ADULT HEALTH 2 HESI EXAM – 100 Q&A
(2026 EDITION)
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE SET
1. A patient with COPD has pursed-lip breathing. What is the purpose?
A. Improve oxygen uptake
B. Reduce anxiety
C. Prevent airway collapse during expiration
D. Strengthen respiratory muscles
2. Priority nursing action for a patient with acute pulmonary edema?
A. Give IV fluids
B. Elevate legs
C. Position upright and give oxygen
D. Administer antipyretics
3. Best indicator of fluid volume excess?
A. Skin turgor
B. Urine output
C. Daily weight gain
D. Bowel sounds
4. A patient with heart failure gains 3 lbs in 24 hours. What should the nurse do?
A. Restrict potassium
B. Call the provider immediately
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Give analgesics
5. Early sign of hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Bradycardia
,C. Restlessness and irritability
D. Hypotension
6. Patient with DKA has Kussmaul respirations. What does this indicate?
A. Pain
B. Anxiety
C. Compensation for metabolic acidosis
D. Impending arrest
7. Best lab value to monitor heparin therapy?
A. PT
B. INR
C. aPTT
D. Platelets
8. What is the priority for a patient with a chest tube showing continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber?
A. Document it
B. Increase suction
C. Suspect air leak and assess system/connection points
D. Clamp the tube
9. A patient with pancreatitis is positioned in fetal position. Why?
A. Reduce anxiety
B. Improve ventilation
C. Decrease abdominal pain and pressure on pancreas
D. Prevent aspiration
10. Best diet for cirrhosis with ascites?
A. High sodium
B. High protein
C. Low sodium, moderate protein, adequate calories
D. High fat
11–20
,11. A patient with myasthenia gravis becomes very weak after medication. What does this
suggest?
A. Cholinergic crisis
B. Myasthenic crisis
C. Need for additional testing
D. Could be either crisis—test with Tensilon to differentiate
12. What finding requires immediate intervention in a patient with a thyroidectomy?
A. Pain
B. Hoarseness
C. Stridor or difficulty breathing (airway obstruction)
D. Mild tachycardia
13. Best way to prevent VAP in ventilated patients?
A. Keep HOB flat
B. Frequent sedation
C. Elevate HOB 30–45 degrees and perform oral care with chlorhexidine
D. Use high tidal volumes
14. A patient with acute kidney injury shows peaked T waves. What does this indicate?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
15. A diabetic patient on insulin is diaphoretic and confused. What is the priority action?
A. Give insulin
B. Give carbohydrates (juice or glucose) immediately
C. Start IV fluids
D. Call provider
16. A patient with pneumonia has increased tactile fremitus. What does this indicate?
A. Emphysema
B. Pleural effusion
C. Lung consolidation from pneumonia
D. Asthma
17. Most important teaching for a patient taking warfarin?
, A. Avoid potassium
B. Limit green leafy vegetables to maintain consistent vitamin K intake
C. Increase iron
D. Take with food
18. A patient with liver failure shows asterixis. What does this indicate?
A. Normal finding
B. Dehydration
C. Hepatic encephalopathy due to ammonia buildup
D. Vitamin deficiency
19. What is a classic sign of ARDS?
A. Hyperventilation
B. Chest pain
C. Refractory hypoxemia (not improving with oxygen)
D. Productive cough
20. Which is the priority for a patient with sickle cell crisis?
A. Ambulation
B. Cooling
C. Pain control and oxygen therapy (hydration next)
D. Diuretics
21–30
21. Patient with hypovolemic shock — first intervention?
A. Antibiotics
B. Trendelenburg
C. Give isotonic fluids rapidly (NS/LR) via large bore IVs
D. Oral fluids
22. What rhythm is a shockable rhythm during cardiac arrest?
A. Asystole
B. Pulseless electrical activity
C. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless VTach
D. First-degree AV block
(2026 EDITION)
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE SET
1. A patient with COPD has pursed-lip breathing. What is the purpose?
A. Improve oxygen uptake
B. Reduce anxiety
C. Prevent airway collapse during expiration
D. Strengthen respiratory muscles
2. Priority nursing action for a patient with acute pulmonary edema?
A. Give IV fluids
B. Elevate legs
C. Position upright and give oxygen
D. Administer antipyretics
3. Best indicator of fluid volume excess?
A. Skin turgor
B. Urine output
C. Daily weight gain
D. Bowel sounds
4. A patient with heart failure gains 3 lbs in 24 hours. What should the nurse do?
A. Restrict potassium
B. Call the provider immediately
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Give analgesics
5. Early sign of hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Bradycardia
,C. Restlessness and irritability
D. Hypotension
6. Patient with DKA has Kussmaul respirations. What does this indicate?
A. Pain
B. Anxiety
C. Compensation for metabolic acidosis
D. Impending arrest
7. Best lab value to monitor heparin therapy?
A. PT
B. INR
C. aPTT
D. Platelets
8. What is the priority for a patient with a chest tube showing continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber?
A. Document it
B. Increase suction
C. Suspect air leak and assess system/connection points
D. Clamp the tube
9. A patient with pancreatitis is positioned in fetal position. Why?
A. Reduce anxiety
B. Improve ventilation
C. Decrease abdominal pain and pressure on pancreas
D. Prevent aspiration
10. Best diet for cirrhosis with ascites?
A. High sodium
B. High protein
C. Low sodium, moderate protein, adequate calories
D. High fat
11–20
,11. A patient with myasthenia gravis becomes very weak after medication. What does this
suggest?
A. Cholinergic crisis
B. Myasthenic crisis
C. Need for additional testing
D. Could be either crisis—test with Tensilon to differentiate
12. What finding requires immediate intervention in a patient with a thyroidectomy?
A. Pain
B. Hoarseness
C. Stridor or difficulty breathing (airway obstruction)
D. Mild tachycardia
13. Best way to prevent VAP in ventilated patients?
A. Keep HOB flat
B. Frequent sedation
C. Elevate HOB 30–45 degrees and perform oral care with chlorhexidine
D. Use high tidal volumes
14. A patient with acute kidney injury shows peaked T waves. What does this indicate?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
15. A diabetic patient on insulin is diaphoretic and confused. What is the priority action?
A. Give insulin
B. Give carbohydrates (juice or glucose) immediately
C. Start IV fluids
D. Call provider
16. A patient with pneumonia has increased tactile fremitus. What does this indicate?
A. Emphysema
B. Pleural effusion
C. Lung consolidation from pneumonia
D. Asthma
17. Most important teaching for a patient taking warfarin?
, A. Avoid potassium
B. Limit green leafy vegetables to maintain consistent vitamin K intake
C. Increase iron
D. Take with food
18. A patient with liver failure shows asterixis. What does this indicate?
A. Normal finding
B. Dehydration
C. Hepatic encephalopathy due to ammonia buildup
D. Vitamin deficiency
19. What is a classic sign of ARDS?
A. Hyperventilation
B. Chest pain
C. Refractory hypoxemia (not improving with oxygen)
D. Productive cough
20. Which is the priority for a patient with sickle cell crisis?
A. Ambulation
B. Cooling
C. Pain control and oxygen therapy (hydration next)
D. Diuretics
21–30
21. Patient with hypovolemic shock — first intervention?
A. Antibiotics
B. Trendelenburg
C. Give isotonic fluids rapidly (NS/LR) via large bore IVs
D. Oral fluids
22. What rhythm is a shockable rhythm during cardiac arrest?
A. Asystole
B. Pulseless electrical activity
C. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless VTach
D. First-degree AV block
