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HESI COMPASS COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM 2026/2027
BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS /
EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS/ A+ GRADED
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 -
ANSWERS--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 effect 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|Page
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." -
ANSWERS--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 difficult to
expel, leading to fecal impaction.
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
,3|Page
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 - ANSWERS--B. Ask the answering service to contact
the on-call physician
4.An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with
suspected acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to
the coronary intensive care unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of
premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on the monitor, checks the
client's carotid pulse, and determines 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 - ANSWERS--
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
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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 procedure, the nurse checks the client's record and
notes that the client routinely takes an oral antihypertensive
medication each morning. The nurse should:
A. Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water
B. Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime
C. Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route
D. Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the day
after the ECT - ANSWERS--A. Administer the antihypertensive with a
small sip of water
6 A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery
comes to the physician's office for a follow-up visit. On assessment, the
client tells the nurse that he is feeling depressed. Which response by
the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
B. "That's a normal response after this type of surgery."
C. "It will take time, but, I promise you, you will get over this
depression."
D. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a
month." - ANSWERS--A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
HESI COMPASS COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM 2026/2027
BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS /
EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS/ A+ GRADED
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 -
ANSWERS--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 effect 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|Page
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." -
ANSWERS--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 difficult to
expel, leading to fecal impaction.
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
,3|Page
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 - ANSWERS--B. Ask the answering service to contact
the on-call physician
4.An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with
suspected acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to
the coronary intensive care unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of
premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on the monitor, checks the
client's carotid pulse, and determines 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 - ANSWERS--
B. Asking the ED physician to check the client
, 4|Page
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 procedure, the nurse checks the client's record and
notes that the client routinely takes an oral antihypertensive
medication each morning. The nurse should:
A. Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water
B. Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime
C. Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route
D. Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the day
after the ECT - ANSWERS--A. Administer the antihypertensive with a
small sip of water
6 A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery
comes to the physician's office for a follow-up visit. On assessment, the
client tells the nurse that he is feeling depressed. Which response by
the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
B. "That's a normal response after this type of surgery."
C. "It will take time, but, I promise you, you will get over this
depression."
D. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a
month." - ANSWERS--A. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
