HESI LPN
Medical Surgical HESI
1. A 55-year-old client with symptoms of osteoarthritis asks which form of exercise would be most beneficial. What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. Walking.
- B. Running.
- C. Swimming.
- D. Weight lifting.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Swimming.' Swimming is a low-impact exercise that helps maintain joint mobility and reduce pain in clients with osteoarthritis. Unlike running or weight lifting, swimming is gentle on the joints, making it an ideal choice for individuals with osteoarthritis. Walking can be beneficial too, but swimming is often preferred due to its low-impact nature. Running and weight lifting may exacerbate joint pain and should be avoided by individuals with osteoarthritis.
2. A nurse working on a mental health unit receives a community call from a person who is tearful and states, 'I just feel so nervous all of the time. I don't know what to do about my problems. I haven't been able to sleep at night and have hardly eaten for the past 3 or 4 days.' The nurse should initiate a referral based on which assessment?
- A. Altered thought processes.
- B. Moderate levels of anxiety.
- C. Inadequate social support.
- D. Altered health maintenance.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should initiate a referral based on moderate levels of anxiety (B) as the client reports feeling nervous all the time, sleep disturbances, poor appetite, and difficulty solving problems. These symptoms are indicative of significant anxiety levels. The client does not mention symptoms related to altered thought processes (A) or inadequate social support (C). There is insufficient information to suggest altered health maintenance (D) as a reason for referral in this scenario.
3. Which nursing intervention provides the most support to the parents of an infant with an obvious physical anomaly?
- A. Encourage them to express their concerns.
- B. Discourage them from talking about their baby.
- C. Assure them not to worry because the anomaly can be repaired.
- D. Show them postoperative photographs of infants who had a similar anomaly.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Encouraging parents to express their concerns is the most supportive intervention because it allows them to process their emotions and provides them with an opportunity to share their fears, anxieties, and questions. This open communication helps the nurse to offer appropriate support, education, and reassurance. Discouraging parents from talking about their baby (Choice B) can hinder their emotional expression and prevent them from seeking necessary information and support. Assuring parents not to worry (Choice C) may invalidate their feelings and minimize the significance of their concerns. Showing postoperative photographs (Choice D) may not be appropriate at this stage as parents need emotional support and education about the current situation before focusing on postoperative outcomes.
4. Which of the following is an example of a social determinant of health?
- A. Blood pressure
- B. Genetic mutations
- C. Housing conditions
- D. Age
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Housing conditions. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. Housing conditions directly impact health outcomes as they can affect exposure to toxins, safety, and overall well-being. Choice A, blood pressure, is a physiological measure and not a social determinant. Choice B, genetic mutations, relates to an individual's genetic makeup and is not influenced by social factors. Choice D, age, is a demographic factor and not a social determinant of health.
5. A client with acute pancreatitis is experiencing severe abdominal pain. The nurse should implement which of the following interventions?
- A. Encourage oral intake
- B. Administer opioid analgesics
- C. Apply a heating pad to the abdomen
- D. Place the client in a supine position
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with acute pancreatitis experiencing severe abdominal pain is to administer opioid analgesics. Opioids are effective in managing the severe pain associated with acute pancreatitis. Encouraging oral intake may exacerbate the symptoms and is contraindicated due to the need for bowel rest. Applying a heating pad to the abdomen can worsen inflammation and should be avoided. Placing the client in a supine position may not provide relief and could potentially lead to increased discomfort.