HESI COMPASS COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
2026 AND PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK WITH A
STUDY GUIDE | ALL VERSIONS OF THE EXAM
WITH ALL MODULES COVERED
1. 1-Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which
assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the
medication?
A. Checking the client's blood pressure
B. Checking the client's peripheral pulses
C. Checking the most recent potassium level
D. Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours
Answer: A. Checking the client's blood pressure
Checking the client's blood pressure
Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat hypertension. One common side
ettect is postural hypotension. Therefore the nurse would check the client's blood pressure immediately before
,administering each dose. Checking the client's peripheral pulses, the results of the most recent potassium level, and
the intake and output for the previous 24 hours are not specifically associated with this mediation.
2. 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 diflcult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
3. 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. 4.An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with suspected
acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to the coronary in-
, tensive care unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of premature ventricular
contractions (PVCs) on the monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and deter-
mines 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. 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 pro-
cedure, the nurse checks the client's record and notes that the client routinely
2026 AND PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK WITH A
STUDY GUIDE | ALL VERSIONS OF THE EXAM
WITH ALL MODULES COVERED
1. 1-Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which
assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the
medication?
A. Checking the client's blood pressure
B. Checking the client's peripheral pulses
C. Checking the most recent potassium level
D. Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours
Answer: A. Checking the client's blood pressure
Checking the client's blood pressure
Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat hypertension. One common side
ettect is postural hypotension. Therefore the nurse would check the client's blood pressure immediately before
,administering each dose. Checking the client's peripheral pulses, the results of the most recent potassium level, and
the intake and output for the previous 24 hours are not specifically associated with this mediation.
2. 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 diflcult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.
3. 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. 4.An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with suspected
acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to the coronary in-
, tensive care unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of premature ventricular
contractions (PVCs) on the monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and deter-
mines 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. 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 pro-
cedure, the nurse checks the client's record and notes that the client routinely
