HESI RN Exit Exam - Practice Questions (Set 1 of 5)
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Try to think through the rationale before
looking at the explanation.
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a new prescription for continuous intravenous infusion
of heparin. The nurse should be most concerned about which laboratory value? a)
Prothrombin time (PT) b) International Normalized Ratio (INR) c) Activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT) d) Platelet count
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which finding would
indicate that the medication is effective? a) Increased blood pressure b) Decreased urine
output c) Improved breath sounds d) Weight gain
3. The nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus about insulin administration.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching? a) "I will rotate
injection sites to prevent lipohypertrophy." b) "I should inject the insulin into
subcutaneous tissue." c) "I can mix my long-acting insulin with my short-acting insulin in
the same syringe." d) "I need to check my blood sugar before each meal and at bedtime."
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult client. Which
site is most appropriate for a volume of 3 mL? a) Deltoid b) Dorsogluteal c) Vastus
lateralis d) Ventrogluteal
5. A client is admitted to the emergency department with symptoms of a stroke. The nurse's
priority action is to: a) Administer aspirin as prescribed. b) Obtain a detailed medical
history. c) Ensure a patent airway. d) Prepare for a lumbar puncture.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to low intermittent
suction. The client complains of abdominal cramping. What is the nurse's initial action?
a) Increase the suction pressure. b) Irrigate the NG tube with normal saline. c) Administer
an antiemetic. d) Reposition the client.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a colostomy. Which instruction is
essential for the client to prevent skin breakdown around the stoma? a) Apply a large
amount of adhesive to the skin barrier. b) Cleanse the skin around the stoma with alcohol.
c) Ensure the skin barrier opening is no more than 1/8 inch larger than the stoma. d)
Change the colostomy bag daily.
8. A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of croup. The nurse should
assess for which classic symptom of croup? a) High-pitched inspiratory wheezing b)
Brassy, barking cough c) Productive cough with thick sputum d) Inspiratory stridor that
worsens with crying
9. A nurse is caring for a client in skeletal traction. Which finding indicates a potential
complication and requires immediate nursing intervention? a) Serous drainage at the pin
insertion sites. b) Mild discomfort with movement. c) Signs of infection at the pin sites.
d) Neurovascular checks are within normal limits.
10. A client with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is prescribed ciprofloxacin. The nurse should
instruct the client to: a) Take the medication with antacids. b) Avoid sun exposure. c)
Stop taking the medication when symptoms improve. d) Consume a diet high in dairy
products.
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Try to think through the rationale before
looking at the explanation.
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a new prescription for continuous intravenous infusion
of heparin. The nurse should be most concerned about which laboratory value? a)
Prothrombin time (PT) b) International Normalized Ratio (INR) c) Activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT) d) Platelet count
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which finding would
indicate that the medication is effective? a) Increased blood pressure b) Decreased urine
output c) Improved breath sounds d) Weight gain
3. The nurse is teaching a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus about insulin administration.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching? a) "I will rotate
injection sites to prevent lipohypertrophy." b) "I should inject the insulin into
subcutaneous tissue." c) "I can mix my long-acting insulin with my short-acting insulin in
the same syringe." d) "I need to check my blood sugar before each meal and at bedtime."
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult client. Which
site is most appropriate for a volume of 3 mL? a) Deltoid b) Dorsogluteal c) Vastus
lateralis d) Ventrogluteal
5. A client is admitted to the emergency department with symptoms of a stroke. The nurse's
priority action is to: a) Administer aspirin as prescribed. b) Obtain a detailed medical
history. c) Ensure a patent airway. d) Prepare for a lumbar puncture.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to low intermittent
suction. The client complains of abdominal cramping. What is the nurse's initial action?
a) Increase the suction pressure. b) Irrigate the NG tube with normal saline. c) Administer
an antiemetic. d) Reposition the client.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a colostomy. Which instruction is
essential for the client to prevent skin breakdown around the stoma? a) Apply a large
amount of adhesive to the skin barrier. b) Cleanse the skin around the stoma with alcohol.
c) Ensure the skin barrier opening is no more than 1/8 inch larger than the stoma. d)
Change the colostomy bag daily.
8. A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of croup. The nurse should
assess for which classic symptom of croup? a) High-pitched inspiratory wheezing b)
Brassy, barking cough c) Productive cough with thick sputum d) Inspiratory stridor that
worsens with crying
9. A nurse is caring for a client in skeletal traction. Which finding indicates a potential
complication and requires immediate nursing intervention? a) Serous drainage at the pin
insertion sites. b) Mild discomfort with movement. c) Signs of infection at the pin sites.
d) Neurovascular checks are within normal limits.
10. A client with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is prescribed ciprofloxacin. The nurse should
instruct the client to: a) Take the medication with antacids. b) Avoid sun exposure. c)
Stop taking the medication when symptoms improve. d) Consume a diet high in dairy
products.
