HESI Exit PN September 2026

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Sample questions from HESI Exit PN September 2026

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

1. 1.In the emergency department, a client with a suspected stroke develops sudden difficulty swallowing. Which action should the PN take first?

   • A.Give the client's scheduled oral medications with applesauce
   • B.Place the client supine and encourage coughing
   • C.Keep the client NPO and report the change to the RN
   • D.Offer small sips of water to assess swallowing

   Rationale: Keeping the client NPO reduces aspiration risk while the new swallowing difficulty is reported promptly. Offering water or oral medication could cause aspiration, and placing the client supine does not protect the airway. The PN should report new neurologic changes rather than independently initiate a diagnostic swallowing evaluation.

2. 2.Refer to the client's chart. Which findings require prompt reporting to the RN? Select all that apply.

   • A.Temperature of 38.3 C at 1000
   • B.SpO2 of 91% on room air at 1000
   • C.Urine output of 20 mL/hr for the last 2 hours
   • D.New confusion documented at 1000
   • E.Pain score decreased from 6/10 to 3/10

   Rationale: New confusion, oxygen saturation of 91%, fever, and urine output below 30 mL/hr are concerning changes and should be reported promptly. The pain reduction from 6/10 to 3/10 indicates improvement rather than deterioration. The trend from the chart makes these changes more important than any single stable baseline finding.

3. 3.A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min by nasal cannula. Which finding requires immediate follow-up?

   • A.A productive cough with clear sputum
   • B.New drowsiness and difficulty arousing
   • C.SpO2 of 92% while resting
   • D.Mild dyspnea while walking to the bathroom

   Rationale: New difficulty arousing may indicate worsening ventilation or carbon dioxide retention and requires prompt reporting and assessment by the RN. Mild exertional dyspnea and clear sputum can occur with COPD, while an SpO2 of 92% may be within an individualized target. The PN should not independently increase oxygen beyond the prescribed plan.

4. 4.Which intervention is appropriate for a client with left-sided weakness who is learning to use a cane?

   • A.Advance the cane and weak leg together
   • B.Keep the cane several feet ahead
   • C.Move the strong leg before the cane
   • D.Hold the cane on the left side

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.Which statement by a client with heart failure indicates understanding of daily weight monitoring?

   • A.I will stop weighing myself once my breathing improves.
   • B.I will compare my weight with other people in my household.
   • C.I will weigh myself whenever my ankles look swollen.
   • D.I will weigh myself each morning after urinating, using the same scale.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.