1
2026 HESI Exit Exam
2026 HESI Exit Exam 4 Comprehensive
Simulator with 160 Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationales/ RN
HESI Exit Predictor
A client with acute pancreatitis is admitted with severe, piercing abdominal pain and an
elevated serum amylase. Which additional information is the client most likely to report to the
nurse?
A. Abdominal pain decreases when lying supine
B. Pain lasts an hour and leaves the abdomen tender
C. Right upper quadrant pain refers to right scapula
D. Drinks alcohol until intoxicated at least twice weekly. - Correct Answer :A. Abdominal pain
decreases when lying supine
, 2
2026 HESI Exit Exam
A child newly diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is being discharged from the hospital.
Which information is most important for the nurse to provide the parents prior to discharge?
A. Instructions about how much fluid the child should drink daily.
B. Signs of addiction to opioid pain medications
C. Information about non-pharmaceutical pain relief measures
D. Referral for social services for the child and family - Correct Answer :A. Instructions about
how much fluid the child should drink daily
To auscultate for a carotid bruit, the nurse places the stethoscope at what location. (Select
the location on the image with a red dot).
- Correct Answer :I placed the red dot on the base of the neck on the right side
After receiving report on an inpatient acute care unit, which client should the nurse assess
first?
A. The client with an obstruction of the large intestine who is experiencing abdominal
distention
B. The client who had surgery yesterday and is experiencing a paralytic ileus with absent
bowel sounds
C. The client with a small bowel obstruction who has a nasogastric tube that is draining
greenish fluid
D. The client with a bowel obstruction due to a volvulus who is experiencing abdominal
rigidity –
Correct Answer :D. The client with a bowel obstruction due to a volvulus who is experiencing
abdominal rigidity
A teenager presents to the emergency department with palpitations after vaping at a party.
The client is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating. The nurse anticipates the client developing
which acid base imbalance?
, 3
2026 HESI Exit Exam
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
- Correct Answer :D. Respiratory alkalosis
A client with dyspnea is being admitted to the medical unit. To best prepare for the client's
arrival, the nurse should ensure that the client's bed is in which position?
A. Supine
B. supine; feet elevated higher than head
C. supine; head elevated higher than feet
D. Fowlers –
Correct Answer :Fowlers
The nurse is taking the blood pressure measurement of a client with Parkinson's disease.
Which information in the client's admission assessment is relevant to the nurse's plan for
taking the blood pressure reading? (Select all the apply)
A. Frequent syncope
B. Occasional nocturia
C. Flat affect
D. Blurred vision
E. Frequent drooling
- Correct Answer :A. Frequent syncope
C. Flat affect
D. Blurred vision
, 4
2026 HESI Exit Exam
While caring for a client's postoperative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at the
wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should review
which of the client's laboratory values?
A. Serum albumin
B. Culture for sensitive organisms
C. Serum blood glucose level
D. Creatinine level
- Correct Answer :B. Culture for sensitive organisms
A preschool-aged boy is admitted to the pediatric unit following successful resuscitation from
a near-drowning incident. While providing care to the child, the nurse begins talking with his
preadolescent brother who rescued the child from the swimming pool and initiated
resuscitation. The nurse notices the older boy becomes withdrawn when asked about what
happened. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Develop a water safety teaching plan for the family
B. Ask the older brother how he felt during the incident
C. Tell the older brother that he seems depressed
D. Commend the older brother for his heroic actions
- Correct Answer :B. Ask the older brother how he felt during the incident
A male client with cirrhosis has jaundice and pruritus. He tells the nurse that he has been
soaking in hot baths at night with no relief of his discomfort. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Encourage the client to use cooler water and apply calamine lotion after soaking
B. Obtain a PRN prescription for an analgesic that the client can use for symptom relief
C. Suggest that the client take brief showers and apply oil-based lotion after showering
2026 HESI Exit Exam
2026 HESI Exit Exam 4 Comprehensive
Simulator with 160 Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationales/ RN
HESI Exit Predictor
A client with acute pancreatitis is admitted with severe, piercing abdominal pain and an
elevated serum amylase. Which additional information is the client most likely to report to the
nurse?
A. Abdominal pain decreases when lying supine
B. Pain lasts an hour and leaves the abdomen tender
C. Right upper quadrant pain refers to right scapula
D. Drinks alcohol until intoxicated at least twice weekly. - Correct Answer :A. Abdominal pain
decreases when lying supine
, 2
2026 HESI Exit Exam
A child newly diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is being discharged from the hospital.
Which information is most important for the nurse to provide the parents prior to discharge?
A. Instructions about how much fluid the child should drink daily.
B. Signs of addiction to opioid pain medications
C. Information about non-pharmaceutical pain relief measures
D. Referral for social services for the child and family - Correct Answer :A. Instructions about
how much fluid the child should drink daily
To auscultate for a carotid bruit, the nurse places the stethoscope at what location. (Select
the location on the image with a red dot).
- Correct Answer :I placed the red dot on the base of the neck on the right side
After receiving report on an inpatient acute care unit, which client should the nurse assess
first?
A. The client with an obstruction of the large intestine who is experiencing abdominal
distention
B. The client who had surgery yesterday and is experiencing a paralytic ileus with absent
bowel sounds
C. The client with a small bowel obstruction who has a nasogastric tube that is draining
greenish fluid
D. The client with a bowel obstruction due to a volvulus who is experiencing abdominal
rigidity –
Correct Answer :D. The client with a bowel obstruction due to a volvulus who is experiencing
abdominal rigidity
A teenager presents to the emergency department with palpitations after vaping at a party.
The client is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating. The nurse anticipates the client developing
which acid base imbalance?
, 3
2026 HESI Exit Exam
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
- Correct Answer :D. Respiratory alkalosis
A client with dyspnea is being admitted to the medical unit. To best prepare for the client's
arrival, the nurse should ensure that the client's bed is in which position?
A. Supine
B. supine; feet elevated higher than head
C. supine; head elevated higher than feet
D. Fowlers –
Correct Answer :Fowlers
The nurse is taking the blood pressure measurement of a client with Parkinson's disease.
Which information in the client's admission assessment is relevant to the nurse's plan for
taking the blood pressure reading? (Select all the apply)
A. Frequent syncope
B. Occasional nocturia
C. Flat affect
D. Blurred vision
E. Frequent drooling
- Correct Answer :A. Frequent syncope
C. Flat affect
D. Blurred vision
, 4
2026 HESI Exit Exam
While caring for a client's postoperative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at the
wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should review
which of the client's laboratory values?
A. Serum albumin
B. Culture for sensitive organisms
C. Serum blood glucose level
D. Creatinine level
- Correct Answer :B. Culture for sensitive organisms
A preschool-aged boy is admitted to the pediatric unit following successful resuscitation from
a near-drowning incident. While providing care to the child, the nurse begins talking with his
preadolescent brother who rescued the child from the swimming pool and initiated
resuscitation. The nurse notices the older boy becomes withdrawn when asked about what
happened. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Develop a water safety teaching plan for the family
B. Ask the older brother how he felt during the incident
C. Tell the older brother that he seems depressed
D. Commend the older brother for his heroic actions
- Correct Answer :B. Ask the older brother how he felt during the incident
A male client with cirrhosis has jaundice and pruritus. He tells the nurse that he has been
soaking in hot baths at night with no relief of his discomfort. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Encourage the client to use cooler water and apply calamine lotion after soaking
B. Obtain a PRN prescription for an analgesic that the client can use for symptom relief
C. Suggest that the client take brief showers and apply oil-based lotion after showering
