HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXIT PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE 2025
1. A client with congestive heart failure (CHF) is experiencing increased
shortness of breath and edema. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Encourage the client to increase oral fluid intake
B) Administer prescribed diuretics
C) Restrict the client to bed rest indefinitely
D) Provide a high-sodium diet
Answer: B) Administer prescribed diuretics
Rationale: Diuretics help reduce fluid overload by promoting excretion of excess
fluid, which decreases edema and shortness of breath in CHF patients.
,2. Which of the following assessment findings is most important for the nurse to
report immediately for a client with a history of stroke?
A) Mild headache
B) Slurred speech
C) Fatigue
D) Mild dizziness
Answer: B) Slurred speech
Rationale: Slurred speech is a sign of neurological impairment and could indicate
a new or worsening stroke, requiring immediate medical evaluation.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which
instruction is most important?
A) "Shake the inhaler well before each use."
B) "Use the inhaler only when symptoms occur."
C) "Exhale forcefully immediately after using the inhaler."
D) "Hold your breath for 5 seconds after inhaling the medication."
Answer: A) "Shake the inhaler well before each use."
Rationale: Shaking the inhaler ensures the medication is properly mixed and
delivered effectively with each dose.
4. What is the priority nursing action when caring for a client who has a new
tracheostomy?
,A) Suction the tracheostomy every 4 hours
B) Maintain sterile technique during tracheostomy care
C) Keep the cuff inflated at all times
D) Encourage the client to speak loudly
Answer: B) Maintain sterile technique during tracheostomy care
Rationale: Sterile technique is essential to prevent infection in a new
tracheostomy site.
5. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 320 mg/dL and
reports feeling thirsty and weak. What is the nurse’s best action?
A) Administer insulin as prescribed
B) Encourage the client to drink fruit juice
C) Withhold insulin until symptoms improve
D) Call the healthcare provider to hold insulin
Answer: A) Administer insulin as prescribed
Rationale: High blood glucose and symptoms indicate hyperglycemia, and insulin
administration is critical to reduce glucose levels and prevent complications.
6. Which lab value should the nurse monitor most closely in a client taking
warfarin?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)/INR
B) Hemoglobin
, C) Platelet count
D) White blood cell count
Answer: A) Prothrombin time (PT)/INR
Rationale: PT/INR values monitor warfarin effectiveness and help prevent
bleeding or clotting complications.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube after thoracic surgery. The
nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What is the
appropriate action?
A) Clamp the chest tube immediately
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Check for air leak in the system
D) Increase suction pressure
Answer: C) Check for air leak in the system
Rationale: Continuous bubbling may indicate an air leak; the nurse should first
assess and locate the source before taking further action.
8. Which client statement indicates a correct understanding of dietary
management for hypertension?
A) "I will avoid foods high in potassium."
B) "I will increase my intake of salt and processed foods."
C) "I will follow a low-sodium diet."
D) "I will eat more red meat and fried foods."
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE 2025
1. A client with congestive heart failure (CHF) is experiencing increased
shortness of breath and edema. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Encourage the client to increase oral fluid intake
B) Administer prescribed diuretics
C) Restrict the client to bed rest indefinitely
D) Provide a high-sodium diet
Answer: B) Administer prescribed diuretics
Rationale: Diuretics help reduce fluid overload by promoting excretion of excess
fluid, which decreases edema and shortness of breath in CHF patients.
,2. Which of the following assessment findings is most important for the nurse to
report immediately for a client with a history of stroke?
A) Mild headache
B) Slurred speech
C) Fatigue
D) Mild dizziness
Answer: B) Slurred speech
Rationale: Slurred speech is a sign of neurological impairment and could indicate
a new or worsening stroke, requiring immediate medical evaluation.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which
instruction is most important?
A) "Shake the inhaler well before each use."
B) "Use the inhaler only when symptoms occur."
C) "Exhale forcefully immediately after using the inhaler."
D) "Hold your breath for 5 seconds after inhaling the medication."
Answer: A) "Shake the inhaler well before each use."
Rationale: Shaking the inhaler ensures the medication is properly mixed and
delivered effectively with each dose.
4. What is the priority nursing action when caring for a client who has a new
tracheostomy?
,A) Suction the tracheostomy every 4 hours
B) Maintain sterile technique during tracheostomy care
C) Keep the cuff inflated at all times
D) Encourage the client to speak loudly
Answer: B) Maintain sterile technique during tracheostomy care
Rationale: Sterile technique is essential to prevent infection in a new
tracheostomy site.
5. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 320 mg/dL and
reports feeling thirsty and weak. What is the nurse’s best action?
A) Administer insulin as prescribed
B) Encourage the client to drink fruit juice
C) Withhold insulin until symptoms improve
D) Call the healthcare provider to hold insulin
Answer: A) Administer insulin as prescribed
Rationale: High blood glucose and symptoms indicate hyperglycemia, and insulin
administration is critical to reduce glucose levels and prevent complications.
6. Which lab value should the nurse monitor most closely in a client taking
warfarin?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)/INR
B) Hemoglobin
, C) Platelet count
D) White blood cell count
Answer: A) Prothrombin time (PT)/INR
Rationale: PT/INR values monitor warfarin effectiveness and help prevent
bleeding or clotting complications.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube after thoracic surgery. The
nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What is the
appropriate action?
A) Clamp the chest tube immediately
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Check for air leak in the system
D) Increase suction pressure
Answer: C) Check for air leak in the system
Rationale: Continuous bubbling may indicate an air leak; the nurse should first
assess and locate the source before taking further action.
8. Which client statement indicates a correct understanding of dietary
management for hypertension?
A) "I will avoid foods high in potassium."
B) "I will increase my intake of salt and processed foods."
C) "I will follow a low-sodium diet."
D) "I will eat more red meat and fried foods."