HESI EXIT RN EXAM COMPLETE NEW VERSION AUTHENTIC 2020
Grade A
1. Which action will the nurse in the hypertension clinic take to obtain an accurate baseline blood
pressure (BP) for a new patient?
a. Deflate the BP cuff at a rate of 5 to 10 mm Hg per second.
b. Have the patient sit in a chair with the feet flat on the floor.
c. Assist the patient to the supine position for BP measurements.
d. Obtain two BP readings in the dominant arm and average the
results. ANS: B
The patient should be seated with the feet flat on the floor. The BP is obtained in both arms, and the
results of the two arms are not averaged. The patient does not need to be in the supine position. The cuff
should be deflated at 2 to 3 mm Hg per second.
2. The nurse obtains the following information from a patient newly diagnosed with prehypertension.
Which finding is most important to address with the patient?
a. Low dietary fiber intake
b. No regular physical exercise
c. Drinks a beer with dinner every night
d. Weight is 5 pounds above ideal
weight ANS: B
The recommendations for preventing hypertension include exercising aerobically for 30 minutes most
days of the week. A weight that is 5 pounds over the ideal body weight is not a risk factor for
hypertension. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is high in fiber, but
increasing fiber alone will not prevent hypertension from developing. The patient’s alcohol intake is
within guidelines and will not increase the hypertension risk.
3. Which action should the nurse take when giving the initial dose of oral labetalol to a patient
with hypertension?
a. Encourage the use of hard candy to prevent dry mouth.
b. Teach the patient that headaches often occur with this drug.
c. Instruct the patient to call for help if heart palpitations occur.
d. Ask the patient to request assistance before getting out of bed.
ANS: D
Labetalol decreases sympathetic nervous system activity by blocking both a- and b-adrenergic
receptors, leading to vasodilation and a decrease in heart rate, which can cause severe orthostatic
hypotension. Heart palpitations, dry mouth, dehydration, and headaches are possible side effects of
other antihypertensives.
4. After the nurse teaches the patient with stage 1 hypertension about diet modifications that
should be implemented, which diet choice indicates that the teaching has been most effective?
a. The patient avoids eating nuts or nut butters.
b. The patient restricts intake of chicken and fish.
c. The patient drinks low-fat milk with each meal.
d. The patient has two cups of coffee in the
morning. ANS: C
For the prevention of hypertension, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
recommendations include increasing the intake of calcium-rich foods. Caffeine restriction and decreased
protein intake are not included in the recommendations. Nuts are high in beneficial nutrients and 4 to 5
Grade A
1. Which action will the nurse in the hypertension clinic take to obtain an accurate baseline blood
pressure (BP) for a new patient?
a. Deflate the BP cuff at a rate of 5 to 10 mm Hg per second.
b. Have the patient sit in a chair with the feet flat on the floor.
c. Assist the patient to the supine position for BP measurements.
d. Obtain two BP readings in the dominant arm and average the
results. ANS: B
The patient should be seated with the feet flat on the floor. The BP is obtained in both arms, and the
results of the two arms are not averaged. The patient does not need to be in the supine position. The cuff
should be deflated at 2 to 3 mm Hg per second.
2. The nurse obtains the following information from a patient newly diagnosed with prehypertension.
Which finding is most important to address with the patient?
a. Low dietary fiber intake
b. No regular physical exercise
c. Drinks a beer with dinner every night
d. Weight is 5 pounds above ideal
weight ANS: B
The recommendations for preventing hypertension include exercising aerobically for 30 minutes most
days of the week. A weight that is 5 pounds over the ideal body weight is not a risk factor for
hypertension. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is high in fiber, but
increasing fiber alone will not prevent hypertension from developing. The patient’s alcohol intake is
within guidelines and will not increase the hypertension risk.
3. Which action should the nurse take when giving the initial dose of oral labetalol to a patient
with hypertension?
a. Encourage the use of hard candy to prevent dry mouth.
b. Teach the patient that headaches often occur with this drug.
c. Instruct the patient to call for help if heart palpitations occur.
d. Ask the patient to request assistance before getting out of bed.
ANS: D
Labetalol decreases sympathetic nervous system activity by blocking both a- and b-adrenergic
receptors, leading to vasodilation and a decrease in heart rate, which can cause severe orthostatic
hypotension. Heart palpitations, dry mouth, dehydration, and headaches are possible side effects of
other antihypertensives.
4. After the nurse teaches the patient with stage 1 hypertension about diet modifications that
should be implemented, which diet choice indicates that the teaching has been most effective?
a. The patient avoids eating nuts or nut butters.
b. The patient restricts intake of chicken and fish.
c. The patient drinks low-fat milk with each meal.
d. The patient has two cups of coffee in the
morning. ANS: C
For the prevention of hypertension, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)
recommendations include increasing the intake of calcium-rich foods. Caffeine restriction and decreased
protein intake are not included in the recommendations. Nuts are high in beneficial nutrients and 4 to 5
