HESI PN Fundamentals Exam (Updated) | Questions &
Answers 2026 | Complete A+ Guide
Section 1: Professional Nursing & Legal/Ethical Issues
1. A newly licensed practical nurse (LPN) is reviewing the Nurse Practice Act.
What is the primary purpose of this act?
A) To define the scope of practice for nurses in the state.
B) To establish hospital policies for staffing ratios.
C) To provide a code of ethics for nursing students.
D) To regulate the pharmaceutical industry.
2. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication. Which of the following
actions by the LPN demonstrates respect for the patient's rights?
A) Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
B) Ask the patient's family to convince them to take it.
C) Document the refusal and notify the registered nurse (RN).
D) Administer the medication by injection to ensure it is taken.
Answer: C) Document the refusal and notify the registered nurse (RN).
Rationale: Competent patients have the right to refuse treatment. The
LPN should respect the refusal, document it, and report it to the
supervising RN or provider.
3. An LPN is asked to perform a task that is outside their scope of practice as
defined by the state's Nurse Practice Act. What is the most appropriate
response?
A) Perform the task since it was requested by the RN.
B) Refuse to perform the task and explain the reason.
C) Complete the task but document that it was outside their scope.
D) Perform the task only if a second nurse agrees.
Answer: B) Refuse to perform the task and explain the reason.
Rationale: Nurses are legally and ethically responsible for their own
,actions. The LPN must refuse to perform tasks outside their legal
scope of practice and communicate this to the supervising RN.
4. A patient is scheduled for surgery and asks the LPN to explain the
procedure. The LPN is unsure of the details. What is the best response?
A) "Don't worry, it's a routine procedure."
B) "The doctor will be in to explain everything before the surgery."
C) "I think it's a minor procedure, but I'll check."
D) "Let me read your chart and tell you what I find."
Answer: B) "The doctor will be in to explain everything before the
surgery."
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent
and explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits. The nurse should
not provide detailed medical information they are not qualified to
give.
5. A patient with a terminal illness asks the LPN, "Do you think I should just
stop all these treatments?" Which of the following is the most therapeutic
response?
A) "I think you should do whatever the doctor recommends."
B) "Yes, it seems like you've been through enough."
C) "That is a difficult question. What are your thoughts about your
treatments?"
D) "Don't worry, you're going to get better."
Answer: C) "That is a difficult question. What are your thoughts about
your treatments?"
Rationale: This response acknowledges the patient's feelings and uses
an open-ended question to encourage the patient to explore their own
thoughts and feelings. It supports patient autonomy.
6. A LPN is caring for a patient who is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses a
blood transfusion after a significant blood loss. The LPN understands that
the patient's decision is based on:
A) A lack of understanding of the medical situation.
,B) A need for the family to make the decision.
C) Religious beliefs that must be respected.
D) A sign of mental incompetence.
Answer: C) Religious beliefs that must be respected.
Rationale: Competent adults have the right to refuse medical
treatment based on personal or religious beliefs. The nurse's role is to
support this decision and explore alternative treatments with the
healthcare team.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient who is about to leave the hospital against
medical advice (AMA). Which action is most important?
A) Notify security to prevent the patient from leaving.
B) Call the patient's family to come and convince them to stay.
C) Explain the risks of leaving, document the discussion, and notify the
provider.
D) Allow the patient to leave but mark the chart as "discharged."
Answer: C) Explain the risks of leaving, document the discussion, and
notify the provider.
Rationale: Patients have the right to leave AMA. The nurse must
ensure the patient understands the risks, document the conversation
thoroughly, and notify the provider.
8. A LPN is preparing to document a patient's care. Which of the following is
an example of objective data?
A) The patient states, "I have a headache."
B) The patient appears anxious and restless.
C) The patient's blood pressure is 118/72 mmHg.
D) The patient reports feeling nauseated.
Answer: C) The patient's blood pressure is 118/72 mmHg.
Rationale: Objective data are measurable, observable, and verifiable
facts, such as vital signs, physical assessment findings, and laboratory
results.
, 9. Which of the following is an example of a violation of the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
A) Discussing a patient's condition with the healthcare team.
B) Providing discharge instructions to the patient's spouse with the patient's
permission.
C) Discussing a patient's diagnosis with a friend in the hospital elevator.
D) Faxing medical records to another facility with a signed release.
Answer: C) Discussing a patient's diagnosis with a friend in the
hospital elevator.
Rationale: HIPAA protects patient health information (PHI).
Discussing patient information in public places where it can be
overheard by unauthorized individuals is a breach of confidentiality.
10. A patient is restrained with soft wrist restraints. How often should the
nurse remove the restraints for a range of motion and skin assessment?
A) Every 30 minutes
B) Every 2 hours
C) Every 4 hours
D) Every 8 hours
Answer: B) Every 2 hours
Rationale: To prevent complications such as skin breakdown and
contractures, restraints must be removed at least every 2 hours for
assessment, range of motion exercises, and toileting.
11. A patient is in isolation for a Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the
following is the correct type of precautions?
A) Airborne
B) Droplet
C) Contact
D) Protective environment
Answer: C) Contact
Rationale: Contact precautions are used for infections spread by direct
or indirect contact, including C. difficile, MRSA, and VRE.
Answers 2026 | Complete A+ Guide
Section 1: Professional Nursing & Legal/Ethical Issues
1. A newly licensed practical nurse (LPN) is reviewing the Nurse Practice Act.
What is the primary purpose of this act?
A) To define the scope of practice for nurses in the state.
B) To establish hospital policies for staffing ratios.
C) To provide a code of ethics for nursing students.
D) To regulate the pharmaceutical industry.
2. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication. Which of the following
actions by the LPN demonstrates respect for the patient's rights?
A) Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
B) Ask the patient's family to convince them to take it.
C) Document the refusal and notify the registered nurse (RN).
D) Administer the medication by injection to ensure it is taken.
Answer: C) Document the refusal and notify the registered nurse (RN).
Rationale: Competent patients have the right to refuse treatment. The
LPN should respect the refusal, document it, and report it to the
supervising RN or provider.
3. An LPN is asked to perform a task that is outside their scope of practice as
defined by the state's Nurse Practice Act. What is the most appropriate
response?
A) Perform the task since it was requested by the RN.
B) Refuse to perform the task and explain the reason.
C) Complete the task but document that it was outside their scope.
D) Perform the task only if a second nurse agrees.
Answer: B) Refuse to perform the task and explain the reason.
Rationale: Nurses are legally and ethically responsible for their own
,actions. The LPN must refuse to perform tasks outside their legal
scope of practice and communicate this to the supervising RN.
4. A patient is scheduled for surgery and asks the LPN to explain the
procedure. The LPN is unsure of the details. What is the best response?
A) "Don't worry, it's a routine procedure."
B) "The doctor will be in to explain everything before the surgery."
C) "I think it's a minor procedure, but I'll check."
D) "Let me read your chart and tell you what I find."
Answer: B) "The doctor will be in to explain everything before the
surgery."
Rationale: The surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent
and explaining the procedure, risks, and benefits. The nurse should
not provide detailed medical information they are not qualified to
give.
5. A patient with a terminal illness asks the LPN, "Do you think I should just
stop all these treatments?" Which of the following is the most therapeutic
response?
A) "I think you should do whatever the doctor recommends."
B) "Yes, it seems like you've been through enough."
C) "That is a difficult question. What are your thoughts about your
treatments?"
D) "Don't worry, you're going to get better."
Answer: C) "That is a difficult question. What are your thoughts about
your treatments?"
Rationale: This response acknowledges the patient's feelings and uses
an open-ended question to encourage the patient to explore their own
thoughts and feelings. It supports patient autonomy.
6. A LPN is caring for a patient who is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses a
blood transfusion after a significant blood loss. The LPN understands that
the patient's decision is based on:
A) A lack of understanding of the medical situation.
,B) A need for the family to make the decision.
C) Religious beliefs that must be respected.
D) A sign of mental incompetence.
Answer: C) Religious beliefs that must be respected.
Rationale: Competent adults have the right to refuse medical
treatment based on personal or religious beliefs. The nurse's role is to
support this decision and explore alternative treatments with the
healthcare team.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient who is about to leave the hospital against
medical advice (AMA). Which action is most important?
A) Notify security to prevent the patient from leaving.
B) Call the patient's family to come and convince them to stay.
C) Explain the risks of leaving, document the discussion, and notify the
provider.
D) Allow the patient to leave but mark the chart as "discharged."
Answer: C) Explain the risks of leaving, document the discussion, and
notify the provider.
Rationale: Patients have the right to leave AMA. The nurse must
ensure the patient understands the risks, document the conversation
thoroughly, and notify the provider.
8. A LPN is preparing to document a patient's care. Which of the following is
an example of objective data?
A) The patient states, "I have a headache."
B) The patient appears anxious and restless.
C) The patient's blood pressure is 118/72 mmHg.
D) The patient reports feeling nauseated.
Answer: C) The patient's blood pressure is 118/72 mmHg.
Rationale: Objective data are measurable, observable, and verifiable
facts, such as vital signs, physical assessment findings, and laboratory
results.
, 9. Which of the following is an example of a violation of the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
A) Discussing a patient's condition with the healthcare team.
B) Providing discharge instructions to the patient's spouse with the patient's
permission.
C) Discussing a patient's diagnosis with a friend in the hospital elevator.
D) Faxing medical records to another facility with a signed release.
Answer: C) Discussing a patient's diagnosis with a friend in the
hospital elevator.
Rationale: HIPAA protects patient health information (PHI).
Discussing patient information in public places where it can be
overheard by unauthorized individuals is a breach of confidentiality.
10. A patient is restrained with soft wrist restraints. How often should the
nurse remove the restraints for a range of motion and skin assessment?
A) Every 30 minutes
B) Every 2 hours
C) Every 4 hours
D) Every 8 hours
Answer: B) Every 2 hours
Rationale: To prevent complications such as skin breakdown and
contractures, restraints must be removed at least every 2 hours for
assessment, range of motion exercises, and toileting.
11. A patient is in isolation for a Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the
following is the correct type of precautions?
A) Airborne
B) Droplet
C) Contact
D) Protective environment
Answer: C) Contact
Rationale: Contact precautions are used for infections spread by direct
or indirect contact, including C. difficile, MRSA, and VRE.
