Page 1 of 174
LATEST UPDATED HESI FUNDAMENTALS
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
The nurse prepares to insert a nasogastric tube in a client
with hyperemesis who is awake and alert. Which
intervention(s) is(are) correct? (Select all that apply.)
A. Place the client in a high Fowler position.
B. Help the client assume a left side-lying position.
C. Measure the tube from the tip of the nose to the
umbilicus.
D. Instruct the client to swallow after the tube has passed
the pharynx.
E. Assist the client in extending the neck back so the tube
may enter the larynx. - answer-A, D
Rationale:
(A and D) are the correct steps to follow during nasogastric
intubation. Only the unconscious or obtunded client should
be placed in a left side-lying position (B). The tube should be
measured from the tip of the nose to behind the ear and then
from behind the ear to the xiphoid process (C). The neck
should only be extended back prior to the tube passing the
pharynx and then the client should be instructed to position
the neck forward (E).
, Page 2 of 174
When turning an immobile bedridden client without
assistance, which action by the nurse best ensures client
safety?
A. Securely grasp the client's arm and leg.
B. Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the
nurse.
C. Correctly position and use a turn sheet.
D. Lower the head of the client's bed slowly. - answer-B
Rationale: Because the nurse can only stand on one side of
the bed, bed rails should be up on the opposite side to
ensure that the client does not fall out of bed. Option A can
cause client injury to the skin or joint. Options C and D are
useful techniques while turning a client but have less
priority in terms of safety than use of the bed rails.
The nurse identifies a potential for infection in a client with
partial-thickness (second-degree) and full-thickness (third-
degree) burns. What intervention has the highest priority in
decreasing the client's risk of infection?
A. Administration of plasma expanders
B. Use of careful handwashing technique
C. Application of a topical antibacterial cream
D. Limiting visitors to the client with burns - answer-B
Rationale: Careful handwashing technique is the single most
effective intervention for the prevention of contamination to
all clients. Option A reverses the hypovolemia that initially
accompanies burn trauma but is not related to decreasing
, Page 3 of 174
the proliferation of infective organisms. Options C and D are
recommended by various burn centers as possible ways to
reduce the chance of infection. Option B is a proven
technique to prevent infection.
The nurse is aware that malnutrition is a common problem
among clients served by a community health clinic for the
homeless. Which laboratory value is the most reliable
indicator of chronic protein malnutrition?
A. Low serum albumin level
B. Low serum transferrin level
C. High hemoglobin level
D. High cholesterol level - answer-A
Rationale: Long-term protein deficiency is required to cause
significantly lowered serum albumin levels. Albumin is made
by the liver only when adequate amounts of amino acids
(from protein breakdown) are available. Albumin has a long
half-life, so acute protein loss does not significantly alter
serum levels. Option B is a serum protein with a half-life of
only 8 to 10 days, so it will drop with an acute protein
deficiency. Options C and D are not clinical measures of
protein malnutrition.
In completing a client's preoperative routine, the nurse finds
that the operative permit is not signed. The client begins to
ask more questions about the surgical procedure. Which
action should the nurse take next?
A. Witness the client's signature to the permit.
, Page 4 of 174
B. Answer the client's questions about the surgery.
C. Inform the surgeon that the operative permit is not signed
and the client has questions about the surgery.
D. Reassure the client that the surgeon will answer any
questions before the anesthesia is administered. - answer-C
Rationale: The surgeon should be informed immediately that
the permit is not signed. It is the surgeon's responsibility to
explain the procedure to the client and obtain the client's
signature on the permit. Although the nurse can witness an
operative permit, the procedure must first be explained by
the health care provider or surgeon, including answering
the client's questions. The client's questions should be
addressed before the permit is signed.
The nurse is assessing several clients prior to surgery.
Which factor in a client's history poses the greatest threat
for complications to occur during surgery?
A. Taking birth control pills for the past 2 years
B. Taking anticoagulants for the past year
C. Recently completing antibiotic therapy
D. Having taken laxatives PRN for the last 6 months -
answer-B
Rationale:
Anticoagulants increase the risk for bleeding during
surgery, which can pose a threat for the development of
surgical complications. The health care provider should be
informed that the client is taking these drugs. Although
clients who take birth control pills may be more susceptible
LATEST UPDATED HESI FUNDAMENTALS
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
The nurse prepares to insert a nasogastric tube in a client
with hyperemesis who is awake and alert. Which
intervention(s) is(are) correct? (Select all that apply.)
A. Place the client in a high Fowler position.
B. Help the client assume a left side-lying position.
C. Measure the tube from the tip of the nose to the
umbilicus.
D. Instruct the client to swallow after the tube has passed
the pharynx.
E. Assist the client in extending the neck back so the tube
may enter the larynx. - answer-A, D
Rationale:
(A and D) are the correct steps to follow during nasogastric
intubation. Only the unconscious or obtunded client should
be placed in a left side-lying position (B). The tube should be
measured from the tip of the nose to behind the ear and then
from behind the ear to the xiphoid process (C). The neck
should only be extended back prior to the tube passing the
pharynx and then the client should be instructed to position
the neck forward (E).
, Page 2 of 174
When turning an immobile bedridden client without
assistance, which action by the nurse best ensures client
safety?
A. Securely grasp the client's arm and leg.
B. Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the
nurse.
C. Correctly position and use a turn sheet.
D. Lower the head of the client's bed slowly. - answer-B
Rationale: Because the nurse can only stand on one side of
the bed, bed rails should be up on the opposite side to
ensure that the client does not fall out of bed. Option A can
cause client injury to the skin or joint. Options C and D are
useful techniques while turning a client but have less
priority in terms of safety than use of the bed rails.
The nurse identifies a potential for infection in a client with
partial-thickness (second-degree) and full-thickness (third-
degree) burns. What intervention has the highest priority in
decreasing the client's risk of infection?
A. Administration of plasma expanders
B. Use of careful handwashing technique
C. Application of a topical antibacterial cream
D. Limiting visitors to the client with burns - answer-B
Rationale: Careful handwashing technique is the single most
effective intervention for the prevention of contamination to
all clients. Option A reverses the hypovolemia that initially
accompanies burn trauma but is not related to decreasing
, Page 3 of 174
the proliferation of infective organisms. Options C and D are
recommended by various burn centers as possible ways to
reduce the chance of infection. Option B is a proven
technique to prevent infection.
The nurse is aware that malnutrition is a common problem
among clients served by a community health clinic for the
homeless. Which laboratory value is the most reliable
indicator of chronic protein malnutrition?
A. Low serum albumin level
B. Low serum transferrin level
C. High hemoglobin level
D. High cholesterol level - answer-A
Rationale: Long-term protein deficiency is required to cause
significantly lowered serum albumin levels. Albumin is made
by the liver only when adequate amounts of amino acids
(from protein breakdown) are available. Albumin has a long
half-life, so acute protein loss does not significantly alter
serum levels. Option B is a serum protein with a half-life of
only 8 to 10 days, so it will drop with an acute protein
deficiency. Options C and D are not clinical measures of
protein malnutrition.
In completing a client's preoperative routine, the nurse finds
that the operative permit is not signed. The client begins to
ask more questions about the surgical procedure. Which
action should the nurse take next?
A. Witness the client's signature to the permit.
, Page 4 of 174
B. Answer the client's questions about the surgery.
C. Inform the surgeon that the operative permit is not signed
and the client has questions about the surgery.
D. Reassure the client that the surgeon will answer any
questions before the anesthesia is administered. - answer-C
Rationale: The surgeon should be informed immediately that
the permit is not signed. It is the surgeon's responsibility to
explain the procedure to the client and obtain the client's
signature on the permit. Although the nurse can witness an
operative permit, the procedure must first be explained by
the health care provider or surgeon, including answering
the client's questions. The client's questions should be
addressed before the permit is signed.
The nurse is assessing several clients prior to surgery.
Which factor in a client's history poses the greatest threat
for complications to occur during surgery?
A. Taking birth control pills for the past 2 years
B. Taking anticoagulants for the past year
C. Recently completing antibiotic therapy
D. Having taken laxatives PRN for the last 6 months -
answer-B
Rationale:
Anticoagulants increase the risk for bleeding during
surgery, which can pose a threat for the development of
surgical complications. The health care provider should be
informed that the client is taking these drugs. Although
clients who take birth control pills may be more susceptible
