HESI CAT EXAM NEWEST 2025 VESION A, B AND C ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS) ||ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following an
abdominal hysterectomy. The client reports pain as 6 on a 0-10 scale.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic.
B) Reposition the client for comfort.
C) Assess the incision site for redness and swelling.
D) Document the client's pain rating.
Correct Answer: A) Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic.
Rationale: According to the nursing process and client advocacy, the
priority is to alleviate the client's reported pain. Administering the
prescribed analgesic is the most direct and immediate intervention.
While repositioning and assessment are important, addressing the
acute discomfort takes precedence.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of heart failure.
Which of the following findings would indicate fluid volume overload?
A) Dry mucous membranes and increased urine output.
B) Hypotension and decreased central venous pressure.
C) Jugular venous distension and crackles in the lungs.
D) Peripheral pulses that are weak and thready.
Correct Answer: C) Jugular venous distension and crackles in the
lungs.
Rationale: Jugular venous distension (JVD) is a sign of increased
central venous pressure and right-sided heart failure. Crackles in the
lungs (pulmonary edema) indicate left-sided heart failure and fluid
accumulation in the alveoli. Both are classic signs of fluid volume
overload in heart failure.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a client with diabetes. The
client's blood glucose is 48 mg/dL. The client is awake, alert, and able
to swallow. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Administer 1 mg glucagon IM.
B) Offer 15g of a simple carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz orange juice).
C) Administer IV Dextrose 50% (D50W).
D) Document the blood glucose reading.
Correct Answer: B) Offer 15g of a simple carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz
orange juice).
Rationale: For an awake and alert client experiencing hypoglycemia,
the immediate intervention is to administer 15g of a fast-acting simple
carbohydrate to rapidly raise blood glucose. Glucagon or IV D50W are
for unresponsive clients or when oral intake is not possible.
4. A nurse is teaching a parent about sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS) prevention. Which of the following statements by the parent
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should place my baby to sleep on their back."
B) "I will put soft toys and blankets in the crib with my baby."
C) "I will use a firm mattress for my baby's crib."
D) "I will avoid smoking around my baby."
Correct Answer: B) "I will put soft toys and blankets in the crib with
my baby."
Rationale: Soft objects, loose bedding, pillows, and bumper pads
should be removed from the crib to reduce the risk of SIDS, as they can
lead to suffocation or rebreathing of exhaled air. Infants should be
placed on their backs on a firm mattress in a smoke-free environment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is exhibiting aggressive behavior.
After ensuring the safety of the client and others, which of the
following is the next priority for the nurse?
A) Administer a PRN sedative medication.
, B) Document the incident in the client's chart.
C) Attempt to de-escalate the situation verbally.
D) Apply restraints to the client.
Correct Answer: C) Attempt to de-escalate the situation verbally.
Rationale: After ensuring immediate safety (e.g., removing other
clients, creating space), the next step is often verbal de-escalation
techniques. This is the least restrictive intervention to try before
considering medication or restraints.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with a history of deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). The client suddenly reports sharp chest pain, dyspnea, and a
feeling of impending doom. The nurse should suspect which of the
following?
A) Myocardial infarction.
B) Pneumonia.
C) Pulmonary embolism.
D) Anxiety attack.
Correct Answer: C) Pulmonary embolism.
Rationale: Sudden onset of sharp chest pain, dyspnea, and a sense of
impending doom, especially in a client with a DVT history, are classic
and critical symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (PE), requiring
immediate intervention.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke and has right-sided
hemiparesis. The nurse observes the client attempting to feed
themselves but struggling to grasp the fork. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse implement?
A) Feed the client to ensure adequate nutrition.
B) Provide a fork with a built-up handle.
C) Instruct the client to use their left hand.
D) Encourage the client to wait for a family member to assist.
Correct Answer: B) Provide a fork with a built-up handle.
, Rationale: This intervention demonstrates an understanding of
promoting independence and adapting the environment to the client's
functional abilities. Adaptive equipment like built-up handles can assist
clients with weak grasps to feed themselves.
8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
prescription for warfarin. Which of the following statements indicates a
need for further teaching?
A) "I will avoid contact sports to prevent injury."
B) "I will eat a consistent amount of green leafy vegetables."
C) "I will take aspirin if I have a headache."
D) "I will need regular blood tests to check my INR."
Correct Answer: C) "I will take aspirin if I have a headache."
Rationale: Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication that can increase the
risk of bleeding when taken concurrently with warfarin (an
anticoagulant). Clients should be advised to avoid aspirin and other
NSAIDs. Acetaminophen is generally a safer choice for pain relief.
9. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child admitted for a tonsillectomy.
Which of the following is the most important assessment finding to
report to the provider post-operatively?
A) Sore throat.
B) Frequent swallowing.
C) Earache.
D) Low-grade fever.
Correct Answer: B) Frequent swallowing.
Rationale: Frequent swallowing in a child after a tonsillectomy can
indicate post-operative bleeding, as the child may be swallowing blood.
This is a critical finding that requires immediate attention from the
provider.
10. A nurse is providing education to a pregnant client about
discomforts of the first trimester. Which of the following is an expected
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS) ||ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following an
abdominal hysterectomy. The client reports pain as 6 on a 0-10 scale.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic.
B) Reposition the client for comfort.
C) Assess the incision site for redness and swelling.
D) Document the client's pain rating.
Correct Answer: A) Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic.
Rationale: According to the nursing process and client advocacy, the
priority is to alleviate the client's reported pain. Administering the
prescribed analgesic is the most direct and immediate intervention.
While repositioning and assessment are important, addressing the
acute discomfort takes precedence.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of heart failure.
Which of the following findings would indicate fluid volume overload?
A) Dry mucous membranes and increased urine output.
B) Hypotension and decreased central venous pressure.
C) Jugular venous distension and crackles in the lungs.
D) Peripheral pulses that are weak and thready.
Correct Answer: C) Jugular venous distension and crackles in the
lungs.
Rationale: Jugular venous distension (JVD) is a sign of increased
central venous pressure and right-sided heart failure. Crackles in the
lungs (pulmonary edema) indicate left-sided heart failure and fluid
accumulation in the alveoli. Both are classic signs of fluid volume
overload in heart failure.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a client with diabetes. The
client's blood glucose is 48 mg/dL. The client is awake, alert, and able
to swallow. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Administer 1 mg glucagon IM.
B) Offer 15g of a simple carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz orange juice).
C) Administer IV Dextrose 50% (D50W).
D) Document the blood glucose reading.
Correct Answer: B) Offer 15g of a simple carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz
orange juice).
Rationale: For an awake and alert client experiencing hypoglycemia,
the immediate intervention is to administer 15g of a fast-acting simple
carbohydrate to rapidly raise blood glucose. Glucagon or IV D50W are
for unresponsive clients or when oral intake is not possible.
4. A nurse is teaching a parent about sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS) prevention. Which of the following statements by the parent
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should place my baby to sleep on their back."
B) "I will put soft toys and blankets in the crib with my baby."
C) "I will use a firm mattress for my baby's crib."
D) "I will avoid smoking around my baby."
Correct Answer: B) "I will put soft toys and blankets in the crib with
my baby."
Rationale: Soft objects, loose bedding, pillows, and bumper pads
should be removed from the crib to reduce the risk of SIDS, as they can
lead to suffocation or rebreathing of exhaled air. Infants should be
placed on their backs on a firm mattress in a smoke-free environment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is exhibiting aggressive behavior.
After ensuring the safety of the client and others, which of the
following is the next priority for the nurse?
A) Administer a PRN sedative medication.
, B) Document the incident in the client's chart.
C) Attempt to de-escalate the situation verbally.
D) Apply restraints to the client.
Correct Answer: C) Attempt to de-escalate the situation verbally.
Rationale: After ensuring immediate safety (e.g., removing other
clients, creating space), the next step is often verbal de-escalation
techniques. This is the least restrictive intervention to try before
considering medication or restraints.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with a history of deep vein thrombosis
(DVT). The client suddenly reports sharp chest pain, dyspnea, and a
feeling of impending doom. The nurse should suspect which of the
following?
A) Myocardial infarction.
B) Pneumonia.
C) Pulmonary embolism.
D) Anxiety attack.
Correct Answer: C) Pulmonary embolism.
Rationale: Sudden onset of sharp chest pain, dyspnea, and a sense of
impending doom, especially in a client with a DVT history, are classic
and critical symptoms of a pulmonary embolism (PE), requiring
immediate intervention.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke and has right-sided
hemiparesis. The nurse observes the client attempting to feed
themselves but struggling to grasp the fork. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse implement?
A) Feed the client to ensure adequate nutrition.
B) Provide a fork with a built-up handle.
C) Instruct the client to use their left hand.
D) Encourage the client to wait for a family member to assist.
Correct Answer: B) Provide a fork with a built-up handle.
, Rationale: This intervention demonstrates an understanding of
promoting independence and adapting the environment to the client's
functional abilities. Adaptive equipment like built-up handles can assist
clients with weak grasps to feed themselves.
8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
prescription for warfarin. Which of the following statements indicates a
need for further teaching?
A) "I will avoid contact sports to prevent injury."
B) "I will eat a consistent amount of green leafy vegetables."
C) "I will take aspirin if I have a headache."
D) "I will need regular blood tests to check my INR."
Correct Answer: C) "I will take aspirin if I have a headache."
Rationale: Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication that can increase the
risk of bleeding when taken concurrently with warfarin (an
anticoagulant). Clients should be advised to avoid aspirin and other
NSAIDs. Acetaminophen is generally a safer choice for pain relief.
9. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child admitted for a tonsillectomy.
Which of the following is the most important assessment finding to
report to the provider post-operatively?
A) Sore throat.
B) Frequent swallowing.
C) Earache.
D) Low-grade fever.
Correct Answer: B) Frequent swallowing.
Rationale: Frequent swallowing in a child after a tonsillectomy can
indicate post-operative bleeding, as the child may be swallowing blood.
This is a critical finding that requires immediate attention from the
provider.
10. A nurse is providing education to a pregnant client about
discomforts of the first trimester. Which of the following is an expected
