HESI Exit Exam 2026 (With
Answers)
1. Following discharge teaching, a male client with duodenal ulcer tells the nurse
the he will drink plenty of dairy products, such as milk, to help coat and protect
his ulcer. What is the best follow-up action by the nurse?
a. Remind the client that it is also important to switch to decaffeinated coffee
and tea.
b. Suggest that the client also plan to eat frequent small meals to reduce
discomfort
c. Review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk and
cream
d. Reinforce this teaching by asking the client to list a dairy food that he might
select
Answers: “C – review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk
and cream”
2. A male client with hypertension, who received new antihypertensive
prescription at his last visit returns to the clinic two weeks later to evaluate his
blood pressure (BP). His BP is 158/106 and he admits that he has not been
taking the prescribed medication because the drugs make him “feel bad.” In
explaining the need for hypertension control, the nurse should stress that an
elevated BP places the client at risk for which pathophysiological condition?
a. Blindness secondary to cataracts
b. Acute kidney injury due to glomerular damage
c. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
d. Heart block due to myocardial damage
Answers: “C – Stroke secondary to hemorrhage”
3. The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) member
positioning a newly admitted client who has a seizure disorder. The client is
Page 1 of 8
, supine the UAP is placing soft pillows along the siderails. What action should
the nurse implement?
a. Ensure the UAP has placed the pillows effectively to protect the client.
b. Instruct the UAP to obtain soft blankets to secure to the side rails instead of
pillows.
c. Assume responsibility for placing the pillows while the UAP completes
another task
d. Ask the UAP to use some of the pillows to prop the client in a side lying
position.
Answers: “B - Instruct the UAP to obtain soft blankets to secure to the side rails
instead of pillows.”
4. An adolescent with major depressive disorder has been taking duloxetine
(Cymbalta) for the past 12 days. Which assessment finding requires immediate
follow-up.
a. Describes life without purpose
b. Complains of nausea and loss of appetite
c. State is often fatigued and drowsy
d. Exhibits an increasing in sweating
Answer: “A - Describes life without purpose”
5. A 60-year-old female client with a positive family history of ovarian cancer has
developed an abdominal mass and is being evaluated for possible ovarian
cancer. Her Papanicolau (Pap) smear results are negative. What information
should the nurse include in the client’s teaching plan.
a. Further evaluation involving surgery may be needed
b. A pelvic exam is also needed before cancer is ruled out
c. Pap smear evaluation should be continued every six months
d. One additional negative pap smear in six months is needed
Answer: “A - Further evaluation involving surgery may be needed”
6. A client who recently underwent a tracheostomy is being prepared for discharge
to home. Which instructions is most important for the nurse to include in the
discharge plan?
a. Explain how to use communication tools
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Answers)
1. Following discharge teaching, a male client with duodenal ulcer tells the nurse
the he will drink plenty of dairy products, such as milk, to help coat and protect
his ulcer. What is the best follow-up action by the nurse?
a. Remind the client that it is also important to switch to decaffeinated coffee
and tea.
b. Suggest that the client also plan to eat frequent small meals to reduce
discomfort
c. Review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk and
cream
d. Reinforce this teaching by asking the client to list a dairy food that he might
select
Answers: “C – review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk
and cream”
2. A male client with hypertension, who received new antihypertensive
prescription at his last visit returns to the clinic two weeks later to evaluate his
blood pressure (BP). His BP is 158/106 and he admits that he has not been
taking the prescribed medication because the drugs make him “feel bad.” In
explaining the need for hypertension control, the nurse should stress that an
elevated BP places the client at risk for which pathophysiological condition?
a. Blindness secondary to cataracts
b. Acute kidney injury due to glomerular damage
c. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
d. Heart block due to myocardial damage
Answers: “C – Stroke secondary to hemorrhage”
3. The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) member
positioning a newly admitted client who has a seizure disorder. The client is
Page 1 of 8
, supine the UAP is placing soft pillows along the siderails. What action should
the nurse implement?
a. Ensure the UAP has placed the pillows effectively to protect the client.
b. Instruct the UAP to obtain soft blankets to secure to the side rails instead of
pillows.
c. Assume responsibility for placing the pillows while the UAP completes
another task
d. Ask the UAP to use some of the pillows to prop the client in a side lying
position.
Answers: “B - Instruct the UAP to obtain soft blankets to secure to the side rails
instead of pillows.”
4. An adolescent with major depressive disorder has been taking duloxetine
(Cymbalta) for the past 12 days. Which assessment finding requires immediate
follow-up.
a. Describes life without purpose
b. Complains of nausea and loss of appetite
c. State is often fatigued and drowsy
d. Exhibits an increasing in sweating
Answer: “A - Describes life without purpose”
5. A 60-year-old female client with a positive family history of ovarian cancer has
developed an abdominal mass and is being evaluated for possible ovarian
cancer. Her Papanicolau (Pap) smear results are negative. What information
should the nurse include in the client’s teaching plan.
a. Further evaluation involving surgery may be needed
b. A pelvic exam is also needed before cancer is ruled out
c. Pap smear evaluation should be continued every six months
d. One additional negative pap smear in six months is needed
Answer: “A - Further evaluation involving surgery may be needed”
6. A client who recently underwent a tracheostomy is being prepared for discharge
to home. Which instructions is most important for the nurse to include in the
discharge plan?
a. Explain how to use communication tools
Page 2 of 8
