HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXAM –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 Nursing*
*Pharmacology*
*Fundamentals of Nursing*
*Pathophysiology*
*Leadership and Management*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The HESI Comprehensive Exam is a summative assessment designed to evaluate a
*SECTION ONE*
, 1. A client with a history of heart failure is admitted with reports of shortness of
breath and orthopnea. Which assessment finding is the most sensitive indicator
of fluid volume status?
A. Presence of peripheral edema
B. Daily weight measurements
C. Client's report of thirst
D. Skin turgor over the sternum
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Daily weight is the most reliable and sensitive indicator of fluid
volume changes in clients with heart failure. A weight gain of 2.2 lbs (1 kg) equals
approximately 1 liter of fluid retention.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which clinical finding
should lead the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
C. Apical pulse of 52 beats per minute
D. Serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L
🟢 Correct answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. It should be
withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute to prevent further
bradycardia and potential toxicity.
3. Which intervention is the priority for a nurse caring for a client immediately
following a cardiac catheterization?
A. Encouraging the client to ambulate
B. Monitoring the puncture site for bleeding
C. Administering oral fluids
D. Assessing the client's pain level
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Post-cardiac catheterization, the primary risk is hemorrhage or
hematoma formation at the arterial puncture site. Monitoring for bleeding and distal
pulses is the highest priority.
4. A client is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food choice indicates that the
client understands the dietary restrictions?
A. Canned tomato soup
B. Processed deli ham
, C. Fresh roasted turkey breast
D. Cheddar cheese
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh meats are naturally low in sodium compared to processed,
canned, or cured items. Tomato soup, ham, and cheese are typically high in sodium
content.
5. A nurse observes a client's heart rate drop from 80 to 40 beats per minute on
the monitor. The client is pale and reporting dizziness. Which medication should
the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Atropine
B. Amiodarone
C. Adenosine
D. Digoxin
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Atropine is an anticholinergic drug used to treat symptomatic
bradycardia by increasing the heart rate.
6. While assessing a client with a chest tube, the nurse notes continuous bubbling
in the water-seal chamber. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF.
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Medical-Surgical Nursing*
*Pediatric Nursing*
*Maternity and Newborn Care*
*Psychiatric Nursing*
*Pharmacology*
*Fundamentals of Nursing*
*Pathophysiology*
*Leadership and Management*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The HESI Comprehensive Exam is a summative assessment designed to evaluate a
*SECTION ONE*
, 1. A client with a history of heart failure is admitted with reports of shortness of
breath and orthopnea. Which assessment finding is the most sensitive indicator
of fluid volume status?
A. Presence of peripheral edema
B. Daily weight measurements
C. Client's report of thirst
D. Skin turgor over the sternum
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Daily weight is the most reliable and sensitive indicator of fluid
volume changes in clients with heart failure. A weight gain of 2.2 lbs (1 kg) equals
approximately 1 liter of fluid retention.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which clinical finding
should lead the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
C. Apical pulse of 52 beats per minute
D. Serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L
🟢 Correct answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. It should be
withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute to prevent further
bradycardia and potential toxicity.
3. Which intervention is the priority for a nurse caring for a client immediately
following a cardiac catheterization?
A. Encouraging the client to ambulate
B. Monitoring the puncture site for bleeding
C. Administering oral fluids
D. Assessing the client's pain level
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Post-cardiac catheterization, the primary risk is hemorrhage or
hematoma formation at the arterial puncture site. Monitoring for bleeding and distal
pulses is the highest priority.
4. A client is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food choice indicates that the
client understands the dietary restrictions?
A. Canned tomato soup
B. Processed deli ham
, C. Fresh roasted turkey breast
D. Cheddar cheese
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh meats are naturally low in sodium compared to processed,
canned, or cured items. Tomato soup, ham, and cheese are typically high in sodium
content.
5. A nurse observes a client's heart rate drop from 80 to 40 beats per minute on
the monitor. The client is pale and reporting dizziness. Which medication should
the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Atropine
B. Amiodarone
C. Adenosine
D. Digoxin
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Atropine is an anticholinergic drug used to treat symptomatic
bradycardia by increasing the heart rate.
6. While assessing a client with a chest tube, the nurse notes continuous bubbling
in the water-seal chamber. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
