BSN HESI 215 Study Guide: Updated 2026/2027 Syllabus
This guide is organized by core content areas reflective of the integrated HESI exam
blueprint.
Section 1: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Cardiovascular &
Respiratory)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which lung sound is
most expected?
ANSWER ✓ Crackles (rales) in the bases
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen
saturation of 88%. The nurse prepares to administer oxygen. What is the most
critical safety consideration?
ANSWER ✓ Maintain oxygen flow rate at 2 L/min or less via nasal cannula to preserve
the hypoxic drive
3. A nurse is caring for a client immediately after a thoracentesis. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
ANSWER ✓ Tracheal deviation to the opposite side
4. A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory
value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
ANSWER ✓ Serum potassium
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of
hypertension. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
ANSWER ✓ "I will stop taking my medication when my blood pressure readings are
normal."
, 6. A client presents with chest pain that is unrelieved by rest and nitroglycerin. The
ECG shows ST-segment elevation. What is the priority nursing intervention?
ANSWER ✓ Prepare for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or administer
thrombolytics
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a pulmonary embolism. Which assessment
finding is most indicative of right ventricular failure?
ANSWER ✓ Jugular venous distention (JVD)
8. A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin).
The nurse should teach the client to avoid foods high in which vitamin?
ANSWER ✓ Vitamin K
9. During a cardiac catheterization, the client reports chest pain. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
ANSWER ✓ Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed
10. A nurse is auscultating breath sounds and hears a high-pitched, continuous
sound during inspiration. How should this be documented?
ANSWER ✓ Stridor
11. A client with pneumonia has a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Airway
Clearance. Which intervention is most effective?
ANSWER ✓ Encourage deep breathing and coughing every 2 hours
12. A client is admitted with acute decompensated heart failure. Which finding
indicates an improvement in fluid status?
ANSWER ✓ Weight loss of 2 lbs (0.9 kg) in 24 hours
13. A nurse is teaching a client about digoxin (Lanoxin). Which sign of toxicity
should the client be instructed to report immediately?
ANSWER ✓ Visual changes (yellow halos or blurred vision)
14. A client with coronary artery disease asks why they need to take a statin
medication despite having a normal cholesterol level. What is the best response?
This guide is organized by core content areas reflective of the integrated HESI exam
blueprint.
Section 1: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Cardiovascular &
Respiratory)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which lung sound is
most expected?
ANSWER ✓ Crackles (rales) in the bases
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen
saturation of 88%. The nurse prepares to administer oxygen. What is the most
critical safety consideration?
ANSWER ✓ Maintain oxygen flow rate at 2 L/min or less via nasal cannula to preserve
the hypoxic drive
3. A nurse is caring for a client immediately after a thoracentesis. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
ANSWER ✓ Tracheal deviation to the opposite side
4. A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory
value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
ANSWER ✓ Serum potassium
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of
hypertension. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
ANSWER ✓ "I will stop taking my medication when my blood pressure readings are
normal."
, 6. A client presents with chest pain that is unrelieved by rest and nitroglycerin. The
ECG shows ST-segment elevation. What is the priority nursing intervention?
ANSWER ✓ Prepare for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or administer
thrombolytics
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a pulmonary embolism. Which assessment
finding is most indicative of right ventricular failure?
ANSWER ✓ Jugular venous distention (JVD)
8. A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin).
The nurse should teach the client to avoid foods high in which vitamin?
ANSWER ✓ Vitamin K
9. During a cardiac catheterization, the client reports chest pain. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
ANSWER ✓ Administer nitroglycerin as prescribed
10. A nurse is auscultating breath sounds and hears a high-pitched, continuous
sound during inspiration. How should this be documented?
ANSWER ✓ Stridor
11. A client with pneumonia has a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Airway
Clearance. Which intervention is most effective?
ANSWER ✓ Encourage deep breathing and coughing every 2 hours
12. A client is admitted with acute decompensated heart failure. Which finding
indicates an improvement in fluid status?
ANSWER ✓ Weight loss of 2 lbs (0.9 kg) in 24 hours
13. A nurse is teaching a client about digoxin (Lanoxin). Which sign of toxicity
should the client be instructed to report immediately?
ANSWER ✓ Visual changes (yellow halos or blurred vision)
14. A client with coronary artery disease asks why they need to take a statin
medication despite having a normal cholesterol level. What is the best response?
