HESI COMPASS COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
ACTUAL TEST PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 2-A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI)
series, and the nurse provides instructions to the client about the
test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
instruction?
A. "The test will take about 30 minutes."
B. "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test."
C. "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and
give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
D. "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the
liquid that I'll have to drink for the test can be constipating.".
Answer: C. "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the
test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus,
duodenum, and upper jejunum by means of the use of a contrast
medium. It involves swallowing a contrast medium (usually barium),
which is administered in a flavored milkshake. Films are taken at
intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No special
preparation is necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status
must be maintained for 8 hours before the test. After an upper GI
,series, the client is prescribed a laxative to hasten elimination of the
barium. Barium that remains in the colon may become hard and
difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
◉ 3-A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions
and notes that the dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the
normal dose. The nurse calls the physician's answering service and
is told that the physician is off for the night and will be available in
the morning. The nurse should:
A. Call the nursing supervisor
B. Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C. Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the
morning
D. Administer the medication but consult the physician when he
becomes available. Answer: B. Ask the answering service to contact
the on-call physician
◉ 4.An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client
with suspected acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting
transfer to the coronary intensive care unit. The nurse notes the
sudden onset of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on the
monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and determines that the
PVCs are not resulting in perfusion. The appropriate action by the
nurse is:
,A. Documenting the findings
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
C. Continuing to monitor the client's cardiac status
D. Informing the client that PVCs are expected after an MI. Answer:
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
◉ 5.NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client
scheduled to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On
the morning of the procedure, the nurse checks the client's record
and notes that the client routinely takes an oral antihypertensive
medication each morning. The nurse should:
A. Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water
B. Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime
C. Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route
D. Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the
day after the ECT. Answer: A. Administer the antihypertensive with a
small sip of water
◉ 6 A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft
surgery comes to the physician's office for a follow-up visit. On
assessment, the client tells the nurse that he is feeling depressed.
Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
, A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
B. "That's a normal response after this type of surgery."
C. "It will take time, but, I promise you, you will get over this
depression."
D. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a
month.". Answer: A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
◉ 7 A client in labor experiences spontaneous rupture of the
membranes. The nurse immediately counts the fetal heart rate
(FHR) for 1 full minute and then checks the amniotic fluid. The nurse
notes that the fluid is yellow and has a strong odor. Which of the
following actions should be the nurse's priority?
A. Contacting the physician
B. Documenting the findings
C. Checking the fluid for protein
D. Continuing to monitor the client and the FHR. Answer: A.
Contacting the physician Correct
◉ 8 A nurse has assisted a physician in inserting a central venous
access device into a client with a diagnosis of severe malnutrition
who will be receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). After insertion of
the catheter, the nurse immediately plans to:
ACTUAL TEST PAPER 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 2-A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI)
series, and the nurse provides instructions to the client about the
test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
instruction?
A. "The test will take about 30 minutes."
B. "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test."
C. "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and
give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
D. "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the
liquid that I'll have to drink for the test can be constipating.".
Answer: C. "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the
test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test."
An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus,
duodenum, and upper jejunum by means of the use of a contrast
medium. It involves swallowing a contrast medium (usually barium),
which is administered in a flavored milkshake. Films are taken at
intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. No special
preparation is necessary before a GI series, except that NPO status
must be maintained for 8 hours before the test. After an upper GI
,series, the client is prescribed a laxative to hasten elimination of the
barium. Barium that remains in the colon may become hard and
difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
◉ 3-A nurse on the evening shift checks a physician's prescriptions
and notes that the dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the
normal dose. The nurse calls the physician's answering service and
is told that the physician is off for the night and will be available in
the morning. The nurse should:
A. Call the nursing supervisor
B. Ask the answering service to contact the on-call physician
C. Withhold the medication until the physician can be reached in the
morning
D. Administer the medication but consult the physician when he
becomes available. Answer: B. Ask the answering service to contact
the on-call physician
◉ 4.An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client
with suspected acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting
transfer to the coronary intensive care unit. The nurse notes the
sudden onset of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on the
monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and determines that the
PVCs are not resulting in perfusion. The appropriate action by the
nurse is:
,A. Documenting the findings
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
C. Continuing to monitor the client's cardiac status
D. Informing the client that PVCs are expected after an MI. Answer:
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
◉ 5.NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client
scheduled to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On
the morning of the procedure, the nurse checks the client's record
and notes that the client routinely takes an oral antihypertensive
medication each morning. The nurse should:
A. Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water
B. Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime
C. Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route
D. Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the
day after the ECT. Answer: A. Administer the antihypertensive with a
small sip of water
◉ 6 A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft
surgery comes to the physician's office for a follow-up visit. On
assessment, the client tells the nurse that he is feeling depressed.
Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
, A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
B. "That's a normal response after this type of surgery."
C. "It will take time, but, I promise you, you will get over this
depression."
D. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a
month.". Answer: A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
◉ 7 A client in labor experiences spontaneous rupture of the
membranes. The nurse immediately counts the fetal heart rate
(FHR) for 1 full minute and then checks the amniotic fluid. The nurse
notes that the fluid is yellow and has a strong odor. Which of the
following actions should be the nurse's priority?
A. Contacting the physician
B. Documenting the findings
C. Checking the fluid for protein
D. Continuing to monitor the client and the FHR. Answer: A.
Contacting the physician Correct
◉ 8 A nurse has assisted a physician in inserting a central venous
access device into a client with a diagnosis of severe malnutrition
who will be receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). After insertion of
the catheter, the nurse immediately plans to:
