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HESI PN Exit Exam 2025/2026 – 200+ Realistic Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales (V2 & V3)
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who underwent abdominal surgery 2 days ago. The
client reports increased abdominal pain, chills, and a temperature of 38.9°C (102°F). On
assessment, the nurse notes the client’s surgical dressing is dry, but the abdomen is distended,
firm, and tender to palpation. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reassess the vital signs in 30 minutes
B. Administer the prescribed analgesic
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Document the findings and continue to monitor
✅ Correct Answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: These findings suggest a possible postoperative complication such as peritonitis or an
, intra-abdominal abscess. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate provider
notification to initiate further diagnostic evaluation or surgical intervention.
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Question 2:
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide 40 mg IV push. Which laboratory value
should the nurse review before administering the medication?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Blood glucose
D. Platelet count
✅ Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia
can result in dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, so potassium should be checked and corrected
before administration.
Question 3:
A client who is 36 weeks pregnant reports a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Check for cervical dilation
B. Monitor maternal temperature
, C. Assess fetal heart rate
D. Start IV fluids
Page | 3 ✅ Correct Answer: C. Assess fetal heart rate
Rationale: A sudden gush of fluid could indicate ruptured membranes. The priority is to assess
fetal well-being by checking the fetal heart rate for signs of distress or umbilical cord prolapse.
Question 4:
The nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about digoxin. Which of the following statements
by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take my pulse before each dose."
B. "I will eat foods high in potassium."
C. "I will take the medication with antacids if I feel nauseated."
D. "I will report any visual changes to my provider."
✅ Correct Answer: C. "I will take the medication with antacids if I feel nauseated."
Rationale: Antacids can interfere with digoxin absorption and should not be taken
simultaneously. This statement indicates a misunderstanding that could lead to reduced
effectiveness of the medication.
Question 5:
A client with type 1 diabetes becomes pale, sweaty, and disoriented during a morning
, assessment. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Call the provider
B. Check the client's blood glucose
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C. Administer insulin
D. Offer high-protein food
✅ Correct Answer: B. Check the client's blood glucose
Rationale: These are signs of hypoglycemia. The nurse should immediately check the client’s
blood glucose level to confirm and then intervene appropriately.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for an older adult client with pneumonia. Which finding should the nurse report
to the provider immediately?
A. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
B. Respiratory rate of 28/min
C. Productive cough with yellow sputum
D. New onset of confusion
✅ Correct Answer: D. New onset of confusion
Rationale: In older adults, confusion can be an early indicator of hypoxia or systemic infection
and may signal worsening of the condition. It requires prompt medical attention.
HESI PN Exit Exam 2025/2026 – 200+ Realistic Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales (V2 & V3)
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who underwent abdominal surgery 2 days ago. The
client reports increased abdominal pain, chills, and a temperature of 38.9°C (102°F). On
assessment, the nurse notes the client’s surgical dressing is dry, but the abdomen is distended,
firm, and tender to palpation. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reassess the vital signs in 30 minutes
B. Administer the prescribed analgesic
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D. Document the findings and continue to monitor
✅ Correct Answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: These findings suggest a possible postoperative complication such as peritonitis or an
, intra-abdominal abscess. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate provider
notification to initiate further diagnostic evaluation or surgical intervention.
Page | 2
Question 2:
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide 40 mg IV push. Which laboratory value
should the nurse review before administering the medication?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Blood glucose
D. Platelet count
✅ Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia
can result in dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, so potassium should be checked and corrected
before administration.
Question 3:
A client who is 36 weeks pregnant reports a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Check for cervical dilation
B. Monitor maternal temperature
, C. Assess fetal heart rate
D. Start IV fluids
Page | 3 ✅ Correct Answer: C. Assess fetal heart rate
Rationale: A sudden gush of fluid could indicate ruptured membranes. The priority is to assess
fetal well-being by checking the fetal heart rate for signs of distress or umbilical cord prolapse.
Question 4:
The nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about digoxin. Which of the following statements
by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take my pulse before each dose."
B. "I will eat foods high in potassium."
C. "I will take the medication with antacids if I feel nauseated."
D. "I will report any visual changes to my provider."
✅ Correct Answer: C. "I will take the medication with antacids if I feel nauseated."
Rationale: Antacids can interfere with digoxin absorption and should not be taken
simultaneously. This statement indicates a misunderstanding that could lead to reduced
effectiveness of the medication.
Question 5:
A client with type 1 diabetes becomes pale, sweaty, and disoriented during a morning
, assessment. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Call the provider
B. Check the client's blood glucose
Page | 4
C. Administer insulin
D. Offer high-protein food
✅ Correct Answer: B. Check the client's blood glucose
Rationale: These are signs of hypoglycemia. The nurse should immediately check the client’s
blood glucose level to confirm and then intervene appropriately.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for an older adult client with pneumonia. Which finding should the nurse report
to the provider immediately?
A. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
B. Respiratory rate of 28/min
C. Productive cough with yellow sputum
D. New onset of confusion
✅ Correct Answer: D. New onset of confusion
Rationale: In older adults, confusion can be an early indicator of hypoxia or systemic infection
and may signal worsening of the condition. It requires prompt medical attention.
