HESI PN Fundamentals Exam
2026/2027 | Newly Released
Actual 75 questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanations
Q1: During morning shift report, the nurse learns about four patients. Which patient should the
nurse assess first based on the ABCs of prioritization?
A. A patient who is crying and stating they feel hopeless about their diagnosis
B. A patient with a blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg who has a history of hypertension
C. A patient who is 1 day post-op from a knee replacement and reports a pain level of 6/10
D. A patient who has developed sudden stridor and difficulty swallowing after eating a
sandwich [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: You always prioritize the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Stridor and
difficulty swallowing indicate a potential airway obstruction, which is an immediate life-
threatening emergency that must be addressed before pain, emotional distress, or elevated blood
pressure.
Q2: A patient complains of severe chest pain. The nurse enters the room and immediately hooks
the patient up to a cardiac monitor. Which step of the nursing process did the nurse perform?
A. Assessment
B. Implementation [CORRECT]
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Hooking up a cardiac monitor is an action taken by the nurse, which falls under the
implementation phase. Assessment is gathering data, planning is developing a strategy, and
evaluation is checking if the plan worked.
Q3: A patient is admitted with active tuberculosis. Which personal protective equipment (PPE)
should the nurse wear when entering the patient's room? Select all that apply.
A. N95 respirator mask [CORRECT]
B. Gown [CORRECT]
C. Gloves [CORRECT]
D. Shoe covers
E. Eye goggles
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, meaning an N95 mask is mandatory.
Because tuberculosis is also spread by contact with respiratory secretions, gown and gloves are
standardly worn when entering the room and providing direct care. Shoe covers and goggles are
not required unless splashing is anticipated.
Q4: What is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult? [PILOT]
A. 50 to 70 beats per minute
B. 60 to 100 beats per minute [CORRECT]
C. 80 to 120 beats per minute
D. 100 to 140 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A normal adult resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Rates below
60 are considered bradycardic, and rates above 100 are considered tachycardic in adults.
Q5: A patient's family member asks the nurse for an update on the patient's lab results. The
patient has not given written permission for the nurses to share information with the family.
What is the nurse's best response?
A. "I can give you the results since you are his wife."
, B. "Due to privacy laws, I cannot share medical information without the patient's consent."
[CORRECT]
C. "Let me go ask the doctor if it is okay to tell you."
D. "I will leave the chart on the desk so you can read it yourself."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HIPAA protects a patient's right to confidentiality. The nurse cannot share any
protected health information with family members unless the patient has explicitly authorized it
in writing.
Q6: A nurse needs to move a heavy patient up in bed. Which action demonstrates correct body
mechanics?
A. Standing close to the bed, bending at the waist, and keeping legs straight
B. Standing far from the bed, bending at the waist, and using back muscles to lift
C. Spreading the feet apart, bending at the knees, and keeping the back straight [CORRECT]
D. Twisting the torso while pulling the patient up using the arm muscles
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Proper body mechanics involve a wide base of support (feet shoulder-width apart),
using the strong muscles of the legs (bending at the knees), and keeping the back straight to
prevent injury. You should never bend at the waist or twist your back when lifting.
Q7: Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which patient need should the nurse address first?
A. A patient who is fearful of being left alone
B. A patient who is expressing a desire to understand their new diagnosis
C. A patient who has a blood sugar of 40 mg/dL and is diaphoretic [CORRECT]
D. A patient who feels worthless because they cannot bathe themselves
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physiological needs are the absolute foundation of Maslow's hierarchy. A blood sugar
of 40 mg/dL is a physiological emergency that takes priority over safety/security (fear of being
alone), love/belonging/esteem (feeling worthless), or self-actualization (understanding the
diagnosis).
2026/2027 | Newly Released
Actual 75 questions with Correct Answers and
Expert Explanations
Q1: During morning shift report, the nurse learns about four patients. Which patient should the
nurse assess first based on the ABCs of prioritization?
A. A patient who is crying and stating they feel hopeless about their diagnosis
B. A patient with a blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg who has a history of hypertension
C. A patient who is 1 day post-op from a knee replacement and reports a pain level of 6/10
D. A patient who has developed sudden stridor and difficulty swallowing after eating a
sandwich [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: You always prioritize the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). Stridor and
difficulty swallowing indicate a potential airway obstruction, which is an immediate life-
threatening emergency that must be addressed before pain, emotional distress, or elevated blood
pressure.
Q2: A patient complains of severe chest pain. The nurse enters the room and immediately hooks
the patient up to a cardiac monitor. Which step of the nursing process did the nurse perform?
A. Assessment
B. Implementation [CORRECT]
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Hooking up a cardiac monitor is an action taken by the nurse, which falls under the
implementation phase. Assessment is gathering data, planning is developing a strategy, and
evaluation is checking if the plan worked.
Q3: A patient is admitted with active tuberculosis. Which personal protective equipment (PPE)
should the nurse wear when entering the patient's room? Select all that apply.
A. N95 respirator mask [CORRECT]
B. Gown [CORRECT]
C. Gloves [CORRECT]
D. Shoe covers
E. Eye goggles
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, meaning an N95 mask is mandatory.
Because tuberculosis is also spread by contact with respiratory secretions, gown and gloves are
standardly worn when entering the room and providing direct care. Shoe covers and goggles are
not required unless splashing is anticipated.
Q4: What is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult? [PILOT]
A. 50 to 70 beats per minute
B. 60 to 100 beats per minute [CORRECT]
C. 80 to 120 beats per minute
D. 100 to 140 beats per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A normal adult resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Rates below
60 are considered bradycardic, and rates above 100 are considered tachycardic in adults.
Q5: A patient's family member asks the nurse for an update on the patient's lab results. The
patient has not given written permission for the nurses to share information with the family.
What is the nurse's best response?
A. "I can give you the results since you are his wife."
, B. "Due to privacy laws, I cannot share medical information without the patient's consent."
[CORRECT]
C. "Let me go ask the doctor if it is okay to tell you."
D. "I will leave the chart on the desk so you can read it yourself."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HIPAA protects a patient's right to confidentiality. The nurse cannot share any
protected health information with family members unless the patient has explicitly authorized it
in writing.
Q6: A nurse needs to move a heavy patient up in bed. Which action demonstrates correct body
mechanics?
A. Standing close to the bed, bending at the waist, and keeping legs straight
B. Standing far from the bed, bending at the waist, and using back muscles to lift
C. Spreading the feet apart, bending at the knees, and keeping the back straight [CORRECT]
D. Twisting the torso while pulling the patient up using the arm muscles
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Proper body mechanics involve a wide base of support (feet shoulder-width apart),
using the strong muscles of the legs (bending at the knees), and keeping the back straight to
prevent injury. You should never bend at the waist or twist your back when lifting.
Q7: Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which patient need should the nurse address first?
A. A patient who is fearful of being left alone
B. A patient who is expressing a desire to understand their new diagnosis
C. A patient who has a blood sugar of 40 mg/dL and is diaphoretic [CORRECT]
D. A patient who feels worthless because they cannot bathe themselves
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Physiological needs are the absolute foundation of Maslow's hierarchy. A blood sugar
of 40 mg/dL is a physiological emergency that takes priority over safety/security (fear of being
alone), love/belonging/esteem (feeling worthless), or self-actualization (understanding the
diagnosis).
