HESI RN EXIT EXAM WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026/2027
In planning care for a 6 month - old infant, what must the nurse provide to assist in the
development of trust?
A) Food
B) Warmth
C) Security
D) Comfort ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) C) Security
A nurse has just received a medication order which is not legible. Which statement
best reflects assertive communication?
A) "I cannot give this medication as it is written. I have no idea of what you mean." B)
"Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it
correctly?"
C) "I am having difficulty reading your handwriting. It would save me time if you
would be more careful."
D) "Please print in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to
read your writing." ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) "Would you please clarify what
you have written so I am sure I am reading it correctly?"
What is the most important consideration when teaching parents how to reduce risks
in the home?
A) Age and knowledge level of the parents
B) Proximity to emergency services
C) Number of children in the home
D) Age of children in the home ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) D) Age of children in the
home
,A 35 year - old client with sickle cell crisis is talking on the telephone but stops as the
nurse enters the room to request something for pain. The nurse should
A) Administer a placebo
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
C) Administer the prescribed analgesia
D) Recommend relaxation exercises for pain control ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) C)
Administer the prescribed analgesia
While caring for a toddler with croup, which initial sign of croup requires the nurse's
immediate attention? A) Respiratory rate of 42
B) Lethargy for the past hour
C) Apical pulse of 54
D) Coughing up copious secretions ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) A) Respiratory rate
of 42
A client is admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. On initial
assessment, the nurse would anticipate which of the following assessment findings?
A) Lethargy
B) Heat intolerance
C) Diarrhea
D) Skin eruptions ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) A) Lethargy
The emergency room nurse admits a child who experienced a seizure at school. The
father comments that this is the first occurrence, and denies any family history of
epilepsy. What is the best response by the nurse?
A) "Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with medications."
B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
C) "Since this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again."
D) "Long term treatment will prevent future seizures." ( CORRECT ANSWER: )
B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
Alcohol and drug abuse impairs judgment and increases risk taking behavior. What
nursing diagnosis best applies?
A) Risk for injury
B) Risk for knowledge deficit
C) Altered thought process
D) Disturbance in self - esteem ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) A) Risk for injury
Which these findings would the nurse more closely associate with anemia in a 10
month - old infant?
A) Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dI
,B) Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
C) Hypoactivity
D) A heart rate between 140 to 160 ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) Pale mucosa of
the eyelids and lips
The nurse is caring for a client in hypertensive crisis in an intensive care unit. The
priority assessment in the first hour of care is
A) Heart rate
B) Pedal pulses
C) Lung sounds
D) Pupil responses ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) D) Pupil responses
Which of these clients who are all in the terminal stage of cancer is least appropriate
to suggest the use of patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with a pump?
A) A young adult with a history of Down's syndrome
B) A teenager who reads at a 4th grade level
C) An elderly client with numerous arthritic nodules on the hands
D) A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness ( CORRECT ANSWER: )
D) A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness
The nurse is about to assess a 6 month - old child with nonorganic failure - to thrive
(NOFTT). Upon entering the room, the nurse would expect the baby to be
A) Irritable and "colicky" with no attempts to pull to standing
B) Alert, laughing and playing with a rattle, sitting with support
C) Skin color dusky with poor skin turgor over abdomen
D) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings ( CORRECT ANSWER: )
D) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings
As the nurse is speaking with a group of teens which of these side effects of
chemotherapy for cancer would the nurse expect this group to be more interested in
during the discussion?
A) Mouth sores
B) Fatigue
C) Diarrhea
D) Hair loss ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) D) Hair loss
While caring for a client who was admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) 2 days ago,
the nurse notes today's temperature is 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38.5 degreesCelsius).
The appropriate nursing intervention is to
A) Call the health care provider immediately
B) Administer acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time
, C) Send blood, urine and sputum for culture
D) Increase the client's fluid intake ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) Administer
acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time
A client is admitted for first and second degree burns on the face, neck, anterior chest
and hands. The nurse's priority should be A) Cover the areas with dry sterile
dressings
B) Assess for dyspnea or stridor
C) Initiate intravenous therapy
D) Administer pain medication ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) Assess for dyspnea or
stridor
Which of these clients who call the community health clinic would the nurse ask to
come in that day to be seen by the health care provider?
A) I started my period and now my urine has turned bright red.
B) I am an diabetic and today I have been going to the bathroom every hour.
C) I was started on medicine yesterday for a urine infection. Now my lower belly hurts
when I go to the bathroom.
D) I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went.
( CORRECT ANSWER: ) D) I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red
and it didn't hurt when I went.
Which of these parents' comment for a newborn would most likely reveal an initial
finding of a suspected pyloric stenosis?
A) I noticed a little lump a little above the belly button.
B) The baby seems hungry all the time.
C) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across the room.
D) Irritation and spitting up immediately after feedings. ( CORRECT ANSWER: )
C) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across the room.
The nurse is assessing a child for clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.
Which factor would the nurse recognize as cause for the findings?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Tissue hypoxia
C) Cerebral edema
D) Reduced oxygen saturation ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) Tissue hypoxia
The nurse would expect the cystic fibrosis client to receive supplemental pancreatic
enzymes along with a diet
A) High in carbohydrates and proteins
B) Low in carbohydrates and proteins
ANSWERS 2026/2027
In planning care for a 6 month - old infant, what must the nurse provide to assist in the
development of trust?
A) Food
B) Warmth
C) Security
D) Comfort ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) C) Security
A nurse has just received a medication order which is not legible. Which statement
best reflects assertive communication?
A) "I cannot give this medication as it is written. I have no idea of what you mean." B)
"Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it
correctly?"
C) "I am having difficulty reading your handwriting. It would save me time if you
would be more careful."
D) "Please print in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to
read your writing." ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) "Would you please clarify what
you have written so I am sure I am reading it correctly?"
What is the most important consideration when teaching parents how to reduce risks
in the home?
A) Age and knowledge level of the parents
B) Proximity to emergency services
C) Number of children in the home
D) Age of children in the home ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) D) Age of children in the
home
,A 35 year - old client with sickle cell crisis is talking on the telephone but stops as the
nurse enters the room to request something for pain. The nurse should
A) Administer a placebo
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
C) Administer the prescribed analgesia
D) Recommend relaxation exercises for pain control ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) C)
Administer the prescribed analgesia
While caring for a toddler with croup, which initial sign of croup requires the nurse's
immediate attention? A) Respiratory rate of 42
B) Lethargy for the past hour
C) Apical pulse of 54
D) Coughing up copious secretions ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) A) Respiratory rate
of 42
A client is admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. On initial
assessment, the nurse would anticipate which of the following assessment findings?
A) Lethargy
B) Heat intolerance
C) Diarrhea
D) Skin eruptions ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) A) Lethargy
The emergency room nurse admits a child who experienced a seizure at school. The
father comments that this is the first occurrence, and denies any family history of
epilepsy. What is the best response by the nurse?
A) "Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with medications."
B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
C) "Since this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again."
D) "Long term treatment will prevent future seizures." ( CORRECT ANSWER: )
B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
Alcohol and drug abuse impairs judgment and increases risk taking behavior. What
nursing diagnosis best applies?
A) Risk for injury
B) Risk for knowledge deficit
C) Altered thought process
D) Disturbance in self - esteem ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) A) Risk for injury
Which these findings would the nurse more closely associate with anemia in a 10
month - old infant?
A) Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dI
,B) Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
C) Hypoactivity
D) A heart rate between 140 to 160 ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) Pale mucosa of
the eyelids and lips
The nurse is caring for a client in hypertensive crisis in an intensive care unit. The
priority assessment in the first hour of care is
A) Heart rate
B) Pedal pulses
C) Lung sounds
D) Pupil responses ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) D) Pupil responses
Which of these clients who are all in the terminal stage of cancer is least appropriate
to suggest the use of patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with a pump?
A) A young adult with a history of Down's syndrome
B) A teenager who reads at a 4th grade level
C) An elderly client with numerous arthritic nodules on the hands
D) A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness ( CORRECT ANSWER: )
D) A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness
The nurse is about to assess a 6 month - old child with nonorganic failure - to thrive
(NOFTT). Upon entering the room, the nurse would expect the baby to be
A) Irritable and "colicky" with no attempts to pull to standing
B) Alert, laughing and playing with a rattle, sitting with support
C) Skin color dusky with poor skin turgor over abdomen
D) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings ( CORRECT ANSWER: )
D) Pale, thin arms and legs, uninterested in surroundings
As the nurse is speaking with a group of teens which of these side effects of
chemotherapy for cancer would the nurse expect this group to be more interested in
during the discussion?
A) Mouth sores
B) Fatigue
C) Diarrhea
D) Hair loss ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) D) Hair loss
While caring for a client who was admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) 2 days ago,
the nurse notes today's temperature is 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit (38.5 degreesCelsius).
The appropriate nursing intervention is to
A) Call the health care provider immediately
B) Administer acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time
, C) Send blood, urine and sputum for culture
D) Increase the client's fluid intake ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) Administer
acetaminophen as ordered as this is normal at this time
A client is admitted for first and second degree burns on the face, neck, anterior chest
and hands. The nurse's priority should be A) Cover the areas with dry sterile
dressings
B) Assess for dyspnea or stridor
C) Initiate intravenous therapy
D) Administer pain medication ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) Assess for dyspnea or
stridor
Which of these clients who call the community health clinic would the nurse ask to
come in that day to be seen by the health care provider?
A) I started my period and now my urine has turned bright red.
B) I am an diabetic and today I have been going to the bathroom every hour.
C) I was started on medicine yesterday for a urine infection. Now my lower belly hurts
when I go to the bathroom.
D) I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went.
( CORRECT ANSWER: ) D) I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red
and it didn't hurt when I went.
Which of these parents' comment for a newborn would most likely reveal an initial
finding of a suspected pyloric stenosis?
A) I noticed a little lump a little above the belly button.
B) The baby seems hungry all the time.
C) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across the room.
D) Irritation and spitting up immediately after feedings. ( CORRECT ANSWER: )
C) Mild vomiting that progressed to vomiting shooting across the room.
The nurse is assessing a child for clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia.
Which factor would the nurse recognize as cause for the findings?
A) Decreased cardiac output
B) Tissue hypoxia
C) Cerebral edema
D) Reduced oxygen saturation ( CORRECT ANSWER: ) B) Tissue hypoxia
The nurse would expect the cystic fibrosis client to receive supplemental pancreatic
enzymes along with a diet
A) High in carbohydrates and proteins
B) Low in carbohydrates and proteins
