HESI FUNDAMENTALS 2020 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a cane. Which information will
the nurse include in the teaching session?
a. Place the cane at the top of the hip bone.
b. Place the cane on the stronger side of the body.
c. Place the cane in front of the body and then move the good leg.
d. Place the cane 10 to 15 inches in front of the body when walking.
ANS: B
Have the patient keep the cane on the stronger side of the body. A person’s
cane length is equal to the distance between the greater trochanter and the
floor. The cane should be moved first and then the weaker leg. For maximum
support when walking, the patient places the cane forward 15 to 25 cm (6 to
10 inches), keeping body weight on both legs. The weaker leg is then moved
forward to the cane, so body weight is divided between the cane and the
stronger leg.
2. A nurse is assisting the patient to perform isometric exercises. Which action
will the nurse take?
a. Encourage wearing tight shoes.
b. Set the pace for the exercise session.
c. Stop the exercise if pain is experienced.
d. Force muscles or joints to go just beyond resistance.
ANS: C
Instruct the patient to stop the activity if pain, fatigue, or discomfort is
experienced. Assess for pain, shortness of breath, or a change in vital signs; if
present, stop the exercise. Let each patient move at his or her own pace.
Assess for joint limitations, and do not force a muscle or a joint during
exercise. Teach patient to wear comfortable shoes and clothing for exercise.
3. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient diagnosed with activity
intolerance. Which strategy will the nurse use to provide the best chance of
maintaining patient compliance?
, Performing 20 minutes of aerobic exercise 7 days a week with 10-
a. minute warm-up and cool-down periods
Instructing the patient to use an exercise log to record day, time,
b. duration, and responses to exercise activity
Stressing the harm of not exercising by getting the patient to take
c. responsibility for current health status
Arranging for the patient to join a gym that takes self-pay rather than
d. insurance
ANS: B
Keeping a log may increase adherence to an exercise prescription.
Recommended frequency of aerobic exercise is 3 to 5 times per week or every
other day for approximately 30 minutes. Focusing on the harm of not
exercising is usually counterproductive. Instead, the nurse should instruct the
patient about the physiological benefits of a regular exercise program.
Developing a plan of exercise that the patient may perform at home may
improve compliance.
4. The nurse is preparing to transfer an uncooperative patient who does not
have upper body strength. Which piece of equipment will be best for the
nurses to obtain?
a. Drawsheet
b. Full body sling
c. Overhead trapeze
d. Friction-reducing slide sheet
ANS: B
Using a mechanical lift and full body sling to transfer an uncooperative
patient who can bear partial weight or a patient who cannot bear weight and is
either uncooperative or does not have upper body strength to move from bed
to chair prevents musculoskeletal injuries to health care workers. The nurse
should not attempt to move the patient with a drawsheet. The patient does not
have upper body strength so an overhead trapeze is not appropriate. A friction-
reducing slide sheet that minimizes shearing forces is not as effective as a full
body sling.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient how to sit with crutches. In which
order will the nurse present the instructions starting with the first
1. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a cane. Which information will
the nurse include in the teaching session?
a. Place the cane at the top of the hip bone.
b. Place the cane on the stronger side of the body.
c. Place the cane in front of the body and then move the good leg.
d. Place the cane 10 to 15 inches in front of the body when walking.
ANS: B
Have the patient keep the cane on the stronger side of the body. A person’s
cane length is equal to the distance between the greater trochanter and the
floor. The cane should be moved first and then the weaker leg. For maximum
support when walking, the patient places the cane forward 15 to 25 cm (6 to
10 inches), keeping body weight on both legs. The weaker leg is then moved
forward to the cane, so body weight is divided between the cane and the
stronger leg.
2. A nurse is assisting the patient to perform isometric exercises. Which action
will the nurse take?
a. Encourage wearing tight shoes.
b. Set the pace for the exercise session.
c. Stop the exercise if pain is experienced.
d. Force muscles or joints to go just beyond resistance.
ANS: C
Instruct the patient to stop the activity if pain, fatigue, or discomfort is
experienced. Assess for pain, shortness of breath, or a change in vital signs; if
present, stop the exercise. Let each patient move at his or her own pace.
Assess for joint limitations, and do not force a muscle or a joint during
exercise. Teach patient to wear comfortable shoes and clothing for exercise.
3. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient diagnosed with activity
intolerance. Which strategy will the nurse use to provide the best chance of
maintaining patient compliance?
, Performing 20 minutes of aerobic exercise 7 days a week with 10-
a. minute warm-up and cool-down periods
Instructing the patient to use an exercise log to record day, time,
b. duration, and responses to exercise activity
Stressing the harm of not exercising by getting the patient to take
c. responsibility for current health status
Arranging for the patient to join a gym that takes self-pay rather than
d. insurance
ANS: B
Keeping a log may increase adherence to an exercise prescription.
Recommended frequency of aerobic exercise is 3 to 5 times per week or every
other day for approximately 30 minutes. Focusing on the harm of not
exercising is usually counterproductive. Instead, the nurse should instruct the
patient about the physiological benefits of a regular exercise program.
Developing a plan of exercise that the patient may perform at home may
improve compliance.
4. The nurse is preparing to transfer an uncooperative patient who does not
have upper body strength. Which piece of equipment will be best for the
nurses to obtain?
a. Drawsheet
b. Full body sling
c. Overhead trapeze
d. Friction-reducing slide sheet
ANS: B
Using a mechanical lift and full body sling to transfer an uncooperative
patient who can bear partial weight or a patient who cannot bear weight and is
either uncooperative or does not have upper body strength to move from bed
to chair prevents musculoskeletal injuries to health care workers. The nurse
should not attempt to move the patient with a drawsheet. The patient does not
have upper body strength so an overhead trapeze is not appropriate. A friction-
reducing slide sheet that minimizes shearing forces is not as effective as a full
body sling.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient how to sit with crutches. In which
order will the nurse present the instructions starting with the first
