HESI A2

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Sample questions from HESI A2

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A 46-year-old patient in an outpatient clinic is prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg orally. The suspension contains 250 mg per 5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?

   • A.2.5 mL
   • B.5 mL
   • C.10 mL
   • D.15 mL

   Rationale: The required volume is (500 mg / 250 mg) x 5 mL = 10 mL. A volume of 2.5 mL provides only 125 mg, and 5 mL provides only 250 mg. A volume of 15 mL provides 750 mg, exceeding the prescription. The exam takeaway is to divide the prescribed dose by the available dose, then multiply by its volume.

2. 2.A 72-year-old patient on a medical unit has dry mucous membranes and a prescription for 1,000 mL of normal saline over 8 hours. The nurse uses an infusion pump. Which rate should the nurse program?

   • A.100 mL/hr
   • B.125 mL/hr
   • C.150 mL/hr
   • D.200 mL/hr

   Rationale: Dividing 1,000 mL by 8 hours gives 125 mL/hr. A rate of 100 mL/hr would require 10 hours. Rates of 150 and 200 mL/hr would deliver the fluid sooner than prescribed. Calculate pump rates in mL/hr and confirm the patient's tolerance of the prescribed fluid.

3. 3.A 9-year-old child in urgent care weighs 66 lb and has a temperature of 38.6 C. Acetaminophen is prescribed at 15 mg/kg orally once. Using 1 kg = 2.2 lb, which dose is correct?

   • A.300 mg
   • B.660 mg
   • C.990 mg
   • D.450 mg

   Rationale: The child weighs 66 / 2.2 = 30 kg, and 30 x 15 = 450 mg. A 300-mg dose would provide only 10 mg/kg. The 660-mg and 990-mg doses exceed the prescribed weight-based amount. Convert pounds to kilograms before calculating a pediatric dose.

4. 4.A 58-year-old postoperative patient receives 120 mL of juice, 8 oz of broth, and 500 mL of IV fluid during a shift. Using 1 oz = 30 mL, what intake should the nurse document?

   • A.860 mL
   • B.628 mL
   • C.740 mL
   • D.980 mL

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A 63-year-old patient in a community clinic weighs 80 kg today and weighed 84 kg one month ago. The patient reports a reduced appetite. What percentage of the original body weight has the patient lost, rounded to the nearest tenth?

   • A.4.0%
   • B.5.0%
   • C.4.8%
   • D.9.5%

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.