HESI RN 2026 EXIT EXAM MOST TESTED EXAM QUESTIONS · 100+ (2026/27) EXAM… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI RN 2026 EXIT EXAM
MOST TESTED EXAM
QUESTIONS
100+ (2026/27) Exam Prep | Verified Q&A with Rationales
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 100 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document, "HESI RN 2026 EXIT EXAM MOST TESTED EXAM QUESTIONS," presents 100 questions across various
nursing topics including respiratory care, pain management, sensory deficits, mental health, cardiovascular disorders,
and pharmacology. For each question, the correct answer is provided alongside detailed explanations and rationales. This
resource allows students to study key concepts, review critical decision-making processes, and deepen their
understanding of nursing interventions and patient care scenarios for HESI exit exam preparation.
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
A client with a left lateral chest tube, draining 20 cm of fluid, is being prepared for a STAT CT scan due to a
sudden decline in level of consciousness. Which nursing actions are essential during transport to ensure client
safety? (Select all that apply.)
A) Ensure the drainage collection unit remains at chest tube insertion level.
B) Secure the chest tube apparatus to the stretcher's side rail.
C) Administer prescribed analgesia before moving the client.
D) Maintain the drainage collection unit below the level of the insertion site.
Page 1
,E) Clamp the chest tube briefly to prevent air entry.
F) Document the current drainage volume before departure.
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Maintain the drainage collection unit below the level of the insertion site.
F) Document the current drainage volume before departure.
RATIONALE
Maintaining the drainage collection unit below the insertion site prevents backflow and aspiration of fluid into the
pleural space, while documenting drainage is crucial for monitoring changes during transport.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
A client with persistent low back pain is prescribed a TENS unit. After electrode placement and power activation,
the client reports a tingling sensation. Which nursing actions are appropriate to ensure effective pain
management and client safety? (Select all that apply.)
A) Adjust the TENS unit's frequency to a higher setting.
B) Inquire about the character and intensity of the tingling.
C) Apply additional gel to the electrode pads.
D) Verify the TENS unit is set to a continuous mode.
E) Ask the client if the tingling is causing any discomfort.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Inquire about the character and intensity of the tingling.
E) Ask the client if the tingling is causing any discomfort.
RATIONALE
The nurse should assess the client's subjective experience of the tingling sensation by inquiring about its character,
intensity, and comfort level to determine if the current setting is therapeutic or potentially irritating. This is a crucial part
of optimizing TENS unit effectiveness and client comfort.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
A nurse is admitting a client diagnosed with left-sided sensorineural hearing loss for a scheduled laparoscopic
cholecystectomy. The nurse needs to educate the client on postoperative pain management strategies. Which
communication approach should the nurse prioritize to ensure effective information transfer?
A) Delivering instructions verbally while positioned directly in front of the client's line of sight.
B) Utilizing a communication board with pre-written information about pain medications.
Page 2
,C) Speaking in a loud volume directly towards the client's unaffected right ear.
D) Repeating all instructions verbatim multiple times without soliciting client feedback.
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Delivering instructions verbally while positioned directly in front of the client's line of sight.
RATIONALE
For unilateral hearing loss, direct visual contact and speaking face-to-face is crucial for lip-reading and maximizing
auditory input to the better ear, enhancing comprehension over other methods.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
A nurse is caring for an adolescent client admitted on 06/15 for suicidal ideation after writing a note at school.
On 06/16, following a multidisciplinary team meeting, the client departs the conference room visibly distressed
and returns directly to their private room. Which immediate nursing action is most appropriate?
A) Allow the client uninterrupted time to process the team meeting outcome.
B) Initiate a conversation with the client to explore their treatment goals and expectations.
C) Contact the treatment team members to gather their perspectives on the client's reaction.
D) Enter the client's room and inquire about their experience during the meeting.
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Enter the client's room and inquire about their experience during the meeting.
RATIONALE
Direct therapeutic communication is essential to assess the client's immediate emotional state and understand the
impact of the meeting, facilitating appropriate support and intervention. This allows for immediate engagement rather
than passive observation or indirect information gathering.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
The nurse is reviewing the admission data for a 59-year-old female client hospitalized with symptoms of heart
failure. The client has a 52-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus managed with insulin glargine and insulin
aspart, and no other significant medical conditions. Which of the following assessments are indicated to guide
initial management? (Select all that apply.)
A) Assess the client's current blood glucose level.
B) Review the client's last recorded hemoglobin A1c.
C) Obtain a baseline electrocardiogram (ECG).
Page 3
, D) Administer a bolus of intravenous normal saline.
E) Document the client's baseline respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Assess the client's current blood glucose level.
B) Review the client's last recorded hemoglobin A1c.
C) Obtain a baseline electrocardiogram (ECG).
E) Document the client's baseline respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
RATIONALE
Heart failure management in a client with long-standing diabetes requires assessment of glycemic control (blood
glucose, A1c) and cardiovascular status (ECG, respiratory assessment) to identify contributing factors and guide
treatment. Intravenous fluids should be administered cautiously in heart failure, not as a routine bolus.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 100
A nurse is caring for a client admitted to the surgical unit, receiving lactated ringers at 85 mL/hr and ibuprofen
800 mg PO every 8 hours PRN for pain. Which of the following diagnostic tests is most appropriate to assess for
potential complications related to surgical trauma or fluid shifts?
A) Blood culture to monitor for infection.
B) Urinalysis to assess kidney function.
C) Complete blood count to evaluate oxygen-carrying capacity.
D) Echocardiogram to assess cardiac structure and function.
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Complete blood count to evaluate oxygen-carrying capacity.
RATIONALE
A complete blood count is indicated to assess for anemia or excessive blood loss from surgery, which directly impacts
oxygen-carrying capacity and tissue perfusion. Other options are less directly related to immediate post-surgical
complications.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 100
A nurse is assessing a client reporting 2-3 hours of sleep nightly following a motor vehicle accident. The client
describes feeling "jumpy," especially in a car, and expresses profound sadness, stating, "I feel so sad that I can't
seem to feel anything at all." Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as indicative of potential
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms? (Select all that apply.)
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI RN 2026 EXIT EXAM
MOST TESTED EXAM
QUESTIONS
100+ (2026/27) Exam Prep | Verified Q&A with Rationales
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales 100 Questions
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document, "HESI RN 2026 EXIT EXAM MOST TESTED EXAM QUESTIONS," presents 100 questions across various
nursing topics including respiratory care, pain management, sensory deficits, mental health, cardiovascular disorders,
and pharmacology. For each question, the correct answer is provided alongside detailed explanations and rationales. This
resource allows students to study key concepts, review critical decision-making processes, and deepen their
understanding of nursing interventions and patient care scenarios for HESI exit exam preparation.
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
A client with a left lateral chest tube, draining 20 cm of fluid, is being prepared for a STAT CT scan due to a
sudden decline in level of consciousness. Which nursing actions are essential during transport to ensure client
safety? (Select all that apply.)
A) Ensure the drainage collection unit remains at chest tube insertion level.
B) Secure the chest tube apparatus to the stretcher's side rail.
C) Administer prescribed analgesia before moving the client.
D) Maintain the drainage collection unit below the level of the insertion site.
Page 1
,E) Clamp the chest tube briefly to prevent air entry.
F) Document the current drainage volume before departure.
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Maintain the drainage collection unit below the level of the insertion site.
F) Document the current drainage volume before departure.
RATIONALE
Maintaining the drainage collection unit below the insertion site prevents backflow and aspiration of fluid into the
pleural space, while documenting drainage is crucial for monitoring changes during transport.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
A client with persistent low back pain is prescribed a TENS unit. After electrode placement and power activation,
the client reports a tingling sensation. Which nursing actions are appropriate to ensure effective pain
management and client safety? (Select all that apply.)
A) Adjust the TENS unit's frequency to a higher setting.
B) Inquire about the character and intensity of the tingling.
C) Apply additional gel to the electrode pads.
D) Verify the TENS unit is set to a continuous mode.
E) Ask the client if the tingling is causing any discomfort.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Inquire about the character and intensity of the tingling.
E) Ask the client if the tingling is causing any discomfort.
RATIONALE
The nurse should assess the client's subjective experience of the tingling sensation by inquiring about its character,
intensity, and comfort level to determine if the current setting is therapeutic or potentially irritating. This is a crucial part
of optimizing TENS unit effectiveness and client comfort.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
A nurse is admitting a client diagnosed with left-sided sensorineural hearing loss for a scheduled laparoscopic
cholecystectomy. The nurse needs to educate the client on postoperative pain management strategies. Which
communication approach should the nurse prioritize to ensure effective information transfer?
A) Delivering instructions verbally while positioned directly in front of the client's line of sight.
B) Utilizing a communication board with pre-written information about pain medications.
Page 2
,C) Speaking in a loud volume directly towards the client's unaffected right ear.
D) Repeating all instructions verbatim multiple times without soliciting client feedback.
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Delivering instructions verbally while positioned directly in front of the client's line of sight.
RATIONALE
For unilateral hearing loss, direct visual contact and speaking face-to-face is crucial for lip-reading and maximizing
auditory input to the better ear, enhancing comprehension over other methods.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
A nurse is caring for an adolescent client admitted on 06/15 for suicidal ideation after writing a note at school.
On 06/16, following a multidisciplinary team meeting, the client departs the conference room visibly distressed
and returns directly to their private room. Which immediate nursing action is most appropriate?
A) Allow the client uninterrupted time to process the team meeting outcome.
B) Initiate a conversation with the client to explore their treatment goals and expectations.
C) Contact the treatment team members to gather their perspectives on the client's reaction.
D) Enter the client's room and inquire about their experience during the meeting.
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Enter the client's room and inquire about their experience during the meeting.
RATIONALE
Direct therapeutic communication is essential to assess the client's immediate emotional state and understand the
impact of the meeting, facilitating appropriate support and intervention. This allows for immediate engagement rather
than passive observation or indirect information gathering.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
The nurse is reviewing the admission data for a 59-year-old female client hospitalized with symptoms of heart
failure. The client has a 52-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus managed with insulin glargine and insulin
aspart, and no other significant medical conditions. Which of the following assessments are indicated to guide
initial management? (Select all that apply.)
A) Assess the client's current blood glucose level.
B) Review the client's last recorded hemoglobin A1c.
C) Obtain a baseline electrocardiogram (ECG).
Page 3
, D) Administer a bolus of intravenous normal saline.
E) Document the client's baseline respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Assess the client's current blood glucose level.
B) Review the client's last recorded hemoglobin A1c.
C) Obtain a baseline electrocardiogram (ECG).
E) Document the client's baseline respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
RATIONALE
Heart failure management in a client with long-standing diabetes requires assessment of glycemic control (blood
glucose, A1c) and cardiovascular status (ECG, respiratory assessment) to identify contributing factors and guide
treatment. Intravenous fluids should be administered cautiously in heart failure, not as a routine bolus.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 100
A nurse is caring for a client admitted to the surgical unit, receiving lactated ringers at 85 mL/hr and ibuprofen
800 mg PO every 8 hours PRN for pain. Which of the following diagnostic tests is most appropriate to assess for
potential complications related to surgical trauma or fluid shifts?
A) Blood culture to monitor for infection.
B) Urinalysis to assess kidney function.
C) Complete blood count to evaluate oxygen-carrying capacity.
D) Echocardiogram to assess cardiac structure and function.
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Complete blood count to evaluate oxygen-carrying capacity.
RATIONALE
A complete blood count is indicated to assess for anemia or excessive blood loss from surgery, which directly impacts
oxygen-carrying capacity and tissue perfusion. Other options are less directly related to immediate post-surgical
complications.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 100
A nurse is assessing a client reporting 2-3 hours of sleep nightly following a motor vehicle accident. The client
describes feeling "jumpy," especially in a car, and expresses profound sadness, stating, "I feel so sad that I can't
seem to feel anything at all." Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as indicative of potential
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms? (Select all that apply.)
Page 4
