HESI FUNDAMENTALS PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
A 35y/o client with cancer refuses to allow a nurse to insert an Evaluate the client's mental status for competence to refuse treatment
IV for scheduled chemo & states that she's ready to go home
to die. What intervention should the nurse initiate? Rationale: Competent clients have the right to refuse treatment. The nurse cannot
document until the HCP is notified of the patient's wishes & a d/c RX is obtained. Advance
directives & DNR are not necessary for competent client to refuse care.
A client with chronic renal disease is admitted to the hospital Serum albumin
for evaluation prior to a surgical procedure. Which laboratory
test indicates client's protein status for the longest length of Rationale: Serum albumin has a long half-life.
time?
What client statement indicates to the nurse that the client "I don't understand why I'm so weak & tired."
requires assistance with bathing?
How should the nurse handle linens that are soiled with Place the soiled linens in a pillow case & deposit them in the dirty linen hamper
incontinent feces?
When caring for an immobile client, what nursing diagnosis has Impaired gas exchange
the highest priority?
The nurse assesses an immobile, elderly male client & Turn the client q2h
determines that his blood pressure is 138/60, his temperature is
95.8F & his output is 100 mL of concentrated urine during the Rationale: It will help move & drain respiratory secretions & prevent pneumonia from
last hour. He has wet sounding lungs & increased respiratory occurring.
secretions. Based on these assessment findings , what nursing
action is most important for the nurse to implement?
The home health nurse visits an elderly female client who had The nurse notes there are numerous scatter rugs throughout the house
a brain attack 3 months ago & is now able to ambulate with the
assistance of a quad cane. Which assessment finding has the
greatest implications for this client's care?
1/11
, The nurse removes the dressing on a client's heel that is cover One-inch pressure sore draining serous fluid
a pressure sore 1" in diameter & finds that there is straw-colored
drainage seeping from the wound. What description of this
finding should the nurse include in the client's record?
Medication is prescribed to be given QID. What schedule 0800, 1200, 1600, 2000
should the nurse use to administer this Rx?
The nurse working in the ED is assessing 4 clients' ability to 1 55y/o woman who has had moderate low back pain for 3 months
tolerate pain. Which client is likely to tolerate a higher level of
pain? Rationale: Experiences with the same type of pain that has successfully been relieved
makes it easier for the client to interpret the pain sensation and, as a result, the client is
better prepared to take steps to relieve the pain. All other clients are having new
experiences with pain.
A 4y/o boy who is scheduled for a tonsillectomy & "It may hurt, but we'll give you medicine to help you feel better."
adenoidectomy asks the nurse, "Will it hurt to have my tonsils &
adenoids taken out?" Which response is best for the nurse to
provide?
A low-sodium, low-protein diet is prescribed for a 45y/o client 1. Snack of potato chips & diet soda
with renal insufficiency & HTN, who gained 3lbs in the last
month. The nurse determines that the client has been 2. Lunch of tuna, carrots, fruit & coffee
noncompliant with the diet, based on which report from the
24hr diet recall? 3. Breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast & coffee
4. Bedtime snack of crackers & milk
What intervention should the nurse include in the care plan for Check capillary refill of toes on lower extremity with Unna's paste boot
a client who is being treated with an Unna's paste boot for leg
ulcers due to chronic venous insufficiency? Rationale: Boot becomes rigid after it dries, so it is important to check distally for
adequate circulation. No bandage should be put under it. Should be applied from foot &
wrapped towards knee. Acts as a sterile dressing & should not be removed q8h. Weekly
removal is reasonable.
Male client with nursing diagnosis of "spiritual distress". What Use reflective listening techniques when the client expresses spiritual doubts.
intervention is best for the nurse to implement when caring for
this client? Rationale: Client should be consulted before involving chaplain.
2/11
ANSWERS 2026/2027 LATEST UPDATE
A 35y/o client with cancer refuses to allow a nurse to insert an Evaluate the client's mental status for competence to refuse treatment
IV for scheduled chemo & states that she's ready to go home
to die. What intervention should the nurse initiate? Rationale: Competent clients have the right to refuse treatment. The nurse cannot
document until the HCP is notified of the patient's wishes & a d/c RX is obtained. Advance
directives & DNR are not necessary for competent client to refuse care.
A client with chronic renal disease is admitted to the hospital Serum albumin
for evaluation prior to a surgical procedure. Which laboratory
test indicates client's protein status for the longest length of Rationale: Serum albumin has a long half-life.
time?
What client statement indicates to the nurse that the client "I don't understand why I'm so weak & tired."
requires assistance with bathing?
How should the nurse handle linens that are soiled with Place the soiled linens in a pillow case & deposit them in the dirty linen hamper
incontinent feces?
When caring for an immobile client, what nursing diagnosis has Impaired gas exchange
the highest priority?
The nurse assesses an immobile, elderly male client & Turn the client q2h
determines that his blood pressure is 138/60, his temperature is
95.8F & his output is 100 mL of concentrated urine during the Rationale: It will help move & drain respiratory secretions & prevent pneumonia from
last hour. He has wet sounding lungs & increased respiratory occurring.
secretions. Based on these assessment findings , what nursing
action is most important for the nurse to implement?
The home health nurse visits an elderly female client who had The nurse notes there are numerous scatter rugs throughout the house
a brain attack 3 months ago & is now able to ambulate with the
assistance of a quad cane. Which assessment finding has the
greatest implications for this client's care?
1/11
, The nurse removes the dressing on a client's heel that is cover One-inch pressure sore draining serous fluid
a pressure sore 1" in diameter & finds that there is straw-colored
drainage seeping from the wound. What description of this
finding should the nurse include in the client's record?
Medication is prescribed to be given QID. What schedule 0800, 1200, 1600, 2000
should the nurse use to administer this Rx?
The nurse working in the ED is assessing 4 clients' ability to 1 55y/o woman who has had moderate low back pain for 3 months
tolerate pain. Which client is likely to tolerate a higher level of
pain? Rationale: Experiences with the same type of pain that has successfully been relieved
makes it easier for the client to interpret the pain sensation and, as a result, the client is
better prepared to take steps to relieve the pain. All other clients are having new
experiences with pain.
A 4y/o boy who is scheduled for a tonsillectomy & "It may hurt, but we'll give you medicine to help you feel better."
adenoidectomy asks the nurse, "Will it hurt to have my tonsils &
adenoids taken out?" Which response is best for the nurse to
provide?
A low-sodium, low-protein diet is prescribed for a 45y/o client 1. Snack of potato chips & diet soda
with renal insufficiency & HTN, who gained 3lbs in the last
month. The nurse determines that the client has been 2. Lunch of tuna, carrots, fruit & coffee
noncompliant with the diet, based on which report from the
24hr diet recall? 3. Breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast & coffee
4. Bedtime snack of crackers & milk
What intervention should the nurse include in the care plan for Check capillary refill of toes on lower extremity with Unna's paste boot
a client who is being treated with an Unna's paste boot for leg
ulcers due to chronic venous insufficiency? Rationale: Boot becomes rigid after it dries, so it is important to check distally for
adequate circulation. No bandage should be put under it. Should be applied from foot &
wrapped towards knee. Acts as a sterile dressing & should not be removed q8h. Weekly
removal is reasonable.
Male client with nursing diagnosis of "spiritual distress". What Use reflective listening techniques when the client expresses spiritual doubts.
intervention is best for the nurse to implement when caring for
this client? Rationale: Client should be consulted before involving chaplain.
2/11
