HESI RN
HESI RN Exit Exam 2023
1. The nurse is assessing a primigravida at 39-weeks gestation during a weekly prenatal visit. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
- A. Fetal heart rate of 200 beats/minute.
- B. Mild ankle edema.
- C. Complaints of back pain.
- D. Decreased fetal movements.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A fetal heart rate of 200 beats per minute is significantly elevated and requires immediate medical attention. This finding could indicate fetal distress, tachycardia, or other serious issues that need prompt evaluation. Mild ankle edema, complaints of back pain, and decreased fetal movements are common in pregnancy but are not as urgent or concerning as a high fetal heart rate.
2. A client with a history of chronic heart failure is admitted with shortness of breath. Which laboratory value should be closely monitored?
- A. Serum sodium level
- B. Serum potassium level
- C. Serum creatinine level
- D. Hemoglobin level
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: In a client with chronic heart failure, serum potassium levels should be closely monitored to assess for hyperkalemia, which can worsen heart failure. Monitoring serum sodium levels is not the priority in this case. Serum creatinine level monitoring is more related to kidney function than heart failure. Hemoglobin levels are important but not the primary concern when assessing heart failure exacerbation.
3. To reduce staff nurse role ambiguity, which strategy should the nurse-manager implement?
- A. Review the staff nurse job description to ensure that it is clear, accurate, and current.
- B. Conduct regular meetings to clarify roles.
- C. Increase communication between team members.
- D. Provide additional training for new nurses.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Review the staff nurse job description to ensure that it is clear, accurate, and current. By ensuring that job descriptions are clear and up-to-date, nurse-managers can reduce ambiguity and confusion about roles and responsibilities. Choice B, conducting regular meetings to clarify roles, may help but may not address the root cause of ambiguity. Choice C, increasing communication between team members, is important but may not specifically target role ambiguity. Choice D, providing additional training for new nurses, is valuable but may not directly address role ambiguity among existing staff.
4. A client who had a gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) evacuated 2 days ago is being monitored for choriocarcinoma. She lives in a rural area, and her husband takes the family car to work daily, leaving her without transportation during the day. What intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Teach the client about the use of a home pregnancy test.
- B. Schedule a weekly home visit to draw hCG values.
- C. Make a 5-week follow-up appointment with the healthcare provider.
- D. Begin chemotherapy administration during the first home visit.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Scheduling weekly home visits to monitor hCG levels is critical for early detection of choriocarcinoma, a potential complication of GTD. Choice A is incorrect because a home pregnancy test is not the appropriate method to monitor for choriocarcinoma. Choice C is less frequent than necessary for close monitoring. Choice D is incorrect as chemotherapy administration should be based on confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan, not initiated during the first home visit.
5. The healthcare provider is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which laboratory value should be closely monitored?
- A. Serum sodium level
- B. Serum potassium level
- C. Serum creatinine level
- D. Serum glucose level
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In a client with left-sided heart failure, monitoring serum potassium levels is crucial. This helps in assessing kidney function and fluid balance. Elevated potassium levels can result from impaired kidney function, which is common in heart failure. Monitoring sodium levels (choice A) is important in heart failure but not specifically related to left-sided heart failure. Serum creatinine (choice C) reflects kidney function but is not the most critical value to monitor in this case. Serum glucose level (choice D) is important but not the priority when assessing left-sided heart failure.
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