HESI Fundamental Exam 2

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Sample questions from HESI Fundamental Exam 2

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

1. 1.A 72-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit reports sudden shortness of breath. The client is restless, has a respiratory rate of 30/min, oxygen saturation of 86% on room air, and audible crackles. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Raise the head of the bed and apply prescribed oxygen
   • B.Obtain a complete medication history
   • C.Notify the client's family
   • D.Document the findings and reassess in 30 minutes

   Rationale: The client has acute hypoxemia and respiratory distress, so positioning and oxygen support are immediate priorities. A medication history and family notification do not address the immediate threat, and waiting to reassess is unsafe. The exam takeaway is to address airway and breathing problems before less urgent tasks.

2. 2.A 46-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit has a new prescription for a medication. The client says, "I do not understand why I need this drug." Which action should the nurse take before administering it?

   • A.Explain the purpose and common effects in language the client understands
   • B.Ask the client to sign a refusal form
   • C.Administer the medication and explain it afterward
   • D.Ask a family member to persuade the client

   Rationale: The nurse should provide clear, understandable information so the client can make an informed decision. A refusal form is premature when the client is asking for information, and giving the drug before explaining it undermines informed consent. Family persuasion is not a substitute for communicating directly with the client.

3. 3.A 68-year-old client with left-sided weakness is being transferred from bed to chair. The client is alert, blood pressure is 134/78 mm Hg, and the right leg is strong. Which transfer technique is safest?

   • A.Place the chair on the client's stronger side and use a gait belt
   • B.Place the chair on the weaker side and pull the client by the arms
   • C.Ask the client to hold the nurse's neck while standing
   • D.Pivot the client quickly without assessing balance

   Rationale: Placing the chair on the stronger side allows the client to pivot using the stronger extremity, while a gait belt improves control. Pulling on the arms or having the client hold the nurse's neck can cause injury, and a rapid pivot without balance assessment increases fall risk. The nurse should use a controlled transfer and request assistance if needed.

4. 4.A 79-year-old client in a long-term care facility has a Braden score of 12, is incontinent, and spends most of the day in bed. Skin is intact and vital signs are stable. Which intervention is the best way to reduce pressure injury risk?

   • A.Reposition on an individualized schedule and offload the heels
   • B.Massage reddened areas during each position change
   • C.Apply a heating pad to the sacrum
   • D.Limit fluids to reduce incontinence

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A 58-year-old client has a prescription for digoxin. Before the morning dose, the nurse counts an apical pulse of 52/min; the client reports mild nausea. Blood pressure is 128/76 mm Hg. What should the nurse do?

   • A.Hold the dose and notify the prescribing clinician
   • B.Give the dose with food
   • C.Recheck the pulse after the client walks
   • D.Give half the prescribed dose

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.