HESI EXIT NGN, HESI RN Exit Exam
2026-2027 (ACTUAL
EXAM)Comprehensive Questions and
Verified Answers
A pt presses the call bell and requests pain medication for a severe headache. To
assess the quality of the pt. Pain, which approach should the nurse use? -ANS Ask the
patient to describe the pain
The nurse is wearing personal protective equipment while caring for a pt. When exiting
the room, which PPE should be removed first? -ANS Gloves
An older pt is brought to the ED with a sudden onset of confusion that occurred after
experiencing a fall at home. The daughter, who has power of attorney, has brought the
client's prescriptions. Which information should the nurse provide first when reporting to
the healthcare provider using SBAR communication? -ANS Increasing confusion of the
pt.
A pt tells the nurse about working out with a personal trainer and swimming three times
a week in an effort to lose weight and sleep better. The pt states that it still is taking
hours to fall asleep at night. Which action should the nurse implement? -ANS Ask the pt
for a description of the exercise schedule that is being followed
2 days prior to discharge from the rehab facility, the nurse is teaching a pt who is
recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome about home. Which actions should the nurse
include when providing discharge teaching to the pt and spouse? SATA -ANS -review
safe transfer strategies
-develop a nutritional plan
-help identify community support
The nurse implements a tertiary prevention program for type 2 diabetes in a rural health
clinic. Which outcome indicates that the program was effective? -ANS pt who develop
disease complications promptly received rehabilitation
The nurse has received funding to design a health promotion project for African
American women who are at risk for developing breast cancer. Which resource is most
important in designing this program? -ANS participation of community leaders in
planning the program
A pt with multiple injuries is being treated in the burn trauma unit just hours after the
injuries occurred. The healthcare provider instructs the nurse to avoid auto
,contamination when performing dressing changes. Which intervention is most important
for the nurse to implement? -ANS use gown, mask, and gloves with dressing changes
A pt is recovering in the critical care unit following a cardiac cath. IV nitro and heparin
are infusing. The pt is sedated but responds to instructions. After changing positions,
the pt complains of pain at the right groin insertion site. What action should the nurse
implement? -ANS Stimulate the pt to take deep breaths
Prior to obtaining a trapeze bar for a pt with limited mobility, which pt assessment is
most important for the nurse to obtain? -ANS upper body muscle strength
While the nurse is assessing an older pt fall risk, the pt reports living at home alone and
never falling. Which action should the nurse take? -ANS Continue to obtain pt data
needed to complete the fall risk survey
The nurse is feeding an older adult who was admitted with aspiration pneumonia. The pt
is weak and begins coughing while attempting to drink through a straw. Which
intervention should the nurse implement? -ANS Teach coughing and deep breathing
exercises
The nurse is teaching the pt about home care after surgery for an ileal conduit
placement. When reviewing the information, which statement should the nurse
recognize as needing additional education? -ANS Empty the pouch when it is half full.
A 12 week gestation is admitted to the antepartum unit with a dx of hyperemesis
gravidarum. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement? -ANS initiate
prescribed IV fluids
A pt with dyspnea is being admitted to the medical unit. To best prepare for the pt
arrival, the nurse should ensure that the pt bed is in which position? -ANS Picture with
the bed sitting up
A pt who is scheduled for a bronchoscopy in the morning is anxious and asking the
nurse numerous questions about the procedure. In preparing the pt for the procedure,
which intervention has the highest priority? -ANS Instruct pt to write down questions
While caring for a pt post operative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at
the wound. Before reporting this finding to the provider, the nurse should review which
of the pt lab values? -ANS culture for sensitive organisms
A pt with a lower respiratory tract infection receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin
500mg PO every 12hrs. When the client requests an afternoon snack, which dietary
choice should the nurse provide? -ANS Cinnamon apple sauce
,An older male reporting abd pain is admitted from a facility. It has been 7 days since his
last BM and his abd is distended, and he just vomited 150ml of dark brown emesis. In
what order should the nurse implement these interventions? -ANS Send emesis to lab
Elevate HOB
complete focused assessment
offers PRN pain meds
A patient who recently received a prescription for ramelteon to treat sleep deprivation
reports experiencing several side effects since taking the med. Which side effect should
the nurse report to the healthcare provider? -ANS Somnambulism
A pt is scheduled for a spiral CT scan with contrast to evaluate for pulmonary embolism.
Which information in the client's history requires follow up by the nurse? -ANS take
metformin for type 2 diabetes
The nurse should withhold which medication if the client's serum potassium level is 6.2
mEq/? -ANS Spironolactone
A nurse receives a report on a pt who is four hours post-total abdominal hysterectomy.
The previous nurse reports that it was necessary to change the client's perineal pad
hourly and that it is again saturated. The previous nurse also reports that the client's
urinary output has decreased. Which action should the nurse implement first? -ANS
Assess for weakness or dizziness
A pt who is admitted for primary hypothyroidism has early signs of myxedema coma. In
assessing the pt, in which sequence should the nurse complete these actions? -ANS -
Observe breathing patterns
-assess blood pressure
-measure body temp
-palpate for pedal edema
The nurse is taking the blood pressure measurement of a client with Parkinson's
disease. Which information in the admission assessment is relevant to the nurse's plan
for taking the blood pressure reading? SATA -ANS Blurred Vision
Flat Affect
frequent syncope
After administering a proton pump inhibitor, which action should the nurse take to
evaluate the effectiveness of the medication? -ANS Ask the pt about gastrointestinal
pain
A pt is receiving enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously twice a day. In assessing for
adverse effects of the medication, which serum laboratory value most important for the
nurse to monitor -ANS platelet count
, A pediatric client is taking the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol. In developing
a teaching plan, the nurse should teach the parents to report which sign of overdose? -
ANS Bradycardia
The nurse is demonstrating correct transfer procedures to the unlicensed assistive
personnel working on a rehab unit. The UAP asks the nurse how to safely move a
physically disabled pt from the... wheelchair to the bed. Which action should the nurse
recommend? -ANS Place the pt locked wheelchair on the pt strong side next to the bed
The nurse has completed the diet teaching of a client who is being discharged following
tx of a leg wound. A high protein diet is encouraged to promote wound healing. Which
lunch choice by the pt indicates that the teaching was effective? -ANS A tuna fish
sandwich with chips and ice cream
When conducting diet teaching for a pt who was dx with a myocardial infarction, which
snack foods should the nurse encourage the pt to eat? SATA -ANS Fresh Turkey slices
and berries
chick bouillon soup and toast
raw unsalted almonds and apples
A pt taking clopidogrel reports the onset of diarrhea. Which nursing action should the
nurse implement first? -ANS Observe the appearance of the stool
A pt is dx with Meniere's disease. Which problem should the nurse identify as most
important in the plan of care? -ANS Risk for injury related to vertigo
A new nurse preparing to irrigate an IV catheter is attaching a 24 gauge needle. Which
action should the charge nurse implement? -ANS Suggest the nurse use 20g needle
A nurse working on an Endocrine Unit should see which client first? -ANS A pt taking
corticosteroids who has become disoriented in the last two hours.
After an older pt receives tx for drug toxicity the healthcare provider prescribes a 24 hr
creatinine clearance, the nurse notes that the pt serum creatinine is 0.3mg. Which
action should the nurse implement? -ANS Notify the healthcare provider of the results
An older adult pt with Systemic inflammatory syndrome (SIRS) has a temp of 101.8, HR
of 110, and RR of 24 breaths/min. Which additional finding is most important to report to
the healthcare provider? -ANS Serum Creatinine of 2mg/dl
A pt in the third trimester of pregnancy reports that she feels some lumpy places in her
breasts and that her nipples sometimes leak a yellowish fluid. She has an appointment
with her healthcare provider in two weeks. What actions should the nurse take? -ANS
Explain that this is normal recreation and can be assessed at the next visit.
2026-2027 (ACTUAL
EXAM)Comprehensive Questions and
Verified Answers
A pt presses the call bell and requests pain medication for a severe headache. To
assess the quality of the pt. Pain, which approach should the nurse use? -ANS Ask the
patient to describe the pain
The nurse is wearing personal protective equipment while caring for a pt. When exiting
the room, which PPE should be removed first? -ANS Gloves
An older pt is brought to the ED with a sudden onset of confusion that occurred after
experiencing a fall at home. The daughter, who has power of attorney, has brought the
client's prescriptions. Which information should the nurse provide first when reporting to
the healthcare provider using SBAR communication? -ANS Increasing confusion of the
pt.
A pt tells the nurse about working out with a personal trainer and swimming three times
a week in an effort to lose weight and sleep better. The pt states that it still is taking
hours to fall asleep at night. Which action should the nurse implement? -ANS Ask the pt
for a description of the exercise schedule that is being followed
2 days prior to discharge from the rehab facility, the nurse is teaching a pt who is
recovering from Guillain-Barre syndrome about home. Which actions should the nurse
include when providing discharge teaching to the pt and spouse? SATA -ANS -review
safe transfer strategies
-develop a nutritional plan
-help identify community support
The nurse implements a tertiary prevention program for type 2 diabetes in a rural health
clinic. Which outcome indicates that the program was effective? -ANS pt who develop
disease complications promptly received rehabilitation
The nurse has received funding to design a health promotion project for African
American women who are at risk for developing breast cancer. Which resource is most
important in designing this program? -ANS participation of community leaders in
planning the program
A pt with multiple injuries is being treated in the burn trauma unit just hours after the
injuries occurred. The healthcare provider instructs the nurse to avoid auto
,contamination when performing dressing changes. Which intervention is most important
for the nurse to implement? -ANS use gown, mask, and gloves with dressing changes
A pt is recovering in the critical care unit following a cardiac cath. IV nitro and heparin
are infusing. The pt is sedated but responds to instructions. After changing positions,
the pt complains of pain at the right groin insertion site. What action should the nurse
implement? -ANS Stimulate the pt to take deep breaths
Prior to obtaining a trapeze bar for a pt with limited mobility, which pt assessment is
most important for the nurse to obtain? -ANS upper body muscle strength
While the nurse is assessing an older pt fall risk, the pt reports living at home alone and
never falling. Which action should the nurse take? -ANS Continue to obtain pt data
needed to complete the fall risk survey
The nurse is feeding an older adult who was admitted with aspiration pneumonia. The pt
is weak and begins coughing while attempting to drink through a straw. Which
intervention should the nurse implement? -ANS Teach coughing and deep breathing
exercises
The nurse is teaching the pt about home care after surgery for an ileal conduit
placement. When reviewing the information, which statement should the nurse
recognize as needing additional education? -ANS Empty the pouch when it is half full.
A 12 week gestation is admitted to the antepartum unit with a dx of hyperemesis
gravidarum. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement? -ANS initiate
prescribed IV fluids
A pt with dyspnea is being admitted to the medical unit. To best prepare for the pt
arrival, the nurse should ensure that the pt bed is in which position? -ANS Picture with
the bed sitting up
A pt who is scheduled for a bronchoscopy in the morning is anxious and asking the
nurse numerous questions about the procedure. In preparing the pt for the procedure,
which intervention has the highest priority? -ANS Instruct pt to write down questions
While caring for a pt post operative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at
the wound. Before reporting this finding to the provider, the nurse should review which
of the pt lab values? -ANS culture for sensitive organisms
A pt with a lower respiratory tract infection receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin
500mg PO every 12hrs. When the client requests an afternoon snack, which dietary
choice should the nurse provide? -ANS Cinnamon apple sauce
,An older male reporting abd pain is admitted from a facility. It has been 7 days since his
last BM and his abd is distended, and he just vomited 150ml of dark brown emesis. In
what order should the nurse implement these interventions? -ANS Send emesis to lab
Elevate HOB
complete focused assessment
offers PRN pain meds
A patient who recently received a prescription for ramelteon to treat sleep deprivation
reports experiencing several side effects since taking the med. Which side effect should
the nurse report to the healthcare provider? -ANS Somnambulism
A pt is scheduled for a spiral CT scan with contrast to evaluate for pulmonary embolism.
Which information in the client's history requires follow up by the nurse? -ANS take
metformin for type 2 diabetes
The nurse should withhold which medication if the client's serum potassium level is 6.2
mEq/? -ANS Spironolactone
A nurse receives a report on a pt who is four hours post-total abdominal hysterectomy.
The previous nurse reports that it was necessary to change the client's perineal pad
hourly and that it is again saturated. The previous nurse also reports that the client's
urinary output has decreased. Which action should the nurse implement first? -ANS
Assess for weakness or dizziness
A pt who is admitted for primary hypothyroidism has early signs of myxedema coma. In
assessing the pt, in which sequence should the nurse complete these actions? -ANS -
Observe breathing patterns
-assess blood pressure
-measure body temp
-palpate for pedal edema
The nurse is taking the blood pressure measurement of a client with Parkinson's
disease. Which information in the admission assessment is relevant to the nurse's plan
for taking the blood pressure reading? SATA -ANS Blurred Vision
Flat Affect
frequent syncope
After administering a proton pump inhibitor, which action should the nurse take to
evaluate the effectiveness of the medication? -ANS Ask the pt about gastrointestinal
pain
A pt is receiving enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously twice a day. In assessing for
adverse effects of the medication, which serum laboratory value most important for the
nurse to monitor -ANS platelet count
, A pediatric client is taking the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol. In developing
a teaching plan, the nurse should teach the parents to report which sign of overdose? -
ANS Bradycardia
The nurse is demonstrating correct transfer procedures to the unlicensed assistive
personnel working on a rehab unit. The UAP asks the nurse how to safely move a
physically disabled pt from the... wheelchair to the bed. Which action should the nurse
recommend? -ANS Place the pt locked wheelchair on the pt strong side next to the bed
The nurse has completed the diet teaching of a client who is being discharged following
tx of a leg wound. A high protein diet is encouraged to promote wound healing. Which
lunch choice by the pt indicates that the teaching was effective? -ANS A tuna fish
sandwich with chips and ice cream
When conducting diet teaching for a pt who was dx with a myocardial infarction, which
snack foods should the nurse encourage the pt to eat? SATA -ANS Fresh Turkey slices
and berries
chick bouillon soup and toast
raw unsalted almonds and apples
A pt taking clopidogrel reports the onset of diarrhea. Which nursing action should the
nurse implement first? -ANS Observe the appearance of the stool
A pt is dx with Meniere's disease. Which problem should the nurse identify as most
important in the plan of care? -ANS Risk for injury related to vertigo
A new nurse preparing to irrigate an IV catheter is attaching a 24 gauge needle. Which
action should the charge nurse implement? -ANS Suggest the nurse use 20g needle
A nurse working on an Endocrine Unit should see which client first? -ANS A pt taking
corticosteroids who has become disoriented in the last two hours.
After an older pt receives tx for drug toxicity the healthcare provider prescribes a 24 hr
creatinine clearance, the nurse notes that the pt serum creatinine is 0.3mg. Which
action should the nurse implement? -ANS Notify the healthcare provider of the results
An older adult pt with Systemic inflammatory syndrome (SIRS) has a temp of 101.8, HR
of 110, and RR of 24 breaths/min. Which additional finding is most important to report to
the healthcare provider? -ANS Serum Creatinine of 2mg/dl
A pt in the third trimester of pregnancy reports that she feels some lumpy places in her
breasts and that her nipples sometimes leak a yellowish fluid. She has an appointment
with her healthcare provider in two weeks. What actions should the nurse take? -ANS
Explain that this is normal recreation and can be assessed at the next visit.
