HESI RN
HESI RN Exit Exam 2023
1. A female client with major depressive disorder tells the nurse she feels worthless and can't see how her life will ever get better. What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. I can understand how you feel. Tell me more about what's been going on.
- B. You're going through a tough time. Let's discuss what makes you feel this way.
- C. You sound very hopeless right now. Are you thinking about harming yourself?
- D. It's difficult to see the light when you're feeling this way, but I'm here to help you.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the best response because it directly addresses the client's expressed hopelessness and assesses the risk for self-harm. When a client with major depressive disorder expresses feeling worthless and unable to see improvement, it is essential to assess suicidal ideation to ensure their safety. Choices A, B, and D provide empathy and support, which are important but addressing suicidal ideation is the priority in this situation.
2. A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is receiving warfarin (Coumadin). Which assessment finding is most concerning?
- A. INR of 3.5
- B. Prothrombin time (PT) of 15 seconds
- C. Headache
- D. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A headache in a client with a history of atrial fibrillation receiving warfarin (Coumadin) is concerning as it may indicate bleeding, which requires immediate assessment and intervention. Headaches can be a symptom of increased intracranial pressure due to bleeding, especially in patients on anticoagulants. Options A and B are within acceptable ranges for a client on warfarin therapy, indicating that the medication is effectively managing the clotting times. Option D, a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg, while elevated, is not directly related to the client's condition of atrial fibrillation and warfarin therapy.
3. A client with a postoperative wound that eviscerated yesterday has an elevated temperature. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Initiate contact isolation.
- B. Obtain a wound swab for culture and sensitivity.
- C. Assess temperature every 4 hours.
- D. Use alcohol-based solutions for hand hygiene.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the most critical intervention is to obtain a wound swab for culture and sensitivity. This will help identify the causative organism present in the wound, enabling healthcare providers to prescribe the appropriate treatment. Initiating contact isolation (Choice A) may be necessary in certain situations but is not the priority in this case where infection is suspected. Assessing the temperature (Choice C) is important for monitoring the client's condition but does not address the underlying cause. Using alcohol-based solutions for hand hygiene (Choice D) is a standard practice for infection control but does not directly address the client's specific condition of a postoperative wound with evisceration and elevated temperature.
4. A client with liver cirrhosis and ascites is admitted with jaundice. Which laboratory value is most concerning to the nurse?
- A. Serum albumin of 3.0 g/dl
- B. Bilirubin of 3.0 mg/dl
- C. Ammonia level of 80 mcg/dl
- D. Prothrombin time of 18 seconds
Correct answer: C
Rationale: An ammonia level of 80 mcg/dl is elevated and concerning in a client with liver cirrhosis, as it may indicate hepatic encephalopathy. Elevated ammonia levels can lead to neurological symptoms such as confusion, altered mental status, and even coma. Serum albumin, bilirubin, and prothrombin time are important in liver cirrhosis but are not the most concerning for acute neurological deterioration associated with hepatic encephalopathy.
5. A male client with cancer who has lost 10 pounds during the last months tells the nurse that beef, chicken, and eggs, which used to be his favorite foods, now taste 'bitter'. He complains that he simply has no appetite. What action should the nurse implement?
- A. Suggest the use of alternative sources of protein such as dairy products and nuts.
- B. Encourage the client to eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- C. Offer nutritional supplements between meals.
- D. Discuss the possibility of appetite stimulants with the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Offering alternative protein sources like dairy products and nuts can help maintain nutrition when the client finds certain foods unpalatable, as in this case where beef, chicken, and eggs taste 'bitter'. Encouraging smaller, more frequent meals may not address the issue of unpalatable foods. Offering nutritional supplements between meals may not specifically address the problem of protein intake. Discussing appetite stimulants should be considered after exploring less invasive options first.
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