HESI Fundamentals Herzing University -Hesi Fundamentals Exam Fall 2025
Course
HESI Fundamentals
1. Safety & Infection Control
Question:
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the most important action
to prevent a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
A. Use sterile gloves during insertion
B. Clean the perineal area with antiseptic solution
C. Ensure adequate lighting in the room
D. Secure the catheter tubing to the bed frame
Correct Answer: A. Use sterile gloves during insertion
Rationale: Maintaining sterility is the most critical action to prevent infection during invasive
procedures.
2. Basic Care & Comfort
Question:
A client is on bedrest and requires repositioning. What is the primary reason for turning the
patient every 2 hours?
A. To reduce discomfort
B. To promote sleep
C. To prevent pressure injuries
D. To improve appetite
Correct Answer: C. To prevent pressure injuries
Rationale: Repositioning reduces pressure on bony prominences, preventing skin breakdown.
3. Health Promotion & Maintenance
Question:
A nurse is teaching a client about colon cancer screening. At what age should average-risk adults
begin routine colonoscopies?
A. 40
B. 45
C. 50
D. 60
,Correct Answer: B. 45
Rationale: The American Cancer Society recommends starting at 45 for average-risk
individuals.
4. Psychosocial Integrity
Question:
A newly admitted patient states, “I feel so hopeless.” What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “Let’s talk about what’s been bothering you.”
B. “Things will get better over time.”
C. “Would you like me to notify the chaplain?”
D. “Are you thinking about harming yourself?”
Correct Answer: D. “Are you thinking about harming yourself?”
Rationale: Assessing for suicide risk is the immediate priority.
5. Physiological Adaptation
Question:
A nurse assesses a postoperative client with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and pinpoint
pupils. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Morphine
C. Midazolam
D. Flumazenil
Correct Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: The symptoms indicate opioid overdose; naloxone is the antidote.
6. Nutrition
Question:
A patient with dysphagia is placed on a modified diet. What is the most appropriate nursing
intervention?
A. Encourage thin liquids
B. Allow the patient to self-feed without supervision
C. Place food on the stronger side of the mouth
D. Position the patient flat during meals
,Correct Answer: C. Place food on the stronger side of the mouth
Rationale: This maximizes control and reduces aspiration risk.
7. Pharmacological & Parenteral Therapies
Question:
A nurse is administering a subcutaneous heparin injection. What technique is appropriate?
A. Aspirate before injecting
B. Massage the site after injection
C. Inject at a 90-degree angle in a 300-lb patient
D. Use the dorsogluteal site
Correct Answer: C. Inject at a 90-degree angle in a 300-lb patient
Rationale: For obese patients, a 90-degree angle ensures proper subcutaneous delivery.
8. Elimination
Question:
Which nursing action best promotes normal bowel elimination?
A. Encourage bedrest after meals
B. Limit fluid intake before bedtime
C. Offer high-fiber snacks
D. Administer daily enemas
Correct Answer: C. Offer high-fiber snacks
Rationale: Fiber increases bulk and promotes regular bowel movements.
9. Legal/Ethical
Question:
A nurse finds an unresponsive client without a DNR order. What is the appropriate action?
A. Wait for the family’s permission
B. Begin CPR
C. Call the attending physician
D. Document the time of death
Correct Answer: B. Begin CPR
Rationale: Without a valid DNR, the nurse is legally and ethically obligated to initiate CPR.
, 10. Documentation
Question:
Which documentation entry is most appropriate in the patient’s chart?
A. “Patient had a good day.”
B. “Patient appears to be in pain.”
C. “Patient states, ‘My leg hurts a lot today.’”
D. “Patient probably needs stronger pain medication.”
Correct Answer: C. “Patient states, ‘My leg hurts a lot today.’”
Rationale: Use objective, factual data and direct quotes when charting.
11. Mobility & Immobility
Question:
Which intervention is most effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a
postoperative client on bedrest?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Use of sequential compression devices (SCDs)
C. Massage the calves every shift
D. Elevate the legs above the heart at all times
Correct Answer: B. Use of sequential compression devices (SCDs)
Rationale: SCDs promote venous return and help prevent clot formation.
12. Skin Integrity & Wound Care
Question:
During a dressing change, a nurse notes a wound with red, moist tissue and no slough. How
should this tissue be documented?
A. Slough
B. Eschar
C. Granulation tissue
D. Necrotic tissue
Correct Answer: C. Granulation tissue
Rationale: Granulation tissue is healthy, red, and promotes healing.
13. Delegation & Prioritization
Question:
Which task can a nurse safely delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
Course
HESI Fundamentals
1. Safety & Infection Control
Question:
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the most important action
to prevent a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
A. Use sterile gloves during insertion
B. Clean the perineal area with antiseptic solution
C. Ensure adequate lighting in the room
D. Secure the catheter tubing to the bed frame
Correct Answer: A. Use sterile gloves during insertion
Rationale: Maintaining sterility is the most critical action to prevent infection during invasive
procedures.
2. Basic Care & Comfort
Question:
A client is on bedrest and requires repositioning. What is the primary reason for turning the
patient every 2 hours?
A. To reduce discomfort
B. To promote sleep
C. To prevent pressure injuries
D. To improve appetite
Correct Answer: C. To prevent pressure injuries
Rationale: Repositioning reduces pressure on bony prominences, preventing skin breakdown.
3. Health Promotion & Maintenance
Question:
A nurse is teaching a client about colon cancer screening. At what age should average-risk adults
begin routine colonoscopies?
A. 40
B. 45
C. 50
D. 60
,Correct Answer: B. 45
Rationale: The American Cancer Society recommends starting at 45 for average-risk
individuals.
4. Psychosocial Integrity
Question:
A newly admitted patient states, “I feel so hopeless.” What is the nurse’s priority response?
A. “Let’s talk about what’s been bothering you.”
B. “Things will get better over time.”
C. “Would you like me to notify the chaplain?”
D. “Are you thinking about harming yourself?”
Correct Answer: D. “Are you thinking about harming yourself?”
Rationale: Assessing for suicide risk is the immediate priority.
5. Physiological Adaptation
Question:
A nurse assesses a postoperative client with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and pinpoint
pupils. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Morphine
C. Midazolam
D. Flumazenil
Correct Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: The symptoms indicate opioid overdose; naloxone is the antidote.
6. Nutrition
Question:
A patient with dysphagia is placed on a modified diet. What is the most appropriate nursing
intervention?
A. Encourage thin liquids
B. Allow the patient to self-feed without supervision
C. Place food on the stronger side of the mouth
D. Position the patient flat during meals
,Correct Answer: C. Place food on the stronger side of the mouth
Rationale: This maximizes control and reduces aspiration risk.
7. Pharmacological & Parenteral Therapies
Question:
A nurse is administering a subcutaneous heparin injection. What technique is appropriate?
A. Aspirate before injecting
B. Massage the site after injection
C. Inject at a 90-degree angle in a 300-lb patient
D. Use the dorsogluteal site
Correct Answer: C. Inject at a 90-degree angle in a 300-lb patient
Rationale: For obese patients, a 90-degree angle ensures proper subcutaneous delivery.
8. Elimination
Question:
Which nursing action best promotes normal bowel elimination?
A. Encourage bedrest after meals
B. Limit fluid intake before bedtime
C. Offer high-fiber snacks
D. Administer daily enemas
Correct Answer: C. Offer high-fiber snacks
Rationale: Fiber increases bulk and promotes regular bowel movements.
9. Legal/Ethical
Question:
A nurse finds an unresponsive client without a DNR order. What is the appropriate action?
A. Wait for the family’s permission
B. Begin CPR
C. Call the attending physician
D. Document the time of death
Correct Answer: B. Begin CPR
Rationale: Without a valid DNR, the nurse is legally and ethically obligated to initiate CPR.
, 10. Documentation
Question:
Which documentation entry is most appropriate in the patient’s chart?
A. “Patient had a good day.”
B. “Patient appears to be in pain.”
C. “Patient states, ‘My leg hurts a lot today.’”
D. “Patient probably needs stronger pain medication.”
Correct Answer: C. “Patient states, ‘My leg hurts a lot today.’”
Rationale: Use objective, factual data and direct quotes when charting.
11. Mobility & Immobility
Question:
Which intervention is most effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a
postoperative client on bedrest?
A. Restrict fluids
B. Use of sequential compression devices (SCDs)
C. Massage the calves every shift
D. Elevate the legs above the heart at all times
Correct Answer: B. Use of sequential compression devices (SCDs)
Rationale: SCDs promote venous return and help prevent clot formation.
12. Skin Integrity & Wound Care
Question:
During a dressing change, a nurse notes a wound with red, moist tissue and no slough. How
should this tissue be documented?
A. Slough
B. Eschar
C. Granulation tissue
D. Necrotic tissue
Correct Answer: C. Granulation tissue
Rationale: Granulation tissue is healthy, red, and promotes healing.
13. Delegation & Prioritization
Question:
Which task can a nurse safely delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
