HESI Exit PN Practice Questions 2026:
Complete Practical Nursing Exam
Preparation Guide
,1. The nurse manager is implementing a new electronic health record system on the unit.
Which leadership style would be most effective to encourage staff participation in the
decision-making process regarding workflow changes?
A. Autocratic, where the manager makes all final decisions independently
B. Democratic, where team members actively contribute ideas and vote on
options
C. Laissez-faire, where staff manage the implementation without guidance
D. Transactional, using rewards only for compliance
2. An autocratic nurse manager consistently makes all unit scheduling and patient
assignment decisions without consulting staff input. What is the primary advantage of
this leadership approach during emergency situations?
A. Facilitates rapid decision-making and clear chain of command
B. Enhances long-term staff morale and job satisfaction
C. Promotes creative problem-solving among team members
D. Fosters shared accountability for patient outcomes
3. A nurse manager observes staff performance and provides bonuses for meeting quality
metrics while issuing verbal warnings for tardiness. This approach exemplifies which
leadership style?
A. Transformational leadership focused on inspiration
B. Transactional leadership based on rewards and corrective actions
C. Servant leadership prioritizing staff needs
D. Situational leadership adapting to contexts
4. During a unit meeting, the nurse leader shares a vision for reducing hospital-acquired
infections through innovative protocols and encourages staff to exceed standard
practices. This describes:
A. Focus on regulatory compliance without motivation
B. Transformational leadership that inspires staff to surpass expectations
C. Avoidance of direct involvement in daily operations
D. Complete delegation of all strategic decisions
5. On a unit with highly experienced nurses handling complex cases independently, the
nurse manager provides resources but minimal daily oversight. This reflects:
A. Strict decision-making by the manager
B. Laissez-faire leadership allowing staff autonomy and self-direction
C. Motivation through structured incentives
D. Emphasis on efficiency over team engagement
6. During a code blue event with multiple critical patients, which leadership trait enables the
nurse manager to adapt quickly to changing staff dynamics and resource availability?
, A. Decisiveness combined with flexibility
B. Excessive patience delaying interventions
C. Tendency toward indecisiveness
D. Rigid authoritarian control
7. The nurse manager identifies skill gaps and arranges workshops on advanced wound
care, demonstrating commitment to staff development. This aligns with:
A. Micromanagement of daily tasks
B. Transformational leadership fostering professional growth
C. Autocratic enforcement of policies
D. Laissez-faire non-involvement
8. A nurse manager uses directive oversight with new graduates but shifts to supportive
guidance with seasoned staff during high-volume shifts. This demonstrates:
A. Fixed transactional exchanges
B. Situational leadership adjusting to follower maturity and situational demands
C. Consistent autocratic control
D. Hands-off laissez-faire approach
9. For a team of expert critical care nurses managing ventilator patients, which leadership
style maximizes their expertise while maintaining accountability?
A. Autocratic centralization
B. Laissez-faire with periodic oversight
C. Democratic consensus for all tasks
D. Transactional incentives only
10.The nurse manager holds brainstorming sessions for reducing readmissions and
implements staff-suggested protocols. This promotes:
A. Autocratic top-down mandates
B. Transformational leadership through innovation and empowerment
C. Micromanagement of minutiae
D. Transactional compliance monitoring
11.The registered nurse (RN) is caring for four stable postoperative patients and receives a
new admission. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to the certified nursing
assistant (CNA) on the team?
A. Administering intravenous pain medications per protocol
B. Performing morning hygiene and assisting with patient bathing for a stable
patient
C. Conducting the initial head-to-toe assessment on the new admission
D. Developing the individualized care plan for discharge teaching
12.When delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the RN must evaluate
several factors including the complexity of the patient condition and the UAP's training.
Complete Practical Nursing Exam
Preparation Guide
,1. The nurse manager is implementing a new electronic health record system on the unit.
Which leadership style would be most effective to encourage staff participation in the
decision-making process regarding workflow changes?
A. Autocratic, where the manager makes all final decisions independently
B. Democratic, where team members actively contribute ideas and vote on
options
C. Laissez-faire, where staff manage the implementation without guidance
D. Transactional, using rewards only for compliance
2. An autocratic nurse manager consistently makes all unit scheduling and patient
assignment decisions without consulting staff input. What is the primary advantage of
this leadership approach during emergency situations?
A. Facilitates rapid decision-making and clear chain of command
B. Enhances long-term staff morale and job satisfaction
C. Promotes creative problem-solving among team members
D. Fosters shared accountability for patient outcomes
3. A nurse manager observes staff performance and provides bonuses for meeting quality
metrics while issuing verbal warnings for tardiness. This approach exemplifies which
leadership style?
A. Transformational leadership focused on inspiration
B. Transactional leadership based on rewards and corrective actions
C. Servant leadership prioritizing staff needs
D. Situational leadership adapting to contexts
4. During a unit meeting, the nurse leader shares a vision for reducing hospital-acquired
infections through innovative protocols and encourages staff to exceed standard
practices. This describes:
A. Focus on regulatory compliance without motivation
B. Transformational leadership that inspires staff to surpass expectations
C. Avoidance of direct involvement in daily operations
D. Complete delegation of all strategic decisions
5. On a unit with highly experienced nurses handling complex cases independently, the
nurse manager provides resources but minimal daily oversight. This reflects:
A. Strict decision-making by the manager
B. Laissez-faire leadership allowing staff autonomy and self-direction
C. Motivation through structured incentives
D. Emphasis on efficiency over team engagement
6. During a code blue event with multiple critical patients, which leadership trait enables the
nurse manager to adapt quickly to changing staff dynamics and resource availability?
, A. Decisiveness combined with flexibility
B. Excessive patience delaying interventions
C. Tendency toward indecisiveness
D. Rigid authoritarian control
7. The nurse manager identifies skill gaps and arranges workshops on advanced wound
care, demonstrating commitment to staff development. This aligns with:
A. Micromanagement of daily tasks
B. Transformational leadership fostering professional growth
C. Autocratic enforcement of policies
D. Laissez-faire non-involvement
8. A nurse manager uses directive oversight with new graduates but shifts to supportive
guidance with seasoned staff during high-volume shifts. This demonstrates:
A. Fixed transactional exchanges
B. Situational leadership adjusting to follower maturity and situational demands
C. Consistent autocratic control
D. Hands-off laissez-faire approach
9. For a team of expert critical care nurses managing ventilator patients, which leadership
style maximizes their expertise while maintaining accountability?
A. Autocratic centralization
B. Laissez-faire with periodic oversight
C. Democratic consensus for all tasks
D. Transactional incentives only
10.The nurse manager holds brainstorming sessions for reducing readmissions and
implements staff-suggested protocols. This promotes:
A. Autocratic top-down mandates
B. Transformational leadership through innovation and empowerment
C. Micromanagement of minutiae
D. Transactional compliance monitoring
11.The registered nurse (RN) is caring for four stable postoperative patients and receives a
new admission. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to the certified nursing
assistant (CNA) on the team?
A. Administering intravenous pain medications per protocol
B. Performing morning hygiene and assisting with patient bathing for a stable
patient
C. Conducting the initial head-to-toe assessment on the new admission
D. Developing the individualized care plan for discharge teaching
12.When delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP), the RN must evaluate
several factors including the complexity of the patient condition and the UAP's training.
