HESI PN EXIT EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT /INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING (Questions 1-12)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following abdominal
surgery. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
• A) Heart rate 88 bpm
• B) Temperature 99.2°F (37.3°C)
• C) Respiratory rate 28 breaths/minute
• D) Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
Rationale: Tachypnea (RR >20) may indicate early respiratory distress, pulmonary
embolism, or pain. Normal postoperative vital signs should be trending toward
baseline. RR 28 requires immediate assessment of oxygen saturation, lung sounds,
and pain level.
2. A client with a nasogastric (NG) tube attached to low intermittent suction has
decreased output over the past 4 hours. What should the nurse do first?
• A) Irrigate the NG tube with 30 mL sterile water
• B) Reposition the client from supine to right side-lying
• C) Notify the healthcare provider
• D) Increase suction pressure to high continuous
Rationale: Repositioning helps the NG tube move to a dependent position for better
drainage. Irrigation should not be done without an order. Increasing suction can
damage gastric mucosa.
,3. Which client is at highest risk for developing a pressure injury?
• A) 45-year-old with a fractured tibia in a cast
• B) 82-year-old with urinary incontinence and immobility
• C) 30-year-old with appendicitis
• D) 55-year-old with hypertension
Rationale: Elderly, incontinent, and immobile clients have three major risk factors:
decreased tissue perfusion, moisture from incontinence, and unrelieved pressure. The
Braden Scale would score this client lowest.
4. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which technique maintains
sterile field?
• A) Opening the outer wrapper completely before washing hands
• B) Donning sterile gloves before opening inner sterile packaging
• C) Using clean gloves to handle the catheter
• D) Placing the sterile drape after the catheter is inserted
Rationale: Sterile gloves must be donned before handling any sterile equipment
within the inner package. This maintains asepsis and prevents contamination of the
catheter.
5. The LPN is reinforcing teaching about fall prevention for an older adult
client. Which statement indicates understanding?
• A) "I'll keep my room dark at night to save electricity."
• B) "I'll wear my nonslip socks when walking to the bathroom."
• C) "I'll put my throw rugs back on the floor for comfort."
• D) "I'll use a towel to dry between my toes after showering."
Rationale: Nonslip socks or footwear reduces fall risk on smooth surfaces. Throw
rugs are trip hazards. Adequate lighting is essential for safety.
, 6. A client refuses to take their prescribed oral medication. Which action by the
nurse is appropriate?
• A) Crush the medication and hide it in applesauce
• B) Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
• C) Inform the client they cannot refuse hospital policy
• D) Administer the medication IM without consent
Rationale: Clients have the legal right to refuse treatment. The nurse must respect
autonomy, document the refusal, and notify the provider. Covert administration is
unethical and illegal.
7. A nurse is calculating intake for a client from 0700 to 1500. The client had: IV
fluids 500 mL, 8 oz water, 6 oz juice, 4 oz ice chips. What is total intake in mL?
• A) 840 mL
• B) 940 mL
• C) 1,040 mL
• D) 1,140 mL
Rationale: 8 oz water = 240 mL; 6 oz juice = 180 mL; 4 oz ice chips = 120 mL (ice
chips calculated as half volume: 4 oz = 120 mL). Total: 500 + 240 + 180 + 120 = 940
mL.
8. Which action by the UAP requires immediate intervention by the LPN?
• A) Taking vital signs on a stable client
• B) Applying restraints without an order
• C) Ambulating a client to the bathroom
• D) Measuring intake and output
Rationale: Restraints require a healthcare provider's order and cannot be applied
independently by UAP. This is a violation of client rights and safety regulations.
9. A client with a history of falls is confused and attempting to get out of bed.
What is the priority intervention?
COMPREHENSIVE TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT /INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING (Questions 1-12)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following abdominal
surgery. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
• A) Heart rate 88 bpm
• B) Temperature 99.2°F (37.3°C)
• C) Respiratory rate 28 breaths/minute
• D) Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
Rationale: Tachypnea (RR >20) may indicate early respiratory distress, pulmonary
embolism, or pain. Normal postoperative vital signs should be trending toward
baseline. RR 28 requires immediate assessment of oxygen saturation, lung sounds,
and pain level.
2. A client with a nasogastric (NG) tube attached to low intermittent suction has
decreased output over the past 4 hours. What should the nurse do first?
• A) Irrigate the NG tube with 30 mL sterile water
• B) Reposition the client from supine to right side-lying
• C) Notify the healthcare provider
• D) Increase suction pressure to high continuous
Rationale: Repositioning helps the NG tube move to a dependent position for better
drainage. Irrigation should not be done without an order. Increasing suction can
damage gastric mucosa.
,3. Which client is at highest risk for developing a pressure injury?
• A) 45-year-old with a fractured tibia in a cast
• B) 82-year-old with urinary incontinence and immobility
• C) 30-year-old with appendicitis
• D) 55-year-old with hypertension
Rationale: Elderly, incontinent, and immobile clients have three major risk factors:
decreased tissue perfusion, moisture from incontinence, and unrelieved pressure. The
Braden Scale would score this client lowest.
4. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which technique maintains
sterile field?
• A) Opening the outer wrapper completely before washing hands
• B) Donning sterile gloves before opening inner sterile packaging
• C) Using clean gloves to handle the catheter
• D) Placing the sterile drape after the catheter is inserted
Rationale: Sterile gloves must be donned before handling any sterile equipment
within the inner package. This maintains asepsis and prevents contamination of the
catheter.
5. The LPN is reinforcing teaching about fall prevention for an older adult
client. Which statement indicates understanding?
• A) "I'll keep my room dark at night to save electricity."
• B) "I'll wear my nonslip socks when walking to the bathroom."
• C) "I'll put my throw rugs back on the floor for comfort."
• D) "I'll use a towel to dry between my toes after showering."
Rationale: Nonslip socks or footwear reduces fall risk on smooth surfaces. Throw
rugs are trip hazards. Adequate lighting is essential for safety.
, 6. A client refuses to take their prescribed oral medication. Which action by the
nurse is appropriate?
• A) Crush the medication and hide it in applesauce
• B) Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
• C) Inform the client they cannot refuse hospital policy
• D) Administer the medication IM without consent
Rationale: Clients have the legal right to refuse treatment. The nurse must respect
autonomy, document the refusal, and notify the provider. Covert administration is
unethical and illegal.
7. A nurse is calculating intake for a client from 0700 to 1500. The client had: IV
fluids 500 mL, 8 oz water, 6 oz juice, 4 oz ice chips. What is total intake in mL?
• A) 840 mL
• B) 940 mL
• C) 1,040 mL
• D) 1,140 mL
Rationale: 8 oz water = 240 mL; 6 oz juice = 180 mL; 4 oz ice chips = 120 mL (ice
chips calculated as half volume: 4 oz = 120 mL). Total: 500 + 240 + 180 + 120 = 940
mL.
8. Which action by the UAP requires immediate intervention by the LPN?
• A) Taking vital signs on a stable client
• B) Applying restraints without an order
• C) Ambulating a client to the bathroom
• D) Measuring intake and output
Rationale: Restraints require a healthcare provider's order and cannot be applied
independently by UAP. This is a violation of client rights and safety regulations.
9. A client with a history of falls is confused and attempting to get out of bed.
What is the priority intervention?
