HESI EXIT NURSING EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Maternity and Newborn Care
Psychiatric and Mental Health
Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapy
Leadership and Management
Pathophysiology
Nutrition and Diet Therapy
Community Health Nursing
INTRODUCTION
The HESI Exit Exam is a comprehensive assessment designed to
evaluate a student's readiness for the NCLEX-RN licensure
examination. This exam measures the essential clinical
competencies, critical thinking abilities, and theoretical knowledge
required for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. The
assessment consists of multiple-choice and scenario-based
,questions that simulate real-world clinical environments.
Candidates are tested on their ability to apply the nursing process,
prioritize patient care, and make sound ethical and legal decisions.
By focusing on application and analysis rather than simple recall,
this exam ensures that graduates possess the decision-making
skills necessary for high-quality patient outcomes in diverse
healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse
notes the client’s oxygen saturation is 89%. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Administer a PRN dose of albuterol
🟢 B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
🔴 RATIONALE: High-Fowler's position maximizes chest
expansion and improves gas exchange, which is the immediate
,non-invasive intervention for a COPD client experiencing low
saturation.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative
following a total hip arthroplasty. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Pain level of 6 on a 10-point scale
B. Redness and warmth in the calf area
C. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
D. Reports of feeling sleepy after medication
🟢 B. Redness and warmth in the calf area
🔴 RATIONALE: Redness and warmth in the calf are classic signs
of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious postoperative
complication that requires immediate assessment and intervention
to prevent pulmonary embolism.
3. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with
heart failure. Which assessment finding would justify
withholding the medication?
A. Serum potassium level of 4.8 mEq/L
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
, C. Apical pulse rate of 52 beats per minute
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
🟢 C. Apical pulse rate of 52 beats per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the
heart rate. It is standard practice to withhold the medication if the
apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in an adult to prevent
bradycardia.
4. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.
Which type of isolation precautions should the nurse
implement?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Standard precautions only
🟢 C. Droplet precautions
🔴 RATIONALE: Bacterial meningitis is transmitted through large-
particle droplets from the respiratory tract. Droplet precautions are
required until the client has received 24 hours of effective antibiotic
therapy.
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Maternity and Newborn Care
Psychiatric and Mental Health
Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapy
Leadership and Management
Pathophysiology
Nutrition and Diet Therapy
Community Health Nursing
INTRODUCTION
The HESI Exit Exam is a comprehensive assessment designed to
evaluate a student's readiness for the NCLEX-RN licensure
examination. This exam measures the essential clinical
competencies, critical thinking abilities, and theoretical knowledge
required for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. The
assessment consists of multiple-choice and scenario-based
,questions that simulate real-world clinical environments.
Candidates are tested on their ability to apply the nursing process,
prioritize patient care, and make sound ethical and legal decisions.
By focusing on application and analysis rather than simple recall,
this exam ensures that graduates possess the decision-making
skills necessary for high-quality patient outcomes in diverse
healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse
notes the client’s oxygen saturation is 89%. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the oxygen flow rate to 4 L/min
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Administer a PRN dose of albuterol
🟢 B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
🔴 RATIONALE: High-Fowler's position maximizes chest
expansion and improves gas exchange, which is the immediate
,non-invasive intervention for a COPD client experiencing low
saturation.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative
following a total hip arthroplasty. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Pain level of 6 on a 10-point scale
B. Redness and warmth in the calf area
C. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
D. Reports of feeling sleepy after medication
🟢 B. Redness and warmth in the calf area
🔴 RATIONALE: Redness and warmth in the calf are classic signs
of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious postoperative
complication that requires immediate assessment and intervention
to prevent pulmonary embolism.
3. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with
heart failure. Which assessment finding would justify
withholding the medication?
A. Serum potassium level of 4.8 mEq/L
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
, C. Apical pulse rate of 52 beats per minute
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
🟢 C. Apical pulse rate of 52 beats per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the
heart rate. It is standard practice to withhold the medication if the
apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in an adult to prevent
bradycardia.
4. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.
Which type of isolation precautions should the nurse
implement?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Standard precautions only
🟢 C. Droplet precautions
🔴 RATIONALE: Bacterial meningitis is transmitted through large-
particle droplets from the respiratory tract. Droplet precautions are
required until the client has received 24 hours of effective antibiotic
therapy.
