HESI FUNDAMENTALS PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 1000 ml of Ringer's Lactate w/ 30
units of Pitocin to run in over 4 hours for a client who has just delivered a 10 pound
infant by cesarean section. The tubing has been changed to a 20 gtt/ml administration
set. The nurse plans to set the flow rate at how many gtt/min? - ANSWER-83 gtt/min
Which assessment data provides the most accurate determination of proper placement
of a nasogastric tube? - ANSWER-Examining a chest x-ray obtained after the tubing
was inserted
Three days following a surgery, a male client observes his colostomy for the first time.
He becomes quite upset and tells the nurse that it is much bigger than he expected.
What is the best response by the nurse?
A. Reassure the client that he will become accustomed to the stoma appearance in
time.
B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become much smaller when the initial swelling
diminishes.
C. Offer to contact a member of the local ostomy support group to help him with his
concerns.
D. Encourage the client to handle the stoma equipment to gain confidence with the
procedure. - ANSWER-B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become smaller when
the initial swelling diminishes (Postoperative swelling causes enlargement of the stoma.
The nurse can teach the client that the stoma will become smaller when swelling is
diminished (B). This will help reduce the client's anxiety and promote acceptance of the
colostomy. (A) does not provide helpful teaching or support. (C) is a useful action, and
may be taken after the nurse provides pertinent teaching. The client is not yet
demonstrating readiness to learn colostomy care. (D)
A female client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states that she is
nauseated. The nurse assesses that there has been no drainage through the
nasogastric tube in the last two hours. What action should the nurse take first?
A. Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B. Reposition the client on her side.
C. Advance the nasogastric tube an additional five centimeters.
D. Administer an intravenous antiemetic prescribed for PRN use. - ANSWER-B.
Reposition the client on her side. (The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is
functioning correctly, which would then relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive
intervention (B) should be attempted first, followed by (A and C), unless either of these
interventions is contraindicated. If these measures are unsuccessful, the client may
require an antiemetic (D))
,The nurse observes that a male client has removed the covering from an ice park
applied to his knee. What action should the nurse take first?
A. Observe the appearance of the skin under the ice pack.
B. Instruct the client regarding the need for the covering.
C. Reapply the covering after filling with fresh ice.
D. Ask the client how long the ice was applied to the skin. - ANSWER-Observe the
appearance of the skin under the ice pack (The first action taken by the nurse should be
to assess the skin for any possible thermal injury. If no injury to the skin has occurred,
the nurse can take the other actions.)
The nurse mixes 50 mg of Nipride in 250 mL of D5W and plans to administer the
solution at a rate of 5 mcg/kg/min to a client weighting 182 lbs. Using a drip factor of 60
gtt/mL, how many drops per minute should the client receive? - ANSWER-124 gtt/min
A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings via a small-bore tube
and a continuous pump infusion. He reports that he had a bad bout of severe coughing
a few minutes ago, but feels fine now. What action is best for the nurse to take?
A. Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this time.
B. Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and notify the HCP.
C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the
tube.
D. Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium for gurgling. -
ANSWER-C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn
from the tube.
A male client tells the nurse that he does not know where he is or what year it is. What
data should the nurse document that is most accurate?
A. demonstrates loss of remote memory
B. exhibits expressive dysphasia
C. has a diminished attention span
D. is disoriented to place and time - ANSWER-D. is disoriented to place and time (The
client is exhibiting disorientation (D). (A) refers to memory of the distant past. The client
is able to express himself without difficulty (B), and does not demonstrate diminished
attention span. (C).
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) selects a scrambled egg for his breakfast.
What action should the nurse take?
A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein.
B. Remind the client that protein in the diet should be avoided.
C. Suggest that the client also select orange juice, to promote absorption.
D. Encourage the client to attend classes on dietary management of CKD. - ANSWER-
A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein. (Foods such as eggs
and milk (A) are high biologic proteins which are allowed because they are complete
proteins and supply the essential amino acids that are necessary for growth and cell
, repair. Orange juice is rich in potassium and should not be encouraged. The client has
made a good diet choice so (D) is not necessary.)
When assisting an 82 year old client to ambulate, it is important for the nurse to realize
that the center of gravity for an elderly person is the-- - ANSWER-Upper torso (The
center of gravity for adults is the hips. However, as the person grows older, a stooped
posture is common because of the changes from osteoporosis and normal bone
degeneration, and the knees, hips, and elbows flex. This stooped posture results in the
upper torso becoming the center of gravity for older persons.)
In developing a plan of care for a client with dementia, the nurse should remember that
confusion in the elderly
A. is to be expected, and progresses with age
B. often follows relocation to new surroundings
C. is a result of irreversible brain pathology
D. can be prevented with adequate sleep - ANSWER-B. often follows relocation to new
surroundings (Relocation (B) often results in confusion among elderly clients-- moving is
stressful for anyone. (A) is stereotypical judgement. Stress in the elderly often manifests
itself as confusion, so (C) is wrong. Adequate sleep is not a prevention (D) for
confusion.)
A postoperative client will need to perform daily dressing changes after discharge.
Which outcome statement best demonstrates the client's readiness to manage his
wound care after discharge? The client
A. asks relevant questions regarding the dressing change
B. states he will be able to complete the wound care regimen
C. demonstrates the wound care procedure correctly
D. has all the necessary supplies for wound care - ANSWER-C. demonstrates the
wound care procedure correctly
(A return demonstration of a procedure (C) provides an objective assessment of the
client's ability to perform a task, while (A and B) are subjective measures. (D) is
important, but is less of a priority than the the nurse's assessment of the client's ability
to complete wound care.)
A client who is 5 '5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for surgery the next day.
What question is most important for the nurse to include during the preoperative
assessment?
A. What is your daily calorie consumption?
B. What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?"
C. "Do you feel that you are overweight?"
D. "Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery?" - ANSWER-B. "What vitamin and
mineral supplements do you take?"
(Vitamin and mineral supplements (B) may impact medications used during the
operative period. (A and C) are appropriate questions for long-term dietary counseling.
The nature of the surgery and anesthesia will determine the need for a clear liquid diet
(D), rather than the client's preference.)
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 1000 ml of Ringer's Lactate w/ 30
units of Pitocin to run in over 4 hours for a client who has just delivered a 10 pound
infant by cesarean section. The tubing has been changed to a 20 gtt/ml administration
set. The nurse plans to set the flow rate at how many gtt/min? - ANSWER-83 gtt/min
Which assessment data provides the most accurate determination of proper placement
of a nasogastric tube? - ANSWER-Examining a chest x-ray obtained after the tubing
was inserted
Three days following a surgery, a male client observes his colostomy for the first time.
He becomes quite upset and tells the nurse that it is much bigger than he expected.
What is the best response by the nurse?
A. Reassure the client that he will become accustomed to the stoma appearance in
time.
B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become much smaller when the initial swelling
diminishes.
C. Offer to contact a member of the local ostomy support group to help him with his
concerns.
D. Encourage the client to handle the stoma equipment to gain confidence with the
procedure. - ANSWER-B. Instruct the client that the stoma will become smaller when
the initial swelling diminishes (Postoperative swelling causes enlargement of the stoma.
The nurse can teach the client that the stoma will become smaller when swelling is
diminished (B). This will help reduce the client's anxiety and promote acceptance of the
colostomy. (A) does not provide helpful teaching or support. (C) is a useful action, and
may be taken after the nurse provides pertinent teaching. The client is not yet
demonstrating readiness to learn colostomy care. (D)
A female client with a nasogastric tube attached to low suction states that she is
nauseated. The nurse assesses that there has been no drainage through the
nasogastric tube in the last two hours. What action should the nurse take first?
A. Irrigate the nasogastric tube with sterile normal saline.
B. Reposition the client on her side.
C. Advance the nasogastric tube an additional five centimeters.
D. Administer an intravenous antiemetic prescribed for PRN use. - ANSWER-B.
Reposition the client on her side. (The immediate priority is to determine if the tube is
functioning correctly, which would then relieve the client's nausea. The least invasive
intervention (B) should be attempted first, followed by (A and C), unless either of these
interventions is contraindicated. If these measures are unsuccessful, the client may
require an antiemetic (D))
,The nurse observes that a male client has removed the covering from an ice park
applied to his knee. What action should the nurse take first?
A. Observe the appearance of the skin under the ice pack.
B. Instruct the client regarding the need for the covering.
C. Reapply the covering after filling with fresh ice.
D. Ask the client how long the ice was applied to the skin. - ANSWER-Observe the
appearance of the skin under the ice pack (The first action taken by the nurse should be
to assess the skin for any possible thermal injury. If no injury to the skin has occurred,
the nurse can take the other actions.)
The nurse mixes 50 mg of Nipride in 250 mL of D5W and plans to administer the
solution at a rate of 5 mcg/kg/min to a client weighting 182 lbs. Using a drip factor of 60
gtt/mL, how many drops per minute should the client receive? - ANSWER-124 gtt/min
A hospitalized male client is receiving nasogastric tube feedings via a small-bore tube
and a continuous pump infusion. He reports that he had a bad bout of severe coughing
a few minutes ago, but feels fine now. What action is best for the nurse to take?
A. Record the coughing incident. No further action is required at this time.
B. Stop the feeding, explain to the family why it is being stopped, and notify the HCP.
C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn from the
tube.
D. Inject 30 ml of air into the tube while auscultating the epigastrium for gurgling. -
ANSWER-C. After clearing the tube with 30 ml of air, check the pH of fluid withdrawn
from the tube.
A male client tells the nurse that he does not know where he is or what year it is. What
data should the nurse document that is most accurate?
A. demonstrates loss of remote memory
B. exhibits expressive dysphasia
C. has a diminished attention span
D. is disoriented to place and time - ANSWER-D. is disoriented to place and time (The
client is exhibiting disorientation (D). (A) refers to memory of the distant past. The client
is able to express himself without difficulty (B), and does not demonstrate diminished
attention span. (C).
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) selects a scrambled egg for his breakfast.
What action should the nurse take?
A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein.
B. Remind the client that protein in the diet should be avoided.
C. Suggest that the client also select orange juice, to promote absorption.
D. Encourage the client to attend classes on dietary management of CKD. - ANSWER-
A. Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein. (Foods such as eggs
and milk (A) are high biologic proteins which are allowed because they are complete
proteins and supply the essential amino acids that are necessary for growth and cell
, repair. Orange juice is rich in potassium and should not be encouraged. The client has
made a good diet choice so (D) is not necessary.)
When assisting an 82 year old client to ambulate, it is important for the nurse to realize
that the center of gravity for an elderly person is the-- - ANSWER-Upper torso (The
center of gravity for adults is the hips. However, as the person grows older, a stooped
posture is common because of the changes from osteoporosis and normal bone
degeneration, and the knees, hips, and elbows flex. This stooped posture results in the
upper torso becoming the center of gravity for older persons.)
In developing a plan of care for a client with dementia, the nurse should remember that
confusion in the elderly
A. is to be expected, and progresses with age
B. often follows relocation to new surroundings
C. is a result of irreversible brain pathology
D. can be prevented with adequate sleep - ANSWER-B. often follows relocation to new
surroundings (Relocation (B) often results in confusion among elderly clients-- moving is
stressful for anyone. (A) is stereotypical judgement. Stress in the elderly often manifests
itself as confusion, so (C) is wrong. Adequate sleep is not a prevention (D) for
confusion.)
A postoperative client will need to perform daily dressing changes after discharge.
Which outcome statement best demonstrates the client's readiness to manage his
wound care after discharge? The client
A. asks relevant questions regarding the dressing change
B. states he will be able to complete the wound care regimen
C. demonstrates the wound care procedure correctly
D. has all the necessary supplies for wound care - ANSWER-C. demonstrates the
wound care procedure correctly
(A return demonstration of a procedure (C) provides an objective assessment of the
client's ability to perform a task, while (A and B) are subjective measures. (D) is
important, but is less of a priority than the the nurse's assessment of the client's ability
to complete wound care.)
A client who is 5 '5" tall and weighs 200 pounds is scheduled for surgery the next day.
What question is most important for the nurse to include during the preoperative
assessment?
A. What is your daily calorie consumption?
B. What vitamin and mineral supplements do you take?"
C. "Do you feel that you are overweight?"
D. "Will a clear liquid diet be okay after surgery?" - ANSWER-B. "What vitamin and
mineral supplements do you take?"
(Vitamin and mineral supplements (B) may impact medications used during the
operative period. (A and C) are appropriate questions for long-term dietary counseling.
The nature of the surgery and anesthesia will determine the need for a clear liquid diet
(D), rather than the client's preference.)
