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HESI LPN Fundamentals 2 Exam 2
(2026) | Actual Exam Questions &
Verified Detailed Answers with
Rationales | Grade A
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, pathophysiology, patient care, mental
health, dosage calculations, legal/ethical issues
Source: 2026 HESI LPN Fundamentals 2 Exam 2 – Verified Questions and Correct
Detailed Answers
Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-select questions with Correct Answers and
1. While reviewing the laboratory reports of a client, the nurse finds that
the client has low sodium levels. Which hormonal imbalance should the
nurse suspect in the client?
A. Epinephrine
B. Glucagon
C. Calcitonin
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: D. Cortisol
Rationale:
1. Cortisol is the glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex that
maintains sodium and water balance.
2. Therefore, reduced sodium levels in the client indicate a cortisol
imbalance.
, 2|Page
3. Additionally, depleted sodium levels in a client indicate
hyponatremia.
4. Epinephrine is a catecholamine, which helps in maintaining
homeostasis.
5. Glucagon increases blood glucose levels and does not play a role in
maintaining electrolyte balance.
6. Calcitonin helps in regulating serum calcium levels.
2. A nurse is teaching a birthing/prenatal class about breastfeeding. Which
hormone stimulates the production of milk during lactation?
A. Inhibin
B. Estrogen
C. Prolactin
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: C. Prolactin
Rationale:
1. Prolactin is the hormone that initiates and produces milk during
lactation.
2. Inhibin prevents the secretions of follicle stimulating hormone and
gonadotropin releasing hormone.
3. Estrogen and progesterone are the sex hormones produced by the
ovaries.
3. While performing patterned, paced breathing during the transition phase
of labor, a client experiences tingling and numbness of the fingertips. What
should the nurse do?
A. Tell the client to breathe into a paper bag.
B. Place an oxygen mask over the client's face.
C. Call the primary healthcare provider to report the client's response.
D. Instruct the client to begin taking slow deep breaths.
Correct Answer: A. Tell the client to breathe into a paper bag.
Rationale:
1. A paper bag enables the client to rebreathe carbon dioxide, which
helps correct the respiratory alkalosis resulting from
hyperventilation.
2. The client's oxygen level is increased; the client needs to increase the
carbon dioxide level and decrease the oxygen level.
, 3|Page
3. The client should rebreathe her own exhalations first; if alkalosis
persists, more intensive treatment may be needed.
4. Carbon dioxide is too dilute in room atmosphere; deep breaths will
not resolve the alkalosis.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with the diagnosis of schizophrenia,
paranoid type. What should the nurse plan for the client's initial care?
A. Discussing important life events
B. Providing a nonthreatening environment
C. Concentrating on the content of delusions
D. Limiting topics for discussion to recent situations
Correct Answer: B. Providing a nonthreatening environment
Rationale:
1. These clients are hypersensitive to external stimuli and respond with
less anxiety to a minimally threatening environment.
2. Discussing prominent life events is too threatening an approach and
interferes with the goals of therapy.
3. Focusing on delusional material will reinforce the delusional system.
4. Limiting topics for discussion to recent situations is not therapeutic;
it may trigger suspiciousness and hostile outbursts.
5. A client is hospitalized after four days of epigastric pain, nausea, and
vomiting. The nurse reviews the laboratory test results: plasma pH 7.51,
Pco2 50 mm Hg, bicarbonate 58 mEq/L (58 mmol/L), chloride 55 mEq/L
(55 mmol/L), sodium 132 mEq/L (132 mmol/L), and potassium 3.8 mEq/L
(3.8 mmol/L). What condition does the nurse determine the results to
indicate?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperchloremia
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: C. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale:
1. The normal plasma pH value is 7.35 to 7.45; the client is in alkalosis.
2. The normal plasma bicarbonate value is 23 to 25 mEq/L (23 to 25
mmol/L); the client has an excess of base bicarbonate, indicating a
metabolic cause for the alkalosis.
, 4|Page
3. The normal plasma sodium value is 135 to 145 mEq/L (135 to 145
mmol/L); the client has hyponatremia.
4. The normal plasma chloride value is 95 to 105 mEq/L (95 to 105
mmol/L); the client has hypochloremia because of vomiting of gastric
secretions.
5. With respiratory acidosis the pH is decreased to less than 7.35.
6. A client who is formula feeding her infant complains of discomfort from
engorged breasts. What should the nurse recommend that the client do?
A. Use warm, moist towels as compresses.
B. Express milk from each breast manually.
C. Apply cold packs and a snugly fitting bra.
D. Restrict oral fluid intake to less than a quart a day.
Correct Answer: C. Apply cold packs and a snugly fitting bra.
Rationale:
1. Application of cold relieves discomfort, and a snug bra provides
support and aids in pressure atrophy of acini cells so that milk
production is suppressed.
2. Warm, moist compresses are suitable for the breastfeeding mother
experiencing discomfort from engorgement because it promotes
comfort and stimulates milk production.
3. Expressing milk manually is suitable for the breastfeeding mother
who is experiencing engorgement, not one who is formula feeding,
because it promotes comfort and stimulates milk production.
4. Restriction of fluids will not prevent engorgement and may cause
dehydration.
7. A clinically depressed young mother whose husband has been killed tells
the nurse that she sees no purpose in life and feels like ending it all. What is
the best response by the nurse?
A. "How much consideration have you given to the method you'd use to kill
yourself?"
B. "Death is hard on everyone, but people make it through every day. You'll
see; things will get better."
C. "It can be hard to lose someone you care about so much; it can seem that
life isn't worth living right now."
HESI LPN Fundamentals 2 Exam 2
(2026) | Actual Exam Questions &
Verified Detailed Answers with
Rationales | Grade A
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, pathophysiology, patient care, mental
health, dosage calculations, legal/ethical issues
Source: 2026 HESI LPN Fundamentals 2 Exam 2 – Verified Questions and Correct
Detailed Answers
Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-select questions with Correct Answers and
1. While reviewing the laboratory reports of a client, the nurse finds that
the client has low sodium levels. Which hormonal imbalance should the
nurse suspect in the client?
A. Epinephrine
B. Glucagon
C. Calcitonin
D. Cortisol
Correct Answer: D. Cortisol
Rationale:
1. Cortisol is the glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex that
maintains sodium and water balance.
2. Therefore, reduced sodium levels in the client indicate a cortisol
imbalance.
, 2|Page
3. Additionally, depleted sodium levels in a client indicate
hyponatremia.
4. Epinephrine is a catecholamine, which helps in maintaining
homeostasis.
5. Glucagon increases blood glucose levels and does not play a role in
maintaining electrolyte balance.
6. Calcitonin helps in regulating serum calcium levels.
2. A nurse is teaching a birthing/prenatal class about breastfeeding. Which
hormone stimulates the production of milk during lactation?
A. Inhibin
B. Estrogen
C. Prolactin
D. Progesterone
Correct Answer: C. Prolactin
Rationale:
1. Prolactin is the hormone that initiates and produces milk during
lactation.
2. Inhibin prevents the secretions of follicle stimulating hormone and
gonadotropin releasing hormone.
3. Estrogen and progesterone are the sex hormones produced by the
ovaries.
3. While performing patterned, paced breathing during the transition phase
of labor, a client experiences tingling and numbness of the fingertips. What
should the nurse do?
A. Tell the client to breathe into a paper bag.
B. Place an oxygen mask over the client's face.
C. Call the primary healthcare provider to report the client's response.
D. Instruct the client to begin taking slow deep breaths.
Correct Answer: A. Tell the client to breathe into a paper bag.
Rationale:
1. A paper bag enables the client to rebreathe carbon dioxide, which
helps correct the respiratory alkalosis resulting from
hyperventilation.
2. The client's oxygen level is increased; the client needs to increase the
carbon dioxide level and decrease the oxygen level.
, 3|Page
3. The client should rebreathe her own exhalations first; if alkalosis
persists, more intensive treatment may be needed.
4. Carbon dioxide is too dilute in room atmosphere; deep breaths will
not resolve the alkalosis.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with the diagnosis of schizophrenia,
paranoid type. What should the nurse plan for the client's initial care?
A. Discussing important life events
B. Providing a nonthreatening environment
C. Concentrating on the content of delusions
D. Limiting topics for discussion to recent situations
Correct Answer: B. Providing a nonthreatening environment
Rationale:
1. These clients are hypersensitive to external stimuli and respond with
less anxiety to a minimally threatening environment.
2. Discussing prominent life events is too threatening an approach and
interferes with the goals of therapy.
3. Focusing on delusional material will reinforce the delusional system.
4. Limiting topics for discussion to recent situations is not therapeutic;
it may trigger suspiciousness and hostile outbursts.
5. A client is hospitalized after four days of epigastric pain, nausea, and
vomiting. The nurse reviews the laboratory test results: plasma pH 7.51,
Pco2 50 mm Hg, bicarbonate 58 mEq/L (58 mmol/L), chloride 55 mEq/L
(55 mmol/L), sodium 132 mEq/L (132 mmol/L), and potassium 3.8 mEq/L
(3.8 mmol/L). What condition does the nurse determine the results to
indicate?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperchloremia
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Correct Answer: C. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale:
1. The normal plasma pH value is 7.35 to 7.45; the client is in alkalosis.
2. The normal plasma bicarbonate value is 23 to 25 mEq/L (23 to 25
mmol/L); the client has an excess of base bicarbonate, indicating a
metabolic cause for the alkalosis.
, 4|Page
3. The normal plasma sodium value is 135 to 145 mEq/L (135 to 145
mmol/L); the client has hyponatremia.
4. The normal plasma chloride value is 95 to 105 mEq/L (95 to 105
mmol/L); the client has hypochloremia because of vomiting of gastric
secretions.
5. With respiratory acidosis the pH is decreased to less than 7.35.
6. A client who is formula feeding her infant complains of discomfort from
engorged breasts. What should the nurse recommend that the client do?
A. Use warm, moist towels as compresses.
B. Express milk from each breast manually.
C. Apply cold packs and a snugly fitting bra.
D. Restrict oral fluid intake to less than a quart a day.
Correct Answer: C. Apply cold packs and a snugly fitting bra.
Rationale:
1. Application of cold relieves discomfort, and a snug bra provides
support and aids in pressure atrophy of acini cells so that milk
production is suppressed.
2. Warm, moist compresses are suitable for the breastfeeding mother
experiencing discomfort from engorgement because it promotes
comfort and stimulates milk production.
3. Expressing milk manually is suitable for the breastfeeding mother
who is experiencing engorgement, not one who is formula feeding,
because it promotes comfort and stimulates milk production.
4. Restriction of fluids will not prevent engorgement and may cause
dehydration.
7. A clinically depressed young mother whose husband has been killed tells
the nurse that she sees no purpose in life and feels like ending it all. What is
the best response by the nurse?
A. "How much consideration have you given to the method you'd use to kill
yourself?"
B. "Death is hard on everyone, but people make it through every day. You'll
see; things will get better."
C. "It can be hard to lose someone you care about so much; it can seem that
life isn't worth living right now."
