HESI LPN
Pediatric HESI 2023
1. A child with sickle cell anemia develops severe chest pain, fever, a cough, and dyspnea. The nurse's first action is to
- A. administer 100% oxygen to relieve hypoxia
- B. administer pain medication to relieve symptoms
- C. notify the practitioner because chest syndrome is suspected
- D. notify the practitioner because the child may be having a stroke
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a child with sickle cell anemia experiencing severe chest pain, fever, cough, and dyspnea, the priority action is to suspect acute chest syndrome, a life-threatening complication. The nurse's first action should be to notify the practitioner for immediate evaluation and intervention. Administering 100% oxygen (Choice A) may be necessary later but is not the initial priority. Administering pain medication (Choice B) should not precede notifying the practitioner, as addressing the underlying cause is crucial. The symptoms described are more indicative of acute chest syndrome than a stroke, so notifying the practitioner for chest syndrome (Choice C) takes precedence over suspecting a stroke (Choice D).
2. A client is having difficulty breathing while laying in bed with a nasal cannula delivering oxygen. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take first?
- A. Suction the client's airway
- B. Administer a bronchodilator
- C. Increase the humidity in the client's room
- D. Assist the client to an upright position
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to assist the client to an upright position. When a client is having difficulty breathing, promoting optimal oxygenation is essential. Elevating the head of the bed improves ventilation and lung expansion by reducing pressure on the diaphragm. This position allows the lungs to expand fully, enhancing oxygen exchange. Suctioning the airway may be necessary if there are secretions causing obstruction, but it is not the first intervention in this scenario. Administering a bronchodilator is appropriate for bronchoconstriction but does not address the immediate need for better ventilation. Increasing humidity can be beneficial in certain respiratory conditions, but it is not the initial priority when a client is struggling to breathe.
3. What is the primary goal in managing a child with cystic fibrosis?
- A. Increase dietary fat intake
- B. Prevent lung infections
- C. Increase physical activity
- D. Ensure high protein intake
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal in managing a child with cystic fibrosis is to prevent lung infections. Cystic fibrosis primarily affects the respiratory system, leading to thick mucus buildup in the lungs, which increases the risk of infections. Preventing lung infections through proper respiratory care, medications, airway clearance techniques, and vaccinations is crucial in managing cystic fibrosis. While dietary interventions like increasing dietary fat intake, ensuring high protein intake, and promoting physical activity are also important aspects of cystic fibrosis management, preventing lung infections takes precedence as it directly addresses a major complication of the condition.
4. A client with a history of seizure disorder who is receiving phenytoin (Dilantin) is being discharged. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
- A. Take the medication at bedtime.
- B. Monitor drug levels regularly.
- C. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
- D. Take the medication at the same time every day.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to monitor drug levels regularly. This is crucial for phenytoin (Dilantin) to ensure that the medication levels are within the therapeutic range and to prevent toxicity. Choice A, taking the medication at bedtime, is not specifically required for phenytoin administration. Choice C, avoiding alcohol, is generally a good practice with medications but is not as critical as monitoring drug levels for phenytoin. Choice D, taking the medication at the same time every day, is important for consistency but does not address the specific monitoring needs of phenytoin.
5. A teenage girl has been placed in a brace for the treatment of scoliosis, the most common skeletal deformity of adolescence. The family asks what they can do to be more supportive. What suggestion from the nurse is the most appropriate?
- A. Enrolling her in a health club
- B. Taking her to the mall in a wheelchair
- C. Purchasing clothes to disguise the brace
- D. Spending a majority of their time with her
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The most appropriate suggestion from the nurse is to recommend purchasing clothes to disguise the brace. Adolescents with scoliosis often have body image concerns and wish to fit in with their peers. By providing clothes that help conceal the brace, the family can support the teenage girl's emotional well-being. Choices A, B, and D do not directly address the adolescent's concerns about body image and fitting in, making them less appropriate in this situation.