RN HESI EXIT EXAM VERSION 3
(V3) – ACTUAL EXAM PRACTICE
TEST 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT SAFETY
(Questions 1–10)
1. A 64-year-old client scheduled for surgery with a general anesthetic refuses to
remove a set of dentures prior to leaving the unit for the operating room. What
would be the most appropriate intervention by the nurse?
A. Explain to the client that the dentures must come out as they may get lost or
broken in the operating room
B. Ask the client if there are second thoughts about having the procedure
C. Notify the anesthesia department and the surgeon of the client's refusal
D. Ask the client if the preference would be to remove the dentures in the
operating room receiving area
Correct Answer: D. The nurse should first attempt to negotiate with the client and
offer options to promote cooperation. Removing dentures in the operating room
,receiving area respects the client's autonomy while still ensuring safety for anesthesia
administration (since dentures can become dislodged and cause airway obstruction).
Notifying anesthesia immediately (C) is premature before attempting negotiation.
Asking about second thoughts (B) is inappropriate as it may undermine the client's
decision. Simply demanding removal (A) disregards patient autonomy and is not
therapeutic.
2. The nurse has been teaching adult clients about cardiac risks when they visit the
hypertension clinic. Which form of evaluation would best measure learning?
A. Performance on written tests
B. Responses to verbal questions
C. Completion of a mailed survey
D. Reported behavioral changes
Correct Answer: D. The ultimate goal of client teaching is to promote behavioral
change that improves health outcomes. While written tests, verbal responses, and
surveys can assess knowledge acquisition, they do not guarantee that the client will
apply that knowledge. Reported behavioral changes (e.g., dietary modifications,
exercise, medication adherence) are the most valid measure of learning because they
demonstrate actual application of knowledge in daily life.
3. The nurse is planning care for an 18-month-old child. Which action should be
included in the child's care?
A. Hold and cuddle the child frequently
B. Encourage the child to feed himself finger food
C. Allow the child to walk independently on the nursing unit
D. Engage the child in games with other children
,Correct Answer: B. According to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the
toddler stage (1-3 years) is characterized by the crisis of autonomy vs. shame and
doubt. Encouraging self-feeding with finger foods supports the development of
autonomy and independence. Holding and cuddling frequently (A) is more
appropriate for infants. Walking independently on the unit (C) poses a safety risk.
Parallel play is typical at this age, not cooperative play with other children (D), which
is more common in preschoolers.
4. A partner is concerned because the client frequently daydreams about moving to
Arizona to get away from the pollution and crowding in southern California. The
nurse explains that:
A. Such fantasies can gratify unconscious wishes or prepare for anticipated
future events
B. Detaching or dissociating in this way postpones painful feelings
C. This conversion or transferring of a mental conflict to a physical symptom can lead
to marital conflict
D. To isolate the feelings in this way reduces conflict within the client and with others
Correct Answer: A. Daydreaming and fantasies represent an adaptive coping
mechanism that allows individuals to mentally rehearse future scenarios or gratify
unconscious wishes in a safe, non-threatening manner. This is a normal psychological
process, not a pathological defense mechanism. Options B, C, and D describe
maladaptive defense mechanisms (dissociation, conversion, isolation) that are not
applicable to normal daydreaming behavior.
5. An appropriate goal for a client with anxiety would be to:
, A. Ventilate anxious feelings to the nurse
B. Establish contact with reality
C. Learn self-help techniques
D. Become desensitized to past trauma
Correct Answer: C. The most appropriate goal for a client with anxiety is to develop
self-help techniques (e.g., deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided
imagery) that empower the client to manage anxiety independently. Ventilating
feelings (A) may provide short-term relief but does not develop coping skills.
Establishing contact with reality (B) is more appropriate for clients with psychosis or
dissociation. Desensitization to trauma (D) is a specific therapeutic intervention for
PTSD and is not a primary goal for generalized anxiety.
6. While the nurse is administering medications to a client, the client states "I do not
want to take that medicine today." Which response by the nurse would be best?
A. "That's OK, it's alright to skip your medication now and then."
B. "I will have to call your doctor and report this."
C. "Is there a reason why you don't want to take your medicine?"
D. "Do you understand the consequences of refusing your prescribed treatment?"
Correct Answer: C. The nurse should first explore the client's reason for refusal using
a non-judgmental, open-ended question to gather more information. This
demonstrates respect for client autonomy while identifying potential underlying
issues (e.g., side effects, misunderstanding, financial concerns). Option A undermines
medication compliance. Option B is punitive and premature. Option D is
confrontational and uses a "why" question that may put the client on the defensive.
(V3) – ACTUAL EXAM PRACTICE
TEST 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT SAFETY
(Questions 1–10)
1. A 64-year-old client scheduled for surgery with a general anesthetic refuses to
remove a set of dentures prior to leaving the unit for the operating room. What
would be the most appropriate intervention by the nurse?
A. Explain to the client that the dentures must come out as they may get lost or
broken in the operating room
B. Ask the client if there are second thoughts about having the procedure
C. Notify the anesthesia department and the surgeon of the client's refusal
D. Ask the client if the preference would be to remove the dentures in the
operating room receiving area
Correct Answer: D. The nurse should first attempt to negotiate with the client and
offer options to promote cooperation. Removing dentures in the operating room
,receiving area respects the client's autonomy while still ensuring safety for anesthesia
administration (since dentures can become dislodged and cause airway obstruction).
Notifying anesthesia immediately (C) is premature before attempting negotiation.
Asking about second thoughts (B) is inappropriate as it may undermine the client's
decision. Simply demanding removal (A) disregards patient autonomy and is not
therapeutic.
2. The nurse has been teaching adult clients about cardiac risks when they visit the
hypertension clinic. Which form of evaluation would best measure learning?
A. Performance on written tests
B. Responses to verbal questions
C. Completion of a mailed survey
D. Reported behavioral changes
Correct Answer: D. The ultimate goal of client teaching is to promote behavioral
change that improves health outcomes. While written tests, verbal responses, and
surveys can assess knowledge acquisition, they do not guarantee that the client will
apply that knowledge. Reported behavioral changes (e.g., dietary modifications,
exercise, medication adherence) are the most valid measure of learning because they
demonstrate actual application of knowledge in daily life.
3. The nurse is planning care for an 18-month-old child. Which action should be
included in the child's care?
A. Hold and cuddle the child frequently
B. Encourage the child to feed himself finger food
C. Allow the child to walk independently on the nursing unit
D. Engage the child in games with other children
,Correct Answer: B. According to Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the
toddler stage (1-3 years) is characterized by the crisis of autonomy vs. shame and
doubt. Encouraging self-feeding with finger foods supports the development of
autonomy and independence. Holding and cuddling frequently (A) is more
appropriate for infants. Walking independently on the unit (C) poses a safety risk.
Parallel play is typical at this age, not cooperative play with other children (D), which
is more common in preschoolers.
4. A partner is concerned because the client frequently daydreams about moving to
Arizona to get away from the pollution and crowding in southern California. The
nurse explains that:
A. Such fantasies can gratify unconscious wishes or prepare for anticipated
future events
B. Detaching or dissociating in this way postpones painful feelings
C. This conversion or transferring of a mental conflict to a physical symptom can lead
to marital conflict
D. To isolate the feelings in this way reduces conflict within the client and with others
Correct Answer: A. Daydreaming and fantasies represent an adaptive coping
mechanism that allows individuals to mentally rehearse future scenarios or gratify
unconscious wishes in a safe, non-threatening manner. This is a normal psychological
process, not a pathological defense mechanism. Options B, C, and D describe
maladaptive defense mechanisms (dissociation, conversion, isolation) that are not
applicable to normal daydreaming behavior.
5. An appropriate goal for a client with anxiety would be to:
, A. Ventilate anxious feelings to the nurse
B. Establish contact with reality
C. Learn self-help techniques
D. Become desensitized to past trauma
Correct Answer: C. The most appropriate goal for a client with anxiety is to develop
self-help techniques (e.g., deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided
imagery) that empower the client to manage anxiety independently. Ventilating
feelings (A) may provide short-term relief but does not develop coping skills.
Establishing contact with reality (B) is more appropriate for clients with psychosis or
dissociation. Desensitization to trauma (D) is a specific therapeutic intervention for
PTSD and is not a primary goal for generalized anxiety.
6. While the nurse is administering medications to a client, the client states "I do not
want to take that medicine today." Which response by the nurse would be best?
A. "That's OK, it's alright to skip your medication now and then."
B. "I will have to call your doctor and report this."
C. "Is there a reason why you don't want to take your medicine?"
D. "Do you understand the consequences of refusing your prescribed treatment?"
Correct Answer: C. The nurse should first explore the client's reason for refusal using
a non-judgmental, open-ended question to gather more information. This
demonstrates respect for client autonomy while identifying potential underlying
issues (e.g., side effects, misunderstanding, financial concerns). Option A undermines
medication compliance. Option B is punitive and premature. Option D is
confrontational and uses a "why" question that may put the client on the defensive.
