2026
HESI RN Exit Exam 2026 All-in-One
Review and Test Bank: Medical-Surgical,
Mental Health, and Pharmacology
Essentials
In planning care for a 6-month-old infant, what must the nurse provide to assist
in the development of trust?
A) Food
B) Warmth
C) Security
D) Comfort
Correct Answer: C) Security
Rationale:
According to Erikson’s stage of trust vs. mistrust, infants develop trust when caregivers
consistently meet their needs and provide a sense of safety and security. While food, warmth,
and comfort are important, security encompasses all of these and is the core requirement for
trust development.
A nurse has just received a medication order which is not legible. Which
statement best reflects assertive communication?
A) "I cannot give this medication as it is written. I have no idea of what you mean."
B) "Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it
correctly?"
C) "I am having difficulty reading your handwriting. It would save me time if you would be
more careful."
D) "Please print in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to read your
writing."
Correct Answer: B) "Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am
reading it correctly?"
,2026
Rationale:
Assertive communication is respectful, clear, and focused on safety. This option addresses the
issue without blaming or accusing. The other options are aggressive or passive-aggressive and
may create conflict.
What is the most important consideration when teaching parents how to reduce
risks in the home?
A) Age and knowledge level of the parents
B) Proximity to emergency services
C) Number of children in the home
D) Age of children in the home
Correct Answer: D) Age of children in the home
Rationale:
Risk prevention education must be developmentally appropriate. Hazards differ greatly for
infants, toddlers, and older children. Parent factors are secondary to the child’s developmental
stage.
A 35-year-old client with sickle cell crisis is talking on the telephone but stops as
the nurse enters the room to request something for pain. The nurse should
A) Administer a placebo
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
C) Administer the prescribed analgesia
D) Recommend relaxation exercises for pain control
Correct Answer: C) Administer the prescribed analgesia
Rationale:
Sickle cell crisis causes severe pain that requires prompt opioid analgesia. Talking on the
phone does not mean the pain is not real. Placebos are unethical, and nonpharmacologic methods
are adjuncts, not replacements.
While caring for a toddler with croup, which initial sign requires immediate
attention?
A) Respiratory rate of 42
B) Lethargy for the past hour
, 2026
C) Apical pulse of 54
D) Coughing up copious secretions
Correct Answer: A) Respiratory rate of 42
Rationale:
A respiratory rate of 42 indicates respiratory distress in a toddler. Croup primarily affects the
airway, so breathing is the priority. The other findings are less immediately life-threatening.
A client is admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. What
finding is expected?
A) Lethargy
B) Heat intolerance
C) Diarrhea
D) Skin eruptions
Correct Answer: A) Lethargy
Rationale:
Low T3/T4 with high TSH indicates hypothyroidism, which causes fatigue, lethargy, cold
intolerance, and weight gain. The other options reflect hyperthyroidism.
A child experienced a seizure at school. What is the best nurse response?
A) "Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with medications."
B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
C) "Since this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again."
D) "Long term treatment will prevent future seizures."
Correct Answer: B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
Rationale:
This response is factual and non-alarming. A single seizure does not automatically indicate
epilepsy. The other responses either give false reassurance or premature conclusions.
Alcohol and drug abuse impair judgment and increase risk-taking behavior.
What nursing diagnosis applies?
HESI RN Exit Exam 2026 All-in-One
Review and Test Bank: Medical-Surgical,
Mental Health, and Pharmacology
Essentials
In planning care for a 6-month-old infant, what must the nurse provide to assist
in the development of trust?
A) Food
B) Warmth
C) Security
D) Comfort
Correct Answer: C) Security
Rationale:
According to Erikson’s stage of trust vs. mistrust, infants develop trust when caregivers
consistently meet their needs and provide a sense of safety and security. While food, warmth,
and comfort are important, security encompasses all of these and is the core requirement for
trust development.
A nurse has just received a medication order which is not legible. Which
statement best reflects assertive communication?
A) "I cannot give this medication as it is written. I have no idea of what you mean."
B) "Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it
correctly?"
C) "I am having difficulty reading your handwriting. It would save me time if you would be
more careful."
D) "Please print in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to read your
writing."
Correct Answer: B) "Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am
reading it correctly?"
,2026
Rationale:
Assertive communication is respectful, clear, and focused on safety. This option addresses the
issue without blaming or accusing. The other options are aggressive or passive-aggressive and
may create conflict.
What is the most important consideration when teaching parents how to reduce
risks in the home?
A) Age and knowledge level of the parents
B) Proximity to emergency services
C) Number of children in the home
D) Age of children in the home
Correct Answer: D) Age of children in the home
Rationale:
Risk prevention education must be developmentally appropriate. Hazards differ greatly for
infants, toddlers, and older children. Parent factors are secondary to the child’s developmental
stage.
A 35-year-old client with sickle cell crisis is talking on the telephone but stops as
the nurse enters the room to request something for pain. The nurse should
A) Administer a placebo
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
C) Administer the prescribed analgesia
D) Recommend relaxation exercises for pain control
Correct Answer: C) Administer the prescribed analgesia
Rationale:
Sickle cell crisis causes severe pain that requires prompt opioid analgesia. Talking on the
phone does not mean the pain is not real. Placebos are unethical, and nonpharmacologic methods
are adjuncts, not replacements.
While caring for a toddler with croup, which initial sign requires immediate
attention?
A) Respiratory rate of 42
B) Lethargy for the past hour
, 2026
C) Apical pulse of 54
D) Coughing up copious secretions
Correct Answer: A) Respiratory rate of 42
Rationale:
A respiratory rate of 42 indicates respiratory distress in a toddler. Croup primarily affects the
airway, so breathing is the priority. The other findings are less immediately life-threatening.
A client is admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. What
finding is expected?
A) Lethargy
B) Heat intolerance
C) Diarrhea
D) Skin eruptions
Correct Answer: A) Lethargy
Rationale:
Low T3/T4 with high TSH indicates hypothyroidism, which causes fatigue, lethargy, cold
intolerance, and weight gain. The other options reflect hyperthyroidism.
A child experienced a seizure at school. What is the best nurse response?
A) "Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with medications."
B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
C) "Since this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again."
D) "Long term treatment will prevent future seizures."
Correct Answer: B) "The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy."
Rationale:
This response is factual and non-alarming. A single seizure does not automatically indicate
epilepsy. The other responses either give false reassurance or premature conclusions.
Alcohol and drug abuse impair judgment and increase risk-taking behavior.
What nursing diagnosis applies?
