HESI EXAM 2025 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Course
Hesi
1. Anatomy & Physiology
Question:
Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for maintaining balance and coordinating muscle
movements?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Hypothalamus
Answer:
B. Cerebellum
Rationale:
The cerebellum is responsible for balance, coordination, and fine motor movements. The
cerebrum handles higher cognitive functions, the medulla oblongata controls autonomic
functions, and the hypothalamus regulates homeostasis.
2. Pharmacology
Question:
A patient is prescribed digoxin. What is the most important nursing assessment before
administering the medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Heart rate
C. Respiratory rate
D. Oxygen saturation
Answer:
B. Heart rate
Rationale:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse must check the apical pulse for a full minute before
administration and withhold the drug if the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute.
3. Math (Dosage Calculation)
,Question:
A medication order states: "Administer 250 mg of a drug." The vial contains 500 mg/2 mL. How
many mL will you administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL
C. 2 mL
D. 3 mL
Answer:
B. 1 mL
Rationale:
Using the formula:
Dose to give=Prescribed doseAvailable dose×Volume=250 mg500 mg×2 mL=1 mL\text{Dose to
give} = \frac{\text{Prescribed dose}}{\text{Available dose}} \times \text{Volume} = \
frac{250 \, \text{mg}}{500 \, \text{mg}} \times 2 \, \text{mL} = 1 \, \
text{mL}Dose to give=Available dosePrescribed dose×Volume=500mg250mg×2mL=1mL
4. Nursing Fundamentals
Question:
Which intervention is the highest priority for a patient with dysphagia?
A. Provide thickened liquids.
B. Encourage a high-protein diet.
C. Monitor daily weights.
D. Educate about proper posture during meals.
Answer:
A. Provide thickened liquids.
Rationale:
Thickened liquids reduce the risk of aspiration in patients with swallowing difficulties, which is
the priority intervention.
5. Pediatric Nursing
Question:
A 6-month-old infant is due for vaccinations. Which vaccines are typically administered at this
age?
A. MMR and Varicella
B. DTaP, Hib, and IPV
,C. Hepatitis A and B
D. HPV and Influenza
Answer:
B. DTaP, Hib, and IPV
Rationale:
At 6 months, the infant typically receives the third doses of DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and
Pertussis), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), and IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus).
6. Pathophysiology
Question:
What is the primary cause of edema in a patient with heart failure?
A. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased capillary permeability
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Answer:
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale:
Heart failure leads to increased venous pressure, raising capillary hydrostatic pressure, which
forces fluid into the interstitial space, causing edema.
7. Critical Thinking
Question:
A patient is unresponsive and not breathing. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Check for a pulse.
B. Activate the emergency response system.
C. Begin chest compressions.
D. Open the airway.
Answer:
B. Activate the emergency response system.
Rationale:
According to Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines, the first step when encountering an
unresponsive patient is to call for help or activate the emergency response system.
, 8. Medical-Surgical Nursing
Question:
A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a low-protein diet. What is the rationale
behind this intervention?
A. Prevent fluid retention.
B. Reduce urea production.
C. Improve electrolyte balance.
D. Enhance kidney filtration.
Answer:
B. Reduce urea production.
Rationale:
In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys cannot effectively excrete urea, a byproduct of protein
metabolism. A low-protein diet minimizes urea accumulation.
9. Psychology
Question:
Which defense mechanism is a patient using when they refuse to acknowledge a terminal
diagnosis?
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Regression
D. Sublimation
Answer:
A. Denial
Rationale:
Denial is the refusal to accept reality or facts, commonly seen in patients struggling to cope with
terminal diagnoses.
10. Health Promotion
Question:
What is the recommended amount of moderate-intensity physical activity for adults per week,
according to the CDC?
A. 75 minutes
Course
Hesi
1. Anatomy & Physiology
Question:
Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for maintaining balance and coordinating muscle
movements?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Medulla oblongata
D. Hypothalamus
Answer:
B. Cerebellum
Rationale:
The cerebellum is responsible for balance, coordination, and fine motor movements. The
cerebrum handles higher cognitive functions, the medulla oblongata controls autonomic
functions, and the hypothalamus regulates homeostasis.
2. Pharmacology
Question:
A patient is prescribed digoxin. What is the most important nursing assessment before
administering the medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Heart rate
C. Respiratory rate
D. Oxygen saturation
Answer:
B. Heart rate
Rationale:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse must check the apical pulse for a full minute before
administration and withhold the drug if the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute.
3. Math (Dosage Calculation)
,Question:
A medication order states: "Administer 250 mg of a drug." The vial contains 500 mg/2 mL. How
many mL will you administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL
C. 2 mL
D. 3 mL
Answer:
B. 1 mL
Rationale:
Using the formula:
Dose to give=Prescribed doseAvailable dose×Volume=250 mg500 mg×2 mL=1 mL\text{Dose to
give} = \frac{\text{Prescribed dose}}{\text{Available dose}} \times \text{Volume} = \
frac{250 \, \text{mg}}{500 \, \text{mg}} \times 2 \, \text{mL} = 1 \, \
text{mL}Dose to give=Available dosePrescribed dose×Volume=500mg250mg×2mL=1mL
4. Nursing Fundamentals
Question:
Which intervention is the highest priority for a patient with dysphagia?
A. Provide thickened liquids.
B. Encourage a high-protein diet.
C. Monitor daily weights.
D. Educate about proper posture during meals.
Answer:
A. Provide thickened liquids.
Rationale:
Thickened liquids reduce the risk of aspiration in patients with swallowing difficulties, which is
the priority intervention.
5. Pediatric Nursing
Question:
A 6-month-old infant is due for vaccinations. Which vaccines are typically administered at this
age?
A. MMR and Varicella
B. DTaP, Hib, and IPV
,C. Hepatitis A and B
D. HPV and Influenza
Answer:
B. DTaP, Hib, and IPV
Rationale:
At 6 months, the infant typically receives the third doses of DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and
Pertussis), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), and IPV (Inactivated Poliovirus).
6. Pathophysiology
Question:
What is the primary cause of edema in a patient with heart failure?
A. Decreased capillary hydrostatic pressure
B. Increased capillary permeability
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
D. Decreased plasma oncotic pressure
Answer:
C. Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
Rationale:
Heart failure leads to increased venous pressure, raising capillary hydrostatic pressure, which
forces fluid into the interstitial space, causing edema.
7. Critical Thinking
Question:
A patient is unresponsive and not breathing. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Check for a pulse.
B. Activate the emergency response system.
C. Begin chest compressions.
D. Open the airway.
Answer:
B. Activate the emergency response system.
Rationale:
According to Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines, the first step when encountering an
unresponsive patient is to call for help or activate the emergency response system.
, 8. Medical-Surgical Nursing
Question:
A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a low-protein diet. What is the rationale
behind this intervention?
A. Prevent fluid retention.
B. Reduce urea production.
C. Improve electrolyte balance.
D. Enhance kidney filtration.
Answer:
B. Reduce urea production.
Rationale:
In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys cannot effectively excrete urea, a byproduct of protein
metabolism. A low-protein diet minimizes urea accumulation.
9. Psychology
Question:
Which defense mechanism is a patient using when they refuse to acknowledge a terminal
diagnosis?
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Regression
D. Sublimation
Answer:
A. Denial
Rationale:
Denial is the refusal to accept reality or facts, commonly seen in patients struggling to cope with
terminal diagnoses.
10. Health Promotion
Question:
What is the recommended amount of moderate-intensity physical activity for adults per week,
according to the CDC?
A. 75 minutes
