HESI RN
RN HESI Exit Exam Capstone
1. 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.
2. Prior to obtaining a trapeze bar for a client with limited mobility, which client assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
- A. Balance and coordination
- B. Cognitive status
- C. Level of pain
- D. Upper body muscle strength
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Upper body muscle strength. The ability to use a trapeze bar requires adequate upper body strength to support the weight and facilitate repositioning. While assessing pain, coordination, and cognitive status are important, the priority is determining if the client can physically manage the trapeze bar safely. Without sufficient upper body muscle strength, the client may not be able to use the trapeze bar effectively and safely. Assessing balance and coordination is also important but secondary to ensuring the client has the required upper body strength. Cognitive status is crucial for understanding instructions related to using the trapeze bar, but it is not the most critical assessment in this scenario. Pain assessment is essential for overall care but does not directly impact the client's ability to use a trapeze bar like upper body muscle strength does.
3. A client is receiving continuous intravenous heparin for a deep vein thrombosis. Which laboratory result should the nurse monitor to ensure therapeutic heparin levels?
- A. International normalized ratio (INR)
- B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
- C. Hemoglobin
- D. Platelet count
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is the most accurate measure of heparin's therapeutic effect. Heparin increases the time it takes for blood to clot, and the aPTT helps determine whether the dose is within the desired range for anticoagulation therapy. Monitoring the INR, hemoglobin, or platelet count is not specific to assessing therapeutic heparin levels and may not reflect the anticoagulant effect of heparin.
4. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is prescribed anticoagulants. What should the nurse monitor closely?
- A. Monitor for signs of bleeding, such as bruising.
- B. Monitor the client’s vital signs every hour.
- C. Monitor for pain in the affected limb.
- D. Assess for signs of pulmonary embolism, such as sudden shortness of breath.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In clients with DVT, assessing for pulmonary embolism is crucial as a clot in the lungs can be life-threatening. Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain are key signs of a pulmonary embolism. While monitoring for signs of bleeding is important due to anticoagulant therapy, the immediate concern is detecting a potential pulmonary embolism. Monitoring vital signs and pain in the affected limb are relevant aspects of care but are not as urgent as assessing for pulmonary embolism in this scenario.
5. A client with adrenal crisis has a temperature of 102°F, heart rate of 138 bpm, and blood pressure of 80/60 mmHg. Which action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Obtain an analgesic prescription.
- B. Infuse intravenous fluid bolus.
- C. Administer PRN oral antipyretic.
- D. Cover the client with a cooling blanket.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In a client with adrenal crisis presenting with a high temperature, tachycardia, and hypotension, the priority action for the nurse to implement first is to infuse an intravenous fluid bolus. This intervention aims to address the hypotension by increasing the circulating volume and improving perfusion. Obtaining an analgesic prescription (Choice A) is not the priority in this situation. Administering an oral antipyretic (Choice C) may help reduce the fever but does not address the primary issue of hypotension. Covering the client with a cooling blanket (Choice D) may help with temperature control but does not address the hemodynamic instability caused by the adrenal crisis.
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