HESI COMPASS COMPREHENSIVE ACTUAL
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ A nurse reviews the laboratory results of a hospitalized pregnant client
with a diagnosis of sepsis who is at risk for disseminated intravascular
coagulopathy (DIC). Which laboratory finding would indicate to the
nurse that DIC has developed in the client?
Shortened prothrombin time
Increased platelet count
Positive result on d-dimer study Correct
Decreased fibrin-degradation products. Answer: The d-dimer study is
used to confirm the presence of fibrin split products; a positive result is
indicative of DIC. DIC is a life-threatening defect in coagulation. As
plasma factors are consumed, the circulating blood becomes deficient in
clotting factors and unable to clot. Even as anticoagulation is occurring,
inappropriate coagulation is also taking place in the microcirculation,
and tiny clots form in the smallest blood vessels, blocking blood flow to
the organs and causing ischemia. Laboratory studies help establish a
diagnosis. The fibrinogen value and platelet count are usually decreased,
prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times may be
prolonged, and levels of fibrin degradation products (the most sensitive
measurement) are increased.
,◉ The nurse is assessing a client who has a history of Prinzmetal's
angina. The nurse knows that what type of medication is given to treat
this condition?
Calcium channel blockers Correct
ACE inhibitors
Inotropes
Beta blockers. Answer: Prinzmetal's, or variant, angina is prolonged and
severe and occurs at the same time each day, most often at rest. The
treatment of choice is usually a calcium channel blocker. Calcium
channel blockers relax and dilate the vascular smooth muscle, thus
relieving the coronary artery spasm in variant angina. Inotropes, beta
blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are not
given to treat this disorder.
◉ Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride is prescribed to a client with a urinary
tract infection. The nurse provides instruction about the medication.
What does the nurse tell the client about how best to take the
medication?
With aluminum hydroxide
With an antacid
With milk
2 hours after meals Correct. Answer: Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride is an
anti-infective in the fluoroquinolone family. It may be taken without
regard to meals, but the best dosing time is 2 hours after a meal. Milk
may affect absorption. Antacids (here, aluminum hydroxide) may reduce
,absorption and should be administered 2 hours apart from the
ciprofloxacin hydrochloride.
◉ Ergotamine is prescribed to a client with cluster headaches. Which
occurrence does the nurse tell the client to report to the primary health
care provider if she experiences them while taking the medication?
Fatigue and lethargy
Dizziness and fatigue
Numbness and tingling of the fingers or toes Correct
Cough. Answer: Ergotamine is an antimigraine medication. Prolonged
administration or an excessive dosage may produce ergotamine
poisoning (ergotism). Signs/symptoms include nausea, vomiting,
weakness in the legs, pain in the limb muscles, and numbness and
tingling of the fingers and toes. The client is instructed to report these
signs/symptoms to the primary health care provider if they occur.
Cough, fatigue, lethargy, and dizziness are side effects and not adverse
effects of the medication.
◉ A nurse working the evening shift is helping clients get ready for
sleep. A female client diagnosed with mania is hyperactive and pacing
the hallway. What is the most appropriate action the nurse can take?
Tell the client that other clients are trying to sleep and that she is being
disruptive
Take the client to the bathroom and provide her with a warm bath
Correct
Stay with the client and observe her behavior
, Tell the client that it is time for sleep and that she needs to go to her
room. Answer: At bedtime, the nurse should take the client to the
bathroom and provide warm baths, soothing music, and medication
when indicated. For the client with mania, the nurse needs to promote
relaxation, rest, and sleep and to minimize manic behavior. The nurse
should encourage frequent rest periods during the day and keep the
client in areas of low stimulation. The client should not consume
products containing caffeine. Staying with the client and observing her
behavior, telling the client that it is time to go to sleep and to go to her
room, and telling the client that other clients are trying to sleep and that
she is being disruptive do not address the client's needs and are not
measures that will help the client relax and sleep.
◉ A client diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus has just been told that
she is 6 weeks pregnant. The nurse provides information to the client
about dietary and insulin needs. What comment by the client suggests an
understanding of the information?
"I know I will have to increase my insulin during this time period."
"My insulin needs should decrease during the first trimester." Correct
"Needs for insulin will not change during the first 3 months of
pregnancy."
"I will have to double up on the insulin dose during this time span.".
Answer: Insulin needs generally decrease during the first trimester of
pregnancy because the secretion of placental hormones antagonistic to
insulin remains low. An increase in insulin need, lack of change in
insulin need, and doubling of insulin need are all incorrect.
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ A nurse reviews the laboratory results of a hospitalized pregnant client
with a diagnosis of sepsis who is at risk for disseminated intravascular
coagulopathy (DIC). Which laboratory finding would indicate to the
nurse that DIC has developed in the client?
Shortened prothrombin time
Increased platelet count
Positive result on d-dimer study Correct
Decreased fibrin-degradation products. Answer: The d-dimer study is
used to confirm the presence of fibrin split products; a positive result is
indicative of DIC. DIC is a life-threatening defect in coagulation. As
plasma factors are consumed, the circulating blood becomes deficient in
clotting factors and unable to clot. Even as anticoagulation is occurring,
inappropriate coagulation is also taking place in the microcirculation,
and tiny clots form in the smallest blood vessels, blocking blood flow to
the organs and causing ischemia. Laboratory studies help establish a
diagnosis. The fibrinogen value and platelet count are usually decreased,
prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times may be
prolonged, and levels of fibrin degradation products (the most sensitive
measurement) are increased.
,◉ The nurse is assessing a client who has a history of Prinzmetal's
angina. The nurse knows that what type of medication is given to treat
this condition?
Calcium channel blockers Correct
ACE inhibitors
Inotropes
Beta blockers. Answer: Prinzmetal's, or variant, angina is prolonged and
severe and occurs at the same time each day, most often at rest. The
treatment of choice is usually a calcium channel blocker. Calcium
channel blockers relax and dilate the vascular smooth muscle, thus
relieving the coronary artery spasm in variant angina. Inotropes, beta
blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are not
given to treat this disorder.
◉ Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride is prescribed to a client with a urinary
tract infection. The nurse provides instruction about the medication.
What does the nurse tell the client about how best to take the
medication?
With aluminum hydroxide
With an antacid
With milk
2 hours after meals Correct. Answer: Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride is an
anti-infective in the fluoroquinolone family. It may be taken without
regard to meals, but the best dosing time is 2 hours after a meal. Milk
may affect absorption. Antacids (here, aluminum hydroxide) may reduce
,absorption and should be administered 2 hours apart from the
ciprofloxacin hydrochloride.
◉ Ergotamine is prescribed to a client with cluster headaches. Which
occurrence does the nurse tell the client to report to the primary health
care provider if she experiences them while taking the medication?
Fatigue and lethargy
Dizziness and fatigue
Numbness and tingling of the fingers or toes Correct
Cough. Answer: Ergotamine is an antimigraine medication. Prolonged
administration or an excessive dosage may produce ergotamine
poisoning (ergotism). Signs/symptoms include nausea, vomiting,
weakness in the legs, pain in the limb muscles, and numbness and
tingling of the fingers and toes. The client is instructed to report these
signs/symptoms to the primary health care provider if they occur.
Cough, fatigue, lethargy, and dizziness are side effects and not adverse
effects of the medication.
◉ A nurse working the evening shift is helping clients get ready for
sleep. A female client diagnosed with mania is hyperactive and pacing
the hallway. What is the most appropriate action the nurse can take?
Tell the client that other clients are trying to sleep and that she is being
disruptive
Take the client to the bathroom and provide her with a warm bath
Correct
Stay with the client and observe her behavior
, Tell the client that it is time for sleep and that she needs to go to her
room. Answer: At bedtime, the nurse should take the client to the
bathroom and provide warm baths, soothing music, and medication
when indicated. For the client with mania, the nurse needs to promote
relaxation, rest, and sleep and to minimize manic behavior. The nurse
should encourage frequent rest periods during the day and keep the
client in areas of low stimulation. The client should not consume
products containing caffeine. Staying with the client and observing her
behavior, telling the client that it is time to go to sleep and to go to her
room, and telling the client that other clients are trying to sleep and that
she is being disruptive do not address the client's needs and are not
measures that will help the client relax and sleep.
◉ A client diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus has just been told that
she is 6 weeks pregnant. The nurse provides information to the client
about dietary and insulin needs. What comment by the client suggests an
understanding of the information?
"I know I will have to increase my insulin during this time period."
"My insulin needs should decrease during the first trimester." Correct
"Needs for insulin will not change during the first 3 months of
pregnancy."
"I will have to double up on the insulin dose during this time span.".
Answer: Insulin needs generally decrease during the first trimester of
pregnancy because the secretion of placental hormones antagonistic to
insulin remains low. An increase in insulin need, lack of change in
insulin need, and doubling of insulin need are all incorrect.
