HESI LPN Comprehensive Exit Exam 2026
Updated Questions and Verified Answers |
Multiple Choice Test Bank | Nursing Exit
Review Guide
• This 200-question test bank mirrors the real HESI LPN Comprehensive Exit Exam,
covering all core nursing domains tested in 2026 — use it to simulate timed exam
conditions or topic-by-topic review.
• Each question includes five options (A–E), a clearly marked correct answer with
bold highlighting, and a EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical reasoning and
help you retain the "why" behind every answer.
HESI LPN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM 2026 200 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS AND EXPERT RATIONALE
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action by
the nurse demonstrates a break in sterile technique?
A. Placing the sterile field at waist level
B. Opening sterile packages away from the sterile field
C. Reaching over the sterile field to place supplies
D. Wearing sterile gloves before touching sterile items
E. Keeping sterile items within the nurse's field of vision
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reaching over the sterile field to place supplies
EXPERT RATIONALE: Reaching over a sterile field introduces microorganisms from the
nurse's arm or clothing, contaminating the field. Sterile items must always be placed at
the sides of the sterile field, never reached over.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who is unconscious. Which position is most
appropriate to prevent aspiration?
A. Supine with head flat
B. High Fowler's position
C. Prone position
D. Lateral (recovery) position
E. Trendelenburg position
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Lateral (recovery) position
EXPERT RATIONALE: The lateral position allows secretions and fluids to drain from the
mouth by gravity, reducing the risk of aspiration in an unconscious client. The supine
position with a flat head increases aspiration risk.
3. Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning personal
protective equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
B. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
C. Mask, gloves, gown, goggles
D. Goggles, gown, gloves, mask
E. Gloves, mask, gown, goggles
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
EXPERT RATIONALE: The CDC recommends donning PPE in the order: gown first, then
mask/respirator, then goggles/face shield, then gloves. This sequence protects the nurse
from contamination while dressing.
4. A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the numeric rating scale. The client
rates pain as 8/10. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Document the pain score in the chart
B. Notify the physician immediately
C. Administer the prescribed analgesic
D. Reassess the pain in 30 minutes
E. Reposition the client for comfort
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Administer the prescribed analgesic
EXPERT RATIONALE: A pain score of 8/10 indicates severe pain. The priority intervention
is to relieve the client's pain by administering the prescribed analgesic. Documentation
and reassessment follow after the intervention.
5. When performing hand hygiene with an alcohol-based hand rub, the nurse
should rub hands for at least how many seconds?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
E. 30 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 20 seconds
EXPERT RATIONALE: The CDC recommends rubbing hands with alcohol-based hand rub
for at least 20 seconds until the product dries. This ensures adequate antimicrobial
action.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via nasogastric (NG) tube.
What is the priority action before administering the medication?
A. Flush the tube with 60 mL of water
B. Verify the medication order
, C. Confirm tube placement
D. Crush all medications together
E. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Confirm tube placement
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before administering anything via NG tube, the nurse must verify
correct tube placement to prevent aspiration. Placement is confirmed by checking pH of
aspirate or by X-ray.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a stage II pressure ulcer. Which
description best matches this stage?
A. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness
B. Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer
C. Full thickness tissue loss with visible bone
D. Full thickness loss with slough present
E. Deep tissue injury with purple discoloration
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a
shallow open ulcer
EXPERT RATIONALE: Stage II pressure ulcers involve partial thickness skin loss of the
dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed. Stage I involves
intact skin, while Stages III and IV involve full thickness loss.
8. Which of the following vital sign findings requires immediate reporting to
the charge nurse?
A. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
B. Heart rate 58 beats/min in an athlete
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
Updated Questions and Verified Answers |
Multiple Choice Test Bank | Nursing Exit
Review Guide
• This 200-question test bank mirrors the real HESI LPN Comprehensive Exit Exam,
covering all core nursing domains tested in 2026 — use it to simulate timed exam
conditions or topic-by-topic review.
• Each question includes five options (A–E), a clearly marked correct answer with
bold highlighting, and a EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical reasoning and
help you retain the "why" behind every answer.
HESI LPN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM 2026 200 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS AND EXPERT RATIONALE
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action by
the nurse demonstrates a break in sterile technique?
A. Placing the sterile field at waist level
B. Opening sterile packages away from the sterile field
C. Reaching over the sterile field to place supplies
D. Wearing sterile gloves before touching sterile items
E. Keeping sterile items within the nurse's field of vision
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reaching over the sterile field to place supplies
EXPERT RATIONALE: Reaching over a sterile field introduces microorganisms from the
nurse's arm or clothing, contaminating the field. Sterile items must always be placed at
the sides of the sterile field, never reached over.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who is unconscious. Which position is most
appropriate to prevent aspiration?
A. Supine with head flat
B. High Fowler's position
C. Prone position
D. Lateral (recovery) position
E. Trendelenburg position
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Lateral (recovery) position
EXPERT RATIONALE: The lateral position allows secretions and fluids to drain from the
mouth by gravity, reducing the risk of aspiration in an unconscious client. The supine
position with a flat head increases aspiration risk.
3. Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning personal
protective equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
B. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
C. Mask, gloves, gown, goggles
D. Goggles, gown, gloves, mask
E. Gloves, mask, gown, goggles
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
EXPERT RATIONALE: The CDC recommends donning PPE in the order: gown first, then
mask/respirator, then goggles/face shield, then gloves. This sequence protects the nurse
from contamination while dressing.
4. A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the numeric rating scale. The client
rates pain as 8/10. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Document the pain score in the chart
B. Notify the physician immediately
C. Administer the prescribed analgesic
D. Reassess the pain in 30 minutes
E. Reposition the client for comfort
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Administer the prescribed analgesic
EXPERT RATIONALE: A pain score of 8/10 indicates severe pain. The priority intervention
is to relieve the client's pain by administering the prescribed analgesic. Documentation
and reassessment follow after the intervention.
5. When performing hand hygiene with an alcohol-based hand rub, the nurse
should rub hands for at least how many seconds?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 15 seconds
D. 20 seconds
E. 30 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 20 seconds
EXPERT RATIONALE: The CDC recommends rubbing hands with alcohol-based hand rub
for at least 20 seconds until the product dries. This ensures adequate antimicrobial
action.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via nasogastric (NG) tube.
What is the priority action before administering the medication?
A. Flush the tube with 60 mL of water
B. Verify the medication order
, C. Confirm tube placement
D. Crush all medications together
E. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Confirm tube placement
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before administering anything via NG tube, the nurse must verify
correct tube placement to prevent aspiration. Placement is confirmed by checking pH of
aspirate or by X-ray.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a stage II pressure ulcer. Which
description best matches this stage?
A. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness
B. Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer
C. Full thickness tissue loss with visible bone
D. Full thickness loss with slough present
E. Deep tissue injury with purple discoloration
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a
shallow open ulcer
EXPERT RATIONALE: Stage II pressure ulcers involve partial thickness skin loss of the
dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red-pink wound bed. Stage I involves
intact skin, while Stages III and IV involve full thickness loss.
8. Which of the following vital sign findings requires immediate reporting to
the charge nurse?
A. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
B. Heart rate 58 beats/min in an athlete
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min
