HESI RN
HESI Pediatric Practice Exam
1. A 7-year-old child with a history of asthma presents to the clinic with shortness of breath and wheezing. The nurse notes that the child’s peak flow reading is in the red zone. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer a bronchodilator
- B. Reassess the peak flow reading
- C. Notify the healthcare provider
- D. Provide oxygen therapy
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When a child with asthma presents with shortness of breath and wheezing, and the peak flow reading is in the red zone, indicating severe airflow limitation, the priority intervention is to administer a bronchodilator. Bronchodilators help dilate the airways quickly, improving airflow and assisting with breathing. Reassessing the peak flow reading is important but not the first action to take in a severe asthma exacerbation. Notifying the healthcare provider can be done after initiating immediate treatment with a bronchodilator. Providing oxygen therapy may be needed in some cases, but addressing the airway constriction with a bronchodilator should come first to improve ventilation.
2. An older client is brought to the ED with a sudden onset of confusion that occurred after experiencing a fall at home. The client's daughter, who has power of attorney, has brought the client's prescriptions. Which information should the nurse provide first when reporting to the healthcare provider using SBAR communication?
- A. The client has been taking multiple medications
- B. The client is experiencing increasing confusion
- C. The client's vital signs are stable
- D. The client fell at home and has sustained bruises
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When utilizing the SBAR communication method, the nurse should prioritize reporting the client's increasing confusion to the healthcare provider first. Sudden onset of confusion in an older adult following a fall can indicate serious underlying conditions like a head injury, medication reaction, or infection. Addressing the confusion as the primary concern ensures prompt assessment and appropriate treatment. Choices A, C, and D are not as urgent as the client's increasing confusion and may be addressed after ensuring immediate attention to the potential critical issue.
3. The healthcare provider is caring for a client with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which intervention is most important?
- A. Restrict fluids to 1,000 mL per day.
- B. Administer a vasopressin antagonist.
- C. Monitor intake and output.
- D. Encourage a high-sodium diet.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Administering a vasopressin antagonist is the most critical intervention for a client with SIADH. SIADH is characterized by excessive release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. A vasopressin antagonist helps manage the symptoms by blocking the effects of ADH, promoting water excretion, and restoring electrolyte balance. Restricting fluids (choice A) may exacerbate hyponatremia, monitoring intake and output (choice C) is important but not the most critical intervention, and encouraging a high-sodium diet (choice D) is contraindicated in SIADH due to the risk of worsening hyponatremia.
4. The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with newly diagnosed hypertension. Which lifestyle modification should the nurse emphasize to the client?
- A. Increase sodium intake to improve fluid balance
- B. Engage in regular physical activity
- C. Increase caffeine intake to improve energy
- D. Reduce potassium intake to lower blood pressure
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Engaging in regular physical activity is a crucial lifestyle modification for managing hypertension. Regular exercise helps improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and contribute to overall well-being. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Increasing sodium intake is not recommended for hypertension as it can worsen fluid retention and elevate blood pressure. Increasing caffeine intake is also not advised as it may lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure. Reducing potassium intake is not beneficial as potassium is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
5. During a home visit, the nurse observes that a client with limited mobility has difficulty preparing meals. What should the nurse do first?
- A. suggest that the client use a meal delivery service
- B. assist the client in meal planning
- C. refer the client to a dietitian
- D. educate the client on easy-to-prepare healthy meals
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Assisting the client in meal planning is the most appropriate initial action as it addresses the immediate issue of meal preparation. By helping the client plan meals according to their dietary needs and limitations, the nurse can support the client in maintaining a healthy diet despite limited mobility. While suggesting a meal delivery service (Choice A) may be a viable option, assisting in meal planning allows for more personalized and sustainable solutions. Referring the client to a dietitian (Choice C) may be necessary for specialized nutritional advice but is not the first step in addressing the immediate concern. Educating the client on easy-to-prepare healthy meals (Choice D) could be beneficial, but meal planning is a more comprehensive approach to ensure the client's dietary needs are met consistently.