HESI - Fundamentals
EXAM COVERAGE
The HESI - Fundamentals Exam covers basic nursing concepts and
essential patient care skills required in foundational nursing practice.
The exam includes topics such as infection control, patient safety,
hygiene, vital signs assessment, mobility and positioning, nutrition and
hydration, elimination, and skin integrity. It also assesses knowledge of
medication administration, documentation, communication, legal and
ethical responsibilities, and the nursing process. Additional areas
include patient education, comfort measures, basic wound care, and
principles of holistic and patient-centered care. The exam emphasizes
safe nursing practices, critical thinking, and the application of
fundamental nursing skills in various healthcare settings.
,When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, which
action by the nurse best ensures client safety?
A. Securely grasp the client's arm and leg.
B. Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the nurse.
C. Correctly position and use a turn sheet.
D. Lower the head of the client's bed slowly.
B Rationale: Because the nurse can only stand on one side of the bed,
bed rails should be up on the opposite side to ensure that the client
does not fall out of bed. Option A can cause client injury to the skin or
joint. Options C and D are useful techniques while turning a client but
have less priority in terms of safety than use of the bed rails.
,The nurse is aware that malnutrition is a common problem among
clients served by a community health clinic for the homeless. Which
laboratory value is the most reliable indicator of chronic protein
malnutrition?
A. Low serum albumin level
B. Low serum transferrin level
C. High hemoglobin level
D. High cholesterol level
A
Rationale: Long-term protein deficiency is required to cause
significantly lowered serum albumin levels. Albumin is made by the
liver only when adequate amounts of amino acids (from protein
breakdown) are available. Albumin has a long half-life, so acute
protein loss does not significantly alter serum levels. Option B is a
, serum protein with a half-life of only 8 to 10 days, so it will drop with
an acute protein deficiency. Options C and D are not clinical measures
of protein malnutrition.
EXAM COVERAGE
The HESI - Fundamentals Exam covers basic nursing concepts and
essential patient care skills required in foundational nursing practice.
The exam includes topics such as infection control, patient safety,
hygiene, vital signs assessment, mobility and positioning, nutrition and
hydration, elimination, and skin integrity. It also assesses knowledge of
medication administration, documentation, communication, legal and
ethical responsibilities, and the nursing process. Additional areas
include patient education, comfort measures, basic wound care, and
principles of holistic and patient-centered care. The exam emphasizes
safe nursing practices, critical thinking, and the application of
fundamental nursing skills in various healthcare settings.
,When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, which
action by the nurse best ensures client safety?
A. Securely grasp the client's arm and leg.
B. Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the nurse.
C. Correctly position and use a turn sheet.
D. Lower the head of the client's bed slowly.
B Rationale: Because the nurse can only stand on one side of the bed,
bed rails should be up on the opposite side to ensure that the client
does not fall out of bed. Option A can cause client injury to the skin or
joint. Options C and D are useful techniques while turning a client but
have less priority in terms of safety than use of the bed rails.
,The nurse is aware that malnutrition is a common problem among
clients served by a community health clinic for the homeless. Which
laboratory value is the most reliable indicator of chronic protein
malnutrition?
A. Low serum albumin level
B. Low serum transferrin level
C. High hemoglobin level
D. High cholesterol level
A
Rationale: Long-term protein deficiency is required to cause
significantly lowered serum albumin levels. Albumin is made by the
liver only when adequate amounts of amino acids (from protein
breakdown) are available. Albumin has a long half-life, so acute
protein loss does not significantly alter serum levels. Option B is a
, serum protein with a half-life of only 8 to 10 days, so it will drop with
an acute protein deficiency. Options C and D are not clinical measures
of protein malnutrition.
