HESI LPN
Pediatric Practice Exam HESI
1. A 4-year-old child is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of epiglottitis. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administer antibiotics
- B. Provide humidified oxygen
- C. Keep the child NPO
- D. Position the child upright
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a 4-year-old child admitted to the hospital with epiglottitis is to keep the child NPO (nothing by mouth). Epiglottitis is a serious condition that can lead to airway obstruction. Keeping the child NPO helps prevent further compromise of the airway and reduces the risk of aspiration. Administering antibiotics may be necessary but ensuring the airway is not compromised takes precedence. Providing humidified oxygen is important for respiratory support, but not the priority over maintaining a patent airway. Positioning the child upright can help with breathing and comfort, but it does not directly address the immediate risk of airway compromise associated with epiglottitis.
2. A 3-month-old infant has been hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). What is the priority intervention?
- A. Administering an antiviral agent
- B. Clustering care to conserve energy
- C. Offering oral fluids to promote hydration
- D. Providing an antitussive agent when necessary
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The priority intervention for a 3-month-old infant hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is clustering care to conserve energy. Infants with RSV often struggle to breathe and require rest periods to recover. Clustering care involves organizing nursing activities to allow for rest intervals, reducing the infant's energy expenditure and aiding recovery. Administering antiviral agents is not the primary intervention for RSV since it is a viral infection, and antiviral medications may not be effective against RSV. While offering oral fluids is crucial for hydration, it may not be the priority when the infant is having respiratory difficulties. Providing an antitussive agent when necessary can help with coughing but is not the priority intervention for managing RSV in this scenario.
3. A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder tells the nurse that she wants to stop taking her lithium. She states, 'I feel fine, and I don't think I need it anymore.' What should the nurse do first?
- A. Agree with the client that she seems fine now.
- B. Remind the client of the importance of lithium.
- C. Ask the healthcare provider to discontinue the lithium prescription.
- D. Arrange for a psychiatric evaluation for the client.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When a client with bipolar disorder expresses a desire to stop taking lithium because they feel fine, the nurse's initial action should be to remind the client of the importance of lithium. This approach helps educate the client about the necessity of medication adherence in managing bipolar disorder. Agreeing with the client or immediately arranging a psychiatric evaluation may not address the root issue of medication non-adherence. Asking the healthcare provider to discontinue the prescription without further assessment and intervention could potentially jeopardize the client's stability and treatment plan.
4. You are working on a pediatric unit. Which toy or other diversional item or activity is most appropriate for your 18-month-old patient?
- A. Story books
- B. Beach balls
- C. An interactive play session with other children less than 2 years of age
- D. Pickup sticks
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A beach ball is appropriate for an 18-month-old as it is safe and can help with motor skills development. Choice A, storybooks, may not be suitable for this age group due to limited attention span. Choice C involves interaction with other children which may not always be feasible in a healthcare setting. Choice D, pickup sticks, poses a choking hazard and is not suitable for toddlers.
5. A client's readiness to learn about insulin administration is being assessed by a nurse. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client is ready to learn?
- A. ''I can concentrate best in the morning.''
- B. ''It is difficult to read the instructions because my glasses are at home.''
- C. ''I'm wondering why I need to learn this.''
- D. ''You will have to talk to my wife about this.''
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer because the client's statement about the best time to concentrate indicates readiness for learning. This statement shows an awareness and interest in learning. Choice B is incorrect as it indicates a barrier to learning due to not having glasses. Choice C is incorrect as it shows a lack of understanding or motivation for learning. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests a lack of personal involvement or responsibility in the learning process since the client is deflecting the responsibility to someone else.