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 68-year-old patient in a medical unit has heart failure and a daily fluid limit of 1,500 mL. During the day, the patient drinks 8 oz of milk, 6 oz of tea, 240 mL of broth, and 120 mL of water. Using 1 oz = 30 mL, how much fluid remains in the allowance?

   • A.480 mL
   • B.660 mL
   • C.840 mL
   • D.960 mL

   Rationale: The patient consumed 240 + 180 + 240 + 120 = 780 mL, leaving 720 mL would be incorrect because that sum is actually 780 mL only if the listed volumes totaled differently. The correct total is 240 + 180 + 240 + 120 = 780 mL, so the remaining allowance is 720 mL. Neither 480 mL, 660 mL, 840 mL, nor 960 mL matches the calculation. Intake calculations require converting ounces before subtracting from the daily allowance.

2. 2.A 45-year-old patient in an outpatient clinic has a bacterial infection and a prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg orally. The available 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 divided by 250 mg, multiplied by 5 mL, which equals 10 mL. Giving 2.5 mL provides only 125 mg, and giving 5 mL provides only 250 mg. Giving 15 mL provides 750 mg and exceeds the prescription. The takeaway is to match the prescribed dose to the concentration before measuring a liquid medication.

3. 3.A 6-year-old child weighing 44 lb is evaluated in urgent care for a temperature of 38.6 C. A prescription specifies acetaminophen 15 mg/kg orally once. Using 1 kg = 2.2 lb, what dose should the nurse calculate?

   • A.150 mg
   • B.300 mg
   • C.440 mg
   • D.660 mg

   Rationale: The child weighs 20 kg, and 20 multiplied by 15 mg/kg equals 300 mg. A dose of 150 mg is only half the prescribed amount. The 440 mg and 660 mg choices reflect incorrect weight-based calculations, with 660 mg resulting from using pounds as kilograms. Pediatric dose calculations require converting weight to kilograms first.

4. 4.A 72-year-old patient on a medical unit is prescribed 1,000 mL of isotonic IV fluid over 8 hours for dehydration. Blood pressure is 108/66 mm Hg, and lung sounds are clear. At what rate should the nurse program the infusion pump?

   • A.80 mL/hr
   • B.100 mL/hr
   • C.125 mL/hr
   • D.160 mL/hr

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A 36-year-old patient in an infusion clinic is prescribed 100 mL of IV medication over 30 minutes. The tubing delivers 15 gtt/mL, and an infusion pump is unavailable. What gravity infusion rate should the nurse use?

   • A.25 gtt/min
   • B.50 gtt/min
   • C.75 gtt/min
   • D.100 gtt/min

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.