HESI FUNDAMENTALS PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Nursing Process (ADPIE)
Patient-Centered Care and Advocacy
Safety and Infection Control
Communication and Documentation
Legal and Ethical Principles
Health Assessment and Vital Signs
Medication Administration and Pharmacology
Nutrition and Hydration
Pain Management
Basic Patient Care and Comfort
Introduction
This exam is designed to assess foundational nursing knowledge and clinical decision-making skills essential
for safe, effective patient care. The test covers core domains including the nursing process, infection control,
therapeutic communication, legal and ethical standards, health assessment, medication administration,
nutrition, and pain management. Questions are presented in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats that
emphasize real-world application, critical thinking, and prioritization of care. Success on this assessment
requires not only recall of factual information but also the ability to analyze clinical situations, apply
evidence-based practices, and make sound judgments consistent with professional nursing standards.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient who has just been admitted to the medical-surgical unit. Which action should the
nurse perform first as part of the initial assessment?
A. Obtain the patient's complete medication history
B. Assess the patient's vital signs
C. Ask the patient about their chief complaint
D. Perform a head-to-toe physical examination
🟢 C. Ask the patient about their chief complaint
🔴 RATIONALE: The first step in the initial assessment is to establish communication and understand the
patient's chief complaint, which guides all subsequent assessment activities. This aligns with the assessment
phase of the nursing process and ensures patient-centered care.
Question 2
Which of the following is the most appropriate method for preventing the spread of infection when caring for a
patient with Clostridium difficile?
A. Wear a surgical mask
B. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
C. Wear gloves and a gown, and wash hands with soap and water
D. Place the patient in a negative-pressure airflow room
,🟢 C. Wear gloves and a gown, and wash hands with soap and water
🔴 RATIONALE: C. difficile is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and requires contact precautions. Alcohol-
based sanitizers do not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water handwashing is necessary. Gloves and a gown
prevent transmission.
Question 3
A patient is refusing to take their prescribed medication. What is the nurse's first appropriate action?
A. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
B. Explain the consequences of not taking the medication
C. Ask the patient why they are refusing the medication
D. Call the family to intervene
🟢 C. Ask the patient why they are refusing the medication
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse should first assess the patient's reasoning for refusal to address any concerns,
misunderstandings, or barriers. This respects patient autonomy and promotes therapeutic communication
before documenting or notifying others.
Question 4
Which vital sign finding in an adult patient requires immediate reporting to the healthcare provider?
, A. Temperature of 99.1°F (37.3°C)
B. Pulse of 58 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
D. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
🟢 C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute is above the normal adult range (12–20) and may
indicate respiratory distress, infection, or other serious conditions requiring immediate evaluation.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the intramuscular route. Which site is most appropriate for
a 2-mL injection in an adult patient?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Ventrogluteal muscle
C. Subscapular area
D. Posterior forearm
🟢 B. Ventrogluteal muscle
🔴 RATIONALE: The ventrogluteal site is the safest and most appropriate for intramuscular injections of 2 mL
or more in adults, as it has a large muscle mass and is distant from major nerves and blood vessels.
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Nursing Process (ADPIE)
Patient-Centered Care and Advocacy
Safety and Infection Control
Communication and Documentation
Legal and Ethical Principles
Health Assessment and Vital Signs
Medication Administration and Pharmacology
Nutrition and Hydration
Pain Management
Basic Patient Care and Comfort
Introduction
This exam is designed to assess foundational nursing knowledge and clinical decision-making skills essential
for safe, effective patient care. The test covers core domains including the nursing process, infection control,
therapeutic communication, legal and ethical standards, health assessment, medication administration,
nutrition, and pain management. Questions are presented in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats that
emphasize real-world application, critical thinking, and prioritization of care. Success on this assessment
requires not only recall of factual information but also the ability to analyze clinical situations, apply
evidence-based practices, and make sound judgments consistent with professional nursing standards.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient who has just been admitted to the medical-surgical unit. Which action should the
nurse perform first as part of the initial assessment?
A. Obtain the patient's complete medication history
B. Assess the patient's vital signs
C. Ask the patient about their chief complaint
D. Perform a head-to-toe physical examination
🟢 C. Ask the patient about their chief complaint
🔴 RATIONALE: The first step in the initial assessment is to establish communication and understand the
patient's chief complaint, which guides all subsequent assessment activities. This aligns with the assessment
phase of the nursing process and ensures patient-centered care.
Question 2
Which of the following is the most appropriate method for preventing the spread of infection when caring for a
patient with Clostridium difficile?
A. Wear a surgical mask
B. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
C. Wear gloves and a gown, and wash hands with soap and water
D. Place the patient in a negative-pressure airflow room
,🟢 C. Wear gloves and a gown, and wash hands with soap and water
🔴 RATIONALE: C. difficile is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and requires contact precautions. Alcohol-
based sanitizers do not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water handwashing is necessary. Gloves and a gown
prevent transmission.
Question 3
A patient is refusing to take their prescribed medication. What is the nurse's first appropriate action?
A. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
B. Explain the consequences of not taking the medication
C. Ask the patient why they are refusing the medication
D. Call the family to intervene
🟢 C. Ask the patient why they are refusing the medication
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse should first assess the patient's reasoning for refusal to address any concerns,
misunderstandings, or barriers. This respects patient autonomy and promotes therapeutic communication
before documenting or notifying others.
Question 4
Which vital sign finding in an adult patient requires immediate reporting to the healthcare provider?
, A. Temperature of 99.1°F (37.3°C)
B. Pulse of 58 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
D. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
🟢 C. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute is above the normal adult range (12–20) and may
indicate respiratory distress, infection, or other serious conditions requiring immediate evaluation.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the intramuscular route. Which site is most appropriate for
a 2-mL injection in an adult patient?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Ventrogluteal muscle
C. Subscapular area
D. Posterior forearm
🟢 B. Ventrogluteal muscle
🔴 RATIONALE: The ventrogluteal site is the safest and most appropriate for intramuscular injections of 2 mL
or more in adults, as it has a large muscle mass and is distant from major nerves and blood vessels.
