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HESI RN EXIT EXAM V1–V5, HESI 799 RN EXIT – TEST BANK
MERGED 2025/2026 EDITION: COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR NURSING STUDENTS, NCLEX-
RN PREPARATION, AND HESI EXIT REVIEW GUIDE, ALREADY
GRADED A+
Q1. A client with left-sided heart failure is experiencing dyspnea and
crackles in lungs. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Monitor blood pressure
B. Administer diuretics as prescribed
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Provide high-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B. Administer diuretics as prescribed
Rationale: Diuretics reduce pulmonary congestion and relieve symptoms of
fluid overload.
Reference: Lewis, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 11th Edition.
Q2. A client with type 1 diabetes reports dizziness and sweating. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Provide 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Check blood pressure
D. Notify provider
Correct Answer: B. Provide 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is an immediate threat; rapid glucose
administration is priority.
Reference: ADA Clinical Guidelines.
Q3. A nurse is caring for a client with Addison’s disease. Which finding is
expected?
A. Hypertension and edema
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B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypotension and hyperpigmentation
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: C. Hypotension and hyperpigmentation
Rationale: Adrenal insufficiency causes low cortisol and aldosterone →
hypotension; increased ACTH causes hyperpigmentation.
Reference: Brunner & Suddarth.
Q4. Which lab result indicates hypokalemia?
A. Serum K+ 6.0 mEq/L
B. Serum K+ 3.0 mEq/L
C. Serum Na+ 145 mEq/L
D. Serum Ca2+ 9.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B. Serum K+ 3.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L; <3.5 indicates
hypokalemia.
Reference: Lewis, Med-Surg Nursing.
Q5. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula.
Which is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage deep breathing
B. Monitor for signs of CO₂ retention
C. Increase O₂ to 6 L/min
D. Restrict fluids
Correct Answer: B. Monitor for signs of CO₂ retention
Rationale: High O₂ flow may suppress hypoxic drive in COPD patients;
monitoring is critical.
Reference: Lewis, Med-Surg Nursing.
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Q6. Which ECG change is associated with hyperkalemia?
A. Tall peaked T waves
B. U waves
C. Flattened T waves
D. ST depression
Correct Answer: A. Tall peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia typically presents with peaked T waves, widening
QRS, and risk of arrhythmias.
Reference: ACLS Guidelines.
Q7. A nurse administers morphine to a post-op client. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory rate 6/min
D. Mild pruritus
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate 6/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is life-threatening; priority is ensuring
airway and ventilation.
Reference: HESI Review Guide.
Q8. Which intervention is priority for a client with acute pancreatitis?
A. Encourage oral intake
B. Keep NPO and maintain IV fluids
C. Provide high-fat diet
D. Administer antacids
Correct Answer: B. Keep NPO and maintain IV fluids
Rationale: Resting the pancreas prevents further enzyme activation and
reduces inflammation.
Reference: Lewis, Med-Surg Nursing.
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Q9. A client develops chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Administer another nitroglycerin
B. Prepare for ECG and notify provider
C. Provide fluids
D. Give sedatives
Correct Answer: B. Prepare for ECG and notify provider
Rationale: Persistent chest pain may indicate myocardial infarction; ECG
and provider notification are urgent.
Reference: AHA ACS Guidelines.
Q10. Which sign indicates hypocalcemia in a post-thyroidectomy client?
A. Bradycardia
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Constipation
D. Dry skin
Correct Answer: B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
Rationale: Hypocalcemia leads to tetany; Chvostek’s sign is a classic
indicator.
Reference: Lewis, Med-Surg Nursing.
Q11. Which finding is priority in a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome?
A. Tingling in feet
B. Muscle weakness
C. Respiratory difficulty
D. Loss of deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory difficulty
Rationale: Progressive paralysis may compromise airway; respiratory status
is life-threatening.
Reference: Brunner & Suddarth.
HESI RN EXIT EXAM V1–V5, HESI 799 RN EXIT – TEST BANK
MERGED 2025/2026 EDITION: COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR NURSING STUDENTS, NCLEX-
RN PREPARATION, AND HESI EXIT REVIEW GUIDE, ALREADY
GRADED A+
Q1. A client with left-sided heart failure is experiencing dyspnea and
crackles in lungs. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Monitor blood pressure
B. Administer diuretics as prescribed
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Provide high-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B. Administer diuretics as prescribed
Rationale: Diuretics reduce pulmonary congestion and relieve symptoms of
fluid overload.
Reference: Lewis, Medical-Surgical Nursing, 11th Edition.
Q2. A client with type 1 diabetes reports dizziness and sweating. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Provide 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Check blood pressure
D. Notify provider
Correct Answer: B. Provide 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is an immediate threat; rapid glucose
administration is priority.
Reference: ADA Clinical Guidelines.
Q3. A nurse is caring for a client with Addison’s disease. Which finding is
expected?
A. Hypertension and edema
,2|Page
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypotension and hyperpigmentation
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: C. Hypotension and hyperpigmentation
Rationale: Adrenal insufficiency causes low cortisol and aldosterone →
hypotension; increased ACTH causes hyperpigmentation.
Reference: Brunner & Suddarth.
Q4. Which lab result indicates hypokalemia?
A. Serum K+ 6.0 mEq/L
B. Serum K+ 3.0 mEq/L
C. Serum Na+ 145 mEq/L
D. Serum Ca2+ 9.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B. Serum K+ 3.0 mEq/L
Rationale: Normal potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L; <3.5 indicates
hypokalemia.
Reference: Lewis, Med-Surg Nursing.
Q5. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula.
Which is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage deep breathing
B. Monitor for signs of CO₂ retention
C. Increase O₂ to 6 L/min
D. Restrict fluids
Correct Answer: B. Monitor for signs of CO₂ retention
Rationale: High O₂ flow may suppress hypoxic drive in COPD patients;
monitoring is critical.
Reference: Lewis, Med-Surg Nursing.
,3|Page
Q6. Which ECG change is associated with hyperkalemia?
A. Tall peaked T waves
B. U waves
C. Flattened T waves
D. ST depression
Correct Answer: A. Tall peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia typically presents with peaked T waves, widening
QRS, and risk of arrhythmias.
Reference: ACLS Guidelines.
Q7. A nurse administers morphine to a post-op client. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory rate 6/min
D. Mild pruritus
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate 6/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is life-threatening; priority is ensuring
airway and ventilation.
Reference: HESI Review Guide.
Q8. Which intervention is priority for a client with acute pancreatitis?
A. Encourage oral intake
B. Keep NPO and maintain IV fluids
C. Provide high-fat diet
D. Administer antacids
Correct Answer: B. Keep NPO and maintain IV fluids
Rationale: Resting the pancreas prevents further enzyme activation and
reduces inflammation.
Reference: Lewis, Med-Surg Nursing.
, 4|Page
Q9. A client develops chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Administer another nitroglycerin
B. Prepare for ECG and notify provider
C. Provide fluids
D. Give sedatives
Correct Answer: B. Prepare for ECG and notify provider
Rationale: Persistent chest pain may indicate myocardial infarction; ECG
and provider notification are urgent.
Reference: AHA ACS Guidelines.
Q10. Which sign indicates hypocalcemia in a post-thyroidectomy client?
A. Bradycardia
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Constipation
D. Dry skin
Correct Answer: B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
Rationale: Hypocalcemia leads to tetany; Chvostek’s sign is a classic
indicator.
Reference: Lewis, Med-Surg Nursing.
Q11. Which finding is priority in a client with Guillain-Barré syndrome?
A. Tingling in feet
B. Muscle weakness
C. Respiratory difficulty
D. Loss of deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory difficulty
Rationale: Progressive paralysis may compromise airway; respiratory status
is life-threatening.
Reference: Brunner & Suddarth.
