HESI RN CAT 2025 / RN HESI CAT QUESTIONS BANK
NEWEST 2025 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+
While auscultating the heart, a healthcare provider notices S3 heart sounds in four clients.
Which client is at more risk for heart failure?
1
Child client
2
Pregnant client
3
Older adult client
4
Young adult client ****answer****3
The S3 is the third heart sound heard after the normal "lub-dub." It is indicative of congestive
heart failure in adults over 30 years old. In young, pregnant, and under 30 year old clients, the
third heart sound is often considered to be a normal parameter.
Test-Taking Tip: You have at least a 25% chance of selecting the correct response in multiple-
choice items. If you are uncertain about a question, eliminate the choices that you believe are
wrong and then call on your knowledge, skills, and abilities to choose from the remaining
responses.
,A nurse is assessing a client for possible malabsorption syndrome. Which stool assessment
finding will support this diagnosis?
1
Melena
2
Frank blood
3
Fat globules
4
Currant jelly consistency ****answer****3
Undigested fat in the feces (steatorrhea) is associated with diseases of the intestinal mucosa
(e.g., celiac sprue) or pancreatic enzyme deficiency. Darkening of feces by blood pigments
(melena) is related to upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Bright red blood in the stool is
related to lower GI bleeding (e.g., hemorrhoids). Stools containing blood and mucus (currant
jelly stools) are associated with intussusception.
The nurse is reviewing the laboratory reports of a client who has sustained a significant reaction
to the tuberculin skin test but has negative findings on bacteriologic studies. The reports further
reveal the absence of x-ray findings compatible with tuberculosis (TB) and clinical evidence of
TB. Which class of TB does the nurse suspect?
1
Class 0
2
Class 1
3
Class 2
4
Class 3 ****answer****3
,In class 2 TB, the client demonstrates a significant reaction to the tuberculin skin test but
bacteriologic studies are negative and there is no clinical or radiographic evidence of TB. The
client with class 2 TB has been exposed to latent TB infection but has no disease. In class 0 TB,
the client has had no exposure to TB and has negative results on skin testing. In class 1, a client
has been exposed to TB but demonstrates no evidence of infection (e.g., a negative result on
tuberculin skin testing). In class 3, the client has clinically active TB infection.
A client is at high risk for developing ascites because of cirrhosis of the liver. How should the
nurse assess for the presence of ascites?
1
Observe the client for signs of respiratory distress.
2
Percuss the client's abdomen and listen for dull sounds.
3
Palpate the lower extremities over the tibia and observe for edema.
4
Listen for decreased or absent bowel sounds while auscultating the abdomen.
****answer****2
Percussing over the client's abdomen will produce a dull, not tympanic, sound if fluid is present.
Respiratory distress occurs with ascites, but it is not an early sign; the client does not have
ascites but is at risk for ascites at this time. Palpating the lower extremities assesses for
dependent edema, not ascites. Ascites is fluid within the peritoneal cavity. Bowel sounds may
be heard with developing ascites; when ascites is extensive, bowel sounds may diminish.
Which clinical manifestation occurs in a client with adrenal insufficiency?
1
Vitiligo
2
Moon face
, 3
Hypertension
4
Truncal obesity ****answer****1
Adrenal insufficiency is clinically manifested as patchy white areas on the skin (vitiligo). Moon
face, hypertension, and truncal obesity are clinical manifestations of Cushing's syndrome.
A client with acute kidney injury states, "Why am I twitching and my fingers and toes tingling?"
Which process should the nurse consider when formulating a response to this client?
1
Acidosis
2
Calcium depletion
3
Potassium retention
4
Sodium chloride depletion ****answer****2
In kidney failure, as the glomerular filtration rate decreases, phosphorus is retained. As
hyperphosphatemia occurs, calcium is excreted. Calcium depletion hypocalcemia [1] [2] causes
tetany, which causes twitching and tingling of the extremities, among other symptoms. Acidosis,
potassium retention, and sodium chloride depletion are not characterized by twitching and
tingling of the extremities.
A client with varicose veins is scheduled for surgery. Which clinical finding does the nurse expect
to identify when assessing the lower extremities of this client?
1
Pallor
2
NEWEST 2025 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY
GRADED A+
While auscultating the heart, a healthcare provider notices S3 heart sounds in four clients.
Which client is at more risk for heart failure?
1
Child client
2
Pregnant client
3
Older adult client
4
Young adult client ****answer****3
The S3 is the third heart sound heard after the normal "lub-dub." It is indicative of congestive
heart failure in adults over 30 years old. In young, pregnant, and under 30 year old clients, the
third heart sound is often considered to be a normal parameter.
Test-Taking Tip: You have at least a 25% chance of selecting the correct response in multiple-
choice items. If you are uncertain about a question, eliminate the choices that you believe are
wrong and then call on your knowledge, skills, and abilities to choose from the remaining
responses.
,A nurse is assessing a client for possible malabsorption syndrome. Which stool assessment
finding will support this diagnosis?
1
Melena
2
Frank blood
3
Fat globules
4
Currant jelly consistency ****answer****3
Undigested fat in the feces (steatorrhea) is associated with diseases of the intestinal mucosa
(e.g., celiac sprue) or pancreatic enzyme deficiency. Darkening of feces by blood pigments
(melena) is related to upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Bright red blood in the stool is
related to lower GI bleeding (e.g., hemorrhoids). Stools containing blood and mucus (currant
jelly stools) are associated with intussusception.
The nurse is reviewing the laboratory reports of a client who has sustained a significant reaction
to the tuberculin skin test but has negative findings on bacteriologic studies. The reports further
reveal the absence of x-ray findings compatible with tuberculosis (TB) and clinical evidence of
TB. Which class of TB does the nurse suspect?
1
Class 0
2
Class 1
3
Class 2
4
Class 3 ****answer****3
,In class 2 TB, the client demonstrates a significant reaction to the tuberculin skin test but
bacteriologic studies are negative and there is no clinical or radiographic evidence of TB. The
client with class 2 TB has been exposed to latent TB infection but has no disease. In class 0 TB,
the client has had no exposure to TB and has negative results on skin testing. In class 1, a client
has been exposed to TB but demonstrates no evidence of infection (e.g., a negative result on
tuberculin skin testing). In class 3, the client has clinically active TB infection.
A client is at high risk for developing ascites because of cirrhosis of the liver. How should the
nurse assess for the presence of ascites?
1
Observe the client for signs of respiratory distress.
2
Percuss the client's abdomen and listen for dull sounds.
3
Palpate the lower extremities over the tibia and observe for edema.
4
Listen for decreased or absent bowel sounds while auscultating the abdomen.
****answer****2
Percussing over the client's abdomen will produce a dull, not tympanic, sound if fluid is present.
Respiratory distress occurs with ascites, but it is not an early sign; the client does not have
ascites but is at risk for ascites at this time. Palpating the lower extremities assesses for
dependent edema, not ascites. Ascites is fluid within the peritoneal cavity. Bowel sounds may
be heard with developing ascites; when ascites is extensive, bowel sounds may diminish.
Which clinical manifestation occurs in a client with adrenal insufficiency?
1
Vitiligo
2
Moon face
, 3
Hypertension
4
Truncal obesity ****answer****1
Adrenal insufficiency is clinically manifested as patchy white areas on the skin (vitiligo). Moon
face, hypertension, and truncal obesity are clinical manifestations of Cushing's syndrome.
A client with acute kidney injury states, "Why am I twitching and my fingers and toes tingling?"
Which process should the nurse consider when formulating a response to this client?
1
Acidosis
2
Calcium depletion
3
Potassium retention
4
Sodium chloride depletion ****answer****2
In kidney failure, as the glomerular filtration rate decreases, phosphorus is retained. As
hyperphosphatemia occurs, calcium is excreted. Calcium depletion hypocalcemia [1] [2] causes
tetany, which causes twitching and tingling of the extremities, among other symptoms. Acidosis,
potassium retention, and sodium chloride depletion are not characterized by twitching and
tingling of the extremities.
A client with varicose veins is scheduled for surgery. Which clinical finding does the nurse expect
to identify when assessing the lower extremities of this client?
1
Pallor
2
