1
HESI Fundamentals Exit Exam 2026/2027 Actual
Exam | Versions 1, 2 & 3 for RN & PN Nursing
Students with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Version 1: Foundations of Nursing
Q1: A nurse is using Maslow's hierarchy of needs to prioritize patient care. Which of the
following patient needs should the nurse address FIRST?
A. The patient's need for self-esteem
B. The patient's need for oxygenation [CORRECT]
C. The patient's need for love and belonging
D. The patient's need for self-actualization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (oxygenation, food, water) as the
most basic. Options A, C, and D are higher-level needs that cannot be effectively addressed if
physiological needs are unmet. This question addresses the Nursing Process (Assessment) and
Client Needs (Physiological Integrity).
Q2: A nurse is documenting patient care. Which of the following entries requires immediate
follow-up for accuracy?
A. "Patient slept 7 hours without interruption."
B. "Patient's wound appears infected." [CORRECT]
C. "Patient consumed 75% of breakfast tray."
D. "Patient reports pain level of 4/10 after medication."
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Documentation must be objective, factual, and complete. "Appears infected" is a
subjective interpretation without supporting clinical data. The nurse should document specific
objective findings such as "wound is red, warm, and has purulent drainage." Options A, C, and D
are objective and specific.
Q3: The nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will avoid using the salt shaker at the table."
B. "I can use lemon juice and herbs to season my food."
C. "I should eat canned vegetables more often than fresh ones." [CORRECT]
D. "I will check the nutrition labels for sodium content."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Canned vegetables typically contain high amounts of sodium used as a preservative.
Fresh or frozen vegetables without additives are lower in sodium. Options A, B, and D indicate
correct understanding of a low-sodium diet. Client Need: Basic Care and Comfort.
Q4: A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled medication. The patient refuses the
medication, stating, "I don't want to take that pill; it makes me sick." Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the refusal in the patient's chart.
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
C. Explore the patient's concerns regarding the medication. [CORRECT]
D. Explain the consequences of refusing the medication.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first step in the nursing process is assessment. The nurse should explore the
patient's specific concerns (e.g., nausea, side effects) to understand the reason for refusal.
Documentation (A) occurs after the interaction. Notifying the provider (B) may be necessary
later. Explaining consequences (D) is important but secondary to understanding the patient's
perspective.
,3
Q5: [Dosage Calculation] The provider orders 500 mg of amoxicillin PO. The pharmacy supplies
amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL [CORRECT]
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Calculation: (Desired Dose / Have Dose) x Quantity = (500 mg / 250 mg) x 5 mL = 2
x 5 mL = 10 mL. Option A is incorrect (5 mL would equal 250 mg). Options C and D represent
calculation errors.
Q6: The nurse is assessing a patient's peripheral pulses and notes that the pulse is difficult to
palpate and fades in and out. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Bounding
B. Thready [CORRECT]
C. Weak
D. Full
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A thready pulse is described as weak, difficult to palpate, and fading in and out, often
indicative of low blood volume or increased peripheral resistance. Bounding (A) is a strong, full
pulse. Weak (C) describes strength but does not capture the fading quality typical of a thready
pulse.
Q7: [SATA] A nurse is performing a comprehensive physical assessment on a new admission.
Which of the following are considered subjective data? Select all that apply.
[ ] The patient states, "I have had a headache for three days." [CORRECT]
[ ] The patient's blood pressure is 150/90 mm Hg.
, 4
[ ] The patient reports a history of allergies to penicillin. [CORRECT]
[ ] The nurse observes a bruise on the patient's left forearm.
[ ] The patient complains of nausea. [CORRECT]
Correct Answers: A, C, E
Rationale: Subjective data is information provided by the patient, including symptoms
(headache, nausea) and history (allergies). Objective data (B, D) is observable and measurable by
the nurse, such as vital signs and physical examination findings.
Q8: A nurse is caring for a patient who is hard of hearing and wears a hearing aid. Which action
facilitates effective communication?
A. Speaking loudly and shouting into the hearing aid.
B. Facing the patient and speaking clearly at a normal pace. [CORRECT]
C. Turning away while speaking to reduce visual distractions.
D. Using medical terminology to ensure precision.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facing the patient allows them to read lips and facial expressions. Shouting (A)
distorts sound, especially with a hearing aid. Turning away (C) prevents lip reading. Medical
terminology (D) often confuses patients; simple language is preferred.
Q9: The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis "Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity" for a patient on
bed rest. Which outcome is appropriate for this patient?
A. Patient will have no redness over bony prominences during hospitalization. [CORRECT]
B. Patient will eat 100% of meals.
C. Patient will ambulate independently by day 3.
D. Patient will verbalize understanding of skin care.
Correct Answer: A
HESI Fundamentals Exit Exam 2026/2027 Actual
Exam | Versions 1, 2 & 3 for RN & PN Nursing
Students with Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Version 1: Foundations of Nursing
Q1: A nurse is using Maslow's hierarchy of needs to prioritize patient care. Which of the
following patient needs should the nurse address FIRST?
A. The patient's need for self-esteem
B. The patient's need for oxygenation [CORRECT]
C. The patient's need for love and belonging
D. The patient's need for self-actualization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (oxygenation, food, water) as the
most basic. Options A, C, and D are higher-level needs that cannot be effectively addressed if
physiological needs are unmet. This question addresses the Nursing Process (Assessment) and
Client Needs (Physiological Integrity).
Q2: A nurse is documenting patient care. Which of the following entries requires immediate
follow-up for accuracy?
A. "Patient slept 7 hours without interruption."
B. "Patient's wound appears infected." [CORRECT]
C. "Patient consumed 75% of breakfast tray."
D. "Patient reports pain level of 4/10 after medication."
Correct Answer: B
,2
Rationale: Documentation must be objective, factual, and complete. "Appears infected" is a
subjective interpretation without supporting clinical data. The nurse should document specific
objective findings such as "wound is red, warm, and has purulent drainage." Options A, C, and D
are objective and specific.
Q3: The nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will avoid using the salt shaker at the table."
B. "I can use lemon juice and herbs to season my food."
C. "I should eat canned vegetables more often than fresh ones." [CORRECT]
D. "I will check the nutrition labels for sodium content."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Canned vegetables typically contain high amounts of sodium used as a preservative.
Fresh or frozen vegetables without additives are lower in sodium. Options A, B, and D indicate
correct understanding of a low-sodium diet. Client Need: Basic Care and Comfort.
Q4: A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled medication. The patient refuses the
medication, stating, "I don't want to take that pill; it makes me sick." Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the refusal in the patient's chart.
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
C. Explore the patient's concerns regarding the medication. [CORRECT]
D. Explain the consequences of refusing the medication.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The first step in the nursing process is assessment. The nurse should explore the
patient's specific concerns (e.g., nausea, side effects) to understand the reason for refusal.
Documentation (A) occurs after the interaction. Notifying the provider (B) may be necessary
later. Explaining consequences (D) is important but secondary to understanding the patient's
perspective.
,3
Q5: [Dosage Calculation] The provider orders 500 mg of amoxicillin PO. The pharmacy supplies
amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL [CORRECT]
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Calculation: (Desired Dose / Have Dose) x Quantity = (500 mg / 250 mg) x 5 mL = 2
x 5 mL = 10 mL. Option A is incorrect (5 mL would equal 250 mg). Options C and D represent
calculation errors.
Q6: The nurse is assessing a patient's peripheral pulses and notes that the pulse is difficult to
palpate and fades in and out. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Bounding
B. Thready [CORRECT]
C. Weak
D. Full
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A thready pulse is described as weak, difficult to palpate, and fading in and out, often
indicative of low blood volume or increased peripheral resistance. Bounding (A) is a strong, full
pulse. Weak (C) describes strength but does not capture the fading quality typical of a thready
pulse.
Q7: [SATA] A nurse is performing a comprehensive physical assessment on a new admission.
Which of the following are considered subjective data? Select all that apply.
[ ] The patient states, "I have had a headache for three days." [CORRECT]
[ ] The patient's blood pressure is 150/90 mm Hg.
, 4
[ ] The patient reports a history of allergies to penicillin. [CORRECT]
[ ] The nurse observes a bruise on the patient's left forearm.
[ ] The patient complains of nausea. [CORRECT]
Correct Answers: A, C, E
Rationale: Subjective data is information provided by the patient, including symptoms
(headache, nausea) and history (allergies). Objective data (B, D) is observable and measurable by
the nurse, such as vital signs and physical examination findings.
Q8: A nurse is caring for a patient who is hard of hearing and wears a hearing aid. Which action
facilitates effective communication?
A. Speaking loudly and shouting into the hearing aid.
B. Facing the patient and speaking clearly at a normal pace. [CORRECT]
C. Turning away while speaking to reduce visual distractions.
D. Using medical terminology to ensure precision.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facing the patient allows them to read lips and facial expressions. Shouting (A)
distorts sound, especially with a hearing aid. Turning away (C) prevents lip reading. Medical
terminology (D) often confuses patients; simple language is preferred.
Q9: The nurse identifies the nursing diagnosis "Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity" for a patient on
bed rest. Which outcome is appropriate for this patient?
A. Patient will have no redness over bony prominences during hospitalization. [CORRECT]
B. Patient will eat 100% of meals.
C. Patient will ambulate independently by day 3.
D. Patient will verbalize understanding of skin care.
Correct Answer: A
