2026
HESI RN Exit Exam 2026 Ultimate Study
Companion: Test Bank, High-Yield
Content Review, and Exam Readiness
Strategies
Following discharge teaching, a male client with duodenal ulcer tells the nurse that he will drink
plenty of dairy products, such as milk, to help coat and protect his ulcer. What is the best follow-
up action by the nurse?
a. Remind the client that it is also important to switch to decaffeinated coffee and tea.
b. Suggest that the client also plan to eat frequent small meals to reduce discomfort
c. Review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk and cream.
d. Reinforce this teaching by asking the client to list a dairy food that he might select.
Correct Answer: c. Review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk and
cream.
Rationale: Milk and cream can initially buffer acid but later stimulate increased gastric acid
secretion, worsening ulcer symptoms. The other options do not address the misconception.
The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) positioning a newly admitted client
who has a seizure disorder. The client is supine and the UAP is placing soft pillows along the
side rails. What action should the nurse implement?
a. Ensure that the UAP has placed the pillows effectively to protect the client.
b. Instruct the UAP to obtain soft blankets to secure to the side rails instead of pillows.
c. Assume responsibility for placing the pillows while the UAP completes another task.
d. Ask the UAP to use some of the pillows to prop the client in a side-lying position.
Correct Answer: b. Instruct the UAP to obtain soft blankets to secure to the side rails
instead of pillows.
Rationale: Pillows can shift and leave gaps. Secured blankets provide safer padding to prevent
injury during a seizure.
A male client with hypertension returns to the clinic and admits he has not been taking
prescribed medications because they make him “feel bad.” The nurse should stress that
uncontrolled hypertension increases the risk for which condition?
a. Blindness secondary to cataracts
,2026
b. Acute kidney injury due to glomerular damage
c. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
d. Heart block due to myocardial damage
Correct Answer: c. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
Rationale: Chronic hypertension weakens blood vessel walls, increasing the risk for hemorrhagic
stroke. The other conditions are less directly associated.
An adolescent with major depressive disorder has been taking duloxetine for 12 days. Which
assessment finding requires immediate follow-up?
a. Describes life without purpose
b. Complains of nausea and loss of appetite
c. States feeling fatigued and drowsy
d. Exhibits increased sweating
Correct Answer: a. Describes life without purpose
Rationale: Statements indicating hopelessness suggest suicidal ideation and require immediate
intervention. The other effects are common medication side effects.
A 60-year-old woman with an abdominal mass has a negative Pap smear. What teaching should
the nurse include?
a. Further evaluation involving surgery may be needed
b. A pelvic exam is also needed before cancer is ruled out
c. Pap smear evaluation should continue every six months
d. One additional negative Pap smear is required
Correct Answer: a. Further evaluation involving surgery may be needed
Rationale: A Pap smear does not screen for ovarian cancer. Surgical evaluation may be necessary
for diagnosis.
A client with a new tracheostomy is being discharged home. Which instruction is most
important?
a. Explain communication tools
b. Teach tracheal suctioning techniques
c. Encourage independence
d. Demonstrate site cleaning
Correct Answer: b. Teach tracheal suctioning techniques
Rationale: Airway patency is the highest priority. Improper secretion management can be life-
threatening.
,2026
The nurse notes that a partial rebreather mask reservoir bag does not deflate completely during
inspiration. What action should be taken?
a. Encourage deep breathing
b. Remove the mask
c. Increase oxygen flow
d. Document the assessment data
Correct Answer: d. Document the assessment data
Rationale: This finding is expected and indicates proper oxygen flow.
During shift report, which alarm should the nurse assess first?
a. Respiratory apnea of 30 seconds
b. Oxygen saturation of 88%
c. Eight PVCs per minute
d. Disconnected monitor for 6 minutes
Correct Answer: a. Respiratory apnea of 30 seconds
Rationale: Apnea represents immediate life-threatening airway compromise and requires urgent
assessment.
During a home visit, the nurse observes an elderly diabetic client fall. What action should be
taken first?
a. Give orange juice
b. Call 911
c. Check for lacerations or fractures
d. Assess blood glucose
Correct Answer: c. Check for lacerations or fractures
Rationale: Injury assessment takes priority after a fall before other interventions.
A woman scheduled for a repeat C-section reports drinking coffee at 0400. What should the
nurse do first?
a. Ensure labs are available
b. Start IV fluids
c. Inform the anesthesia provider
d. Contact the obstetrician
, 2026
Correct Answer: c. Inform the anesthesia provider
Rationale: Recent oral intake increases aspiration risk during anesthesia and must be
communicated immediately.
To assess for an S3 heart sound, what should the nurse do first?
a. Slide stethoscope across sternum
b. Move to mitral site
c. Listen with the bell at the same location
d. Observe telemetry
Correct Answer: c. Listen with the bell at the same location
Rationale: S3 is a low-pitched sound best heard with the bell.
A 66-year-old woman retiring without employer insurance should be referred to which agency?
a. WIC
b. Medicaid
c. Medicare
d. COBRA
Correct Answer: c. Medicare
Rationale: Medicare provides health insurance for adults aged 65 and older.
A client taking tetracycline reports GI upset. Which snack is appropriate?
a. Yogurt
b. Cheese and crackers
c. Cereal with milk
d. Toasted wheat bread and jelly
Correct Answer: d. Toasted wheat bread and jelly
Rationale: Dairy products reduce tetracycline absorption. Non-dairy foods are preferred.
Following a lumbar puncture, which complaint indicates a complication?
a. Back pain with movement
b. Sore throat
c. Nausea
d. Headache worse when sitting up
HESI RN Exit Exam 2026 Ultimate Study
Companion: Test Bank, High-Yield
Content Review, and Exam Readiness
Strategies
Following discharge teaching, a male client with duodenal ulcer tells the nurse that he will drink
plenty of dairy products, such as milk, to help coat and protect his ulcer. What is the best follow-
up action by the nurse?
a. Remind the client that it is also important to switch to decaffeinated coffee and tea.
b. Suggest that the client also plan to eat frequent small meals to reduce discomfort
c. Review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk and cream.
d. Reinforce this teaching by asking the client to list a dairy food that he might select.
Correct Answer: c. Review with the client the need to avoid foods that are rich in milk and
cream.
Rationale: Milk and cream can initially buffer acid but later stimulate increased gastric acid
secretion, worsening ulcer symptoms. The other options do not address the misconception.
The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) positioning a newly admitted client
who has a seizure disorder. The client is supine and the UAP is placing soft pillows along the
side rails. What action should the nurse implement?
a. Ensure that the UAP has placed the pillows effectively to protect the client.
b. Instruct the UAP to obtain soft blankets to secure to the side rails instead of pillows.
c. Assume responsibility for placing the pillows while the UAP completes another task.
d. Ask the UAP to use some of the pillows to prop the client in a side-lying position.
Correct Answer: b. Instruct the UAP to obtain soft blankets to secure to the side rails
instead of pillows.
Rationale: Pillows can shift and leave gaps. Secured blankets provide safer padding to prevent
injury during a seizure.
A male client with hypertension returns to the clinic and admits he has not been taking
prescribed medications because they make him “feel bad.” The nurse should stress that
uncontrolled hypertension increases the risk for which condition?
a. Blindness secondary to cataracts
,2026
b. Acute kidney injury due to glomerular damage
c. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
d. Heart block due to myocardial damage
Correct Answer: c. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
Rationale: Chronic hypertension weakens blood vessel walls, increasing the risk for hemorrhagic
stroke. The other conditions are less directly associated.
An adolescent with major depressive disorder has been taking duloxetine for 12 days. Which
assessment finding requires immediate follow-up?
a. Describes life without purpose
b. Complains of nausea and loss of appetite
c. States feeling fatigued and drowsy
d. Exhibits increased sweating
Correct Answer: a. Describes life without purpose
Rationale: Statements indicating hopelessness suggest suicidal ideation and require immediate
intervention. The other effects are common medication side effects.
A 60-year-old woman with an abdominal mass has a negative Pap smear. What teaching should
the nurse include?
a. Further evaluation involving surgery may be needed
b. A pelvic exam is also needed before cancer is ruled out
c. Pap smear evaluation should continue every six months
d. One additional negative Pap smear is required
Correct Answer: a. Further evaluation involving surgery may be needed
Rationale: A Pap smear does not screen for ovarian cancer. Surgical evaluation may be necessary
for diagnosis.
A client with a new tracheostomy is being discharged home. Which instruction is most
important?
a. Explain communication tools
b. Teach tracheal suctioning techniques
c. Encourage independence
d. Demonstrate site cleaning
Correct Answer: b. Teach tracheal suctioning techniques
Rationale: Airway patency is the highest priority. Improper secretion management can be life-
threatening.
,2026
The nurse notes that a partial rebreather mask reservoir bag does not deflate completely during
inspiration. What action should be taken?
a. Encourage deep breathing
b. Remove the mask
c. Increase oxygen flow
d. Document the assessment data
Correct Answer: d. Document the assessment data
Rationale: This finding is expected and indicates proper oxygen flow.
During shift report, which alarm should the nurse assess first?
a. Respiratory apnea of 30 seconds
b. Oxygen saturation of 88%
c. Eight PVCs per minute
d. Disconnected monitor for 6 minutes
Correct Answer: a. Respiratory apnea of 30 seconds
Rationale: Apnea represents immediate life-threatening airway compromise and requires urgent
assessment.
During a home visit, the nurse observes an elderly diabetic client fall. What action should be
taken first?
a. Give orange juice
b. Call 911
c. Check for lacerations or fractures
d. Assess blood glucose
Correct Answer: c. Check for lacerations or fractures
Rationale: Injury assessment takes priority after a fall before other interventions.
A woman scheduled for a repeat C-section reports drinking coffee at 0400. What should the
nurse do first?
a. Ensure labs are available
b. Start IV fluids
c. Inform the anesthesia provider
d. Contact the obstetrician
, 2026
Correct Answer: c. Inform the anesthesia provider
Rationale: Recent oral intake increases aspiration risk during anesthesia and must be
communicated immediately.
To assess for an S3 heart sound, what should the nurse do first?
a. Slide stethoscope across sternum
b. Move to mitral site
c. Listen with the bell at the same location
d. Observe telemetry
Correct Answer: c. Listen with the bell at the same location
Rationale: S3 is a low-pitched sound best heard with the bell.
A 66-year-old woman retiring without employer insurance should be referred to which agency?
a. WIC
b. Medicaid
c. Medicare
d. COBRA
Correct Answer: c. Medicare
Rationale: Medicare provides health insurance for adults aged 65 and older.
A client taking tetracycline reports GI upset. Which snack is appropriate?
a. Yogurt
b. Cheese and crackers
c. Cereal with milk
d. Toasted wheat bread and jelly
Correct Answer: d. Toasted wheat bread and jelly
Rationale: Dairy products reduce tetracycline absorption. Non-dairy foods are preferred.
Following a lumbar puncture, which complaint indicates a complication?
a. Back pain with movement
b. Sore throat
c. Nausea
d. Headache worse when sitting up
