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EVOLVE HESI FUNDAMENTALS ACTUAL EXAM2026-2027 BANK
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS
WILL COME FROM HERE (100% CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
Question 1
The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube set to low
intermittent suction. The client asks why the tube cannot be connected
to continuous suction. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. Continuous suction is reserved for surgical wounds, not gastric
drainage.
B. Intermittent suction allows the tube to rest and prevents damage to
the gastric mucosa.
C. The machine is not capable of delivering continuous suction safely.
D. Continuous suction would remove too much fluid and cause
dehydration.
Answer: B
Rationale: Intermittent suction cycles on and off, which allows the
gastric mucosa to recover between suction periods. Continuous suction
can pull the tube's eyelets against the stomach lining, causing trauma,
erosion, and bleeding. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because
continuous suction machines exist and are used for other purposes, the
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primary concern with continuous suction is mucosal injury rather than
dehydration, and it is not limited to surgical wounds.
Question 2
The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a
client with a body mass index of 34. Which needle length is most
appropriate?
A. 1/2 inch
B. 5/8 inch
C. 1 inch
D. 1 1/2 inch
Answer: D
Rationale: For an obese adult client, a longer needle is required to
ensure the medication reaches the muscle mass beneath the
subcutaneous adipose tissue. A needle length of 1 1/2 inches is
standard for intramuscular injections in obese adults. Shorter needles,
such as 1 inch or 5/8 inch, risk inadvertent subcutaneous
administration, which alters drug absorption rates. A 1/2 inch needle is
suitable only for subcutaneous or intradermal injections.
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a client's peripheral intravenous catheter site and
notes warmth, erythema, and a palpable cord along the vein. What is
the priority nursing action?
A. Increase the flow rate to flush the line.
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B. Discontinue the infusion and remove the catheter.
C. Apply a warm compress and reassess in 4 hours.
D. Aspirate the catheter to check for blood return.
Answer: B
Rationale: The signs described are classic manifestations of phlebitis,
inflammation of the vein. The priority action is to immediately
discontinue the infusion and remove the catheter to prevent
progression to thrombophlebitis or infection. Applying a warm
compress is appropriate only after the catheter is removed from the
affected site. Flushing the line or aspirating can dislodge a potential
thrombus and worsen the condition.
Question 4
A client is scheduled for a thoracentesis. Which position should the
nurse assist the client into for the procedure?
A. Prone with arms extended above the head.
B. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 90 degrees.
C. Sitting upright, leaning forward over a bedside table.
D. Side-lying on the unaffected side with knees drawn up.
Answer: C
Rationale: The upright position with the client leaning forward over a
bedside table separates the ribs and provides optimal access to the
pleural space for fluid aspiration. This position widens the intercostal
spaces and reduces the risk of puncturing the diaphragm or lung. Side-
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lying positions may be used if the client cannot sit upright, but the
leaning forward posture is the standard of care when tolerated.
Question 5
The nurse notes a continuous bubbling pattern in the water seal
chamber of a client's chest tube drainage system. What does this
finding indicate?
A. The system is functioning normally.
B. The client has a resolving pneumothorax.
C. There is an air leak in the system.
D. Suction is set at too high a level.
Answer: C
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an
air leak. The nurse must assess the system connections and tubing from
the client to the drainage unit to locate the source. Intermittent
bubbling during exhalation or coughing may be normal if the client has
a pneumothorax, but continuous bubbling is an abnormal finding
requiring intervention. Bubbling in the suction control chamber, not the
water seal, relates to suction level settings.
Question 6
The nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter in a
female client. After positioning the client and cleansing the perineal
area, the nurse advances the catheter and observes urine return. What
should the nurse do next?
A. Immediately inflate the balloon with the prescribed amount of sterile
water.
EVOLVE HESI FUNDAMENTALS ACTUAL EXAM2026-2027 BANK
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS
WILL COME FROM HERE (100% CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
Question 1
The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube set to low
intermittent suction. The client asks why the tube cannot be connected
to continuous suction. Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A. Continuous suction is reserved for surgical wounds, not gastric
drainage.
B. Intermittent suction allows the tube to rest and prevents damage to
the gastric mucosa.
C. The machine is not capable of delivering continuous suction safely.
D. Continuous suction would remove too much fluid and cause
dehydration.
Answer: B
Rationale: Intermittent suction cycles on and off, which allows the
gastric mucosa to recover between suction periods. Continuous suction
can pull the tube's eyelets against the stomach lining, causing trauma,
erosion, and bleeding. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because
continuous suction machines exist and are used for other purposes, the
,2|Page
primary concern with continuous suction is mucosal injury rather than
dehydration, and it is not limited to surgical wounds.
Question 2
The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a
client with a body mass index of 34. Which needle length is most
appropriate?
A. 1/2 inch
B. 5/8 inch
C. 1 inch
D. 1 1/2 inch
Answer: D
Rationale: For an obese adult client, a longer needle is required to
ensure the medication reaches the muscle mass beneath the
subcutaneous adipose tissue. A needle length of 1 1/2 inches is
standard for intramuscular injections in obese adults. Shorter needles,
such as 1 inch or 5/8 inch, risk inadvertent subcutaneous
administration, which alters drug absorption rates. A 1/2 inch needle is
suitable only for subcutaneous or intradermal injections.
Question 3
The nurse is assessing a client's peripheral intravenous catheter site and
notes warmth, erythema, and a palpable cord along the vein. What is
the priority nursing action?
A. Increase the flow rate to flush the line.
,3|Page
B. Discontinue the infusion and remove the catheter.
C. Apply a warm compress and reassess in 4 hours.
D. Aspirate the catheter to check for blood return.
Answer: B
Rationale: The signs described are classic manifestations of phlebitis,
inflammation of the vein. The priority action is to immediately
discontinue the infusion and remove the catheter to prevent
progression to thrombophlebitis or infection. Applying a warm
compress is appropriate only after the catheter is removed from the
affected site. Flushing the line or aspirating can dislodge a potential
thrombus and worsen the condition.
Question 4
A client is scheduled for a thoracentesis. Which position should the
nurse assist the client into for the procedure?
A. Prone with arms extended above the head.
B. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 90 degrees.
C. Sitting upright, leaning forward over a bedside table.
D. Side-lying on the unaffected side with knees drawn up.
Answer: C
Rationale: The upright position with the client leaning forward over a
bedside table separates the ribs and provides optimal access to the
pleural space for fluid aspiration. This position widens the intercostal
spaces and reduces the risk of puncturing the diaphragm or lung. Side-
, 4|Page
lying positions may be used if the client cannot sit upright, but the
leaning forward posture is the standard of care when tolerated.
Question 5
The nurse notes a continuous bubbling pattern in the water seal
chamber of a client's chest tube drainage system. What does this
finding indicate?
A. The system is functioning normally.
B. The client has a resolving pneumothorax.
C. There is an air leak in the system.
D. Suction is set at too high a level.
Answer: C
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an
air leak. The nurse must assess the system connections and tubing from
the client to the drainage unit to locate the source. Intermittent
bubbling during exhalation or coughing may be normal if the client has
a pneumothorax, but continuous bubbling is an abnormal finding
requiring intervention. Bubbling in the suction control chamber, not the
water seal, relates to suction level settings.
Question 6
The nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter in a
female client. After positioning the client and cleansing the perineal
area, the nurse advances the catheter and observes urine return. What
should the nurse do next?
A. Immediately inflate the balloon with the prescribed amount of sterile
water.
