1
HESI PN LPN FUNDAMENTALS Actual
Exam 2026/2027: Questions and Answers
(Verified) for Practical Nursing Success –
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Nursing Process and Critical Thinking (8
Questions)
Q1: A patient admitted with pneumonia reports shortness of breath, and the nurse observes
respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and oxygen saturation of 88%. Which nursing action
represents the implementation phase of the nursing process?
A. Documenting the patient's respiratory rate and SpO2 in the electronic health record
B. Notifying the healthcare provider of the patient's deteriorating condition
C. Administering oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min per standing orders
D. Formulating a nursing diagnosis of "Impaired Gas Exchange"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The implementation phase involves carrying out planned nursing interventions.
Administering oxygen is a direct nursing intervention to address impaired gas exchange. Option
A represents assessment (data collection), Option B represents collaboration/communication, and
Option D represents the diagnosis phase. HESI fundamentals emphasize that implementation
includes any direct care activities performed by the nurse. [HESI Fundamentals Review: Nursing
Process; NCLEX-PN Test Plan: Safe and Effective Care Environment]
Q2: Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which patient need should the LPN address first?
A. A patient requesting help to call family members
B. A patient with a blood pressure of 78/52 mmHg and complaining of dizziness
C. A patient anxious about upcoming surgery scheduled tomorrow
D. A patient asking for assistance to fill out an advance directive
Correct Answer: B
,2
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (oxygen, circulation, fluids) before
safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Hypotension with dizziness indicates
potential circulatory compromise—a priority physiological need. Option A addresses
love/belonging, C addresses safety/psychological needs, and D addresses self-actualization. The
unstable vital signs take precedence according to HESI prioritization frameworks. [HESI
Fundamentals Review: Prioritization; Maslow's Hierarchy]
Q3: Which task is most appropriate for the LPN to delegate to a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive
Personnel)?
A. Administering oral antibiotics to a stable patient
B. Performing a focused assessment on a newly admitted patient
C. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation to the bathroom
D. Teaching a patient about diabetic foot care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The LPN may delegate basic care activities (ADLs, ambulation, vital signs in stable
patients, hygiene) to UAPs. Medication administration (A), nursing assessments (B), and patient
education (D) require nursing judgment and licensure and cannot be delegated to UAPs. The 5
rights of delegation include right task, right circumstance, right person, right
direction/communication, and right supervision. [HESI Fundamentals Review: Delegation;
NCLEX-PN Test Plan: Management of Care]
Q4: A patient has the following nursing diagnoses: 1) Acute Pain, 2) Risk for Falls, 3) Impaired
Physical Mobility, 4) Ineffective Airway Clearance. Which diagnosis should the LPN prioritize?
A. Acute Pain
B. Risk for Falls
C. Impaired Physical Mobility
D. Ineffective Airway Clearance
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) prioritization framework,
Ineffective Airway Clearance represents an actual problem affecting the airway and takes
precedence over pain, risk diagnoses, or mobility issues. Actual problems generally prioritize
over potential problems (risks) unless the risk is imminent and severe. HESI emphasizes that
maintaining patent airway is always the highest priority. [HESI Fundamentals Review:
Prioritization; ABC Framework]
Q5: Which nursing action demonstrates the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
, 3
A. Measuring a patient's intake and output every shift
B. Comparing the patient's current pain level to the expected outcome of "pain ≤3/10 by
discharge"
C. Documenting a nursing diagnosis of "Fluid Volume Excess"
D. Inserting an indwelling catheter per physician order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation involves comparing actual patient outcomes to expected outcomes/goals to
determine if interventions were effective. Option A is assessment, C is diagnosis, and D is
implementation. The evaluation phase answers whether the patient met the stated goals and
determines if the plan of care needs modification. [HESI Fundamentals Review: Nursing Process
- Evaluation]
Q6: The LPN is caring for four patients. Which patient should be assessed first?
A. A patient 2 hours post-op appendectomy with pain 2/10
B. A patient with diabetes whose blood glucose is 245 mg/dL before lunch
C. A patient reporting chest pain rated 8/10 and diaphoretic
D. A patient requesting a PRN laxative for constipation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acute, life-threatening symptoms (chest pain, diaphoresis suggesting cardiac event)
take priority over stable post-op patients, elevated but not critical glucose, or comfort requests.
HESI prioritization frameworks emphasize unstable vs. stable—chest pain represents an
unstable, potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate assessment. The LPN should
assess this patient first while notifying the RN or healthcare provider immediately. [HESI
Fundamentals Review: Prioritization; Unstable vs. Stable]
Q7: Which statement by the LPN demonstrates critical thinking at the "analysis" level?
A. "I will follow the physician's orders exactly as written."
B. "The patient's blood pressure decreased from 142/88 to 98/62 after the diuretic, suggesting
possible hypovolemia."
C. "I need to complete all my tasks by the end of my shift."
D. "The patient is pleasant and cooperative."
Correct Answer: B
HESI PN LPN FUNDAMENTALS Actual
Exam 2026/2027: Questions and Answers
(Verified) for Practical Nursing Success –
Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Nursing Process and Critical Thinking (8
Questions)
Q1: A patient admitted with pneumonia reports shortness of breath, and the nurse observes
respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and oxygen saturation of 88%. Which nursing action
represents the implementation phase of the nursing process?
A. Documenting the patient's respiratory rate and SpO2 in the electronic health record
B. Notifying the healthcare provider of the patient's deteriorating condition
C. Administering oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min per standing orders
D. Formulating a nursing diagnosis of "Impaired Gas Exchange"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The implementation phase involves carrying out planned nursing interventions.
Administering oxygen is a direct nursing intervention to address impaired gas exchange. Option
A represents assessment (data collection), Option B represents collaboration/communication, and
Option D represents the diagnosis phase. HESI fundamentals emphasize that implementation
includes any direct care activities performed by the nurse. [HESI Fundamentals Review: Nursing
Process; NCLEX-PN Test Plan: Safe and Effective Care Environment]
Q2: Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which patient need should the LPN address first?
A. A patient requesting help to call family members
B. A patient with a blood pressure of 78/52 mmHg and complaining of dizziness
C. A patient anxious about upcoming surgery scheduled tomorrow
D. A patient asking for assistance to fill out an advance directive
Correct Answer: B
,2
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (oxygen, circulation, fluids) before
safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Hypotension with dizziness indicates
potential circulatory compromise—a priority physiological need. Option A addresses
love/belonging, C addresses safety/psychological needs, and D addresses self-actualization. The
unstable vital signs take precedence according to HESI prioritization frameworks. [HESI
Fundamentals Review: Prioritization; Maslow's Hierarchy]
Q3: Which task is most appropriate for the LPN to delegate to a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive
Personnel)?
A. Administering oral antibiotics to a stable patient
B. Performing a focused assessment on a newly admitted patient
C. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation to the bathroom
D. Teaching a patient about diabetic foot care
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The LPN may delegate basic care activities (ADLs, ambulation, vital signs in stable
patients, hygiene) to UAPs. Medication administration (A), nursing assessments (B), and patient
education (D) require nursing judgment and licensure and cannot be delegated to UAPs. The 5
rights of delegation include right task, right circumstance, right person, right
direction/communication, and right supervision. [HESI Fundamentals Review: Delegation;
NCLEX-PN Test Plan: Management of Care]
Q4: A patient has the following nursing diagnoses: 1) Acute Pain, 2) Risk for Falls, 3) Impaired
Physical Mobility, 4) Ineffective Airway Clearance. Which diagnosis should the LPN prioritize?
A. Acute Pain
B. Risk for Falls
C. Impaired Physical Mobility
D. Ineffective Airway Clearance
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) prioritization framework,
Ineffective Airway Clearance represents an actual problem affecting the airway and takes
precedence over pain, risk diagnoses, or mobility issues. Actual problems generally prioritize
over potential problems (risks) unless the risk is imminent and severe. HESI emphasizes that
maintaining patent airway is always the highest priority. [HESI Fundamentals Review:
Prioritization; ABC Framework]
Q5: Which nursing action demonstrates the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
, 3
A. Measuring a patient's intake and output every shift
B. Comparing the patient's current pain level to the expected outcome of "pain ≤3/10 by
discharge"
C. Documenting a nursing diagnosis of "Fluid Volume Excess"
D. Inserting an indwelling catheter per physician order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evaluation involves comparing actual patient outcomes to expected outcomes/goals to
determine if interventions were effective. Option A is assessment, C is diagnosis, and D is
implementation. The evaluation phase answers whether the patient met the stated goals and
determines if the plan of care needs modification. [HESI Fundamentals Review: Nursing Process
- Evaluation]
Q6: The LPN is caring for four patients. Which patient should be assessed first?
A. A patient 2 hours post-op appendectomy with pain 2/10
B. A patient with diabetes whose blood glucose is 245 mg/dL before lunch
C. A patient reporting chest pain rated 8/10 and diaphoretic
D. A patient requesting a PRN laxative for constipation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acute, life-threatening symptoms (chest pain, diaphoresis suggesting cardiac event)
take priority over stable post-op patients, elevated but not critical glucose, or comfort requests.
HESI prioritization frameworks emphasize unstable vs. stable—chest pain represents an
unstable, potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate assessment. The LPN should
assess this patient first while notifying the RN or healthcare provider immediately. [HESI
Fundamentals Review: Prioritization; Unstable vs. Stable]
Q7: Which statement by the LPN demonstrates critical thinking at the "analysis" level?
A. "I will follow the physician's orders exactly as written."
B. "The patient's blood pressure decreased from 142/88 to 98/62 after the diuretic, suggesting
possible hypovolemia."
C. "I need to complete all my tasks by the end of my shift."
D. "The patient is pleasant and cooperative."
Correct Answer: B
