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HESI RN Exit Exam V2 | Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will rotate my insulin injection sites."
B. "I will not reuse my insulin syringes."
C. "I can exercise when my blood glucose is over 250 and I have ketones."
D. "I will carry a source of fast-acting sugar at all times."
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Exercise with glucose >250 mg/dL and ketones is dangerous because exercise
can increase ketones and worsen hyperglycemia. Avoid exercise until glucose is controlled
and ketones are negative.*
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will take ibuprofen for my headaches."
B. "I will eat more green leafy vegetables."
C. "I will use a soft toothbrush."
D. "I will stop taking warfarin if I see bruising."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soft toothbrush reduces bleeding risk. NSAIDs (ibuprofen) increase bleeding;
consistent vitamin K intake is recommended but not increased; never stop warfarin without
provider instruction.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours post-cardiac catheterization via the
femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Pulse rate of 80 bpm
B. Hematoma at the insertion site
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C. Capillary refill <2 seconds in the affected leg
D. Client reports mild groin discomfort
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expanding hematoma indicates bleeding or retroperitoneal bleed, a life-
threatening complication. Groin discomfort, normal pulse, and good cap refill are expected
findings.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen minutes
after the start, the client reports low back pain and chills. What is the priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate.
B. Administer acetaminophen.
C. Stop the transfusion.
D. Notify the provider.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Low back pain and chills indicate a hemolytic transfusion reaction. Stop the
transfusion immediately, then disconnect tubing, keep IV line open with saline, and notify
the provider.
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new colostomy. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will expect my stool to be formed like before surgery."
B. "I will change my pouch every day."
C. "I will empty my pouch when it is one-third to one-half full."
D. "I will restrict fluids to reduce output."
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Empty pouch at 1/3 to 1/2 full to prevent leakage and skin breakdown.
Colostomy output is typically semi-formed; change pouch every 3-7 days; do not restrict
fluids.*
6. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory
finding is most consistent?
A. Serum glucose 180 mg/dL
B. pH 7.32, HCO3 18 mEq/L
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C. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
D. Negative serum ketones
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DKA presents with hyperglycemia (>250), metabolic acidosis (pH <7.35, HCO3
<18), positive ketones, and often hyperkalemia initially.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube following a thoracotomy. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Tidaling in the water seal chamber with respirations.
B. 100 mL of bloody drainage in the first hour.
C. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
D. Suction control chamber has gentle bubbling.
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak. Tidaling is
normal; >100 mL/hr drainage is high but less urgent; gentle bubbling in suction chamber is
normal.*
8. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for albuterol
metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which instruction is correct?
A. "Shake the inhaler before each use."
B. "Inhale quickly and deeply."
C. "Hold your breath for 1 second after inhaling."
D. "Use this inhaler daily to prevent asthma attacks."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Shake MDI well. Inhale slowly and deeply; hold breath 10 seconds. Albuterol is a
rescue bronchodilator, not daily preventive.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Which type
of precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
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Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions: N95 respirator, negative pressure room, door
closed. Contact = MDROs; Droplet = influenza, meningitis.*
10. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following abdominal
surgery. The client reports sudden sharp chest pain and dyspnea. What is the
priority action?
A. Administer oxygen.
B. Call a rapid response team.
C. Check vital signs.
D. Elevate the head of bed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea post-op suggest pulmonary embolism. Call
rapid response first; then administer oxygen, elevate HOB, and check vitals.
11. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
enoxaparin (Lovenox). Which instruction is correct?
A. "Administer the medication intramuscularly in the deltoid."
B. "Massage the injection site after administration."
C. "Administer subcutaneously in the abdomen without aspirating."
D. "Expel the air bubble before injecting."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Enoxaparin is given subcutaneously in the abdomen. Do not aspirate, do not
massage, and do not expel the air bubble (it ensures full dose).
12. A nurse is assessing a client with preeclampsia who is receiving magnesium
sulfate. Which finding indicates magnesium toxicity?
A. Urine output <30 mL/hr
B. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
C. Respiratory rate 14/min
D. Blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg
HESI RN Exit Exam V2 | Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will rotate my insulin injection sites."
B. "I will not reuse my insulin syringes."
C. "I can exercise when my blood glucose is over 250 and I have ketones."
D. "I will carry a source of fast-acting sugar at all times."
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Exercise with glucose >250 mg/dL and ketones is dangerous because exercise
can increase ketones and worsen hyperglycemia. Avoid exercise until glucose is controlled
and ketones are negative.*
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will take ibuprofen for my headaches."
B. "I will eat more green leafy vegetables."
C. "I will use a soft toothbrush."
D. "I will stop taking warfarin if I see bruising."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Soft toothbrush reduces bleeding risk. NSAIDs (ibuprofen) increase bleeding;
consistent vitamin K intake is recommended but not increased; never stop warfarin without
provider instruction.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours post-cardiac catheterization via the
femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Pulse rate of 80 bpm
B. Hematoma at the insertion site
,© Academic_Excellence
C. Capillary refill <2 seconds in the affected leg
D. Client reports mild groin discomfort
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expanding hematoma indicates bleeding or retroperitoneal bleed, a life-
threatening complication. Groin discomfort, normal pulse, and good cap refill are expected
findings.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen minutes
after the start, the client reports low back pain and chills. What is the priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate.
B. Administer acetaminophen.
C. Stop the transfusion.
D. Notify the provider.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Low back pain and chills indicate a hemolytic transfusion reaction. Stop the
transfusion immediately, then disconnect tubing, keep IV line open with saline, and notify
the provider.
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new colostomy. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will expect my stool to be formed like before surgery."
B. "I will change my pouch every day."
C. "I will empty my pouch when it is one-third to one-half full."
D. "I will restrict fluids to reduce output."
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Empty pouch at 1/3 to 1/2 full to prevent leakage and skin breakdown.
Colostomy output is typically semi-formed; change pouch every 3-7 days; do not restrict
fluids.*
6. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory
finding is most consistent?
A. Serum glucose 180 mg/dL
B. pH 7.32, HCO3 18 mEq/L
,© Academic_Excellence
C. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
D. Negative serum ketones
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DKA presents with hyperglycemia (>250), metabolic acidosis (pH <7.35, HCO3
<18), positive ketones, and often hyperkalemia initially.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube following a thoracotomy. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Tidaling in the water seal chamber with respirations.
B. 100 mL of bloody drainage in the first hour.
C. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
D. Suction control chamber has gentle bubbling.
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak. Tidaling is
normal; >100 mL/hr drainage is high but less urgent; gentle bubbling in suction chamber is
normal.*
8. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for albuterol
metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which instruction is correct?
A. "Shake the inhaler before each use."
B. "Inhale quickly and deeply."
C. "Hold your breath for 1 second after inhaling."
D. "Use this inhaler daily to prevent asthma attacks."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Shake MDI well. Inhale slowly and deeply; hold breath 10 seconds. Albuterol is a
rescue bronchodilator, not daily preventive.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Which type
of precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
, © Academic_Excellence
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions: N95 respirator, negative pressure room, door
closed. Contact = MDROs; Droplet = influenza, meningitis.*
10. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following abdominal
surgery. The client reports sudden sharp chest pain and dyspnea. What is the
priority action?
A. Administer oxygen.
B. Call a rapid response team.
C. Check vital signs.
D. Elevate the head of bed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea post-op suggest pulmonary embolism. Call
rapid response first; then administer oxygen, elevate HOB, and check vitals.
11. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
enoxaparin (Lovenox). Which instruction is correct?
A. "Administer the medication intramuscularly in the deltoid."
B. "Massage the injection site after administration."
C. "Administer subcutaneously in the abdomen without aspirating."
D. "Expel the air bubble before injecting."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Enoxaparin is given subcutaneously in the abdomen. Do not aspirate, do not
massage, and do not expel the air bubble (it ensures full dose).
12. A nurse is assessing a client with preeclampsia who is receiving magnesium
sulfate. Which finding indicates magnesium toxicity?
A. Urine output <30 mL/hr
B. Deep tendon reflexes 2+
C. Respiratory rate 14/min
D. Blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg
