HESI LPN
Pediatric Practice Exam HESI
1. What behavior is essential for preventing in a child postoperatively after undergoing heart surgery to repair defects associated with tetralogy of Fallot?
- A. Crying
- B. Coughing
- C. Straining at stool
- D. Unnecessary movement
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Preventing straining at stool is crucial postoperatively after heart surgery for tetralogy of Fallot to avoid increasing intrathoracic pressure and placing stress on the surgical site. This can help prevent complications and promote faster healing. While crying, coughing, and unnecessary movement are common postoperative behaviors, they are not specifically linked to worsening outcomes in this context. Straining at stool is particularly emphasized due to its potential to impact the surgical site and overall recovery process.
2. A client is experiencing preterm labor and has a prescription for 4 doses of dexamethasone 6 mg IM every 12 hours. The available concentration is dexamethasone 10 mg/mL. How many mL of dexamethasone should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use trailing zero.)
- A. 0.6 mL
- B. ---
- C. ---
- D. ---
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Calculation: (6 mg/dose) / (10 mg/mL) = 0.6 mL per dose. The correct answer is 0.6 mL. This calculation is obtained by dividing the dose needed (6 mg) by the concentration available (10 mg/mL). The resulting value is 0.6 mL per dose. Choices B, C, and D are not applicable as the correct answer has been calculated accurately.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with depression who is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac). The client reports difficulty sleeping. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Encourage the client to take short naps during the day.
- B. Suggest the client drink a warm beverage before bedtime.
- C. Recommend the client exercise immediately before bedtime.
- D. Advise the client to take a sleep aid nightly.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention for a client with difficulty sleeping due to depression and prescribed fluoxetine is to suggest the client drink a warm beverage before bedtime. This intervention can promote relaxation and help establish a bedtime routine, potentially improving sleep quality. Encouraging short naps during the day (Choice A) may disrupt the client's nighttime sleep schedule. Recommending exercise immediately before bedtime (Choice C) can have a stimulating effect, making it harder for the client to fall asleep. Advising the client to take a sleep aid nightly (Choice D) should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider due to potential interactions with fluoxetine.
4. To prevent keratitis in an unconscious client, where should the nurse apply moisturizing ointment?
- A. Finger and toenail quicks
- B. Eyes
- C. Perianal area
- D. External ear canals
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Eyes. Applying moisturizing ointment to the eyes helps prevent keratitis, a condition that can occur due to inadequate blinking in unconscious clients, leading to corneal dryness and potential damage. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as moisturizing ointment should not be applied to finger and toenail quicks, perianal area, or external ear canals to prevent keratitis.
5. The nurse is assessing a client with chronic liver disease. Which lab value is most concerning?
- A. Elevated AST and ALT levels
- B. Decreased albumin level
- C. Elevated bilirubin level
- D. Prolonged PT/INR
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In a client with chronic liver disease, a prolonged PT/INR is the most concerning lab value. This finding indicates impaired liver function affecting the synthesis of clotting factors, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. Elevated AST and ALT levels (Choice A) indicate liver cell damage but do not directly correlate with the risk of bleeding. A decreased albumin level (Choice B) is common in liver disease but is not the most concerning in terms of bleeding risk. Elevated bilirubin levels (Choice C) are seen in liver disease but do not directly reflect the risk of bleeding as PT/INR values do.