HESI FUNDAMENTALS
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026:
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Legal & Ethical Issues
1. On admission, a client presents a signed living will that includes a Do Not
Resuscitate (DNR) prescription. When the client stops breathing, the nurse performs
CPR and successfully revives the client. What legal issue could be brought against the
nurse?
• A) Assault
• B) Battery
• C) Malpractice
• D) False imprisonment
Rationale: Battery is the unauthorized touching of another person. Performing CPR
against the client's documented wishes (DNR order) constitutes battery.
2. A client with end-stage renal failure and advanced lung cancer had dialysis
discontinued two days ago. The client is disoriented and will not sign a DNR
directive. What is the priority nursing intervention?
• A) Review the client's most recent laboratory reports
• B) Refer the client and family for hospice care
• C) Notify the hospital ethics committee
• D) Determine who is legally empowered to make decisions
,Rationale: When death is impending and the client lacks decision-making capacity, it
is essential to identify the legally authorized decision-maker (healthcare power of
attorney, surrogate, or family member) to ensure care aligns with the client's best
interests or previously expressed wishes.
3. The nurse stops at a motor vehicle collision site to render aid and applies pressure
to a groin wound that is bleeding profusely. Later the client has to have the leg
amputated and sues the nurse. Under the Good Samaritan Act, how is the nurse
protected?
• A) Good Samaritan laws protect healthcare professionals from liability in all
situations
• B) Good Samaritan laws generally protect healthcare professionals from
liability when they provide care in good faith at the scene of an accident
• C) The nurse would not be protected because the care was provided outside
of a hospital setting
• D) Good Samaritan laws only protect physicians, not nurses
Rationale: Good Samaritan laws are designed to protect healthcare professionals
from liability when they voluntarily provide emergency care at the scene of an
accident, provided they act within their scope of practice and without gross
negligence.
4. A client is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning. The nurse finds that the
operative permit is not signed, and the client begins asking more questions about
the surgical procedure. Which action should the nurse take next?
• A) Notify the healthcare provider that the consent form has not been
signed and answer the client's questions within your scope of practice
• B) Have the client sign the consent form immediately
• C) Document that the client is refusing surgery
• D) Ask the client's family member to sign the consent form
Rationale: Informed consent must be obtained by the healthcare provider
performing the procedure. The nurse can witness the signature and answer basic
questions, but any complex questions should be referred to the healthcare provider.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who refuses a prescribed medication. The nurse tells
the client, "If you don't take this medication, I will have to restrain you to protect
you." This statement could lead to which legal charge?
• A) Assault
• B) Battery
• C) Negligence
, • D) Malpractice
Rationale: Assault is a threat or attempt to make bodily contact with another person
without that person's consent. The nurse's statement threatens unwanted physical
contact (restraint), constituting assault.
The Nursing Process & Critical Thinking
6. Prior to administering a newly prescribed medication, the nurse reviews the
adverse effects listed in a drug reference guide and determines the priority risks to
the client. The nurse is engaged in which step of the nursing process?
• A) Assessment
• B) Analysis
• C) Implementation
• D) Evaluation
Rationale: Analysis (or nursing diagnosis) involves reviewing assessment data,
identifying patterns, and determining potential problems or risks. The nurse is
analyzing the medication's adverse effects to identify priority risks.
7. The nurse plans to obtain health assessment information from a primary source.
Which option is a primary source for completing the health assessment?
• A) Client
• B) Family member
• C) Medical records from previous admissions
• D) The client's primary healthcare provider
Rationale: The client is the primary source of subjective health assessment data.
Family members, medical records, and healthcare providers are considered
secondary sources.
8. A client with chronic renal disease is admitted for evaluation prior to a surgical
procedure. Which laboratory test indicates the client's protein status for the longest
length of time?
• A) Low serum transferrin level
• B) Low serum albumin level
• C) High hemoglobin level
• D) High cholesterol level
, Rationale: Long-term protein deficiency is required to cause significantly lowered
serum albumin levels, as albumin has a long half-life. Transferrin has a shorter half-
life (8-10 days) and will drop with acute protein deficiency.
9. Which statement correctly identifies a written learning objective for a client with
peripheral vascular disease?
• A) "The client will demonstrate proper technique for applying
compression stockings before discharge."
• B) "The client will understand why smoking is harmful to their circulation."
• C) "The nurse will teach the client about foot care."
• D) "The client's circulation will improve in 3 days."
Rationale: A well-written learning objective is client-centered, specific, measurable,
and includes a timeframe. It describes what the client will do (demonstrate), under
what conditions (before discharge), and to what standard (proper technique).
10. A 35-year-old female client with cancer refuses to allow the nurse to insert an IV.
What is the nurse's best response?
• A) "You must have this IV to receive your chemotherapy."
• B) "I understand you are refusing. Can you tell me more about your
concerns?"
• C) "I will have to call the doctor if you refuse."
• D) "Would you like me to try to insert the IV in a different location?"
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's right to refuse treatment while
exploring the reasons for refusal to address any concerns or misconceptions. Open-
ended questions facilitate therapeutic communication.
Patient Safety & Fall Prevention
11. When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, which action by
the nurse best ensures client safety?
• A) Securely grasp the client's arm and leg
• B) Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the nurse
• C) Correctly position and use a turn sheet
• D) Lower the head of the client's bed slowly
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026:
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES/GRADED A+/2026
UPDATE/100% CORRECT
/INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Legal & Ethical Issues
1. On admission, a client presents a signed living will that includes a Do Not
Resuscitate (DNR) prescription. When the client stops breathing, the nurse performs
CPR and successfully revives the client. What legal issue could be brought against the
nurse?
• A) Assault
• B) Battery
• C) Malpractice
• D) False imprisonment
Rationale: Battery is the unauthorized touching of another person. Performing CPR
against the client's documented wishes (DNR order) constitutes battery.
2. A client with end-stage renal failure and advanced lung cancer had dialysis
discontinued two days ago. The client is disoriented and will not sign a DNR
directive. What is the priority nursing intervention?
• A) Review the client's most recent laboratory reports
• B) Refer the client and family for hospice care
• C) Notify the hospital ethics committee
• D) Determine who is legally empowered to make decisions
,Rationale: When death is impending and the client lacks decision-making capacity, it
is essential to identify the legally authorized decision-maker (healthcare power of
attorney, surrogate, or family member) to ensure care aligns with the client's best
interests or previously expressed wishes.
3. The nurse stops at a motor vehicle collision site to render aid and applies pressure
to a groin wound that is bleeding profusely. Later the client has to have the leg
amputated and sues the nurse. Under the Good Samaritan Act, how is the nurse
protected?
• A) Good Samaritan laws protect healthcare professionals from liability in all
situations
• B) Good Samaritan laws generally protect healthcare professionals from
liability when they provide care in good faith at the scene of an accident
• C) The nurse would not be protected because the care was provided outside
of a hospital setting
• D) Good Samaritan laws only protect physicians, not nurses
Rationale: Good Samaritan laws are designed to protect healthcare professionals
from liability when they voluntarily provide emergency care at the scene of an
accident, provided they act within their scope of practice and without gross
negligence.
4. A client is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning. The nurse finds that the
operative permit is not signed, and the client begins asking more questions about
the surgical procedure. Which action should the nurse take next?
• A) Notify the healthcare provider that the consent form has not been
signed and answer the client's questions within your scope of practice
• B) Have the client sign the consent form immediately
• C) Document that the client is refusing surgery
• D) Ask the client's family member to sign the consent form
Rationale: Informed consent must be obtained by the healthcare provider
performing the procedure. The nurse can witness the signature and answer basic
questions, but any complex questions should be referred to the healthcare provider.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who refuses a prescribed medication. The nurse tells
the client, "If you don't take this medication, I will have to restrain you to protect
you." This statement could lead to which legal charge?
• A) Assault
• B) Battery
• C) Negligence
, • D) Malpractice
Rationale: Assault is a threat or attempt to make bodily contact with another person
without that person's consent. The nurse's statement threatens unwanted physical
contact (restraint), constituting assault.
The Nursing Process & Critical Thinking
6. Prior to administering a newly prescribed medication, the nurse reviews the
adverse effects listed in a drug reference guide and determines the priority risks to
the client. The nurse is engaged in which step of the nursing process?
• A) Assessment
• B) Analysis
• C) Implementation
• D) Evaluation
Rationale: Analysis (or nursing diagnosis) involves reviewing assessment data,
identifying patterns, and determining potential problems or risks. The nurse is
analyzing the medication's adverse effects to identify priority risks.
7. The nurse plans to obtain health assessment information from a primary source.
Which option is a primary source for completing the health assessment?
• A) Client
• B) Family member
• C) Medical records from previous admissions
• D) The client's primary healthcare provider
Rationale: The client is the primary source of subjective health assessment data.
Family members, medical records, and healthcare providers are considered
secondary sources.
8. A client with chronic renal disease is admitted for evaluation prior to a surgical
procedure. Which laboratory test indicates the client's protein status for the longest
length of time?
• A) Low serum transferrin level
• B) Low serum albumin level
• C) High hemoglobin level
• D) High cholesterol level
, Rationale: Long-term protein deficiency is required to cause significantly lowered
serum albumin levels, as albumin has a long half-life. Transferrin has a shorter half-
life (8-10 days) and will drop with acute protein deficiency.
9. Which statement correctly identifies a written learning objective for a client with
peripheral vascular disease?
• A) "The client will demonstrate proper technique for applying
compression stockings before discharge."
• B) "The client will understand why smoking is harmful to their circulation."
• C) "The nurse will teach the client about foot care."
• D) "The client's circulation will improve in 3 days."
Rationale: A well-written learning objective is client-centered, specific, measurable,
and includes a timeframe. It describes what the client will do (demonstrate), under
what conditions (before discharge), and to what standard (proper technique).
10. A 35-year-old female client with cancer refuses to allow the nurse to insert an IV.
What is the nurse's best response?
• A) "You must have this IV to receive your chemotherapy."
• B) "I understand you are refusing. Can you tell me more about your
concerns?"
• C) "I will have to call the doctor if you refuse."
• D) "Would you like me to try to insert the IV in a different location?"
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's right to refuse treatment while
exploring the reasons for refusal to address any concerns or misconceptions. Open-
ended questions facilitate therapeutic communication.
Patient Safety & Fall Prevention
11. When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, which action by
the nurse best ensures client safety?
• A) Securely grasp the client's arm and leg
• B) Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the nurse
• C) Correctly position and use a turn sheet
• D) Lower the head of the client's bed slowly
