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HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXAM - VERSION A
SPECIFIC TO REAL 2025-26 EXAM
• Prenatal diagnostic testing is recommended for a couple expecting their first child who
have a family history of congenital disorders. The couple tells the nurse that they are
opposed to abortion for religious reasons. Which concept should the nurse consider when
responding to this couple?
A. Counselling about advantages and disadvantages of termination should be helpful.
B. There is limited value in diagnostic testing if termination of pregnancy is not an option.
C. Diagnostic testing may indicate a fetal problem that could be treated prior to delivery.
D. Many states legally require prenatal testing as a means of protecting the fetus.
Answer: C
• A 9-year-old is hospitalized for neutropenia and is placed in reverse isolation. The child asks
the nurse, “Why do you have to wear a gown and mask when you are in my room?” How
should the nurse respond?
A. “There are many forms of bacteria and germs in the hospital.”
B. “To protect you because you can get an infection very easily."
C. “After taking medication for 24 hours a gown and mask won't be needed.”
D. “Your condition could be spread to staff and other clients in the hospital.”
Answer: B
• A male client is angry and is leaving the hospital against medical advice (AMA). The client
demands to take his chart with him and states the chart is "his" and he doesn’t want any
more contact with the hospital. How should the nurse respond?
A. Because you are leaving against medical advice, you may not have your chart.
B. The information in your chart is confidential and cannot leave this facility legally.
C. This hospital does not need to keep it if you are leaving and not returning here.
D. The chart is the property of the hospital but I will see that a copy is made for you.
Answer: D
• The nurse is inspecting the external eye structures for a client. Which finding is
a normal racial variation?
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A. A Hispanic client may have inward-turned eyelashes.
B. An Asian client may have a horizontal palpebrale fissure.
C. An African-American client may have slightly yellow sclerae.
D. A Caucasian client may have a slightly protruding eyeball.
Answer: C
• The nurse is planning a wellness program aimed at primary prevention in the
community. Which action should the nurse implement?
A. Immunizations that decrease occurrences of many contagious diseases.
B. Blood pressure screenings to identify persons with high blood pressure.
C. Breast self-examination (BSE) for young women instead of a mammogram.
D. Home care monitoring for clients who are high-risk due to pregnancy.
Answer: A
• The nurse attempts to notify the healthcare provider about a client who is exhibiting
an extrapyramidal reaction to psychotropic medications. When the receptionist for the
answering service offers to take a message, which nursing action is best for the nurse
to take?
A. Ask when the healthcare provider plans to return to the office and the usual office
hours.
B. Tell the receptionist to have the healthcare provider return the phone call.
C. Provide the receptionist with the client's name, age, and type of reaction.
D. Ask the receptionist to notify the client's family if the healthcare provider cannot be
contacted.
Answer: B
• A client is admitted with a medical diagnosis of Addisonian crisis. When completing the
admission assessment, the nurse expects this client to exhibit which clinical manifestations?
A. Thin, fragile skin, ecchymoses, and complaints of weakness.
B. Headache, diaphoresis, and palpitations.
C. Hypotension, rapid weak pulse, and rapid respiratory rate.
D. Abrupt onset of hyperpyrexia, extreme tachycardia, and delirium.
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Answer: C
• The school nurse is reviewing health risks associated with extracurricular activities of
grade-school children. Regular participation in which activity places the child at highest
risk for developing external otitis?
A. Batting practice at a batting cage.
B. Soccer practice at an outdoor field.
C. Swimming lessons in an indoor pool.
D. Roller skating at an indoor rink.
Answer: C
• A primipara with a breech presentation is in the transition phase of labor. The nurse
visualizes the perineum and sees the umbilical cord extruding from the introitus. In which
position should the nurse place the client?
A. Left supine with thighs flexed on her abdomen.
B. Right lateral side with both legs flexed.
C. Semi-Fowler's with head of bed elevated 30 degrees.
D. Supine with the foot of the bed elevated.
Answer: D
• When engaging in planned change on the unit, what should the nurse-
manager establish first?
A. Goals for achieving the change are established.
B. Options for accomplishing the change are explored.
C. Resources needed for the change are available.
, 4
D. Staff members are aware of the need for change.
Answer: D
• A client with chronic osteomyelitis is scheduled for surgery to treat the infection which has
not responded to three months of intravenous antibiotic therapy. The client asks the nurse
why surgery is necessary. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide?
A. The dead bone needs to be removed to provide a blood supply for new bone growth.
B. The infection is caused by a mutated bacteria that is resistant to most antibiotics.
C. If the infected dead bone is not removed, it will make a path to the skin and drain pus.
D. The infection has walled off into an area of infected bone creating a barrier to antibiotics.
Answer: D
• The nurse is planning care for a client who is having abdominal surgery. To achieve desired
postoperative outcomes, the nurse includes interventions that promote progressive
mobilization, such as turn, cough, deep breathe, and early ambulation. Which additional
intervention should the nurse include?
A. Explain the rationale for each postoperative exercise and intervention.
B. Praise client when actively participating in postoperative exercises.
C. Administer analgesics prior to encouraging progressive activities and ambulation.
D. Advise client about complications related to inactivity in the postoperative period.
Answer: C
• A dyspneic male client refuses to wear an oxygen face mask because he states it is
"smothering" him. What oxygen delivery system is best for this client?
A. Rebreather mask.
B. Venturi mask.
C. Nasal cannula.
D. Hand-held nebulizer.
Answer: C
• A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the medical unit. What action is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Place an isolation cart in the hallway.
HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXAM - VERSION A
SPECIFIC TO REAL 2025-26 EXAM
• Prenatal diagnostic testing is recommended for a couple expecting their first child who
have a family history of congenital disorders. The couple tells the nurse that they are
opposed to abortion for religious reasons. Which concept should the nurse consider when
responding to this couple?
A. Counselling about advantages and disadvantages of termination should be helpful.
B. There is limited value in diagnostic testing if termination of pregnancy is not an option.
C. Diagnostic testing may indicate a fetal problem that could be treated prior to delivery.
D. Many states legally require prenatal testing as a means of protecting the fetus.
Answer: C
• A 9-year-old is hospitalized for neutropenia and is placed in reverse isolation. The child asks
the nurse, “Why do you have to wear a gown and mask when you are in my room?” How
should the nurse respond?
A. “There are many forms of bacteria and germs in the hospital.”
B. “To protect you because you can get an infection very easily."
C. “After taking medication for 24 hours a gown and mask won't be needed.”
D. “Your condition could be spread to staff and other clients in the hospital.”
Answer: B
• A male client is angry and is leaving the hospital against medical advice (AMA). The client
demands to take his chart with him and states the chart is "his" and he doesn’t want any
more contact with the hospital. How should the nurse respond?
A. Because you are leaving against medical advice, you may not have your chart.
B. The information in your chart is confidential and cannot leave this facility legally.
C. This hospital does not need to keep it if you are leaving and not returning here.
D. The chart is the property of the hospital but I will see that a copy is made for you.
Answer: D
• The nurse is inspecting the external eye structures for a client. Which finding is
a normal racial variation?
,2
A. A Hispanic client may have inward-turned eyelashes.
B. An Asian client may have a horizontal palpebrale fissure.
C. An African-American client may have slightly yellow sclerae.
D. A Caucasian client may have a slightly protruding eyeball.
Answer: C
• The nurse is planning a wellness program aimed at primary prevention in the
community. Which action should the nurse implement?
A. Immunizations that decrease occurrences of many contagious diseases.
B. Blood pressure screenings to identify persons with high blood pressure.
C. Breast self-examination (BSE) for young women instead of a mammogram.
D. Home care monitoring for clients who are high-risk due to pregnancy.
Answer: A
• The nurse attempts to notify the healthcare provider about a client who is exhibiting
an extrapyramidal reaction to psychotropic medications. When the receptionist for the
answering service offers to take a message, which nursing action is best for the nurse
to take?
A. Ask when the healthcare provider plans to return to the office and the usual office
hours.
B. Tell the receptionist to have the healthcare provider return the phone call.
C. Provide the receptionist with the client's name, age, and type of reaction.
D. Ask the receptionist to notify the client's family if the healthcare provider cannot be
contacted.
Answer: B
• A client is admitted with a medical diagnosis of Addisonian crisis. When completing the
admission assessment, the nurse expects this client to exhibit which clinical manifestations?
A. Thin, fragile skin, ecchymoses, and complaints of weakness.
B. Headache, diaphoresis, and palpitations.
C. Hypotension, rapid weak pulse, and rapid respiratory rate.
D. Abrupt onset of hyperpyrexia, extreme tachycardia, and delirium.
,3
Answer: C
• The school nurse is reviewing health risks associated with extracurricular activities of
grade-school children. Regular participation in which activity places the child at highest
risk for developing external otitis?
A. Batting practice at a batting cage.
B. Soccer practice at an outdoor field.
C. Swimming lessons in an indoor pool.
D. Roller skating at an indoor rink.
Answer: C
• A primipara with a breech presentation is in the transition phase of labor. The nurse
visualizes the perineum and sees the umbilical cord extruding from the introitus. In which
position should the nurse place the client?
A. Left supine with thighs flexed on her abdomen.
B. Right lateral side with both legs flexed.
C. Semi-Fowler's with head of bed elevated 30 degrees.
D. Supine with the foot of the bed elevated.
Answer: D
• When engaging in planned change on the unit, what should the nurse-
manager establish first?
A. Goals for achieving the change are established.
B. Options for accomplishing the change are explored.
C. Resources needed for the change are available.
, 4
D. Staff members are aware of the need for change.
Answer: D
• A client with chronic osteomyelitis is scheduled for surgery to treat the infection which has
not responded to three months of intravenous antibiotic therapy. The client asks the nurse
why surgery is necessary. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide?
A. The dead bone needs to be removed to provide a blood supply for new bone growth.
B. The infection is caused by a mutated bacteria that is resistant to most antibiotics.
C. If the infected dead bone is not removed, it will make a path to the skin and drain pus.
D. The infection has walled off into an area of infected bone creating a barrier to antibiotics.
Answer: D
• The nurse is planning care for a client who is having abdominal surgery. To achieve desired
postoperative outcomes, the nurse includes interventions that promote progressive
mobilization, such as turn, cough, deep breathe, and early ambulation. Which additional
intervention should the nurse include?
A. Explain the rationale for each postoperative exercise and intervention.
B. Praise client when actively participating in postoperative exercises.
C. Administer analgesics prior to encouraging progressive activities and ambulation.
D. Advise client about complications related to inactivity in the postoperative period.
Answer: C
• A dyspneic male client refuses to wear an oxygen face mask because he states it is
"smothering" him. What oxygen delivery system is best for this client?
A. Rebreather mask.
B. Venturi mask.
C. Nasal cannula.
D. Hand-held nebulizer.
Answer: C
• A client who has active tuberculosis (TB) is admitted to the medical unit. What action is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Place an isolation cart in the hallway.
