HESI Focus on Adult Health | Actual Exam Questions &
100% Correct Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Nursing
Exam Prep
1. What vital sign change indicates a potential complication in a client with an
abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Elevated temperature
Decreased blood pressure
Increased heart rate from 80 to 110 bpm
Decreased respiratory rate
2. Why is it important for a client to drink at least 8 glasses of fluid every day
while on medication?
To reduce the need for vitamin supplements
To avoid interactions with other medications
To increase the absorption of dietary fats
To help prevent dehydration and support medication effectiveness
3. A patient with a fiberglass cast on the wrist reports a sudden increase in pain
and swelling, along with a sensation of the cast getting tighter. What is the
nurse's priority action?
Loosen the cast using a cast saw.
Elevate the patient's arm to reduce swelling.
Assess for signs of compartment syndrome.
Administer pain medication as prescribed.
,4. The nurse assesses the patient with CKD with the understanding that this
condition is characterized by
prostration, somnolence, and confusion with coma and imminent
death
progressive irreversible destruction of the kidneys
an increasing creatinine clearance with a decrease in urine output
a rapid decrease in urine output with an elevated BUN
5. A nurse is developing a post-operative care plan for a patient who had a
mastectomy. Which intervention should be prioritized to promote recovery
of arm function?
Recommending heavy lifting to strengthen the arm quickly.
Encouraging the patient to avoid using the affected arm for several
weeks.
Incorporating gentle range-of-motion exercises into the care plan.
Focusing solely on pain management without physical activity.
6. What is the primary nursing assessment to prioritize when administering IV
bleomycin sulfate?
Monitoring for signs of pulmonary toxicity
Assessing the patient's pain level
Evaluating the patient's nutritional status
Checking the patient's blood pressure
7. If a patient expresses anxiety about using a TENS unit for phantom limb pain,
what nursing intervention would be most appropriate?
, Advise the patient to take more pain medication instead.
Encourage the patient to focus on their pain rather than the treatment.
Suggest the patient discontinue use of the TENS unit.
Provide education on how the TENS unit works and its benefits for
pain management.
8. A patient receiving radiation therapy for a brain tumor reports new onset of
dysphagia. What should the nurse prioritize in the care plan?
Increase the patient's fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Administer anti-nausea medication to alleviate symptoms.
Encourage the patient to eat solid foods to maintain nutrition.
Assess the patient's swallowing ability and consult a speech
therapist.
9. What nutrition teaching would be included for the patient with viral hepatitis
and impaired bile production?
High protein diet
High fiber diet
Low fat diet
Low carbohydrate diet
10. Describe the significance of monitoring serum creatinine levels in patients
receiving foscarnet sodium.
Monitoring serum creatinine is only necessary for patients with pre-
existing kidney disease.
Serum creatinine levels indicate liver function and overall metabolic
health.
, Serum creatinine levels are irrelevant in the context of foscarnet
sodium treatment.
Monitoring serum creatinine levels helps assess kidney function
and detect potential nephrotoxicity associated with foscarnet
sodium.
11. A client is scheduled to have a serum digoxin level obtained. The nurse
determines that the blood sample should be drawn at which time in
relationship to the administration of digoxin?
One-half hour after a dose is given
One hour after a dose is given
Just before a dose is given
Just after a dose has been given
12. A patient with suspected flail chest is exhibiting increasing dyspnea and
cyanosis. What immediate nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Administer pain medication
Administer supplemental oxygen
Prepare for chest tube insertion
Encourage deep breathing exercises
13. Describe the role of hormonal therapy in the treatment of estrogen-
receptor positive breast tumors.
Hormonal therapy is used to enhance the effects of chemotherapy.
Hormonal therapy is only effective in premenopausal women.
Hormonal therapy, such as Tamoxifen, blocks estrogen receptors to
prevent cancer recurrence.
100% Correct Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Nursing
Exam Prep
1. What vital sign change indicates a potential complication in a client with an
abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Elevated temperature
Decreased blood pressure
Increased heart rate from 80 to 110 bpm
Decreased respiratory rate
2. Why is it important for a client to drink at least 8 glasses of fluid every day
while on medication?
To reduce the need for vitamin supplements
To avoid interactions with other medications
To increase the absorption of dietary fats
To help prevent dehydration and support medication effectiveness
3. A patient with a fiberglass cast on the wrist reports a sudden increase in pain
and swelling, along with a sensation of the cast getting tighter. What is the
nurse's priority action?
Loosen the cast using a cast saw.
Elevate the patient's arm to reduce swelling.
Assess for signs of compartment syndrome.
Administer pain medication as prescribed.
,4. The nurse assesses the patient with CKD with the understanding that this
condition is characterized by
prostration, somnolence, and confusion with coma and imminent
death
progressive irreversible destruction of the kidneys
an increasing creatinine clearance with a decrease in urine output
a rapid decrease in urine output with an elevated BUN
5. A nurse is developing a post-operative care plan for a patient who had a
mastectomy. Which intervention should be prioritized to promote recovery
of arm function?
Recommending heavy lifting to strengthen the arm quickly.
Encouraging the patient to avoid using the affected arm for several
weeks.
Incorporating gentle range-of-motion exercises into the care plan.
Focusing solely on pain management without physical activity.
6. What is the primary nursing assessment to prioritize when administering IV
bleomycin sulfate?
Monitoring for signs of pulmonary toxicity
Assessing the patient's pain level
Evaluating the patient's nutritional status
Checking the patient's blood pressure
7. If a patient expresses anxiety about using a TENS unit for phantom limb pain,
what nursing intervention would be most appropriate?
, Advise the patient to take more pain medication instead.
Encourage the patient to focus on their pain rather than the treatment.
Suggest the patient discontinue use of the TENS unit.
Provide education on how the TENS unit works and its benefits for
pain management.
8. A patient receiving radiation therapy for a brain tumor reports new onset of
dysphagia. What should the nurse prioritize in the care plan?
Increase the patient's fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Administer anti-nausea medication to alleviate symptoms.
Encourage the patient to eat solid foods to maintain nutrition.
Assess the patient's swallowing ability and consult a speech
therapist.
9. What nutrition teaching would be included for the patient with viral hepatitis
and impaired bile production?
High protein diet
High fiber diet
Low fat diet
Low carbohydrate diet
10. Describe the significance of monitoring serum creatinine levels in patients
receiving foscarnet sodium.
Monitoring serum creatinine is only necessary for patients with pre-
existing kidney disease.
Serum creatinine levels indicate liver function and overall metabolic
health.
, Serum creatinine levels are irrelevant in the context of foscarnet
sodium treatment.
Monitoring serum creatinine levels helps assess kidney function
and detect potential nephrotoxicity associated with foscarnet
sodium.
11. A client is scheduled to have a serum digoxin level obtained. The nurse
determines that the blood sample should be drawn at which time in
relationship to the administration of digoxin?
One-half hour after a dose is given
One hour after a dose is given
Just before a dose is given
Just after a dose has been given
12. A patient with suspected flail chest is exhibiting increasing dyspnea and
cyanosis. What immediate nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Administer pain medication
Administer supplemental oxygen
Prepare for chest tube insertion
Encourage deep breathing exercises
13. Describe the role of hormonal therapy in the treatment of estrogen-
receptor positive breast tumors.
Hormonal therapy is used to enhance the effects of chemotherapy.
Hormonal therapy is only effective in premenopausal women.
Hormonal therapy, such as Tamoxifen, blocks estrogen receptors to
prevent cancer recurrence.
