HESI PN Fundamentals Exam 2025/2026 |
Actual Exam with Complete Questions and
Answers | Practical Nurse Fundamentals |
HESI Testing Standards
HESI PN Fundamentals Practice Questions 1–200
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone abdominal surgery. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate to prevent postoperative complications?
A. Encourage bed rest for 24 hours
B. Teach the patient to cough and deep breathe every 2 hours
C. Limit fluid intake to prevent nausea
D. Avoid turning the patient for 48 hours
Answer: B
Explanation: Coughing and deep breathing help prevent atelectasis and pneumonia after
surgery. Early mobilization and respiratory exercises are key postoperative interventions.
2. A patient with diabetes asks the nurse why foot care is important. Which response is
best?
A. “Feet are more prone to fungal infections.”
B. “Diabetes can decrease sensation in your feet, leading to unnoticed injuries.”
C. “Foot care prevents foot odor.”
D. “It helps your circulation in your arms.”
Answer: B
Explanation: Peripheral neuropathy can reduce sensation, increasing risk for injuries and
infections that the patient may not feel. Proper foot care prevents complications.
3. Which action should a nurse take first when a patient suddenly develops shortness of
breath and wheezing?
A. Administer prescribed oxygen
B. Call the physician
,C. Elevate the head of the bed
D. Monitor vital signs
Answer: C
Explanation: Elevating the head improves ventilation and helps relieve dyspnea. Oxygen and
notifying the physician are important, but airway management comes first.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the patient
avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Brown rice
D. Steamed vegetables
Answer: B
Explanation: Canned foods are typically high in sodium. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains are low in sodium and safe.
5. Which of the following is the most accurate method for assessing a patient’s fluid
balance?
A. Daily weight measurement
B. Monitoring intake only
C. Observing skin color
D. Measuring temperature
Answer: A
Explanation: Daily weights are the most reliable indicator of fluid retention or loss.
Intake/output alone may miss subtle changes.
6. A nurse notes redness and swelling at a patient’s IV site. What is the best initial
action?
A. Apply a warm compress
B. Document and monitor
C. Stop the IV and notify the provider
D. Flush the IV with saline
Answer: C
Explanation: Redness and swelling indicate infiltration or phlebitis. The IV should be
discontinued to prevent complications, and the provider notified.
,7. Which statement by a patient indicates the need for more teaching about proper hand
hygiene?
A. “I wash my hands before eating.”
B. “I wash my hands after using the bathroom.”
C. “I only wash my hands if they look dirty.”
D. “I use soap and water for 20 seconds.”
Answer: C
Explanation: Hand hygiene should be performed even when hands are not visibly soiled to
prevent the spread of infection.
8. A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and develops itching and hives. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion and notify the provider
C. Administer an analgesic
D. Monitor vital signs
Answer: B
Explanation: Itching and hives indicate an allergic reaction. The transfusion must be stopped
immediately and the provider notified.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of vaccinations. Which statement is
correct?
A. “Vaccines are only needed for children.”
B. “Vaccines help your immune system fight specific diseases.”
C. “Vaccines should be avoided if you feel healthy.”
D. “Vaccines can replace a healthy diet.”
Answer: B
Explanation: Vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop protection against specific
infections. They are important at all ages.
10. Which of the following is the best method to prevent the spread of Clostridium
difficile in a hospital?
A. Wearing gloves only
B. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
, C. Washing hands with soap and water
D. Using a surgical mask
Answer: C
Explanation: C. difficile spores are not killed by alcohol-based sanitizers. Proper handwashing
with soap and water is required to prevent spread.
10. Which of the following is the best method to prevent the spread of Clostridium
difficile in a hospital?
A. Wearing gloves only
B. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
C. Washing hands with soap and water
D. Using a surgical mask
Answer: C
Explanation: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers. Proper handwashing
with soap and water is required to prevent transmission.
11. A nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. Which intervention helps improve gas
exchange?
A. Encourage the patient to lie flat
B. Position the patient in high Fowler’s
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Provide a high-sodium diet
Answer: B
Explanation: High Fowler’s position allows maximum lung expansion and improves
oxygenation.
12. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving IV fluids?
A. Urine output 30 mL/hr
B. Mild ankle edema
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Slightly moist mucous membranes
Answer: C
Explanation: Crackles indicate fluid overload in the lungs, which can lead to pulmonary edema
and respiratory distress.
Actual Exam with Complete Questions and
Answers | Practical Nurse Fundamentals |
HESI Testing Standards
HESI PN Fundamentals Practice Questions 1–200
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone abdominal surgery. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate to prevent postoperative complications?
A. Encourage bed rest for 24 hours
B. Teach the patient to cough and deep breathe every 2 hours
C. Limit fluid intake to prevent nausea
D. Avoid turning the patient for 48 hours
Answer: B
Explanation: Coughing and deep breathing help prevent atelectasis and pneumonia after
surgery. Early mobilization and respiratory exercises are key postoperative interventions.
2. A patient with diabetes asks the nurse why foot care is important. Which response is
best?
A. “Feet are more prone to fungal infections.”
B. “Diabetes can decrease sensation in your feet, leading to unnoticed injuries.”
C. “Foot care prevents foot odor.”
D. “It helps your circulation in your arms.”
Answer: B
Explanation: Peripheral neuropathy can reduce sensation, increasing risk for injuries and
infections that the patient may not feel. Proper foot care prevents complications.
3. Which action should a nurse take first when a patient suddenly develops shortness of
breath and wheezing?
A. Administer prescribed oxygen
B. Call the physician
,C. Elevate the head of the bed
D. Monitor vital signs
Answer: C
Explanation: Elevating the head improves ventilation and helps relieve dyspnea. Oxygen and
notifying the physician are important, but airway management comes first.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the patient
avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Brown rice
D. Steamed vegetables
Answer: B
Explanation: Canned foods are typically high in sodium. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole
grains are low in sodium and safe.
5. Which of the following is the most accurate method for assessing a patient’s fluid
balance?
A. Daily weight measurement
B. Monitoring intake only
C. Observing skin color
D. Measuring temperature
Answer: A
Explanation: Daily weights are the most reliable indicator of fluid retention or loss.
Intake/output alone may miss subtle changes.
6. A nurse notes redness and swelling at a patient’s IV site. What is the best initial
action?
A. Apply a warm compress
B. Document and monitor
C. Stop the IV and notify the provider
D. Flush the IV with saline
Answer: C
Explanation: Redness and swelling indicate infiltration or phlebitis. The IV should be
discontinued to prevent complications, and the provider notified.
,7. Which statement by a patient indicates the need for more teaching about proper hand
hygiene?
A. “I wash my hands before eating.”
B. “I wash my hands after using the bathroom.”
C. “I only wash my hands if they look dirty.”
D. “I use soap and water for 20 seconds.”
Answer: C
Explanation: Hand hygiene should be performed even when hands are not visibly soiled to
prevent the spread of infection.
8. A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and develops itching and hives. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion and notify the provider
C. Administer an analgesic
D. Monitor vital signs
Answer: B
Explanation: Itching and hives indicate an allergic reaction. The transfusion must be stopped
immediately and the provider notified.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of vaccinations. Which statement is
correct?
A. “Vaccines are only needed for children.”
B. “Vaccines help your immune system fight specific diseases.”
C. “Vaccines should be avoided if you feel healthy.”
D. “Vaccines can replace a healthy diet.”
Answer: B
Explanation: Vaccines stimulate the immune system to develop protection against specific
infections. They are important at all ages.
10. Which of the following is the best method to prevent the spread of Clostridium
difficile in a hospital?
A. Wearing gloves only
B. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
, C. Washing hands with soap and water
D. Using a surgical mask
Answer: C
Explanation: C. difficile spores are not killed by alcohol-based sanitizers. Proper handwashing
with soap and water is required to prevent spread.
10. Which of the following is the best method to prevent the spread of Clostridium
difficile in a hospital?
A. Wearing gloves only
B. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
C. Washing hands with soap and water
D. Using a surgical mask
Answer: C
Explanation: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based sanitizers. Proper handwashing
with soap and water is required to prevent transmission.
11. A nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. Which intervention helps improve gas
exchange?
A. Encourage the patient to lie flat
B. Position the patient in high Fowler’s
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Provide a high-sodium diet
Answer: B
Explanation: High Fowler’s position allows maximum lung expansion and improves
oxygenation.
12. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving IV fluids?
A. Urine output 30 mL/hr
B. Mild ankle edema
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Slightly moist mucous membranes
Answer: C
Explanation: Crackles indicate fluid overload in the lungs, which can lead to pulmonary edema
and respiratory distress.
