ALL HESI EXIT Questions and Answers Test Bank; A+
Rated Guide (2022)
Course
ALL HESI
1. Question: A nurse is caring for a patient with congestive heart failure
(CHF). Which assessment finding would indicate the patient’s condition is
worsening?
Answer: Increased respiratory rate and the presence of crackles on auscultation.
Rationale: Increased respiratory rate and crackles indicate fluid overload and pulmonary
congestion, which are signs of worsening CHF.
2. Question: A patient is receiving a blood transfusion. What is the priority
nursing action if the patient begins to exhibit signs of a transfusion reaction?
Answer: Stop the transfusion immediately and maintain intravenous (IV) access with normal
saline.
Rationale: Stopping the transfusion is critical to prevent further reaction. Normal saline
maintains IV access for potential medication administration and fluid replacement.
3. Question: What is the primary purpose of administering naloxone (Narcan)
to a patient?
Answer: To reverse the effects of opioid overdose.
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can rapidly restore respiratory function and
consciousness in cases of opioid overdose.
4. Question: In which situation would a nurse withhold metformin for a
patient with type 2 diabetes?
Answer: If the patient has a serum creatinine level of 1.8 mg/dL.
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment (creatinine > 1.5
mg/dL) due to the risk of lactic acidosis.
,5. Question: A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of atorvastatin
(Lipitor). What should the nurse emphasize regarding this medication?
Answer: The importance of reporting unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition that can lead to
kidney damage; patients should be instructed to report any muscle symptoms promptly.
6. Question: A patient in a manic episode is being treated with lithium. Which
lab result is critical for the nurse to monitor?
Answer: Serum lithium level.
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, and regular monitoring is necessary to
prevent toxicity and ensure therapeutic levels.
7. Question: What should a nurse assess before administering digoxin to a
patient?
Answer: The patient’s heart rate and rhythm.
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; the nurse should ensure that the heart rate is
above 60 beats per minute before administration.
8. Question: A patient is prescribed a loop diuretic. What electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
Answer: Hypokalemia (low potassium levels).
Rationale: Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, increase potassium excretion and can lead to
hypokalemia, which can have serious cardiac implications.
9. Question: What is the priority assessment for a patient receiving
anticoagulation therapy?
Answer: Monitor for signs of bleeding.
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding; early recognition of bleeding signs
(e.g., bruising, hematuria) is essential for patient safety.
, 10. Question: A nurse is caring for a patient receiving chemotherapy. Which
side effect should the nurse prioritize for management?
Answer: Nausea and vomiting.
Rationale: Chemotherapy can cause significant nausea and vomiting, impacting the patient’s
nutritional status and quality of life; managing these symptoms is crucial for patient comfort
and adherence to treatment.
11. Question: A nurse is assessing a patient who has just undergone a hip
replacement. Which finding would be a cause for concern?
Answer: The patient exhibits sudden shortness of breath and chest pain.
Rationale: These symptoms may indicate a pulmonary embolism, a serious postoperative
complication that requires immediate intervention.
12. Question: When caring for a patient with hypertension who is prescribed a
diuretic, which electrolyte level should the nurse monitor closely?
Answer: Potassium.
Rationale: Diuretics can lead to electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia, which can
cause serious cardiac issues.
13. Question: A patient with a history of asthma is prescribed a new
medication. Which medication should the nurse verify with the healthcare
provider?
Answer: Propranolol.
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that can trigger bronchospasm in
asthma patients; a selective beta-1 blocker should be used instead.
14. Question: What is the most important nursing intervention for a patient
receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion of potassium?
Answer: Administer potassium slowly and monitor the cardiac rhythm.
Rationale: Rapid infusion of potassium can cause serious cardiac complications, including
arrhythmias.
Rated Guide (2022)
Course
ALL HESI
1. Question: A nurse is caring for a patient with congestive heart failure
(CHF). Which assessment finding would indicate the patient’s condition is
worsening?
Answer: Increased respiratory rate and the presence of crackles on auscultation.
Rationale: Increased respiratory rate and crackles indicate fluid overload and pulmonary
congestion, which are signs of worsening CHF.
2. Question: A patient is receiving a blood transfusion. What is the priority
nursing action if the patient begins to exhibit signs of a transfusion reaction?
Answer: Stop the transfusion immediately and maintain intravenous (IV) access with normal
saline.
Rationale: Stopping the transfusion is critical to prevent further reaction. Normal saline
maintains IV access for potential medication administration and fluid replacement.
3. Question: What is the primary purpose of administering naloxone (Narcan)
to a patient?
Answer: To reverse the effects of opioid overdose.
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can rapidly restore respiratory function and
consciousness in cases of opioid overdose.
4. Question: In which situation would a nurse withhold metformin for a
patient with type 2 diabetes?
Answer: If the patient has a serum creatinine level of 1.8 mg/dL.
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment (creatinine > 1.5
mg/dL) due to the risk of lactic acidosis.
,5. Question: A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of atorvastatin
(Lipitor). What should the nurse emphasize regarding this medication?
Answer: The importance of reporting unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition that can lead to
kidney damage; patients should be instructed to report any muscle symptoms promptly.
6. Question: A patient in a manic episode is being treated with lithium. Which
lab result is critical for the nurse to monitor?
Answer: Serum lithium level.
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, and regular monitoring is necessary to
prevent toxicity and ensure therapeutic levels.
7. Question: What should a nurse assess before administering digoxin to a
patient?
Answer: The patient’s heart rate and rhythm.
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; the nurse should ensure that the heart rate is
above 60 beats per minute before administration.
8. Question: A patient is prescribed a loop diuretic. What electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
Answer: Hypokalemia (low potassium levels).
Rationale: Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, increase potassium excretion and can lead to
hypokalemia, which can have serious cardiac implications.
9. Question: What is the priority assessment for a patient receiving
anticoagulation therapy?
Answer: Monitor for signs of bleeding.
Rationale: Anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding; early recognition of bleeding signs
(e.g., bruising, hematuria) is essential for patient safety.
, 10. Question: A nurse is caring for a patient receiving chemotherapy. Which
side effect should the nurse prioritize for management?
Answer: Nausea and vomiting.
Rationale: Chemotherapy can cause significant nausea and vomiting, impacting the patient’s
nutritional status and quality of life; managing these symptoms is crucial for patient comfort
and adherence to treatment.
11. Question: A nurse is assessing a patient who has just undergone a hip
replacement. Which finding would be a cause for concern?
Answer: The patient exhibits sudden shortness of breath and chest pain.
Rationale: These symptoms may indicate a pulmonary embolism, a serious postoperative
complication that requires immediate intervention.
12. Question: When caring for a patient with hypertension who is prescribed a
diuretic, which electrolyte level should the nurse monitor closely?
Answer: Potassium.
Rationale: Diuretics can lead to electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia, which can
cause serious cardiac issues.
13. Question: A patient with a history of asthma is prescribed a new
medication. Which medication should the nurse verify with the healthcare
provider?
Answer: Propranolol.
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that can trigger bronchospasm in
asthma patients; a selective beta-1 blocker should be used instead.
14. Question: What is the most important nursing intervention for a patient
receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion of potassium?
Answer: Administer potassium slowly and monitor the cardiac rhythm.
Rationale: Rapid infusion of potassium can cause serious cardiac complications, including
arrhythmias.
