1
Hesi Exit Exam Practice Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
A patient reports sudden chest pain radiating to the left arm. What is the first nursing action?
- Wait to see if it resolves
- Sit with the patient
- Give pain medication immediately
✔✔C. Assess vital signs and apply cardiac monitoring
Rationale: Rapid assessment and cardiac monitoring are essential for early detection of myocardial infarction.
A patient with diabetes reports a blood glucose level of 38 mg/dL and is lethargic. What should the nurse do first?✔✔A. Administer a rapid-acting carbohydrate
- Wait for the next scheduled meal
- Notify the provider after an hour
- Encourage exercise
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is an immediate threat; rapid-acting carbohydrates restore glucose quickly. 1 / 4
2
A postoperative patient is confused and attempting to get out of bed. What is the priority nursing action?
- Call security
- Sedate the patient immediately
- Document only
✔✔B. Implement fall precautions and stay with the patient
Rationale: Safety is the priority; fall precautions prevent injury.
A child is admitted with fever and seizure activity. What is the priority nursing action?
- Start IV fluids immediately
- Call provider after seizure
- Document only
✔✔B. Ensure safety, maintain airway, and monitor seizure activity
Rationale: Protecting airway and preventing injury during a seizure is critical.
A patient develops sudden swelling of lips and tongue after eating peanuts. What is the first nursing action?
- Give oral antihistamine 2 / 4
3
✔✔B. Assess airway and prepare emergency intervention
- Document and observe
- Notify family
Rationale: Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening; airway assessment is the priority.
A postoperative patient reports persistent nausea. What is the priority nursing action?
- Document only
- Provide food
- Wait to see if it resolves
✔✔C. Assess severity and administer antiemetic as prescribed
Rationale: Managing nausea prevents dehydration and promotes comfort.
A patient with COPD reports increased shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing action?
- Encourage coughing only
- Sit with patient
- Monitor next shift
✔✔C. Administer prescribed oxygen and assess respiratory effort
Rationale: Oxygen supplementation and assessment are crucial to prevent hypoxemia. 3 / 4
4
A patient is scheduled for surgery and asks why fasting is required. What is the nurse’s best response?
- To make the stomach empty faster
- Because food interferes with anesthesia
- To speed recovery
✔✔C. To reduce risk of aspiration during anesthesia
Rationale: Fasting reduces the risk of aspiration during anesthesia.
A patient develops a rash after IV antibiotic administration. What is the first nursing action?
- Apply topical cream
- Continue infusion
- Document only
✔✔C. Stop infusion and notify provider
Rationale: Stopping the infusion prevents worsening of a possible allergic reaction.
A patient on anticoagulants reports black, tarry stools. What should the nurse do first?
- Monitor at next shift
- / 4