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HESI Critical Thinking Practice Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

A nurse finds a patient crying quietly after receiving a cancer diagnosis. What is the best initial response?

• Tell the patient to stay strong

✔✔B. Sit quietly and offer presence

• Immediately call the chaplain
• Change the subject to distract them

A patient refuses a prescribed injection. What should the nurse do first?

• Restrain the patient

✔✔B. Explore the patient’s reason for refusal

• Ask another nurse to administer it
• Document the refusal as noncompliance

A client asks the nurse if a painful procedure will hurt. What is the best critical thinking response? 1 / 4

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• “No, it won’t hurt at all.”
• “Don’t worry, it will be over quickly.”

✔✔C. “Yes, there may be discomfort, but I will help you manage it.”

• “Other patients don’t complain much.”

A patient with COPD is short of breath and anxious. What should the nurse do first?✔✔A. Position the patient upright

• Increase the IV fluid rate
• Provide a full meal to increase energy
• Encourage deep and fast breathing

During change of shift report, the nurse realizes a medication was missed. What should the nurse do first?

• Ignore the error since it is past time
• Ask another nurse to give it now

✔✔C. Assess the patient for any adverse effects

• Document that the dose was “held”
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A patient’s IV site is swollen and painful. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• Apply a warm compress

✔✔B. Stop the IV infusion

• Elevate the arm and continue
• Flush the site with saline

A client with chest pain asks, “Am I having a heart attack?” What is the best response?

• “Yes, it seems like you are.”

✔✔B. “I don’t know yet, but we are running tests right now.”

• “Probably not, it’s likely just indigestion.”
• “Stay calm, there is nothing to worry about.”

A confused patient is pulling at their IV tubing. What should the nurse do first?✔✔A. Reorient the patient and provide distraction

• Apply restraints immediately
• Remove the IV without an order
• Leave the patient alone and monitor later
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A nurse notices the patient has difficulty hearing instructions. What is the priority?

• Speak loudly from across the room
• Avoid explaining to save time

✔✔C. Face the patient and speak slowly

• Ask a family member to interpret

A patient states, “I feel like something bad is going to happen.” Which action is most appropriate?✔✔A. Stay with the patient and assess further

• Tell the patient it’s just anxiety
• Ask the patient to rest quietly alone
• Encourage the patient to watch TV

A client is due for discharge but refuses to leave. What should the nurse do first?

• Call security to escort the client

✔✔B. Ask the client to explain their concerns

• Discontinue all IVs and send the client home
• Tell the client discharge is mandatory
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