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HESI RN Exit Exam V5 | Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 6 hours post-cardiac catheterization via the
femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Pulse rate of 82 bpm
B. Small amount of serous drainage at the insertion site
C. Expanding hematoma at the insertion site
D. Client reports mild groin discomfort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An expanding hematoma indicates active bleeding or retroperitoneal bleed, a life-
threatening complication. Mild groin discomfort, normal pulse, and small serous drainage are
expected findings.
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 use a soft toothbrush."
C. "I will eat more green leafy vegetables."
D. "I will stop taking warfarin if I see bruising."
Correct Answer: B
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.
,© Academic_Excellence
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. Thirty minutes
after the start, the client reports chills, fever, and headache. 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: Chills, fever, and headache indicate a febrile (non-hemolytic) transfusion reaction.
Stop the transfusion immediately, then disconnect tubing, keep IV line open with saline, and
notify provider.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory
finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. Serum glucose 180 mg/dL
B. pH 7.32, HCO3 18 mEq/L
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 (pseudohypokalemia after treatment).
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new ileostomy. 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."
,© Academic_Excellence
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Empty pouch at 1/3 to 1/2 full to prevent leakage and skin breakdown.
Ileostomy output is liquid; change pouch every 3-7 days; do not restrict fluids (risk of
dehydration).*
6. 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. 200 mL of serosanguineous drainage in the first 8 hours.
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; up to 500 mL initial drainage is expected; gentle bubbling in suction chamber is
normal.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for a fluticasone
inhaler (corticosteroid). Which instruction is correct?
A. "Shake the inhaler before each use."
B. "Rinse your mouth after each use."
C. "Use this inhaler for immediate relief of shortness of breath."
D. "This medication is a rescue bronchodilator."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rinsing mouth after corticosteroid inhaler prevents oral thrush (candidiasis).
Fluticasone is a controller medication, not rescue. Albuterol is rescue.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of measles (rubeola). Which type
of precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
, © Academic_Excellence
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Measles requires airborne precautions: N95 respirator, negative pressure room,
door closed. Droplet = influenza, meningitis; Contact = MDROs.*
9. A nurse is assessing a client who is 3 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.
10. 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).
HESI RN Exit Exam V5 | Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 6 hours post-cardiac catheterization via the
femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Pulse rate of 82 bpm
B. Small amount of serous drainage at the insertion site
C. Expanding hematoma at the insertion site
D. Client reports mild groin discomfort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An expanding hematoma indicates active bleeding or retroperitoneal bleed, a life-
threatening complication. Mild groin discomfort, normal pulse, and small serous drainage are
expected findings.
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 use a soft toothbrush."
C. "I will eat more green leafy vegetables."
D. "I will stop taking warfarin if I see bruising."
Correct Answer: B
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.
,© Academic_Excellence
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. Thirty minutes
after the start, the client reports chills, fever, and headache. 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: Chills, fever, and headache indicate a febrile (non-hemolytic) transfusion reaction.
Stop the transfusion immediately, then disconnect tubing, keep IV line open with saline, and
notify provider.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which laboratory
finding is most consistent with this condition?
A. Serum glucose 180 mg/dL
B. pH 7.32, HCO3 18 mEq/L
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 (pseudohypokalemia after treatment).
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new ileostomy. 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."
,© Academic_Excellence
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Empty pouch at 1/3 to 1/2 full to prevent leakage and skin breakdown.
Ileostomy output is liquid; change pouch every 3-7 days; do not restrict fluids (risk of
dehydration).*
6. 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. 200 mL of serosanguineous drainage in the first 8 hours.
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; up to 500 mL initial drainage is expected; gentle bubbling in suction chamber is
normal.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for a fluticasone
inhaler (corticosteroid). Which instruction is correct?
A. "Shake the inhaler before each use."
B. "Rinse your mouth after each use."
C. "Use this inhaler for immediate relief of shortness of breath."
D. "This medication is a rescue bronchodilator."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rinsing mouth after corticosteroid inhaler prevents oral thrush (candidiasis).
Fluticasone is a controller medication, not rescue. Albuterol is rescue.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of measles (rubeola). Which type
of precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
, © Academic_Excellence
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Measles requires airborne precautions: N95 respirator, negative pressure room,
door closed. Droplet = influenza, meningitis; Contact = MDROs.*
9. A nurse is assessing a client who is 3 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.
10. 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).
