneous abortion at 9 weeks gestation. At
one-house post dilation and curettage (D&C) the nurse assess the vital signs and
vaginal bleeding. The client begins to cry softly. How should the nurse intervene?
A. Offer to call the social worker to discuss the possiblity of abortion
B. Reassure the client that the infertility specialist can help
C. Express sorrow for the client's grief and offer to sit with her
D. Chart the vital signs and amount of vaginal bleeding - ANS-C. Express sorrow for the
client's grief and offer to sit with her
A terminally ill male client and his family are requesting hospice care after discharge
from the hosptial and ask the nurse to explain what kind of care they should expect. The
nurse should indicate that hospice philosophy focuses on what aspect of health care?
A. Enhance symptom management to improve end of life quality
B. facilitates assisted suicide with the client's consent
C. Offers ways to postpone the death experience at home
D. Provide training for family members to care for the client. - ANS-A. Enhance
symptom management to improve end of life quality
The nurse observes a wife shaving her husband's beard with a safety razor by holding
the skin taut and shaving in the direction of the hair growth . What action should the
nurse take?
CORRECT ANSWERS
The nurse is planning care for the a client who has fourth degree midline laceration that
occurred during vaginal delivery of an 8 pound 10 ounce infant. What intervention has
the highest priority?
A. Administer Prescribed stool softner
B. Administer prescribed PRN sleep medications.
C. Encourage breastfeeding to promote uterine involution
D. Encourage use of prescribed analgesic perineal sprays. - ANS-A. Administer
Prescribed stool softner
The nurse is palpating the right upper hypochondriac region of the abdomen of a client.
What organ lies underneath this area.
A. Duodenum
B. Gastric Pylorus
C. Liver
D. Spleen - ANS-C. Liver
A client comes to the antepartal clinic and tells the nurse that she is 6 weeks pregnant.
Which sign is she most likely to report?
A. Decreased sexual libido
B. Amenorrhea
C. Quickening
D. Nocturia - ANS-B Amenorrhea
A client's daughter phones the charge nurse to report that the night nurse did not
provide good care for her mother. What response should the nurse make?
A. Ask for a description of what happened during the night
B. Tell the daughter to talk to the unit's nurse manager
C. Reassure the daughter that the mother will get better care.
D. Explain that all the staff are doing the best they can. - ANS-A. Ask for a description of
what happened during the night
,A hosptitalized toddler who is recovering from a sickle cell crisis holds a toy and say's
"mine". According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, this child's behavior
is a demonstration of which developmental stage?
A. Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt.
B. Industry vs. Inferiority
C. intiative vs. Guilt
D. Trust vs. Mistrust - ANS-A. Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt.
Which action should the nurse implement in caring for a client following an
electroencephalogram (EEG)?
A. Monitor the client's vital signs q4h
B. Assess for sensation in the client's lower extremities
C. Instruct the client to maintain bed rest for eight hours
D. Wash any paste from the client's hair and scalp - ANS-D. Wash any paste from the
client's hair and scalp
The nurse is caring for a 75- year-old male client who is beginning to form a decubitus
ulcer at the coccyx. Which intervention will be most helpfull in preventing further
development of the decubitus?
A. Encourage the client to eat foods high in protein
B. Assess the client with daily range of motion exercises
C. Teach the family how to perform sterile wound care
D. Ensure the IV fluids are administered as prescribed - ANS-A. Encourage the client to
eat foods high in protein
What is the homeostatic cellular transport mechanism that moves water from a
hypotonic to a hypertonic fluid space?
A. Filtration
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Active transport - ANS-C. Osmosis
The nurse is taking blood presure of a client admitted with a possible myocardial
infarction. When taking the client's BP at the brachial artery, the nurse should place the
client's arm in which position?
A. Slightly above the level of the heart
B. At the level of the heart
C. At the level of comfort for the client
D. Below the level of the heart - ANS-B. At the level of the heart
What are the final parameters that produce blood pressure? (select all that apply)
,A. Heart rate
B. Stroke volume
C. Peripheral resistance
D. Neuroendocring hormones
E. Muscle tone - ANS-A. Heart rate
B. Stroke volume
C. Peripheral resistance
A client begins an antidepressant drug during the second day of hospitalization. Which
assessment is most important for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care while
the client is taking the antidepressant?
A. Appetite
B. Mood
C. Withdrawl
D. Energy level - ANS-B. Mood
Based on the documentation in the medical record, which action should the nurse
implement next?
A. Give the rubella vaccine subcutaneously
B. Observe the mother breastfeeding her infant
C. Call the nursery for the infant's blodd type result
D. Administer Vicodin one tablet for pain - ANS-A. Give the rubella vaccine
subcutaneously
A client is adminitted to the hosptial with a diagnosis of Pneumonia. Which intervetion
should the nurse implement to prevent complications associated with Pneumonia?
A. Enourage mobilization and ambulation
B. Encourage energy conservation with complete bed rest
C. Provide humidified oxygen per nasal cannula
D. Restrict PO and intravenous fluids - ANS-A. Enourage mobilization and ambulation
The practical nurse is preparing to administer a prescription for cefazolin (kefzol) 600
mg IM every 6 hours. The available vial is labeled, "Cefazolin (Kefzol) 1 gram and the
instrutions for reconsittution, "For IM use add 2ml sterile water for injection. Total
volume after reconstruction = 2.5 ml. "when reconstituded, how many milligrams are in
each mil of solutions (Enter numeric value only) - ANS-15
Which nursing activity is within the scope of practice for the practical nurse?
A. Complete an admission assessment in the normal newborn nursery.
B. Discontinue a central venous catheter that has become dislodged
C. Observe a client rotate the subcutaneous site for an insulin pump
, D. Monitor a continous narcotic epidural for a postoperative client - ANS-C. Observe a
client rotate the subcutaneous site for an insulin pump
After morning dressing changes are completed, a male client who has paraplegia
contaminates his ischial decubiti dressing with a diarrheal stool. What activity is best for
the nurse to assign to the unlicensed assistive personnel?
A. Identify the need for additional supplies to provide an extra dressing change
B. Provide perianal care and collect clean linens for the dressing change
C. Document the diarrhea that necessitates an additional dressing change
D. Position the client for access to the decubiti sties and remove dressings - ANS-B.
Provide perianal care and collect clean linens for the dressing change
The nurse is planning to evaluate the effectiveness of several drugs administered by
different routes. Arrage the routes of administration in the order from fastest to slowest
rate of absorption.
Subcutaenous
Intravenous
Intramuscular
Sublingual
Oral - ANS-Intravenous, sublingual, intramuscular, subcutaneous, oral.
A 26-year-old gravida 4, para 0 had a spontaneous abortion at 9 weeks gestation. At
one-house post dilation and curettage (D&C) the nurse assess the vital signs and
vaginal bleeding. The client begins to cry softly. How should the nurse intervene?
A. Offer to call the social worker to discuss the possiblity of abortion
B. Reassure the client that the infertility specialist can help
C. Express sorrow for the client's grief and offer to sit with her
D. Chart the vital signs and amount of vaginal bleeding - ANS-C. Express sorrow for the
client's grief and offer to sit with her
A terminally ill male client and his family are requesting hospice care after discharge
from the hosptial and ask the nurse to explain what kind of care they should expect. The
nurse should indicate that hospice philosophy focuses on what aspect of health care?
A. Enhance symptom management to improve end of life quality
B. facilitates assisted suicide with the client's consent
C. Offers ways to postpone the death experience at home
D. Provide training for family members to care for the client. - ANS-A. Enhance
symptom management to improve end of life quality
The nurse observes a wife shaving her husband's beard with a safety razor by holding
the skin taut and shaving in the direction of the hair growth . What action should the
nurse take?
