HESI RN
HESI Community Health
1. After assessing the health care needs of an elementary school, the nurse determines that an increased prevalence of pediculosis capitis is a priority problem. The nurse develops a 2-month program with the goal to eradicate the condition in the school. The program includes educational pamphlets sent home to parents and regular assessment of children by the school nurse. What action should the nurse implement to evaluate the effectiveness of the program?
- A. evaluate the teachers' ability to identify pediculosis capitis 2 months after initiation of the program
- B. conduct an initial examination of each child in the school to obtain baseline data
- C. survey parents 3 weeks after pamphlets are sent home to assess their understanding of the condition
- D. measure the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among the children after four months
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Measuring the prevalence of pediculosis capitis among the children after four months is the most appropriate action to evaluate the program's effectiveness. This approach provides data on the program's long-term impact and effectiveness in eradicating the condition. Option A focuses on the teachers' ability, which is not directly related to the program's effectiveness in eradicating the condition. Option B suggests conducting an initial examination, which does not provide information on the program's impact. Option C involves assessing parents' understanding, which is important but does not directly evaluate the program's effectiveness in eradicating pediculosis capitis.
2. The wife of an older adult man who has had diabetes mellitus for the past 10 years reports to the home health nurse that her husband fell yesterday while taking his daily walk in the neighborhood. He has a bruised hand and a small abrasion on his left knee. The nurse assesses that his neurologic vital signs are stable. To reduce the risk for future falls, which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
- A. current blood sugar level
- B. degree of paresthesia in feet
- C. wound healing of knee abrasion
- D. A1c glycosylated hemoglobin
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Assessing for paresthesia (numbness or tingling) in the feet is crucial in this scenario as it can help determine if the client has a loss of sensation, which increases the risk of falls. Paresthesia is a common complication of diabetes that can lead to decreased sensation and proprioception in the feet, contributing to balance issues and an increased risk of falls. Monitoring for paresthesia allows the nurse to assess the extent of sensory impairment and implement appropriate interventions to prevent future falls. While monitoring blood sugar levels (choice A) and A1c levels (choice D) are important in managing diabetes, in this case, assessing paresthesia takes precedence due to its direct impact on fall risk. Similarly, while monitoring the wound healing of the knee abrasion (choice C) is important for overall wound care, it is not directly related to reducing the risk of future falls in this situation.
3. An adolescent tells the school nurse that she is pregnant. Her last menstrual period was 4 months ago. She has not received any medical care. She smokes but denies any other substance use. What is the priority nursing action?
- A. notify her parents
- B. refer her for prenatal care
- C. teach breastfeeding methods
- D. offer nutritional instructions
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to refer her for prenatal care. Prenatal care is essential to monitor the health of both the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. While notifying her parents may be important for support and involvement, the priority is ensuring the adolescent receives medical care. Teaching breastfeeding methods and offering nutritional instructions are important but are not the immediate priority in this situation where prenatal care is urgently needed.
4. After coronary artery bypass graft surgery, a male client is admitted to the coronary care unit. Which nursing diagnosis is of the highest priority?
- A. Ineffective breathing pattern.
- B. Impaired gas exchange.
- C. Acute pain.
- D. Risk for infection.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Impaired gas exchange is the highest priority nursing diagnosis because it directly impacts the client's oxygenation. Following coronary artery bypass graft surgery, ensuring adequate oxygen exchange is crucial for the client's recovery. Ineffective breathing pattern, although important, may not be as critical as impaired gas exchange in the immediate postoperative period. Acute pain, while significant, can be managed effectively with appropriate interventions and is not as emergent as addressing impaired gas exchange. Risk for infection is also a valid concern post-surgery, but ensuring optimal gas exchange takes precedence to prevent complications associated with inadequate oxygenation.
5. A client with a history of heart failure is admitted with severe dyspnea. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Administer oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula.
- B. Place the client in a high Fowler's position.
- C. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).
- D. Administer intravenous furosemide (Lasix).
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to place the client in a high Fowler's position first. This intervention helps improve breathing and oxygenation in clients with severe dyspnea, including those with heart failure. Elevating the head of the bed reduces the work of breathing and enhances lung expansion. Administering oxygen, obtaining an ECG, and administering furosemide are important interventions in the management of heart failure, but placing the client in a high Fowler's position is the priority to address the immediate need for improved breathing and oxygenation.
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