HESI A2 Entrance Exam
2026–2027
,1. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a fractured wrist reporting pain of 6/10
B. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experiencing shortness of breath
C. A patient awaiting discharge instructions
D. A patient requesting assistance to use the bathroom
Correct Answer: B
2. Which principle of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs must be met first when prioritizing
patient care?
A. Safety needs
B. Physiological needs
C. Love and belonging
D. Self-actualization
Correct Answer: B
3. A nurse delegates ambulation of a stable postoperative patient to the nursing assistant.
Which leadership concept is the nurse applying?
A. Supervision
B. Delegation
C. Advocacy
D. Collaboration
Correct Answer: B
4. Which task is most appropriate for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to perform?
A. Initial patient assessment
B. Developing nursing care plans
C. Monitoring a stable patient receiving IV therapy
D. Discharge teaching for a new diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
5. A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication dose. What is the first action the
nurse should take?
A. Document the error in the chart
B. Notify the physician
C. Assess the patient
D. Report the error to the supervisor
Correct Answer: C
6. Which organization developed the National Patient Safety Goals?
A. American Nurses Association
B. The Joint Commission
C. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
D. World Health Organization
Correct Answer: B
7. Which law protects patient health information privacy in the United States?
A. EMTALA
B. HIPAA
, C. ADA
D. OSHA
Correct Answer: B
8. A nurse witnesses another nurse diverting narcotics. What is the nurse’s professional
responsibility?
A. Ignore the situation
B. Confront the nurse privately only
C. Report the behavior according to policy
D. Discuss with other staff members
Correct Answer: C
9. Informed consent requires which essential component?
A. Patient understanding of the procedure
B. Physician presence during signing
C. Nurse explanation only
D. Family member approval
Correct Answer: A
10.A patient refuses treatment despite understanding the risks. Which ethical principle is
being demonstrated?
A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Justice
Correct Answer: B
11.A nurse uses SBAR communication to report patient information. What does the letter
B represent?
A. Background
B. Behavior
C. Baseline
D. Benefit
Correct Answer: A
12.Which of the following is considered a sentinel event?
A. Patient fall without injury
B. Medication delay
C. Surgery performed on the wrong site
D. Patient complaint about food
Correct Answer: C
13.A nurse must assign tasks to a nursing assistant. Which patient is most appropriate for
delegation?
A. A patient needing admission assessment
B. A patient with unstable vital signs
C. A patient requiring assistance with bathing
D. A patient receiving blood transfusion
Correct Answer: C
, 14.The ethical principle of nonmaleficence refers to:
A. Doing good for the patient
B. Avoiding harm
C. Treating patients equally
D. Supporting patient choices
Correct Answer: B
15.Which stage of Lewin’s Change Theory involves preparing individuals for change?
A. Refreezing
B. Implementation
C. Unfreezing
D. Stabilizing
Correct Answer: C
16.A nurse provides care based on the most current research findings. This practice is
known as:
A. Clinical judgment
B. Evidence-based practice
C. Quality assurance
D. Risk management
Correct Answer: B
17.Which healthcare team member is primarily responsible for initial patient assessment?
A. Nursing assistant
B. Registered nurse
C. Unit clerk
D. LPN
Correct Answer: B
18.Which example represents beneficence?
A. Respecting patient refusal of treatment
B. Acting in the best interest of the patient
C. Maintaining patient confidentiality
D. Ensuring equal care to all patients
Correct Answer: B
19.Which nursing action protects against malpractice claims?
A. Avoid documenting errors
B. Maintain accurate documentation
C. Follow physician orders without question
D. Ignore patient complaints
Correct Answer: B
20.A nurse enters a patient’s room and identifies themselves while explaining the
procedure. This demonstrates:
A. Professional communication
B. Delegation
C. Quality improvement
D. Clinical evaluation
Correct Answer: A
2026–2027
,1. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A patient with a fractured wrist reporting pain of 6/10
B. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experiencing shortness of breath
C. A patient awaiting discharge instructions
D. A patient requesting assistance to use the bathroom
Correct Answer: B
2. Which principle of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs must be met first when prioritizing
patient care?
A. Safety needs
B. Physiological needs
C. Love and belonging
D. Self-actualization
Correct Answer: B
3. A nurse delegates ambulation of a stable postoperative patient to the nursing assistant.
Which leadership concept is the nurse applying?
A. Supervision
B. Delegation
C. Advocacy
D. Collaboration
Correct Answer: B
4. Which task is most appropriate for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to perform?
A. Initial patient assessment
B. Developing nursing care plans
C. Monitoring a stable patient receiving IV therapy
D. Discharge teaching for a new diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
5. A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication dose. What is the first action the
nurse should take?
A. Document the error in the chart
B. Notify the physician
C. Assess the patient
D. Report the error to the supervisor
Correct Answer: C
6. Which organization developed the National Patient Safety Goals?
A. American Nurses Association
B. The Joint Commission
C. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
D. World Health Organization
Correct Answer: B
7. Which law protects patient health information privacy in the United States?
A. EMTALA
B. HIPAA
, C. ADA
D. OSHA
Correct Answer: B
8. A nurse witnesses another nurse diverting narcotics. What is the nurse’s professional
responsibility?
A. Ignore the situation
B. Confront the nurse privately only
C. Report the behavior according to policy
D. Discuss with other staff members
Correct Answer: C
9. Informed consent requires which essential component?
A. Patient understanding of the procedure
B. Physician presence during signing
C. Nurse explanation only
D. Family member approval
Correct Answer: A
10.A patient refuses treatment despite understanding the risks. Which ethical principle is
being demonstrated?
A. Beneficence
B. Autonomy
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Justice
Correct Answer: B
11.A nurse uses SBAR communication to report patient information. What does the letter
B represent?
A. Background
B. Behavior
C. Baseline
D. Benefit
Correct Answer: A
12.Which of the following is considered a sentinel event?
A. Patient fall without injury
B. Medication delay
C. Surgery performed on the wrong site
D. Patient complaint about food
Correct Answer: C
13.A nurse must assign tasks to a nursing assistant. Which patient is most appropriate for
delegation?
A. A patient needing admission assessment
B. A patient with unstable vital signs
C. A patient requiring assistance with bathing
D. A patient receiving blood transfusion
Correct Answer: C
, 14.The ethical principle of nonmaleficence refers to:
A. Doing good for the patient
B. Avoiding harm
C. Treating patients equally
D. Supporting patient choices
Correct Answer: B
15.Which stage of Lewin’s Change Theory involves preparing individuals for change?
A. Refreezing
B. Implementation
C. Unfreezing
D. Stabilizing
Correct Answer: C
16.A nurse provides care based on the most current research findings. This practice is
known as:
A. Clinical judgment
B. Evidence-based practice
C. Quality assurance
D. Risk management
Correct Answer: B
17.Which healthcare team member is primarily responsible for initial patient assessment?
A. Nursing assistant
B. Registered nurse
C. Unit clerk
D. LPN
Correct Answer: B
18.Which example represents beneficence?
A. Respecting patient refusal of treatment
B. Acting in the best interest of the patient
C. Maintaining patient confidentiality
D. Ensuring equal care to all patients
Correct Answer: B
19.Which nursing action protects against malpractice claims?
A. Avoid documenting errors
B. Maintain accurate documentation
C. Follow physician orders without question
D. Ignore patient complaints
Correct Answer: B
20.A nurse enters a patient’s room and identifies themselves while explaining the
procedure. This demonstrates:
A. Professional communication
B. Delegation
C. Quality improvement
D. Clinical evaluation
Correct Answer: A
