HESI Exit Exam Test Bank NEWEST 2024/2025 ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the
following should be the nurse's priority intervention?
A) Administer pain medication as prescribed
B) Encourage a high-protein, low-fat diet
C) Promote frequent ambulation to prevent clots
D) Monitor serum glucose levels regularly
Answer: A) Administer pain medication as prescribed
Rationale:
The priority in acute pancreatitis is managing pain, as the
condition is extremely painful. Administering pain medication as
prescribed helps alleviate the client’s discomfort.
While monitoring glucose levels is important and dietary changes
are needed for long-term management, pain relief takes precedence
in the acute phase.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with congestive heart failure (CHF)
and is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). What is the nurse's priority
assessment before administering the medication?
A) Heart rate
B) Blood pressure
C) Serum potassium level
D) Respiratory rate
,Answer: C) Serum potassium level
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia (low
potassium levels), which increases the risk for arrhythmias.
Monitoring serum potassium before administering the drug is
crucial to avoid complications.
Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate are important
assessments but serum potassium is the most critical to check
before administering a diuretic.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed warfarin.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the medication?
A) "I should eat more leafy green vegetables to help thin my blood."
B) "I need to have my blood levels monitored regularly."
C) "I can stop the medication if I have a nosebleed."
D) "I will increase my intake of vitamin K to prevent bleeding."
Answer: B) "I need to have my blood levels monitored regularly."
Rationale:
Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting
factors, and the client’s INR (International Normalized Ratio)
should be monitored regularly to ensure the medication is working
effectively.
Eating leafy green vegetables, which are rich in vitamin K, can
interfere with warfarin's effect. Vitamin K should not be
increased or decreased abruptly while on warfarin.
,4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours post-op from a total
hip replacement. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to prevent a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
A) Administer low-molecular-weight heparin as prescribed
B) Encourage deep breathing exercises and coughing every 2 hours
C) Ambulate the client as soon as possible after surgery
D) Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) to both legs
Answer: D) Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) to both
legs
Rationale:
SCDs are used to promote venous return, preventing deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), which is a precursor to pulmonary embolism
(PE).
While ambulation and deep breathing exercises are also
important for preventing DVTs, SCDs are the most immediate and
effective intervention to prevent clots post-operatively.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with hypertension who is prescribed
lisinopril. The nurse should monitor for which of the following side
effects?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Bradycardia
**Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale:
, Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can lead to hyperkalemia due to its
inhibition of aldosterone, which normally increases potassium
excretion. Elevated potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
Hypokalemia and hypoglycemia are not common side effects of
lisinopril. Bradycardia can occur with other medications but is
not a common side effect of lisinopril.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed
methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following
should the nurse monitor for as a potential side effect of this
medication?
A) Liver toxicity
B) Hypocalcemia
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Leukopenia
**Answer: A) Liver toxicity
Rationale:
Methotrexate can cause liver toxicity, so it is essential to monitor
liver function tests (LFTs) regularly. Leukopenia (low white
blood cell count) is also a potential side effect, so the nurse should
also monitor for infection and bone marrow suppression.
Hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia, and leukopenia are less common
side effects of methotrexate.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes who is newly
diagnosed. The nurse should teach the client that insulin
administration will primarily:
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the
following should be the nurse's priority intervention?
A) Administer pain medication as prescribed
B) Encourage a high-protein, low-fat diet
C) Promote frequent ambulation to prevent clots
D) Monitor serum glucose levels regularly
Answer: A) Administer pain medication as prescribed
Rationale:
The priority in acute pancreatitis is managing pain, as the
condition is extremely painful. Administering pain medication as
prescribed helps alleviate the client’s discomfort.
While monitoring glucose levels is important and dietary changes
are needed for long-term management, pain relief takes precedence
in the acute phase.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with congestive heart failure (CHF)
and is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). What is the nurse's priority
assessment before administering the medication?
A) Heart rate
B) Blood pressure
C) Serum potassium level
D) Respiratory rate
,Answer: C) Serum potassium level
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia (low
potassium levels), which increases the risk for arrhythmias.
Monitoring serum potassium before administering the drug is
crucial to avoid complications.
Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate are important
assessments but serum potassium is the most critical to check
before administering a diuretic.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed warfarin.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the medication?
A) "I should eat more leafy green vegetables to help thin my blood."
B) "I need to have my blood levels monitored regularly."
C) "I can stop the medication if I have a nosebleed."
D) "I will increase my intake of vitamin K to prevent bleeding."
Answer: B) "I need to have my blood levels monitored regularly."
Rationale:
Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting
factors, and the client’s INR (International Normalized Ratio)
should be monitored regularly to ensure the medication is working
effectively.
Eating leafy green vegetables, which are rich in vitamin K, can
interfere with warfarin's effect. Vitamin K should not be
increased or decreased abruptly while on warfarin.
,4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours post-op from a total
hip replacement. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to prevent a pulmonary embolism (PE)?
A) Administer low-molecular-weight heparin as prescribed
B) Encourage deep breathing exercises and coughing every 2 hours
C) Ambulate the client as soon as possible after surgery
D) Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) to both legs
Answer: D) Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) to both
legs
Rationale:
SCDs are used to promote venous return, preventing deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), which is a precursor to pulmonary embolism
(PE).
While ambulation and deep breathing exercises are also
important for preventing DVTs, SCDs are the most immediate and
effective intervention to prevent clots post-operatively.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with hypertension who is prescribed
lisinopril. The nurse should monitor for which of the following side
effects?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Bradycardia
**Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale:
, Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can lead to hyperkalemia due to its
inhibition of aldosterone, which normally increases potassium
excretion. Elevated potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
Hypokalemia and hypoglycemia are not common side effects of
lisinopril. Bradycardia can occur with other medications but is
not a common side effect of lisinopril.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed
methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following
should the nurse monitor for as a potential side effect of this
medication?
A) Liver toxicity
B) Hypocalcemia
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Leukopenia
**Answer: A) Liver toxicity
Rationale:
Methotrexate can cause liver toxicity, so it is essential to monitor
liver function tests (LFTs) regularly. Leukopenia (low white
blood cell count) is also a potential side effect, so the nurse should
also monitor for infection and bone marrow suppression.
Hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia, and leukopenia are less common
side effects of methotrexate.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes who is newly
diagnosed. The nurse should teach the client that insulin
administration will primarily:
