HESI EXIT V3 FINAL EXAM (2024/2025) | VERIFIED 160
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
1. A 64-year-old patient scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia declines to
remove their dentures before transfer to the operating room. What is the best action
by the nurse?
A) Explain that the dentures could be lost or damaged during the procedure
B) Ask if they’re reconsidering undergoing surgery
C) Notify the surgical and anesthesia teams of the refusal
D) Ask if they'd prefer to remove the dentures in the pre-op holding area
Rationale: Offering a choice respects autonomy while complying with safety protocol,
increasing patient cooperation before anesthesia.
2. A nurse has been educating hypertensive adult patients about cardiac risk
reduction. What is the most accurate way to evaluate if learning has occurred?
A) Administering written knowledge tests
B) Asking verbal follow-up questions
C) Mailing a feedback survey
D) Observing changes in patient behaviors
Rationale: Behavioral changes indicate true learning and integration of new knowledge
into lifestyle habits.
3. When caring for an 18-month-old child, which nursing intervention is
developmentally appropriate?
A) Frequently cuddle the child
B) Encourage the child to self-feed with finger foods
C) Allow the child to walk unsupervised
D) Facilitate group play with other children
Rationale: At this age, developing independence in feeding supports fine motor skills and
autonomy.
,4. A partner expresses concern about their spouse constantly daydreaming about
moving to another state to escape environmental stress. What’s the most therapeutic
explanation the nurse can give?
A) Fantasizing may satisfy unconscious desires or help prepare for future decisions
B) Detachment like this delays emotional processing
C) The behavior may cause relationship stress
D) The person may be isolating emotions to avoid conflict
Rationale: Daydreams can be a healthy psychological outlet, helping process goals or
needs.
5. Which goal is most suitable for a patient experiencing anxiety?
A) Express anxious thoughts to the nurse
B) Reconnect with reality
C) Learn personal coping strategies
D) Become desensitized to trauma
Rationale: Teaching self-help techniques empowers the patient to manage anxiety
independently.
6. A patient declines to take a prescribed medication. What is the best nursing
response?
A) "It’s fine to skip your meds sometimes."
B) "I'll need to inform your provider about this."
C) "Can you tell me why you don’t want to take it?"
D) "Do you understand what could happen if you refuse?"
Rationale: Exploring the reason opens therapeutic dialogue and addresses patient
concerns respectfully.
7. While assessing a patient, the nurse notices a pulsing mass in the abdomen near
the navel. What should the nurse do first?
A) Measure the mass
B) Listen over the area with a stethoscope
,C) Tap (percuss) the area
D) Press gently on the mass
Rationale: A pulsating mass could indicate an abdominal aneurysm. Palpation may cause
rupture. Auscultation is the safest first step.
8. A patient admitted with confusion is disoriented and forgetful. What’s the best
approach for orienting this patient?
A) “Good morning. Do you know where you are?”
B) “Hi, I’m your nurse today.”
C) “You're in the hospital, how are you feeling?”
D) “Good morning, you’re in the hospital. I’m your nurse, Elaine.”
Rationale: Clear, factual information using both location and introduction helps ground a
confused patient in reality.
9. When teaching the parents of a 3-month-old baby about fluids, what should they be
told is the primary source of hydration for the first year?
A) Breast milk or infant formula
B) Diluted milk powder
C) Warm juice
D) Tap water with fluoride
Rationale: Until 12 months, breast milk or formula offers complete hydration and nutrition.
10. The parents of a 6-year-old with a femur fracture worry about growth impact. What
should the nurse explain?
A) Bone growth issues occur if the periosteum is damaged
B) Growth can be affected if the break involves the growth plate (epiphysis)
C) Kids heal fast, so it’s rarely a concern
D) Good blood supply prevents growth delays
Rationale: Epiphyseal (growth plate) injuries can disrupt normal bone development and
must be closely monitored.
, 11. A client confirms a pregnancy with a urine test and says her last period was March
16. When is her estimated due date?
A) April 8
B) January 15
C) February 11
D) December 23
Rationale: Using Nägele’s Rule (LMP + 7 days - 3 months), the EDD is December 23.
12. At what age are early signs of scoliosis most likely to be noticed?
A) Before birth via ultrasound
B) During infancy
C) When the child begins walking
D) During the preteen growth spurt
Rationale: Scoliosis typically develops during periods of rapid growth, especially just
before puberty.
13. A heart failure patient on home care isn’t following their prescribed diet. What
should the nurse do first?
A) Discharge the patient for noncompliance
B) Notify the provider of the patient’s nonadherence
C) Ask the client why the diet isn’t being followed
D) Refer them to a food delivery service
Rationale: Exploring reasons for nonadherence helps tailor interventions and support.
14. A client says, “People think I’m no good, you get what I mean?” What is the best
response?
A) “People often project their own insecurities.”
B) “I think you’re fine—someone does like you.”
C) “I’m not sure I understand. Can you explain more?”
D) “Let’s figure out why others might think that.”
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
1. A 64-year-old patient scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia declines to
remove their dentures before transfer to the operating room. What is the best action
by the nurse?
A) Explain that the dentures could be lost or damaged during the procedure
B) Ask if they’re reconsidering undergoing surgery
C) Notify the surgical and anesthesia teams of the refusal
D) Ask if they'd prefer to remove the dentures in the pre-op holding area
Rationale: Offering a choice respects autonomy while complying with safety protocol,
increasing patient cooperation before anesthesia.
2. A nurse has been educating hypertensive adult patients about cardiac risk
reduction. What is the most accurate way to evaluate if learning has occurred?
A) Administering written knowledge tests
B) Asking verbal follow-up questions
C) Mailing a feedback survey
D) Observing changes in patient behaviors
Rationale: Behavioral changes indicate true learning and integration of new knowledge
into lifestyle habits.
3. When caring for an 18-month-old child, which nursing intervention is
developmentally appropriate?
A) Frequently cuddle the child
B) Encourage the child to self-feed with finger foods
C) Allow the child to walk unsupervised
D) Facilitate group play with other children
Rationale: At this age, developing independence in feeding supports fine motor skills and
autonomy.
,4. A partner expresses concern about their spouse constantly daydreaming about
moving to another state to escape environmental stress. What’s the most therapeutic
explanation the nurse can give?
A) Fantasizing may satisfy unconscious desires or help prepare for future decisions
B) Detachment like this delays emotional processing
C) The behavior may cause relationship stress
D) The person may be isolating emotions to avoid conflict
Rationale: Daydreams can be a healthy psychological outlet, helping process goals or
needs.
5. Which goal is most suitable for a patient experiencing anxiety?
A) Express anxious thoughts to the nurse
B) Reconnect with reality
C) Learn personal coping strategies
D) Become desensitized to trauma
Rationale: Teaching self-help techniques empowers the patient to manage anxiety
independently.
6. A patient declines to take a prescribed medication. What is the best nursing
response?
A) "It’s fine to skip your meds sometimes."
B) "I'll need to inform your provider about this."
C) "Can you tell me why you don’t want to take it?"
D) "Do you understand what could happen if you refuse?"
Rationale: Exploring the reason opens therapeutic dialogue and addresses patient
concerns respectfully.
7. While assessing a patient, the nurse notices a pulsing mass in the abdomen near
the navel. What should the nurse do first?
A) Measure the mass
B) Listen over the area with a stethoscope
,C) Tap (percuss) the area
D) Press gently on the mass
Rationale: A pulsating mass could indicate an abdominal aneurysm. Palpation may cause
rupture. Auscultation is the safest first step.
8. A patient admitted with confusion is disoriented and forgetful. What’s the best
approach for orienting this patient?
A) “Good morning. Do you know where you are?”
B) “Hi, I’m your nurse today.”
C) “You're in the hospital, how are you feeling?”
D) “Good morning, you’re in the hospital. I’m your nurse, Elaine.”
Rationale: Clear, factual information using both location and introduction helps ground a
confused patient in reality.
9. When teaching the parents of a 3-month-old baby about fluids, what should they be
told is the primary source of hydration for the first year?
A) Breast milk or infant formula
B) Diluted milk powder
C) Warm juice
D) Tap water with fluoride
Rationale: Until 12 months, breast milk or formula offers complete hydration and nutrition.
10. The parents of a 6-year-old with a femur fracture worry about growth impact. What
should the nurse explain?
A) Bone growth issues occur if the periosteum is damaged
B) Growth can be affected if the break involves the growth plate (epiphysis)
C) Kids heal fast, so it’s rarely a concern
D) Good blood supply prevents growth delays
Rationale: Epiphyseal (growth plate) injuries can disrupt normal bone development and
must be closely monitored.
, 11. A client confirms a pregnancy with a urine test and says her last period was March
16. When is her estimated due date?
A) April 8
B) January 15
C) February 11
D) December 23
Rationale: Using Nägele’s Rule (LMP + 7 days - 3 months), the EDD is December 23.
12. At what age are early signs of scoliosis most likely to be noticed?
A) Before birth via ultrasound
B) During infancy
C) When the child begins walking
D) During the preteen growth spurt
Rationale: Scoliosis typically develops during periods of rapid growth, especially just
before puberty.
13. A heart failure patient on home care isn’t following their prescribed diet. What
should the nurse do first?
A) Discharge the patient for noncompliance
B) Notify the provider of the patient’s nonadherence
C) Ask the client why the diet isn’t being followed
D) Refer them to a food delivery service
Rationale: Exploring reasons for nonadherence helps tailor interventions and support.
14. A client says, “People think I’m no good, you get what I mean?” What is the best
response?
A) “People often project their own insecurities.”
B) “I think you’re fine—someone does like you.”
C) “I’m not sure I understand. Can you explain more?”
D) “Let’s figure out why others might think that.”
