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HESI PN EXAM /ACTUAL PN HESI EXIT EXAM
2026/2027 BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
QUESTION 1
A client with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide 40 mg orally
twice daily. Which assessment finding requires the nurse to notify the
healthcare provider immediately?
A) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
B) Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
C) Urinary output of 150 mL over 4 hours
D) Mild pedal edema
Answer: A
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium
excretion. A serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia,
which can predispose the client to cardiac dysrhythmias, especially if
the client is also on digoxin. This finding requires immediate notification
of the provider. Options B and D are expected or non-urgent; option C
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may indicate decreased output but is less immediately life-threatening
than severe hypokalemia.
QUESTION 2
A postoperative client suddenly reports sharp chest pain and dyspnea.
The nurse notes tachycardia and oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer prescribed PRN morphine sulfate
B) Place the client in a high-Fowler's position
C) Obtain a stat electrocardiogram
D) Increase the intravenous fluid rate
Answer: B
Explanation: The symptoms suggest a pulmonary embolism. Positioning
the client in high-Fowler's (semi-upright) position improves lung
expansion and oxygenation. Airway and breathing come before pain
medication or diagnostics per the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation).
Oxygen should be applied immediately, but among the options,
positioning is the first action.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is educating a client with type 2 diabetes about foot care.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will check inside my shoes for pebbles before putting them on."
B) "I can soak my feet in hot water daily to relax them."
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C) "I will apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of my feet, but not
between my toes."
D) "I will trim my toenails straight across."
Answer: B
Explanation: Soaking feet in hot water can cause burns and maceration,
increasing infection risk in clients with peripheral neuropathy. Water
should be lukewarm (less than 100°F). Options A, C, and D reflect
correct foot care practices to prevent injury and infection.
QUESTION 4
A client with major depressive disorder has been taking sertraline for 6
weeks. The client reports no change in mood but improved sleep and
appetite. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) The medication is ineffective and should be changed
B) The dose needs to be increased immediately
C) The client is experiencing early therapeutic effects
D) The client may be developing serotonin syndrome
Answer: C
Explanation: SSRIs like sertraline often show improvement in
neurovegetative symptoms (sleep, appetite) before mood elevation.
This is a positive early response; full antidepressant effect may take 8–
12 weeks. No indication for dose change or serotonin syndrome (which
presents with agitation, diaphoresis, hyperreflexia).
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QUESTION 5
A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube attached to low
intermittent suction. Which finding indicates a possible complication
requiring intervention?
A) The client complains of a dry mouth
B) The pH of aspirated fluid is 4
C) The client has absent bowel sounds in all quadrants
D) The drainage is light green
Answer: C
Explanation: Absent bowel sounds may indicate paralytic ileus, a
complication of prolonged NG suction or underlying condition. Dry
mouth is common and can be managed with oral care. Gastric aspirate
pH <5 is expected. Light green drainage indicates gastric contents,
which is normal.
QUESTION 6
A client is receiving a blood transfusion of packed red blood cells.
Fifteen minutes after initiation, the client reports low back pain and
chills. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Slow the infusion rate and document findings
B) Stop the transfusion and maintain IV line with normal saline
C) Administer acetaminophen as ordered for chills
HESI PN EXAM /ACTUAL PN HESI EXIT EXAM
2026/2027 BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
QUESTION 1
A client with chronic heart failure is prescribed furosemide 40 mg orally
twice daily. Which assessment finding requires the nurse to notify the
healthcare provider immediately?
A) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
B) Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
C) Urinary output of 150 mL over 4 hours
D) Mild pedal edema
Answer: A
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium
excretion. A serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia,
which can predispose the client to cardiac dysrhythmias, especially if
the client is also on digoxin. This finding requires immediate notification
of the provider. Options B and D are expected or non-urgent; option C
,2|Page
may indicate decreased output but is less immediately life-threatening
than severe hypokalemia.
QUESTION 2
A postoperative client suddenly reports sharp chest pain and dyspnea.
The nurse notes tachycardia and oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer prescribed PRN morphine sulfate
B) Place the client in a high-Fowler's position
C) Obtain a stat electrocardiogram
D) Increase the intravenous fluid rate
Answer: B
Explanation: The symptoms suggest a pulmonary embolism. Positioning
the client in high-Fowler's (semi-upright) position improves lung
expansion and oxygenation. Airway and breathing come before pain
medication or diagnostics per the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation).
Oxygen should be applied immediately, but among the options,
positioning is the first action.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is educating a client with type 2 diabetes about foot care.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will check inside my shoes for pebbles before putting them on."
B) "I can soak my feet in hot water daily to relax them."
,3|Page
C) "I will apply lotion to the tops and bottoms of my feet, but not
between my toes."
D) "I will trim my toenails straight across."
Answer: B
Explanation: Soaking feet in hot water can cause burns and maceration,
increasing infection risk in clients with peripheral neuropathy. Water
should be lukewarm (less than 100°F). Options A, C, and D reflect
correct foot care practices to prevent injury and infection.
QUESTION 4
A client with major depressive disorder has been taking sertraline for 6
weeks. The client reports no change in mood but improved sleep and
appetite. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
A) The medication is ineffective and should be changed
B) The dose needs to be increased immediately
C) The client is experiencing early therapeutic effects
D) The client may be developing serotonin syndrome
Answer: C
Explanation: SSRIs like sertraline often show improvement in
neurovegetative symptoms (sleep, appetite) before mood elevation.
This is a positive early response; full antidepressant effect may take 8–
12 weeks. No indication for dose change or serotonin syndrome (which
presents with agitation, diaphoresis, hyperreflexia).
, 4|Page
QUESTION 5
A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube attached to low
intermittent suction. Which finding indicates a possible complication
requiring intervention?
A) The client complains of a dry mouth
B) The pH of aspirated fluid is 4
C) The client has absent bowel sounds in all quadrants
D) The drainage is light green
Answer: C
Explanation: Absent bowel sounds may indicate paralytic ileus, a
complication of prolonged NG suction or underlying condition. Dry
mouth is common and can be managed with oral care. Gastric aspirate
pH <5 is expected. Light green drainage indicates gastric contents,
which is normal.
QUESTION 6
A client is receiving a blood transfusion of packed red blood cells.
Fifteen minutes after initiation, the client reports low back pain and
chills. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Slow the infusion rate and document findings
B) Stop the transfusion and maintain IV line with normal saline
C) Administer acetaminophen as ordered for chills
