HESI PN Comprehensive Nursing Exam | ACTUAL
EXAM | Complete Questions & Verified Answers |
Latest Update | Already Graded A
1. A postoperative client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. Which
action should the PN implement first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees
C. Notify the rapid-response team immediately
D. Check the client’s oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The PN’s first action is to obtain objective data to quantify the client’s
respiratory status. Checking SpO₂ provides immediate information that guides
subsequent interventions. Administering oxygen (A) or elevating the head (B) may be
needed, but only after assessment. Notifying the rapid-response team (C) is appropriate
if assessment confirms compromise, but data must be gathered first.
2. A client is prescribed 500 mL of 0.9% saline to infuse over 4 hours via gravity
tubing with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. The PN should regulate the drip rate to
how many drops per minute?
A. 15
B. 21
,C. 31
D. 42
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 500 mL × 15 gtt/mL ÷ 240 min = 31.25 ≈ 31 gtt/min. Options A and B are too
slow and would prolong infusion; D is too fast and risks fluid overload.
3. The PN is assessing a newborn 12 hours after birth and documents a respiratory
rate of 48 breaths/minute. Which action is appropriate?
A. Notify the pediatrician immediately
B. Reassess in 30 minutes; document as normal
C. Begin blow-by oxygen
D. Obtain a stat chest X-ray
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal newborn respiratory rate is 30–60 breaths/min; 48 falls within this
range. No intervention is required unless other signs of distress are present. Immediate
notification (A), oxygen (C), or X-ray (D) is unnecessary.
4. A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed aluminum hydroxide 600 mg
PO with meals. The PN should teach the client that this medication is ordered
primarily to:
A. Prevent phosphate absorption
B. Decrease serum potassium
, C. Reduce gastric acid secretion
D. Bind dietary sodium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aluminum-based antacids bind dietary phosphate in the gut, preventing
hyperphosphatemia common in CKD. They do not affect potassium (B), are weak acid
reducers (C), and do not bind sodium (D).
5. The PN observes an assistive personnel (AP) entering the room of a client on
contact precautions without donning gloves. Which statement by the PN is most
appropriate?
A. “You must wear gloves before touching anything in this room.”
B. “I’ll report you to the nurse manager if you do that again.”
C. “Let me help you finish the task so we can save time.”
D. “It’s okay this time because you’re only bringing water.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The PN must enforce infection-control policies respectfully and immediately.
Option A provides clear, non-punitive correction. Threatening (B), enabling (C), or
excusing (D) undermines safety.
6. A client receiving morphine PCA after abdominal surgery is difficult to arouse and
has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. After stopping the infusion, which
medication should the PN prepare?
A. Naloxone 0.4 mg IVP
EXAM | Complete Questions & Verified Answers |
Latest Update | Already Graded A
1. A postoperative client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. Which
action should the PN implement first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees
C. Notify the rapid-response team immediately
D. Check the client’s oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The PN’s first action is to obtain objective data to quantify the client’s
respiratory status. Checking SpO₂ provides immediate information that guides
subsequent interventions. Administering oxygen (A) or elevating the head (B) may be
needed, but only after assessment. Notifying the rapid-response team (C) is appropriate
if assessment confirms compromise, but data must be gathered first.
2. A client is prescribed 500 mL of 0.9% saline to infuse over 4 hours via gravity
tubing with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. The PN should regulate the drip rate to
how many drops per minute?
A. 15
B. 21
,C. 31
D. 42
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 500 mL × 15 gtt/mL ÷ 240 min = 31.25 ≈ 31 gtt/min. Options A and B are too
slow and would prolong infusion; D is too fast and risks fluid overload.
3. The PN is assessing a newborn 12 hours after birth and documents a respiratory
rate of 48 breaths/minute. Which action is appropriate?
A. Notify the pediatrician immediately
B. Reassess in 30 minutes; document as normal
C. Begin blow-by oxygen
D. Obtain a stat chest X-ray
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal newborn respiratory rate is 30–60 breaths/min; 48 falls within this
range. No intervention is required unless other signs of distress are present. Immediate
notification (A), oxygen (C), or X-ray (D) is unnecessary.
4. A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed aluminum hydroxide 600 mg
PO with meals. The PN should teach the client that this medication is ordered
primarily to:
A. Prevent phosphate absorption
B. Decrease serum potassium
, C. Reduce gastric acid secretion
D. Bind dietary sodium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aluminum-based antacids bind dietary phosphate in the gut, preventing
hyperphosphatemia common in CKD. They do not affect potassium (B), are weak acid
reducers (C), and do not bind sodium (D).
5. The PN observes an assistive personnel (AP) entering the room of a client on
contact precautions without donning gloves. Which statement by the PN is most
appropriate?
A. “You must wear gloves before touching anything in this room.”
B. “I’ll report you to the nurse manager if you do that again.”
C. “Let me help you finish the task so we can save time.”
D. “It’s okay this time because you’re only bringing water.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The PN must enforce infection-control policies respectfully and immediately.
Option A provides clear, non-punitive correction. Threatening (B), enabling (C), or
excusing (D) undermines safety.
6. A client receiving morphine PCA after abdominal surgery is difficult to arouse and
has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. After stopping the infusion, which
medication should the PN prepare?
A. Naloxone 0.4 mg IVP
