HESI RN
RN HESI Exit Exam Capstone
1. A preschool-aged boy is admitted to the pediatric unit following successful resuscitation from a near-drowning incident. While providing care to the child, the nurse begins talking with his preadolescent brother who rescued the child from the swimming pool and initiated resuscitation. The nurse notices the older boy becomes withdrawn when asked about what happened. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Involve the older brother in supporting the child
- B. Ask the older brother how he felt during the incident
- C. Ask the parents for more information about the brother's behavior
- D. Reassure the brother that everything is fine now
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The older brother's withdrawal likely indicates emotional trauma or stress from the near-drowning event. Asking how he felt provides an opportunity for emotional support and allows the child to express feelings that may need addressing. Involving him in supporting the child may be overwhelming and not address his emotional needs directly. Asking the parents for more information may not allow the older brother to express his own feelings. Simply reassuring him that everything is fine now may dismiss his emotional experience without providing a chance for him to process his feelings.
2. The nurse receives a report on an older adult client with middle stage dementia. What information suggests the nurse should do immediate follow-up rather than delegate care to the nursing assistant?
- A. Has had a change in respiratory rate with an increase of 2 breaths
- B. Has had a change in heart rate with an increase of 10 beats
- C. Was minimally responsive to voice and touch
- D. Has had a blood pressure change with a drop of 8 mmHg systolic
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A change in responsiveness, as indicated by being minimally responsive to voice and touch, suggests a potential acute issue that requires immediate nursing assessment and intervention rather than delegation. Changes in vital signs (choices A, B, D) can be important but do not always indicate an immediate need for nursing intervention compared to a change in responsiveness.
3. A client has been receiving hydromorphone every six hours for four days. What assessment should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Increase the dosage of the medication.
- B. Auscultate bowel sounds.
- C. Monitor the client's blood pressure.
- D. Check the client's respiratory rate.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Hydromorphone can cause constipation, a common side effect of opioids. Therefore, it is crucial to auscultate bowel sounds to monitor for signs of decreased gastrointestinal motility. Monitoring blood pressure (choice C) and respiratory rate (choice D) are important but not the priority in this scenario as constipation is a common issue with opioid use. Increasing the dosage of the medication (choice A) is not appropriate without assessing the client's bowel function first.
4. The nurse is caring for a client with an acute myocardial infarction. Which symptom requires immediate intervention?
- A. Dizziness
- B. Shortness of breath
- C. Severe chest pain
- D. Nausea and vomiting
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Severe chest pain is the hallmark symptom of an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and requires immediate intervention to prevent further damage to the heart muscle. Chest pain in this context is often described as crushing, pressure, tightness, or heaviness. It can radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or upper abdomen. Other symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting may also occur in acute myocardial infarction, but chest pain is the most critical sign requiring prompt action as it signifies inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle. Shortness of breath may indicate heart failure, while nausea and vomiting can be associated with the sympathetic response to myocardial infarction. Dizziness could result from decreased cardiac output but is not as specific to myocardial infarction as severe chest pain.
5. A client has a nasogastric tube after colon surgery. Which one of these tasks can be safely delegated to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
- A. To observe the type and amount of nasogastric tube drainage
- B. Monitor the client for nausea or other complications
- C. Irrigate the nasogastric tube with the ordered irrigation solution
- D. Perform nostril and mouth care
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Performing nostril and mouth care is a non-invasive task that can be safely delegated to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Observing the type and amount of nasogastric tube drainage requires assessment skills and understanding of potential complications, making it more appropriate for a licensed healthcare professional. Monitoring the client for nausea or other complications involves interpreting client responses and identifying adverse reactions, which also requires a licensed healthcare professional. Irrigating the nasogastric tube with the ordered solution involves a procedure that can impact the client's condition and should be performed by a licensed healthcare professional to prevent complications.
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