Which task is appropriate for a registered nurse (RN) to delegate to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?

Initial assessment of a post-operative patient

Evaluating a patient’s plan of care

A nurse gives the wrong medication to a patient. What is the nurse’s first action?

Assess the patient’s condition

Which behavior indicates improvement in a patient with major depressive disorder?

Eating full meals and initiating conversation

(New questions, no repetition from Practice Test 1) Which task is appropriate for a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel)?

Teaching deep breathing exercises

Evaluating intake and output trends

A nurse notices a miscommunication between the pharmacy and the unit. What is the next best step?

Report the incident to the charge nurse

Notify the provider about the error

Discuss the issue with the patient

A patient with severe anxiety is unable to sit still and is pacing. What is the nurse’s priority action?

Encourage relaxation and breathing techniques

Administer a sedative as prescribed

Offer distraction through conversation

Notify the healthcare provider immediately

Which of the following is an appropriate intervention for a patient with severe pain after surgery?

Administer pain medication and provide comfort measures

Allow the patient to manage pain on their own

Wait to administer pain medication until the patient asks for it

Increase the room temperature to encourage rest

A post-operative patient is reporting sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What is the nurse’s first action?

Notify the provider immediately

HESI Exit (RN)

Free HESI Exit Practice Questions

10 sample questions for the HESI Exit (RN), with the correct answer and an explanation for each. No account needed. Try each one before you open the answer.

Sections covered on the exam: Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential, Physiological Adaptation.

Question 1 · Management of Care
Which task is appropriate for a registered nurse (RN) to delegate to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?
- A.Initial assessment of a post-operative patient
- B.Administering IV push morphine
- C.Reinforcing discharge teaching
- D.Evaluating a patient’s plan of care
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Reinforcing discharge teaching
RNs can delegate reinforcement of teaching to LPNs, but initial assessments, IV push meds, and evaluations must be done by RNs.
Question 2 · Safety and Infection Control
A nurse gives the wrong medication to a patient. What is the nurse’s first action?
- A.Notify the provider
- B.Fill out an incident report
- C.Assess the patient’s condition
- D.Inform the charge nurse
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Assess the patient’s condition
Patient safety comes first—assess the patient immediately for adverse effects before reporting.
Question 3 · Psychosocial Integrity
Which behavior indicates improvement in a patient with major depressive disorder?
- A.Sleeping 12 hours/day
- B.Isolating from others
- C.Eating full meals and initiating conversation
- D.Refusing all medications
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Eating full meals and initiating conversation
Improved appetite and social interaction are signs of recovery in depression.
Question 4 · Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
A provider prescribes 500 mg of a medication. The label reads 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL will you administer?
- A.5 mL
- B.10 mL
- C.15 mL
- D.20 mL
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. 10 mL
500 mg ÷ 250 mg = 2 doses 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL
Question 5 · Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 7 should be:
- A.Observed every 8 hours
- B.Placed on a regular unit
- C.Monitored in the ICU
- D.Discharged home with follow-up
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Monitored in the ICU
GCS ≤8 indicates coma, requiring intensive monitoring in a critical care setting.
Question 6 · Management of Care
(New questions, no repetition from Practice Test 1)
Which task is appropriate for a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel)?
- A.Administering oral medications
- B.Collecting a stool specimen
- C.Teaching deep breathing exercises
- D.Evaluating intake and output trends
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Collecting a stool specimen
UAPs can collect non-sterile specimens, but they cannot perform assessments, teaching, or medication administration.
Question 7 · Safety and Infection Control
A nurse notices a miscommunication between the pharmacy and the unit. What is the next best step?
- A.Wait for clarification
- B.Notify the provider about the error
- C.Discuss the issue with the patient
- D.Report the incident to the charge nurse
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Report the incident to the charge nurse
Reporting errors to the charge nurse ensures the issue is addressed promptly and does not harm the patient.
Question 8 · Psychosocial Integrity
A patient with severe anxiety is unable to sit still and is pacing. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A.Administer a sedative as prescribed
- B.Offer distraction through conversation
- C.Encourage relaxation and breathing techniques
- D.Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Encourage relaxation and breathing techniques
Breathing exercises and relaxation are effective in managing acute anxiety and reducing physical symptoms.
Question 9 · Basic Care and Comfort
Which of the following is an appropriate intervention for a patient with severe pain after surgery?
- A.Administer pain medication and provide comfort measures
- B.Allow the patient to manage pain on their own
- C.Wait to administer pain medication until the patient asks for it
- D.Increase the room temperature to encourage rest
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Administer pain medication and provide comfort measures
Prompt pain management and comfort measures are essential for promoting healing and improving comfort post-surgery.
Question 10 · Reduction of Risk Potential
A post-operative patient is reporting sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What is the nurse’s first action?
- A.Assess the vital signs
- B.Administer pain medication
- C.Elevate the head of the bed
- D.Notify the provider immediately
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Elevate the head of the bed
Shortness of breath and chest pain require immediate evaluation and elevation to aid respiration and reduce discomfort.

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