HESI LPN
HESI Maternal Newborn
1. Which drug was marketed in the 1960s to pregnant women and caused birth defects such as missing or stunted limbs in infants?
- A. Progestin
- B. Estrogen
- C. Thalidomide
- D. Oxytocin
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Thalidomide is the correct answer. Thalidomide was a drug marketed in the 1960s to pregnant women as a sedative and anti-nausea medication but tragically led to severe birth defects, including limb deformities, when taken during pregnancy. Progestin (Choice A) and Estrogen (Choice B) are hormones that are not associated with causing birth defects like Thalidomide. Oxytocin (Choice D) is a hormone that plays a role in labor and breastfeeding and is not known to cause birth defects like Thalidomide.
2. A client with hypertension is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food should the LPN/LVN recommend the client avoid?
- A. Fresh fruits
- B. Grilled chicken
- C. Whole grain bread
- D. Canned soup
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, canned soup. Canned soup is often high in sodium, which contradicts the low-sodium diet prescribed for hypertension. Fresh fruits (A) are generally low in sodium and are a healthy choice. Grilled chicken (B) is a lean protein option that is suitable for a low-sodium diet. Whole grain bread (C) is also a good choice as it is not typically high in sodium. Therefore, the LPN/LVN should recommend avoiding canned soup to adhere to the low-sodium dietary restrictions.
3. What is a priority goal of involuntary hospitalization of the severely mentally ill client?
- A. Re-orientation to reality
- B. Elimination of symptoms
- C. Protection from harm to self or others
- D. Development of self-care skills
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Protection from harm to self or others.' Involuntary hospitalization is primarily aimed at ensuring the safety of the individual and others. Re-orientation to reality (choice A) may be a goal of treatment but not the primary goal of involuntary hospitalization. Elimination of symptoms (choice B) and development of self-care skills (choice D) are important aspects of treatment but are secondary to the immediate priority of ensuring safety in cases of severe mental illness.
4. What class of laxative would the nurse recommend to a patient asking about the best way to prevent constipation?
- A. Stimulant laxatives
- B. Bulk-forming laxatives
- C. Emollient laxatives
- D. Hyperosmotic laxatives
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bulk-forming laxatives. These laxatives are recommended to prevent constipation because they work by absorbing liquid in the intestines, forming a bulky, soft stool that is easier to pass. They are safe and considered the most natural option. Stimulant laxatives (choice A) work by promoting bowel movements through intestinal contractions and are more suitable for treating occasional constipation rather than preventing it. Emollient laxatives (choice C) soften the stool by increasing the incorporation of water into the feces and are more suitable for patients who need to avoid straining during defecation. Hyperosmotic laxatives (choice D) work by drawing water into the intestine through osmosis and are typically used for more severe cases of constipation, not for prevention.
5. The healthcare provider is assessing a client who has a chest tube in place following a pneumothorax. Which finding should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
- A. Bubbling in the water seal chamber
- B. Drainage greater than 70 ml/hour
- C. Tidaling in the water seal chamber
- D. Absence of breath sounds on the affected side
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The absence of breath sounds on the affected side is a critical finding that may indicate a tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention. This situation can lead to a shift of the mediastinum and impaired ventilation. Bubbling in the water seal chamber is an expected finding in a chest tube drainage system and indicates proper functioning. Drainage greater than 70 ml/hour is a concern but does not require immediate reporting unless it continues at a high rate or is associated with other symptoms. Tidaling in the water seal chamber is a normal fluctuation and indicates the chest tube system is patent and functioning correctly.