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HESI RN Exit Exam V6 | Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 hour post-cardiac catheterization via the
femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Pulse rate of 78 bpm
B. Expanding hematoma at the insertion site
C. Capillary refill <2 seconds in the affected leg
D. Client reports mild groin discomfort
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An expanding hematoma indicates active bleeding or retroperitoneal bleed, a life-
threatening complication. Mild groin discomfort, normal pulse, and good cap refill 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 a need for further teaching?
A. "I will use a soft toothbrush."
B. "I will avoid eating large amounts of spinach and kale."
C. "I will take ibuprofen for my headaches."
D. "I will get my INR checked as scheduled."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin) increase bleeding risk with warfarin.
Acetaminophen is safer for pain. Consistent vitamin K intake is advised, not complete
avoidance.
3. 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.
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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.
4. 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
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 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.*
,© Academic_Excellence
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. 150 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 than an air leak; gentle bubbling in
suction chamber is normal.*
7. 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 for 10 seconds. Albuterol is a
rescue bronchodilator, not daily preventive.
8. 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.*
9. 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. Rapid response
mobilizes immediate resources.
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 (alternate sides). Do not
aspirate, do not massage, and do not expel the air bubble (it ensures full dose).
11. A nurse is assessing a client with preeclampsia who is receiving magnesium
sulfate. Which finding indicates magnesium toxicity?
A. Urine output <30 mL/hr
HESI RN Exit Exam V6 | Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 hour post-cardiac catheterization via the
femoral artery. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Pulse rate of 78 bpm
B. Expanding hematoma at the insertion site
C. Capillary refill <2 seconds in the affected leg
D. Client reports mild groin discomfort
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An expanding hematoma indicates active bleeding or retroperitoneal bleed, a life-
threatening complication. Mild groin discomfort, normal pulse, and good cap refill 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 a need for further teaching?
A. "I will use a soft toothbrush."
B. "I will avoid eating large amounts of spinach and kale."
C. "I will take ibuprofen for my headaches."
D. "I will get my INR checked as scheduled."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin) increase bleeding risk with warfarin.
Acetaminophen is safer for pain. Consistent vitamin K intake is advised, not complete
avoidance.
3. 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.
,© Academic_Excellence
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.
4. 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
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 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.*
,© Academic_Excellence
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. 150 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 than an air leak; gentle bubbling in
suction chamber is normal.*
7. 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 for 10 seconds. Albuterol is a
rescue bronchodilator, not daily preventive.
8. 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.*
9. 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. Rapid response
mobilizes immediate resources.
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 (alternate sides). Do not
aspirate, do not massage, and do not expel the air bubble (it ensures full dose).
11. A nurse is assessing a client with preeclampsia who is receiving magnesium
sulfate. Which finding indicates magnesium toxicity?
A. Urine output <30 mL/hr
