HESI FUNDAMENTALS NURSING EXAM – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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CORE DOMAINS
• Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
• Safety and Infection Control
• Basic Care and Comfort
• Pharmacology and Intravenous Therapies
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Adaptation
• Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the
foundational knowledge and clinical judgment required for entry-
level nursing practice. This exam focuses on the core principles of
patient care, safety, and the application of the nursing process.
Skills assessed include health assessment, dosage calculations,
and the implementation of evidence-based interventions across
,diverse clinical settings. The exam utilizes a mix of multiple-choice
and complex scenario-based questions to mirror real-world nursing
challenges. By emphasizing critical thinking and decision-making,
this assessment ensures candidates can provide high-quality, safe
patient care while adhering to professional and legal standards of
practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is immobile. Which
intervention is most effective in preventing the development
of pressure ulcers?
A. Massaging bony prominences every 4 hours
B. Repositioning the client at least every 2 hours
C. Using a donut-shaped cushion when the client is sitting
D. Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 45 degrees
🟢 B. Repositioning the client at least every 2 hours
🔴 RATIONALE: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure on bony
prominences, maintaining skin integrity and preventing ischemia.
Massaging reddened areas and using donut cushions can actually
increase tissue damage.
, 2. Which action should the nurse take first when discovering a
fire in a client's room?
A. Pull the fire alarm to notify the department
B. Extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher
C. Close all doors to contain the smoke and fire
D. Remove the client from the room to a safe area
🟢 D. Remove the client from the room to a safe area
🔴 RATIONALE: According to the RACE acronym (Rescue, Alarm,
Confine, Extinguish), the priority is always the immediate safety of
the client.
3. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. How long should the
nurse scrub their hands with soap and water?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 60 seconds
🟢 C. 20 seconds
🔴 RATIONALE: The CDC recommends scrubbing hands for at
least 20 seconds to effectively remove transient microorganisms.
, 4. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to an infant. Which site is most appropriate?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Ventrogluteal
🟢 C. Vastus lateralis
🔴 RATIONALE: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for
infants because it is the most developed muscle mass at birth.
5. A client who is post-operative is instructed to use an incentive
spirometer. What is the primary purpose of this device?
A. To measure oxygen saturation levels
B. To promote deep breathing and prevent atelectasis
C. To reduce the need for supplemental oxygen
D. To strengthen the abdominal muscles
🟢 B. To promote deep breathing and prevent atelectasis
🔴 RATIONALE: Incentive spirometry encourages voluntary deep
breathing by providing visual feedback, which helps expand alveoli
and prevent lung collapse.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
• Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
• Safety and Infection Control
• Basic Care and Comfort
• Pharmacology and Intravenous Therapies
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Adaptation
• Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the
foundational knowledge and clinical judgment required for entry-
level nursing practice. This exam focuses on the core principles of
patient care, safety, and the application of the nursing process.
Skills assessed include health assessment, dosage calculations,
and the implementation of evidence-based interventions across
,diverse clinical settings. The exam utilizes a mix of multiple-choice
and complex scenario-based questions to mirror real-world nursing
challenges. By emphasizing critical thinking and decision-making,
this assessment ensures candidates can provide high-quality, safe
patient care while adhering to professional and legal standards of
practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is immobile. Which
intervention is most effective in preventing the development
of pressure ulcers?
A. Massaging bony prominences every 4 hours
B. Repositioning the client at least every 2 hours
C. Using a donut-shaped cushion when the client is sitting
D. Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 45 degrees
🟢 B. Repositioning the client at least every 2 hours
🔴 RATIONALE: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure on bony
prominences, maintaining skin integrity and preventing ischemia.
Massaging reddened areas and using donut cushions can actually
increase tissue damage.
, 2. Which action should the nurse take first when discovering a
fire in a client's room?
A. Pull the fire alarm to notify the department
B. Extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher
C. Close all doors to contain the smoke and fire
D. Remove the client from the room to a safe area
🟢 D. Remove the client from the room to a safe area
🔴 RATIONALE: According to the RACE acronym (Rescue, Alarm,
Confine, Extinguish), the priority is always the immediate safety of
the client.
3. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. How long should the
nurse scrub their hands with soap and water?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 60 seconds
🟢 C. 20 seconds
🔴 RATIONALE: The CDC recommends scrubbing hands for at
least 20 seconds to effectively remove transient microorganisms.
, 4. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to an infant. Which site is most appropriate?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Ventrogluteal
🟢 C. Vastus lateralis
🔴 RATIONALE: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for
infants because it is the most developed muscle mass at birth.
5. A client who is post-operative is instructed to use an incentive
spirometer. What is the primary purpose of this device?
A. To measure oxygen saturation levels
B. To promote deep breathing and prevent atelectasis
C. To reduce the need for supplemental oxygen
D. To strengthen the abdominal muscles
🟢 B. To promote deep breathing and prevent atelectasis
🔴 RATIONALE: Incentive spirometry encourages voluntary deep
breathing by providing visual feedback, which helps expand alveoli
and prevent lung collapse.
