HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Assignment Exam
1. After teaching a client with early polycystic kidney disease (PKD) about nutritional therapy, the nurse assesses the client’s understanding. Which statement made by the client indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
- A. I will take a laxative every night before going to bed.
- B. I must increase my intake of dietary fiber and fluids.
- C. I shall only use salt when I am cooking my own food.
- D. I’ll eat white bread to minimize gastrointestinal gas.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Choice B is the correct answer. Clients with PKD often experience constipation, which can be managed by increasing their intake of dietary fiber and fluids. This helps promote bowel regularity. Laxatives should be used cautiously and not as a routine solution. Choice A is incorrect as regular laxative use is not recommended. Choice C is incorrect as a low-salt diet is typically advised for clients with PKD, not just limiting salt while cooking. Choice D is incorrect as white bread is low in fiber and not beneficial for managing constipation, which is common in PKD.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient who is newly admitted to the intensive care unit. The nurse reviews the patient’s admission electrolytes and notes a serum potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. Which action by the nurse is correct?
- A. Administer the digoxin and monitor the patient’s electrocardiogram closely.
- B. Hold the digoxin dose and notify the provider of the patient’s lab values.
- C. Request an order for an intravenous bolus of potassium.
- D. Request an order for oral potassium supplements.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In the scenario presented, the patient has a low serum potassium level, which can predispose the patient to digoxin toxicity. It is essential for the nurse to hold the digoxin dose and promptly notify the healthcare provider of the abnormal lab values. Option A is incorrect because administering digoxin without addressing the low potassium level can potentiate toxicity. Option C is inappropriate as potassium should not be given as an IV bolus, especially in the case of hypokalemia. Option D is incorrect because oral potassium supplements may not be sufficient for rapidly correcting severe hypokalemia in an acute care setting.
3. A nurse cares for a client with urinary incontinence. The client states, “I am so embarrassed. My bladder leaks like a young child’s bladder.” How should the nurse respond?
- A. I understand how you feel. I would be mortified.
- B. Incontinence pads will minimize leaks in public.
- C. I can teach you strategies to help control your incontinence.
- D. More women experience incontinence than you might think.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should accept and acknowledge the client’s concerns, and assist the client to learn techniques that will allow control of urinary incontinence. The nurse should not diminish the client’s concerns with the use of pads or stating statistics about the occurrence of incontinence.
4. The nurse is preparing to begin a medication regimen for a patient who will receive intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin. Which is an important nursing action?
- A. Administer each antibiotic to infuse over 15 to 20 minutes.
- B. Order serum peak and trough levels of ampicillin.
- C. Prepare the schedule so that the drugs are given at the same time.
- D. Set up separate tubing sets for each drug labeled with the drug name and date.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When administering intravenous aminoglycosides like gentamicin with penicillins such as ampicillin, it is crucial to avoid mixing them in the same container. Separate tubing sets labeled with the drug name and date should be used to prevent interactions between the medications. Administering each antibiotic over 15 to 20 minutes (Choice A) may not be appropriate for all medications and does not address the issue of compatibility. Ordering serum peak and trough levels of ampicillin (Choice B) is important for monitoring drug levels but does not directly address the administration process. Preparing a schedule to give drugs simultaneously (Choice C) may increase the risk of drug interactions and is not recommended when administering incompatible medications.
5. When preparing a client for intravenous pyelography (IVP), which action by the nurse is most important?
- A. Administering a sedative
- B. Encouraging fluid intake
- C. Administering an oral preparation of radiopaque dye
- D. Questioning the client about allergies to iodine or shellfish
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The most crucial action for the nurse when preparing a client for intravenous pyelography (IVP) is to question the client about allergies to iodine or shellfish. Some IVP dyes contain iodine, and if the client is allergic to iodine or shellfish, they may experience severe allergic reactions such as itching, hives, rash, throat tightness, difficulty breathing, or bronchospasm. Administering a sedative (Choice A) may be needed for relaxation during the procedure, encouraging fluid intake (Choice B) is generally beneficial but not the most crucial for IVP preparation, and administering radiopaque dye (Choice C) should only be done after confirming the client's safety regarding allergies to iodine or shellfish.
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