HESI RN Fundamentals 2026/2027 Exam Questions and Answers with Rationales

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Sample questions from HESI RN Fundamentals 2026/2027 Exam Questions and Answers with Rationales

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

1. 1.In a pediatric clinic, a parent asks how to reduce the risk of infection for a healthy 2-month-old infant. Which instruction is most appropriate?

   • A.Have visitors wash their hands before holding the infant.
   • B.Ask visitors with mild respiratory symptoms to wear a mask while holding the infant.
   • C.Use hand sanitizer instead of washing hands after changing a diaper.
   • D.Avoid taking the infant outdoors until the first birthday.

   Rationale: Hand hygiene before handling an infant is a practical, effective way to reduce transmission of pathogens. A visitor with respiratory symptoms should postpone close contact rather than rely on a mask alone. Routine outdoor activity is not prohibited, and hand sanitizer does not reliably replace soap and water when hands are visibly soiled or after diaper care.

2. 2.During a home visit, a client receiving oxygen by nasal cannula reports that a family member has been smoking in the room. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Ask the family member to smoke near an open window.
   • B.Place a sign on the oxygen equipment reminding visitors not to smoke.
   • C.Teach the client to turn off the oxygen only while the family member smokes.
   • D.Remove the oxygen source from the room and establish a smoke-free environment.

   Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion, so smoking near oxygen creates an immediate fire risk; the nurse should stop the unsafe exposure and establish a smoke-free environment. An open window does not make smoking safe. A sign alone does not control the hazard, and turning off oxygen briefly may place the client at risk without ensuring that oxygen has been safely removed from the area.

3. 3.A client states, "I have had watery diarrhea since yesterday," and the client's stool test is positive for Clostridioides difficile. Which actions should the nurse take when providing care? Select all that apply.

   • A.Place the client in a private room with contact precautions.
   • B.Use an alcohol-based hand rub as the only hand hygiene method after contact.
   • C.Dedicate equipment, such as a blood pressure cuff, to the client's use.
   • D.Wear gloves and a gown upon entering the room.
   • E.Use soap and water for hand hygiene after providing care.

   Rationale: A private room with contact precautions, gown and gloves, and dedicated equipment help prevent the spread of C. difficile spores. Soap and water is preferred after care because mechanical washing removes spores more effectively than alcohol-based hand rub. Alcohol-based hand rub alone is not the appropriate method for hand hygiene after caring for this client.

4. 4.At change of shift, the nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?

   • A.A client with a urinary catheter who reports discomfort at the insertion site
   • B.A client with pneumonia whose oxygen saturation decreased from 95% to 86% on the prescribed oxygen
   • C.A client with a healing incision who requests a dressing change
   • D.A client with diabetes whose premeal glucose is 182 mg/dL and who is waiting for lunch

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A client with a history of seizures is admitted to a medical unit. Which intervention is most important to include in the client's safety plan?

   • A.Place the client in a supine position with the bed elevated.
   • B.Restrain the client during sleep to prevent injury.
   • C.Keep the bed in a low position and have suction equipment available.
   • D.Keep a padded tongue blade at the bedside.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.