HESI RN
HESI RN CAT Exam Quizlet
1. A 20-year-old male client is diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma following examination for a knee injury. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to provide the client?
- A. Take analgesics regularly to reduce the pain
- B. Notify the healthcare provider if the swelling worsens
- C. Avoid weight-bearing until the injury heals
- D. Seek treatment for the sarcoma immediately
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to seek treatment for the sarcoma immediately. Ewing's sarcoma is an aggressive cancer, and prompt treatment is crucial for improving prognosis. Option A is incorrect because while pain management is important, addressing the underlying cause (sarcoma) is the priority. Option B is not as critical as seeking treatment for the sarcoma itself. Option C is not the most important instruction as the primary concern is addressing the cancer diagnosis.
2. A client with a history of chronic heart failure is admitted with shortness of breath and crackles in the lungs. Which laboratory value should be closely monitored?
- A. Serum creatinine of 2.0 mg/dL
- B. Serum sodium of 135 mEq/L
- C. Serum potassium of 5.5 mEq/L
- D. Blood glucose of 150 mg/dL
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L should be closely monitored in a client with chronic heart failure as it may indicate hyperkalemia, requiring intervention. Hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in patients with heart failure. Serum creatinine (Choice A) is important to monitor for kidney function but is not the priority in this case. Serum sodium (Choice B) and blood glucose (Choice D) levels are not typically the primary focus when assessing a client with heart failure presenting with respiratory symptoms and crackles in the lungs.
3. A seriously ill female client tells the nurse, 'I am so tired and in so much pain! Please help me to die.' Which is the best response for the nurse to provide?
- A. Administer the prescribed maximum dose of pain medication.
- B. Talk with the client about her feelings related to her own death.
- C. Collaborate with the healthcare provider about initiating antidepressant therapy.
- D. Refer the client to the ethics committee of her local healthcare facility.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize addressing the client's emotional needs by engaging in a conversation to understand the underlying feelings behind her statement. By exploring the client's thoughts about death, the nurse can provide appropriate support and interventions tailored to the client's concerns. Rushing to administer pain medication may not address the emotional distress expressed by the client. Initiating antidepressant therapy is not suitable without assessing the client's feelings further. Referring the client to the ethics committee is premature and does not address the immediate emotional needs of the client. Therefore, empathetic communication and assessment of the client's feelings regarding her situation are crucial for providing holistic care.
4. The healthcare provider is assessing a 2-hour-old infant born by cesarean delivery at 39-weeks gestation. Which assessment finding should receive the highest priority when planning the infant’s care?
- A. Blood pressure 76/42 mmHg.
- B. Faint heart murmur.
- C. Respiratory rate of 76 breaths/minute.
- D. Blood glucose 45 mg/dl.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A high respiratory rate in a newborn is concerning as it may indicate respiratory distress, which requires immediate attention to ensure adequate oxygenation. Monitoring and addressing respiratory issues take precedence over other parameters in the initial assessment of a newborn. The blood pressure, heart murmur, and blood glucose levels are important but not as urgent as addressing potential respiratory distress in a newborn.
5. During a home visit, the nurse finds that an elderly client has multiple expired medications. What should the nurse do first?
- A. instruct the client to dispose of the expired medications
- B. review the client's current medication regimen
- C. contact the client's healthcare provider
- D. educate the client on the dangers of taking expired medications
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when finding multiple expired medications in an elderly client's home is to review the client's current medication regimen. This step is crucial to identify any potential issues, ensure the client is taking the correct medications, and understand why the expired medications were not used. Instructing the client to dispose of the expired medications (Choice A) can come after understanding the current medication situation. Contacting the client's healthcare provider (Choice C) may be necessary but reviewing the medication regimen should be the initial step. Educating the client on the dangers of taking expired medications (Choice D) is important but should be done after addressing the immediate concern of reviewing the current medications.