1
HESI RN FUNDAMENTALS
1. A 20-year-old female client with a noticeable body odor has refused to shower for the
last 3 days. She states, "I have been told that it is harmful to bathe during my period."
Which action should the nurse take first?
A.Accept and document the client's wish to refrain from bathing.
B.Offer to give the client a bed bath, avoiding the perineal area.
C.Obtain written brochures about menstruation to give to the client.
D.Teach the importance of personal hygiene during menstruation with the client.: D
Rationale: Because a shower is most beneficial for the client in terms of hygiene, the client
should receive teaching first, respecting any personal beliefs such as cultural or spiritual values.
After client teaching, the client may still choose option A or B. Brochures reinforce the teaching.
2. A 65-year-old client who attends an adult daycare program and is wheelchair-mobile
has redness in the sacral area. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to
provide?
A.Take a vitamin supplement tablet once a day.
B.Change positions in the chair at least every hour.
C.Increase daily intake of water or other oral fluids.
D.Purchase a newer model wheelchair.: B
Rationale: The most important teaching is to change positions frequently because pressure is the
most significant factor related to the development of pressure ulcers. Increased vitamin and fluid
intake may also be beneficial and promote healing and reduce further risk. Option D is an
intervention of last resort because this will be very expensive for the client.
3. After a needle stick occurs while removing the cap from a sterile needle, which
action should the nurse implement?
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A.Complete an incident report.
B.Select another sterile needle.
C.Disinfect the needle with an alcohol swab.
D.Notify the supervisor of the department immediately.: B
Rationale: After a needle stick, the needle is considered used, so the nurse should discard it and
select another needle. Because the needle was sterile when the nurse was stuck and the needle
was not in contact with any other person's body fluids, the nurse does not need to complete an

incident report or notify the occupational health nurse. Disinfecting a needle with an alcohol
swab is not in accordance with standards for safe practice and infection control.
4. After receiving written and verbal instructions from a clinic nurse about a newly
prescribed medication, a client asks the nurse what to do if questions arise about the
medication after getting home. How should the nurse respond?
A.Provide the client with a list of Internet sites that answer frequently asked
questions about medications.
B.Advise the client to obtain a current edition of a drug reference book from a
local bookstore or library.
C.Reassure the client that information about the medication is included in the
written instructions.
D.Encourage the client to call the clinic nurse or health care provider if any
questions arise.: D
Rationale: To ensure safe medication use, the nurse should encourage the client to call the
nurse or health care provider if any questions arise. Options A, B, and C may all include useful
information, but these sources of information cannot evaluate the nature of the client's
questions and the follow-up needed.
5. After the nurse tells an older client that an IV line needs to be inserted, the client
becomes very apprehensive, loudly verbalizing a dislike for all health care providers and
nurses. How should the nurse respond?
A.Ask the client to remain quiet so the procedure can be performed safely.
B.Concentrate on completing the insertion as efficiently as possible.
C.Calmly reassure the client that the discomfort will be temporary.
D.Tell the client a joke as a means of distraction from the procedure.: C
Rationale: The nurse should respond with a calm demeanor to help reduce the client's
apprehension. After responding calmly to the client's apprehension, the nurse may implement to
ensure safe completion of the procedure.
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D.Instruct client in the use of adult diapers.: A
Rationale: The best action to decrease the risk of infection in vulnerable clients is handwashing.
Option B is not necessary unless the client has an infection. Option C increases the risk of
infection. Option D does not reduce the risk of infection.
7. By rolling contaminated gloves inside-out, the nurse is affecting which step in the chain
of infection?
A.Mode of transmission
B.Portal of entry
C.Reservoir
D.Portal of exit: A
Rationale: The contaminated gloves serve as the mode of transmission from the portal of exit of
the reservoir to a portal of entry.
8. A client becomes angry while waiting for a supervised break to smoke a cigarette outside
and states, "I want to go outside now and smoke. It takes forever to get anything done
here!" Which intervention is best for the nurse to implement?
A.Encourage the client to use a nicotine patch.
B.Reassure the client that it is almost time for another break.
C.Have the client leave the unit with another staff member.
D.Review the schedule of outdoor breaks with the client.: D
Rationale: The best nursing action is to review the schedule of outdoor breaks and provide
concrete information about the schedule. Option A is contraindicated if the client wants to
continue smoking. Option B is insufficient to encourage a trusting relationship with the client.
Option C is preferential for this client only and is inconsistent with unit rules.
9. A client has a nasogastric tube connected to low intermittent suction. When
administering medications through the nasogastric tube, which action should the nurse do
first?

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medications and allow absorption, the tube should be clamped for a period of time before
reconnecting the suction.
10. A client has a nursing diagnosis of Altered sleep patterns related to nocturia. Which
client instruction is important for the nurse to provide?
A.Decrease intake of fluids after the evening meal.
B.Drink a glass of cranberry juice every day.
C.Drink a glass of warm decaffeinated beverage at bedtime.
D.Consult the health care provider about a sleeping pill.: A
Rationale: Nocturia is urination during the night. Option A is helpful to decrease the production
of urine, thus decreasing the need to void at night. Option B helps prevent bladder infections.
Option C may promote sleep, but the fluid will contribute to nocturia. Option D may result in
urinary incontinence if the client is sedated and does not awaken to void.
11. A client in a long-term care facility reports to the nurse that he has not had a
bowel movement in 2 days. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A.Instruct the caregiver to offer a glass of warm prune juice at mealtimes.
B.Notify the health care provider and request a prescription for a large-volume enema.
C.Assess the client's medical record to determine the client's normal bowel pattern.
D.Instruct the caregiver to increase the client's fluids to five 8-ounce glasses per day.: C
Rationale: This client may not routinely have a daily bowel movement, so the nurse should first
assess this client's normal bowel habits before attempting any intervention. Option A, B, or D
may then be implemented, if warranted.
12. A client's blood pressure reading is 156/94 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A.Tell the client that the blood pressure is high and that the reading needs to be
verified by another nurse.
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Rationale: Comparing this reading with previous readings will provide information about what is
normal for this client; this action should be taken first. Option A might unnecessarily alarm the
client. Option B is premature. Further assessment is needed to determine if the reading is
abnormal for this client. Option C could falsely decrease the reading and is not the correct
procedure for obtaining a blood pressure reading.
13. A community hospital is opening a mental health services department. Which
document should the nurse use to develop the unit's nursing guidelines?
A.Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
B.ANA Code of Ethics with Interpretative Statements
C.ANA's Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice
D.Patient's Bill of Rights of 1990: C
Rationale: The ANA Scope of Standards of Practice for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
serves to direct the philosophy and standards of psychiatric nursing practice. Options A and D
define the client's rights. Option B provides ethical guidelines for nursing.
14. During a clinic visit, the mother of a 7-year-old reports to the nurse that her child is
often awake until midnight playing and is then very difficult to awaken in the morning for
school. Which assessment data should the nurse obtain in response to the mother's
report?
A.The occurrence of any episodes of sleep apnea
B.The child's blood pressure, pulse, and respirations
C.Length of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that the child is experiencing
D.Description of the family's home environment: D
Rationale: School-age children often resist bedtime. The nurse should begin by assessing the
environment of the home to determine factors that may not be conducive to the establishment of
bedtime rituals that promote sleep. Option A often causes daytime fatigue rather than resistance
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to going to sleep. Option B is unlikely to provide useful data. The nurse cannot determine option
C.
15. During a routine assessment, an obese 50-year-old female client expresses concern
about her sexual relationship with her husband. Which is the best response by the nurse?
A.Reassure the client that many obese people have concerns about sex.
B.Remind the client that sexual relationships need not be affected by obesity.
C.Determine the frequency of sexual intercourse.
D.Ask the client to talk about specific concerns.: D
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Rationale: Option D provides an opportunity for the client to verbalize her concerns and
provides the nurse with more assessment data. Options A and B may not be related to her
current concern, assume that obesity is the problem, and are communication blocks. Option C
may be appropriate after discussing the concerns she is having.
16. During evacuation of a group of clients from a medical unit because of a fire, the
nurse observes an ambulatory client walking alone toward the stairway at the end of
the hall. Which action should the nurse take?
A.Assign an unlicensed assistive personnel to transport the client via a wheelchair.
B.Remind the client to walk carefully down the stairs until reaching a lower floor.
C.Ask the client to help by assisting a wheelchair-bound client to a nearby elevator.
D.Open the closest fire doors so that ambulatory clients can evacuate more rapidly.: B
Rationale: During evacuation of a unit because of fire, ambulatory clients should be evacuated
via the stairway if at all possible and reminded to walk carefully. Ambulatory clients do not
require the assistance of a wheelchair to be evacuated. Elevators should not be used during a
fire, and fire doors should be kept closed to help contain the fire.
17. A female client with frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) asks the nurse to explain
her friend's advice about drinking a glass of juice daily to prevent future UTIs. Which
response is best for the nurse to provide?
A.Orange juice has vitamin C that deters bacterial growth.
B.Apple juice is the most useful in acidifying the urine.
C.Cranberry juice stops pathogens' adherence to the bladder.
D.Grapefruit juice increases absorption of most antibiotics.: C
Rationale: Cranberry juice maintains urinary tract health by reducing the adherence of
Escherichia coli bacteria to cells within the bladder. Options A, B, and D have not been shown to
be as effective as cranberry juice in preventing UTIs.
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18. The health care provider has changed a client's prescription from the PO to the IV
route of administration. The nurse should anticipate which change in the pharmacokinetic
properties of the medication?
A.The client will experience increased tolerance to the drug's effects and may need
a higher dose.
B.The onset of action of the drug will occur more rapidly, resulting in a more rapid
effect.
C.The medication will be more highly protein-bound, increasing the duration of action.
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D.The therapeutic index will be increased, placing the client at greater risk for toxicity.:
B
Rationale: Because the absorptive process is eliminated when medications are administered via
the IV route, the onset of action is more rapid, resulting in a more immediate effect. Drug
tolerance, protein binding, and the drug's therapeutic index are not affected by the change in
route from PO to IV. In addition, an increased therapeutic index reduces the risk of drug toxicity.
19. A hospitalized client has had difficulty falling asleep for two nights and is
becoming irritable and restless. Which action by the nurse is best?
A.Determine the client's usual bedtime routine and include these rituals in the plan
of care as safety allows.
B.Instruct the UAP not to wake the client under any circumstances during the night.
C.Place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and change assessments from every 4
to every 8 hours.
D.Encourage the client to avoid pain medication during the day, which might
increase daytime napping.: A
Rationale: Including habitual rituals that do not interfere with the client's care or safety may
allow the client to go to sleep faster and increase the quality of care. Options B, C, and D
decrease the client's standard of care and compromise safety.
20. In assisting an older adult client prepare to take a tub bath, which nursing action is
most important?
A.Check the bath water temperature.
B.Shut the bathroom door.
C.Ensure that the client has voided.
D.Provide extra towels.: A
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Rationale: To prevent burns or excessive chilling, the nurse must check the bath water
temperature. Options B, C, and D promote comfort and privacy and are important interventions
but are of less priority than promoting safety.
21. In completing a client's preoperative routine, the nurse finds that the operative permit
is not signed. The client begins to ask more questions about the surgical procedure.
Which action should the nurse take next?
A.Witness the client's signature to the permit.
B.Answer the client's questions about the surgery.
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C.Inform the surgeon that the operative permit is not signed and the client has
questions about the surgery.
D.Reassure the client that the surgeon will answer any questions before the anesthesia
is administered.: C
Rationale: The surgeon should be informed immediately that the permit is not signed. It is the
surgeon's responsibility to explain the procedure to the client and obtain the client's signature on
the permit. Although the nurse can witness an operative permit, the procedure must first be
explained by the health care provider or surgeon, including answering the client's questions.
The client's questions should be addressed before the permit is signed.
22. In taking a client's history, the nurse asks about the stool characteristics.
Which description should the nurse report to the health care provider as soon as
possible?
A.Daily black, sticky stool
B.Daily dark brown stool
C.Firm brown stool every other day
D.Soft light brown stool twice a day: A
Rationale: Black sticky stool (melena) is a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding and should be
reported to the health care provider promptly. Option C indicates constipation, which is a lesser
priority. Options B and D are variations of normal.
23. A male client is laughing at a television program with his wife when the evening
nurse enters the room. He says his foot is hurting and he would like a pain pill. How
should the nurse respond?
A.Ask him to rate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
B.Encourage him to wait until bedtime so the pill can help him sleep.
C.Attend to an acutely ill client's needs first because this client is laughing.
D.Instruct him in the use of deep breathing exercises for pain control.: A
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HESI Stephen F. Austin State University RN Fundamentals Practice Exam With Answers (75 Solved Questions)

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