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HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM| 2026 NEWEST UPDATE|
RECENTLY TESTING REAL EXAM QUESTIONS|COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which lab value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Potassium
C) Platelet count
D) White blood cell count
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Monitoring
potassium prevents complications such as dysrhythmias.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient with a PCA pump delivering
morphine. The patient is increasingly drowsy and respiratory rate drops to 8
breaths/min. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Stop the PCA infusion and administer naloxone
B) Increase oxygen via nasal cannula
C) Document the findings and monitor closely
D) Call the provider for a new order
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory depression is life-threatening. Stopping opioids and giving
naloxone reverses the effect immediately.
Question 3
Which intervention has the highest priority for a client experiencing a panic attack?
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A) Encouraging the client to express feelings
B) Remaining with the client in a calm environment
C) Discussing long-term coping strategies
D) Teaching relaxation exercises for future use
Answer: B
Rationale: During an acute panic attack, safety and reassurance are priority. Long-
term strategies are introduced later.
Question 4
A nurse teaches a client with newly diagnosed diabetes about foot care. Which
statement indicates effective learning?
A) “I should soak my feet daily in hot water.”
B) “I should go barefoot at home to strengthen circulation.”
C) “I will check my feet daily for cuts or sores.”
D) “I should trim my toenails by cutting into the corners.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily inspection is essential to prevent infection and complications in
diabetic foot care.
Question 5
A pregnant client at 38 weeks presents with painless vaginal bleeding. What
condition should the nurse suspect first?
A) Placenta previa
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Uterine rupture
D) Preterm labor
Answer: A
Rationale: Placenta previa typically causes painless vaginal bleeding in late
pregnancy. Abruptio placentae causes painful bleeding.
Question 6
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention in a child with
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epiglottitis?
A) Drooling and tripod positioning
B) Mild sore throat and hoarseness
C) Low-grade fever
D) Nasal congestion
Answer: A
Rationale: Drooling and tripod posture indicate airway obstruction risk, requiring
emergency management.
Question 7
A client receiving heparin infusion for DVT has an aPTT of 120 seconds. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A) Continue infusion as prescribed
B) Stop infusion and prepare protamine sulfate
C) Increase the infusion rate
D) Document and recheck in 6 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal aPTT is 30–40 seconds; therapeutic is 1.5–2.5×. A value of 120
is dangerously high → stop infusion and give antidote.
Question 8
Which symptom indicates lithium toxicity in a client treated for bipolar disorder?
A) Polyuria and polydipsia
B) Fine hand tremors
C) Confusion and coarse tremors
D) Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: Confusion, coarse tremors, and ataxia indicate lithium toxicity. Fine
tremors are expected side effects.
Question 9
A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse
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notes increasing somnolence and shallow respirations. What is the best action?
A) Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
B) Decrease oxygen and stimulate the patient to breathe
C) Place the patient in supine position
D) Give an opioid for comfort
Answer: B
Rationale: High oxygen levels can suppress hypoxic drive in COPD patients.
Reducing O₂ and stimulation is appropriate.
Question 10
The nurse prepares to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
finding warrants withholding the medication?
A) Heart rate 56 bpm
B) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
C) Respiratory rate 18/min
D) Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is <60 bpm to prevent
bradycardia.
Question 11
A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Encourage fluid intake
B) Measure abdominal girth daily
C) Restrict sodium and protein
D) Place client on bedrest
Answer: B
Rationale: Measuring abdominal girth tracks fluid accumulation. Sodium
restriction may be ordered, but measurement guides interventions.
HESI COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM| 2026 NEWEST UPDATE|
RECENTLY TESTING REAL EXAM QUESTIONS|COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which lab value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Potassium
C) Platelet count
D) White blood cell count
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Monitoring
potassium prevents complications such as dysrhythmias.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient with a PCA pump delivering
morphine. The patient is increasingly drowsy and respiratory rate drops to 8
breaths/min. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Stop the PCA infusion and administer naloxone
B) Increase oxygen via nasal cannula
C) Document the findings and monitor closely
D) Call the provider for a new order
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory depression is life-threatening. Stopping opioids and giving
naloxone reverses the effect immediately.
Question 3
Which intervention has the highest priority for a client experiencing a panic attack?
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A) Encouraging the client to express feelings
B) Remaining with the client in a calm environment
C) Discussing long-term coping strategies
D) Teaching relaxation exercises for future use
Answer: B
Rationale: During an acute panic attack, safety and reassurance are priority. Long-
term strategies are introduced later.
Question 4
A nurse teaches a client with newly diagnosed diabetes about foot care. Which
statement indicates effective learning?
A) “I should soak my feet daily in hot water.”
B) “I should go barefoot at home to strengthen circulation.”
C) “I will check my feet daily for cuts or sores.”
D) “I should trim my toenails by cutting into the corners.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily inspection is essential to prevent infection and complications in
diabetic foot care.
Question 5
A pregnant client at 38 weeks presents with painless vaginal bleeding. What
condition should the nurse suspect first?
A) Placenta previa
B) Abruptio placentae
C) Uterine rupture
D) Preterm labor
Answer: A
Rationale: Placenta previa typically causes painless vaginal bleeding in late
pregnancy. Abruptio placentae causes painful bleeding.
Question 6
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention in a child with
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epiglottitis?
A) Drooling and tripod positioning
B) Mild sore throat and hoarseness
C) Low-grade fever
D) Nasal congestion
Answer: A
Rationale: Drooling and tripod posture indicate airway obstruction risk, requiring
emergency management.
Question 7
A client receiving heparin infusion for DVT has an aPTT of 120 seconds. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A) Continue infusion as prescribed
B) Stop infusion and prepare protamine sulfate
C) Increase the infusion rate
D) Document and recheck in 6 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal aPTT is 30–40 seconds; therapeutic is 1.5–2.5×. A value of 120
is dangerously high → stop infusion and give antidote.
Question 8
Which symptom indicates lithium toxicity in a client treated for bipolar disorder?
A) Polyuria and polydipsia
B) Fine hand tremors
C) Confusion and coarse tremors
D) Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: Confusion, coarse tremors, and ataxia indicate lithium toxicity. Fine
tremors are expected side effects.
Question 9
A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse
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notes increasing somnolence and shallow respirations. What is the best action?
A) Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
B) Decrease oxygen and stimulate the patient to breathe
C) Place the patient in supine position
D) Give an opioid for comfort
Answer: B
Rationale: High oxygen levels can suppress hypoxic drive in COPD patients.
Reducing O₂ and stimulation is appropriate.
Question 10
The nurse prepares to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
finding warrants withholding the medication?
A) Heart rate 56 bpm
B) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
C) Respiratory rate 18/min
D) Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is <60 bpm to prevent
bradycardia.
Question 11
A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Encourage fluid intake
B) Measure abdominal girth daily
C) Restrict sodium and protein
D) Place client on bedrest
Answer: B
Rationale: Measuring abdominal girth tracks fluid accumulation. Sodium
restriction may be ordered, but measurement guides interventions.
