HESI RN NGN EXIT EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2024 UPDATE
1. Which of these clients in the terminal stage of cancer is least appropriate for patient-
controlled analgesia (PCA)?
A. A young adult with a history of Down's syndrome
B. A teenager who reads at a 4th-grade level
C. An elderly client with numerous arthritic nodules on the hands
D. A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness
Answer: D. A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness
2. A client is admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. What assessment
finding would the nurse anticipate?
A. Lethargy
B. Heat intolerance
C. Diarrhea
D. Skin eruptions
Answer: A. Lethargy
3. What is the most important statement to include when teaching faculty about preventing
the spread of lice?
A. "The treatment requires reapplication in 8 to 10 days."
B. "Bedding and clothing can be boiled or steamed."
C. "Children are not to share hats, scarves, and combs."
D. "Nit combs are necessary to comb out nits."
Answer: C. "Children are not to share hats, scarves, and combs."
4. What is the appropriate dressing for a pressure sore that is red, with serous drainage, and
has loss of subcutaneous tissue?
A. A transparent film dressing
B. Wet dressing with debridement granules
C. Wet to dry with hydrogen peroxide
D. Moist saline dressing
Answer: D. Moist saline dressing
5. Which mechanisms are responsible for ascites related to liver failure? (Select all that
apply)
,A. Fluid shifts from intravascular to interstitial area due to decreased serum protein
B. Increased hydrostatic pressure in portal circulation increases fluid shifts into the abdomen
C. Increased circulating aldosterone levels that increase sodium and water retention
Answer: A, B, C
6. The client states, "I didn't hurt anyone. I just like to have a good time, and drinking helps
me to relax." What defense mechanism is the client using?
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Intellectualization
D. Rationalization
Answer: D. Rationalization
7. Following a cocaine high, what unpleasant feeling does the user commonly experience?
A. Craving
B. Crashing
C. Outward bound
D. Nodding out
Answer: B. Crashing
8. A client has received fluphenazine and experiences torticollis. In addition to administering
an anticholinergic drug, what should the nurse implement?
A. Have respiratory support equipment available
B. Immediately place her in the seclusion room
C. Assess the client for anxiety and agitation
D. Administer a PRN dose of IM antipsychotic medication
Answer: A. Have respiratory support equipment available
9. Which finding would the nurse associate with anemia in a 10-month-old infant?
A. Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL
B. Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
C. Hypoactivity
D. A heart rate between 140 to 160
Answer: B. Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
10. For which congenital heart defect is it a priority to assess for heart conduction
disturbances?
A. Arterial septal defect
B. Patent ductus arteriosus
, C. Aortic stenosis
D. Ventricular septal defect
Answer: C. Aortic stenosis
11. A client with hepatitis B is expected to have an elevation in which laboratory value?
A. Blood urea nitrogen
B. Acid phosphatase
C. Bilirubin
D. Sedimentation Rate
Answer: C. Bilirubin
12. Which finding in a 12-month-old child indicates expected growth?
A. Increased 10% in height
B. 2 deciduous teeth
C. Tripled the birth weight
D. Head > chest circumference
Answer: C. Tripled the birth weight
13. Which client should the nurse ask to come in that day for an appointment?
A. "I started my period and now my urine has turned bright red."
B. "I am a diabetic and today I have been going to the bathroom every hour."
C. "I was started on medicine yesterday for a urine infection. Now my lower belly hurts when I go
to the bathroom."
D. "I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went."
Answer: A. "I started my period and now my urine has turned bright red."
14. Why is it important for the nurse to be informed about cultural issues related to a client's
background?
A. Normal patterns of behavior may be labeled as deviant, immoral, or insane
B. The meaning of the client's behavior can be derived from conventional wisdom
C. Personal values will guide the interaction between persons from 2 cultures
D. The nurse should rely on her knowledge of different developmental mental stages
Answer: A. Normal patterns of behavior may be labeled as deviant, immoral, or insane
15. In a child with suspected coarctation of the aorta, what would the nurse expect to find?
A. Strong pedal pulses
B. Diminishing carotid pulses
C. Normal femoral pulses
ANSWERS 2024 UPDATE
1. Which of these clients in the terminal stage of cancer is least appropriate for patient-
controlled analgesia (PCA)?
A. A young adult with a history of Down's syndrome
B. A teenager who reads at a 4th-grade level
C. An elderly client with numerous arthritic nodules on the hands
D. A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness
Answer: D. A preschooler with intermittent episodes of alertness
2. A client is admitted with low T3 and T4 levels and an elevated TSH level. What assessment
finding would the nurse anticipate?
A. Lethargy
B. Heat intolerance
C. Diarrhea
D. Skin eruptions
Answer: A. Lethargy
3. What is the most important statement to include when teaching faculty about preventing
the spread of lice?
A. "The treatment requires reapplication in 8 to 10 days."
B. "Bedding and clothing can be boiled or steamed."
C. "Children are not to share hats, scarves, and combs."
D. "Nit combs are necessary to comb out nits."
Answer: C. "Children are not to share hats, scarves, and combs."
4. What is the appropriate dressing for a pressure sore that is red, with serous drainage, and
has loss of subcutaneous tissue?
A. A transparent film dressing
B. Wet dressing with debridement granules
C. Wet to dry with hydrogen peroxide
D. Moist saline dressing
Answer: D. Moist saline dressing
5. Which mechanisms are responsible for ascites related to liver failure? (Select all that
apply)
,A. Fluid shifts from intravascular to interstitial area due to decreased serum protein
B. Increased hydrostatic pressure in portal circulation increases fluid shifts into the abdomen
C. Increased circulating aldosterone levels that increase sodium and water retention
Answer: A, B, C
6. The client states, "I didn't hurt anyone. I just like to have a good time, and drinking helps
me to relax." What defense mechanism is the client using?
A. Denial
B. Projection
C. Intellectualization
D. Rationalization
Answer: D. Rationalization
7. Following a cocaine high, what unpleasant feeling does the user commonly experience?
A. Craving
B. Crashing
C. Outward bound
D. Nodding out
Answer: B. Crashing
8. A client has received fluphenazine and experiences torticollis. In addition to administering
an anticholinergic drug, what should the nurse implement?
A. Have respiratory support equipment available
B. Immediately place her in the seclusion room
C. Assess the client for anxiety and agitation
D. Administer a PRN dose of IM antipsychotic medication
Answer: A. Have respiratory support equipment available
9. Which finding would the nurse associate with anemia in a 10-month-old infant?
A. Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL
B. Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
C. Hypoactivity
D. A heart rate between 140 to 160
Answer: B. Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
10. For which congenital heart defect is it a priority to assess for heart conduction
disturbances?
A. Arterial septal defect
B. Patent ductus arteriosus
, C. Aortic stenosis
D. Ventricular septal defect
Answer: C. Aortic stenosis
11. A client with hepatitis B is expected to have an elevation in which laboratory value?
A. Blood urea nitrogen
B. Acid phosphatase
C. Bilirubin
D. Sedimentation Rate
Answer: C. Bilirubin
12. Which finding in a 12-month-old child indicates expected growth?
A. Increased 10% in height
B. 2 deciduous teeth
C. Tripled the birth weight
D. Head > chest circumference
Answer: C. Tripled the birth weight
13. Which client should the nurse ask to come in that day for an appointment?
A. "I started my period and now my urine has turned bright red."
B. "I am a diabetic and today I have been going to the bathroom every hour."
C. "I was started on medicine yesterday for a urine infection. Now my lower belly hurts when I go
to the bathroom."
D. "I went to the bathroom and my urine looked very red and it didn't hurt when I went."
Answer: A. "I started my period and now my urine has turned bright red."
14. Why is it important for the nurse to be informed about cultural issues related to a client's
background?
A. Normal patterns of behavior may be labeled as deviant, immoral, or insane
B. The meaning of the client's behavior can be derived from conventional wisdom
C. Personal values will guide the interaction between persons from 2 cultures
D. The nurse should rely on her knowledge of different developmental mental stages
Answer: A. Normal patterns of behavior may be labeled as deviant, immoral, or insane
15. In a child with suspected coarctation of the aorta, what would the nurse expect to find?
A. Strong pedal pulses
B. Diminishing carotid pulses
C. Normal femoral pulses
