HESI LPN
Medical Surgical HESI 2023
1. Parents of a 5-year-old child diagnosed with cognitive impairment have come to the nurse to discuss different approaches to the ongoing care of their child. The nurse should suggest focusing on what activity?
- A. Acquiring job skills
- B. Making decisions
- C. Performing self-care activities
- D. Reading and doing simple math
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Performing self-care activities. For a 5-year-old child diagnosed with cognitive impairment, it is crucial to focus on teaching them basic self-care skills. This includes activities like dressing themselves, feeding, and personal hygiene. These skills are fundamental for their daily living and independence. Choices A, B, and D are not appropriate for a young child with cognitive impairment. Acquiring job skills is not developmentally suitable at this age, making decisions may be challenging due to cognitive limitations, and reading and doing simple math may be too advanced for their current cognitive abilities.
2. What most influences the severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)?
- A. Poor cough and gag reflex
- B. The gestational age at birth
- C. Administering high concentrations of oxygen
- D. The sex of the infant
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The gestational age at birth most influences the severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). RDS is caused by a deficiency of surfactant and it occurs almost exclusively in preterm, low-birth weight infants. Therefore, the gestational age at birth is a key factor in determining the likelihood and severity of RDS. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the primary factor influencing the severity of RDS.
3. A male client with muscular dystrophy fell in his home and is admitted with a right hip fracture. His right foot is cool, with palpable pedal pulses. Lungs are coarse with diminished bibasilar breath sounds. Vital signs are temperature 101 degrees F, heart rate 128 beats/minute, respirations 28 breaths/minute, and blood pressure 122/82. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement first?
- A. Obtain oxygen saturation level.
- B. Encourage incentive spirometry.
- C. Assess lower extremity circulation
- D. Administer PRN oral antipyretic.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Administering an antipyretic is the most important intervention. The client presents with an elevated temperature, tachycardia, and tachypnea, indicating a fever. Lowering the temperature with an antipyretic is crucial to prevent complications like dehydration, altered mental status, and increased oxygen demand. While assessing lower extremity circulation and oxygen saturation are important, addressing the elevated temperature takes priority in this scenario. Incentive spirometry may be beneficial but is not the priority compared to managing the fever.
4. The nurse is recording a history for a child who has been diagnosed with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP). What is a finding that is characteristic of this disorder?
- A. Morning headaches
- B. Pain for 3 consecutive months
- C. Febrile episodes in the late afternoon
- D. Diaphoresis when attacks occur
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pain for 3 consecutive months. Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is characterized by abdominal pain that occurs at least once per week for at least 2 months before diagnosis. Choosing option A is incorrect since morning headaches are not a common characteristic of RAP. Option C is incorrect because febrile episodes in the late afternoon are not typically associated with RAP. Option D is incorrect as diaphoresis (excessive sweating) when attacks occur is not a common finding in RAP.
5. During a paracentesis, two liters of fluid are removed from the abdomen of a client with ascites. A drainage bag is placed, and 50 ml of straw-colored fluid drains within the first hour. What action should the nurse implement?
- A. Palpate for abdominal distention
- B. Send fluid to the lab for analysis
- C. Continue to monitor the fluid output
- D. Clamp the drainage tube for 5 minutes
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Continuing to monitor the fluid output is the appropriate action in this situation. Monitoring the fluid output helps the nurse assess the client's ongoing response to the procedure and detect any sudden changes, such as increased or decreased drainage rate, which could indicate complications. Palpating for abdominal distention, sending fluid to the lab for analysis, or clamping the drainage tube are not necessary actions at this point, as the priority is to monitor the client's condition post-procedure.
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