Duke University School of Nursing 2025 HESI Practice Test Questions: Complete Prep with Answer Keys, Study Strategies, and High-Scoring Exam Tips

• Includes 90+ practice test questions with answer keys and explanations.
• Covers key areas: clinical assessment, pharmacology, and patient care.
• Offers study strategies and high-scoring tips for exam success.
• Features realistic scenarios to enhance practical nursing knowledge.
• Aligned with Duke University School of Nursing’s curriculum standards.
• Supports HESI and NCLEX-RN preparation with focused remediation tools.
• Provides insights into the 2025 HESI Exam format.

Preview

A nurse caring for a client with preeclampsia prepares for the administration of an
intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate. Which substance does the nurse ensure is
readily available?
Vitamin K
Protamine sulfate
Potassium chloride
Calcium gluconate – – correct ans- -Calcium gluconate
Rationale: Calcium gluconate should be available at the bedside of a client receiving an
intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate to reverse magnesium toxicity and prevent
respiratory arrest if the serum magnesium level becomes too high. Magnesium sulfate,
which has anticonvulsant properties, is used for a client with preeclampsia to help
prevent seizures (eclampsia). It also causes central nervous system depression,
however, so toxicity is a concern. Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin sodium
(Coumadin). Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin. Potassium chloride is used to
treat potassium deficiency.
A nurse is monitoring a client receiving terbutaline by intravenous infusion to stop
preterm labor. The nurse notes that the client’s heart rate is 120 beats/min and that the
fetal heart rate is 170 beats/min. What is the most appropriate action the nurse should
take?
Contact the primary health care provider
Document the findings
Continue to monitor the client
Increase the rate of the infusion – – correct ans- -Contact the primary health care
provider
Rationale: Although the nurse would document the findings, the most appropriate
priority action in this scenario is to contact the primary health care provider. The nurse
should monitor the client for adverse effects and notifiy the primary health care provider
if the maternal heart rate is faster than 110 beats/min, respiration is faster than 24
breaths/min, systolic blood pressure is less than 90 mm Hg, the fetal heart rate is faster
than 160 beats/min, or the client complains of chest pain or dyspnea. Terbutaline may
be used to stop preterm labor. It stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors of the
sympathetic nervous system, resulting in bronchodilation and inhibition of uterine
muscle activity. Increasing the rate of infusion and continuing to monitor the client are
inappropriate and delay necessary interventions.