HESI RN
HESI RN Exit Exam 2024 Capstone
1. A client presents with a suspected infection and has a fever of 102°F. What is the nurse's immediate priority?
- A. Administer antipyretics as ordered
- B. Take a blood culture before administering antibiotics
- C. Encourage fluid intake to prevent dehydration
- D. Monitor vital signs every hour
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The immediate priority for a client with a suspected infection and fever is to take a blood culture before administering antibiotics. This step is crucial to identify the causative organism and ensure appropriate treatment. Administering antipyretics or encouraging fluid intake are important but should come after obtaining the blood culture to avoid interfering with test results. Monitoring vital signs, although essential, is not the immediate priority compared to identifying the infectious agent.
2. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic heart failure who is receiving digoxin therapy. The nurse reviews the client's lab results and notes that the serum potassium level is 3.0 mEq/L. What action should the nurse take next?
- A. Administer a potassium supplement
- B. Notify the healthcare provider
- C. Hold the next dose of digoxin
- D. Increase dietary potassium intake
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In clients receiving digoxin therapy, low potassium levels can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Therefore, when the nurse notes a serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L, it is crucial to hold the next dose of digoxin. Notifying the healthcare provider is essential to ensure appropriate interventions, such as potassium supplementation, can be implemented. Administering a potassium supplement without healthcare provider guidance may lead to rapid potassium level changes and potential adverse effects. Increasing dietary potassium intake alone may not promptly address the low serum potassium level in this acute situation.
3. The nurse is caring for a client with a traumatic brain injury who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which assessment finding indicates that the client may be experiencing increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
- A. Client becomes increasingly lethargic
- B. Client's respiratory rate is 16 breaths per minute
- C. Client responds to verbal stimuli
- D. Client's pupils are equal and reactive
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Increased lethargy is a sign of worsening intracranial pressure, which can be life-threatening in clients with brain injuries. As ICP rises, it can lead to decreased level of consciousness, such as lethargy or even coma. Choices B, C, and D are not indicative of increased ICP. A normal respiratory rate, response to verbal stimuli, and equal reactive pupils do not specifically point towards increased intracranial pressure.
4. The nurse is providing care for a client with severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The client reports a history of rest ischemia, with leg pain that occurs during the night. Which action should the nurse take in response to this finding?
- A. Elevate the legs on pillows
- B. Encourage ambulation and leg exercises
- C. Provide a heating pad for warmth
- D. Offer cold packs when the pain occurs
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Providing warmth can help dilate peripheral vessels and increase blood flow, relieving ischemic pain. In PAD, where there is already compromised blood flow, elevating the legs or applying cold therapy could worsen ischemic pain by further reducing blood flow to the extremities. Encouraging ambulation and leg exercises may be beneficial in other conditions but not suitable for clients with severe PAD experiencing rest ischemia.
5. A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
- A. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
- B. Restrict fluid intake to manage fluid overload.
- C. Position the client in Fowler’s position and assess for respiratory distress.
- D. Measure the client's abdominal girth daily.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Restrict fluid intake to manage fluid overload. In a client with cirrhosis developing ascites, the priority intervention is to restrict fluid intake. This helps manage fluid overload, prevent further complications, such as respiratory distress or kidney impairment, and reduce the accumulation of ascitic fluid. Administering diuretics may be a part of the treatment plan, but the primary focus should be on fluid restriction. Positioning the client in Fowler’s position and measuring the abdominal girth are important interventions but not the priority when managing ascites in cirrhosis.
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