Exit HESI PN Exam with NGN 2026| 150
Questions and Correct Answers Complete
with Verified Rationales
1. An older client with metastatic breast cancer is experiencing shortness of breath as a result of
bilateral pneumonia. The client has a living will and the family is requesting hospice care. Which
information should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce with the client and family regarding
hospice?
A. Instructions for care should be included in the client’s living will
B. Care can be provided in the home where the client resides
C. Care focuses on comfort, dignity, and emotional support
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Hospice care is palliative, not curative. It can be provided at home, focuses on
comfort/dignity/emotional support, and should align with the client’s living will/advance
directives.
2. An older female client admitted to a long-term care facility yesterday is confused about what
day of the week it is. Her history does not include confusion prior to admission. What action
should the practical nurse (PN) take?
A. Remind the client what day of the week it is
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Restrain the client for safety
D. Ignore the confusion as it is expected in long-term care
Correct Answer: A. Remind the client what day of the week it is
,Explanation: This is likely relocation confusion or adjustment to a new environment in an older
adult. Simple reorientation is the first appropriate action.
3. A primigravida client comes to the prenatal clinic and tells the PN she is having contractions
every 5 minutes. After monitoring for one hour, the PN determines contractions are 7–15 minutes
apart, lasting 20–30 seconds with mild intensity. Which action should the PN take?
A. Send the client home
B. Admit the client for observation
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Prepare for delivery
Correct Answer: A. Send the client home
Explanation: True labor contractions become progressively closer, longer, and stronger. These
are irregular, short, and mild — consistent with false labor (Braxton Hicks). Client can be
discharged with instructions.
4. A gravida 1 para 0 client is transferred to the recovery room following a normal vaginal
delivery. The PN observes the client shaking uncontrollably and stating she is cold. Which action
should the PN take?
A. Apply a light warm blanket and assure her this is normal following delivery
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Check temperature and give antipyretic
D. Increase IV fluid rate
Correct Answer: A. Apply a light warm blanket and assure her this is normal following delivery
Explanation: Postpartum shivering (from hormonal shifts and anesthesia effects) is common and
usually self-limiting. Reassurance + warmth is appropriate.
5. The PN is assessing an older client with left-sided heart failure. What intervention is most
important for the PN to implement?
,A. Auscultate all lung fields
B. Measure daily weight
C. Monitor intake and output
D. Elevate the head of the bed
Correct Answer: A. Auscultate all lung fields
Explanation: Left-sided heart failure commonly causes pulmonary congestion and crackles.
Lung assessment is the priority to detect early fluid overload.
6. While administering medication to an older adult in an extended care facility, the PN notices
the client has difficulty hearing. What is the most important action for the PN to take?
A. Determine if the client has had difficulty hearing in the past
B. Speak very loudly
C. Write all instructions
D. Ignore and proceed with medication administration
Correct Answer: A. Determine if the client has had difficulty hearing in the past
Explanation: Assessing whether this is new or chronic helps determine if further evaluation
(e.g., cerumen, hearing aid issues, or neurological change) is needed.
7. A pregnant woman has hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL. The provider prescribes prenatal vitamins
with iron and advises increasing iron-rich foods. The client states she is a vegetarian and does not
eat beef. Which instructions should the PN give?
A. Add lentils and black beans
B. Increase green leafy vegetables in the diet
C. Oatmeal is a good choice for breakfast
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
, Explanation: Plant-based iron sources (non-heme) include lentils, beans, leafy greens, and
fortified cereals like oatmeal. Vitamin C helps absorption.
8. A full-term 24-hour-old infant in the nursery suddenly turns cyanotic. Which immediate
intervention should the PN take?
A. Turn the infant to the right side
B. Stimulate the infant and provide oxygen
C. Suction the airway
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B. Stimulate the infant and provide oxygen (Note: Turning to right side may be
used in specific cardiac defects but is not the immediate universal action for sudden cyanosis.)
Explanation: Sudden cyanosis in a newborn requires immediate ABC intervention —
stimulation, oxygen, and assessment for underlying cause (e.g., respiratory distress, choanal
atresia, etc.).
9. The PN views the midline episiotomy of a postpartum client who reports pain in her stitches.
What action should the PN take first?
A. Observe the suture line for separation and hematoma formation
B. Apply ice pack
C. Administer pain medication
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: A. Observe the suture line for separation and hematoma formation
Explanation: Assessment always comes before intervention. Check for complications
(hematoma, dehiscence) first.
10. The PN is obtaining fetal heart rates on four antepartum clients in the third trimester. Which
fetal heart rate should be reported to the registered nurse?
Questions and Correct Answers Complete
with Verified Rationales
1. An older client with metastatic breast cancer is experiencing shortness of breath as a result of
bilateral pneumonia. The client has a living will and the family is requesting hospice care. Which
information should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce with the client and family regarding
hospice?
A. Instructions for care should be included in the client’s living will
B. Care can be provided in the home where the client resides
C. Care focuses on comfort, dignity, and emotional support
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Hospice care is palliative, not curative. It can be provided at home, focuses on
comfort/dignity/emotional support, and should align with the client’s living will/advance
directives.
2. An older female client admitted to a long-term care facility yesterday is confused about what
day of the week it is. Her history does not include confusion prior to admission. What action
should the practical nurse (PN) take?
A. Remind the client what day of the week it is
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Restrain the client for safety
D. Ignore the confusion as it is expected in long-term care
Correct Answer: A. Remind the client what day of the week it is
,Explanation: This is likely relocation confusion or adjustment to a new environment in an older
adult. Simple reorientation is the first appropriate action.
3. A primigravida client comes to the prenatal clinic and tells the PN she is having contractions
every 5 minutes. After monitoring for one hour, the PN determines contractions are 7–15 minutes
apart, lasting 20–30 seconds with mild intensity. Which action should the PN take?
A. Send the client home
B. Admit the client for observation
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Prepare for delivery
Correct Answer: A. Send the client home
Explanation: True labor contractions become progressively closer, longer, and stronger. These
are irregular, short, and mild — consistent with false labor (Braxton Hicks). Client can be
discharged with instructions.
4. A gravida 1 para 0 client is transferred to the recovery room following a normal vaginal
delivery. The PN observes the client shaking uncontrollably and stating she is cold. Which action
should the PN take?
A. Apply a light warm blanket and assure her this is normal following delivery
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Check temperature and give antipyretic
D. Increase IV fluid rate
Correct Answer: A. Apply a light warm blanket and assure her this is normal following delivery
Explanation: Postpartum shivering (from hormonal shifts and anesthesia effects) is common and
usually self-limiting. Reassurance + warmth is appropriate.
5. The PN is assessing an older client with left-sided heart failure. What intervention is most
important for the PN to implement?
,A. Auscultate all lung fields
B. Measure daily weight
C. Monitor intake and output
D. Elevate the head of the bed
Correct Answer: A. Auscultate all lung fields
Explanation: Left-sided heart failure commonly causes pulmonary congestion and crackles.
Lung assessment is the priority to detect early fluid overload.
6. While administering medication to an older adult in an extended care facility, the PN notices
the client has difficulty hearing. What is the most important action for the PN to take?
A. Determine if the client has had difficulty hearing in the past
B. Speak very loudly
C. Write all instructions
D. Ignore and proceed with medication administration
Correct Answer: A. Determine if the client has had difficulty hearing in the past
Explanation: Assessing whether this is new or chronic helps determine if further evaluation
(e.g., cerumen, hearing aid issues, or neurological change) is needed.
7. A pregnant woman has hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL. The provider prescribes prenatal vitamins
with iron and advises increasing iron-rich foods. The client states she is a vegetarian and does not
eat beef. Which instructions should the PN give?
A. Add lentils and black beans
B. Increase green leafy vegetables in the diet
C. Oatmeal is a good choice for breakfast
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
, Explanation: Plant-based iron sources (non-heme) include lentils, beans, leafy greens, and
fortified cereals like oatmeal. Vitamin C helps absorption.
8. A full-term 24-hour-old infant in the nursery suddenly turns cyanotic. Which immediate
intervention should the PN take?
A. Turn the infant to the right side
B. Stimulate the infant and provide oxygen
C. Suction the airway
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B. Stimulate the infant and provide oxygen (Note: Turning to right side may be
used in specific cardiac defects but is not the immediate universal action for sudden cyanosis.)
Explanation: Sudden cyanosis in a newborn requires immediate ABC intervention —
stimulation, oxygen, and assessment for underlying cause (e.g., respiratory distress, choanal
atresia, etc.).
9. The PN views the midline episiotomy of a postpartum client who reports pain in her stitches.
What action should the PN take first?
A. Observe the suture line for separation and hematoma formation
B. Apply ice pack
C. Administer pain medication
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: A. Observe the suture line for separation and hematoma formation
Explanation: Assessment always comes before intervention. Check for complications
(hematoma, dehiscence) first.
10. The PN is obtaining fetal heart rates on four antepartum clients in the third trimester. Which
fetal heart rate should be reported to the registered nurse?
