Practice Test, HESI RN Exit Exam 2026, HESI RN
2027 EXIT EXAM , HESI RN EXIT Exam Questions
and Verified Answers
A woman with an anxiety disorder calls her obstetrician's office and tells the nurse of increased
anxiety since the normal vaginal delivery of her son three weeks ago. Since she is breastfeeding,
she stopped taking her antianxiety medications, but thinks she may need to start taking them
again because of her increased anxiety. What response is best for the nurse to provide this
woman?
a. Describe the transmission of drugs to the infant through breast milk
b. Encourage her to use stress relieving alternatives, such as deep breathing exercises
c. Inform her that some antianxiety medications are safe to take while breastfeeding
d. Explain that anxiety is a normal response for the mother of a 3-week-old.
Inform her that some antianxiety medications are safe to take while breastfeeding
Rationale: There are several antianxiety medications that are not contraindicated for
breastfeeding mothers. The woman is apparently aware that drugs can be transmitted through
breast milk, so A is not helpful. (B) might be helpful, but the client's history suggest that
nonpharmacological methods of anxiety management do not produce the best outcome. (D)
the mother's history places her at risk for severe anxiety.
An older male client with a history of type 1 diabetes has not felt well the past few days and
arrives at the clinic with abdominal cramping and vomiting. He is lethargic, moderately,
confused, and cannot remember when he took his last dose of insulin or ate last. What action
should the nurse implement first?
a. obtain a serum potassium level
b. administer the client's usual dose of insulin
c. assess pupillary response to light
d. Start an intravenous (IV) infusion of normal saline
Start an intravenous (IV) infusion of normal saline
Rationale: the nurse should first start an intravenous infusion of normal saline to replace the
fluids and electrolytes because the client has been vomiting, and it is unclear when he last ate
1
,or took insulin. The symptoms of confusion, lethargy, vomiting, and abdominal cramping are all
suggestive of hyperglycemia, which also contributes to diuresis and fluid electrolyte imbalance.
A client who received multiple antihypertensive medications experiences syncope due to a drop
in blood pressure to 70/40. What is the rationale for the nurse's decision to hold the client's
scheduled antihypertensive medication?
a. Increased urinary clearance of the multiple medications has produced diuresis and lowered
the blood pressure
b. The antagonistic interaction among the various blood pressure medications has reduced
their effectiveness
c. The additive effect of multiple medications has caused the blood pressure to drop too low.
d. The synergistic effect of the multiple medications has resulted in drug toxicity and resulting
hypotension.
The additive effect of multiple medications has caused the blood pressure to drop too low
Rationale: When medication with a similar action are administered, an additive effect occurs
that is the sum of the effects of each of the medication. In this case, several medications that all
lower the blood pressure, when administer together, resulted in hypotension.
Which client is at the greatest risk for developing delirium?
a. An adult client who cannot sleep due to constant pain.
b. an older client who attempted 1 month ago
c. a young adult who takes antipsychotic medications twice a day
d. a middle-aged woman who uses a tank for supplemental oxygen
An adult client who cannot sleep due to constant pain.
Rationale: Client who are in constant pain ad have difficulty sleeping or resting are at high risk
for delirium. Supplemental oxygen may cause confusion. B is taking medication so is not at high
risk of delirium.
Which intervention should the nurse include in a long-term plan of care for a client with Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
a. Reduce risks factors for infection
2
,b. Administer high flow oxygen during sleep
c. Limit fluid intake to reduce secretions
d. Use diaphragmatic breathing to achieve better exhalation
Reduce risks factors for infection
Rationale: Interventions aimed at reducing the risk factors of infections should be included in
the plan of care COPD client are at particular risk for respiratory infection. Prevention and early
detection of infections are necessary.
Which location should the nurse choose as the best for beginning a screening program for
hypothyroidism?
a. A business and professional women's group.
b. An African-American senior citizens center
c. A daycare center in a Hispanic neighborhood
d. An after-school center for Native-American teens
A business and professional women's group
Rationale: The population at highest risk is A so this is the group that would benefit the most
for a screening program of hypothyroidism and occurs between 35 and 60 years of age and is
most common in females.
A female client has been taking a high dose of prednisone, a corticosteroid, for several months.
After stopping the medication abruptly, the client reports feeling "very tired". Which nursing
intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
a. Measure vital signs
b. Auscultate breath sounds
c. Palpate the abdomen
d. Observe the skin for bruising
Measure vital signs
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of an exogenous corticosteroids can precipitate adrenal
insufficiency and hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, and circulatory collapse can occur. Is most
important for the nurse to assess vital sign to impending shock.
3
, A male client reports the onset of numbness and tingling in his fingers and around his mouth.
Which lab is important for the nurse to review before contacting the health care provider?
a. capillary glucose
b. urine specific gravity
c. Serum calcium
d. white blood cell count
Serum calcium
Rationale: Numbness and tingling of the fingers and around the mouth, along with muscle
cramps are signs of hypocalcemia
What explanation is best for the nurse to provide a client who asks the purpose of using the
log-rolling technique for turning?
a. working together can decrease the risk for back injury
b. The technique is intended to maintain straight spinal alignment.
c. Using two or three people increases client safety.
d. turning instead of pulling reduces the likelihood of skin damage
The technique is intended to maintain straight spinal alignment.
Rationale: The main rationale for use of the long-rolling technique is to maintain the client's
spine straight alignment.
A client receiving chemotherapy has severe neutropenia. Which snack is best for the nurse to
recommend to the client?
a. Plain yogurt with sweetened with raw honey
b. Peanuts in the shell, roasted or un-roasted.
c. Aged farmer's cheese with celery sticks
d. Baked apples topped with dried raisins
Baked apples topped with dried raisins
Rationale: A patient with chemotherapy-induced severe neutropenia is at high risk for infection.
A low bacteria diet is required D is a healthy snack for a client receiving chemotherapy. A, B and
C have a high bacterial count and should be avoided.
Which action should the school nurse take first when conducting a screening for scoliosis?
4