HESI LPN
Community Health HESI Questions
1. A client asks the nurse about including her 2 and 12-year-old sons in the care of their newborn sister. Which of the following is an appropriate initial statement by the nurse?
- A. Focus on your sons' needs during the first days at home.
- B. Tell each child what he can do to help with the baby.
- C. Suggest that your husband spend more time with the boys.
- D. Ask the children what they would like to do for the newborn.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Focusing on the older children's needs during the initial days at home is crucial as it helps them feel secure and valued during the transition. This approach allows the children to adjust to the new family dynamics and feel included in the care of their newborn sister. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses on tasks rather than addressing the children's emotional needs. Choice C is not the initial step and does not involve directly addressing the children's needs. Choice D puts the decision-making burden on the children rather than providing guidance and support.
2. What is the primary function of surfactant in the lungs?
- A. Reduce surface tension
- B. Enhance oxygen absorption
- C. Facilitate carbon dioxide release
- D. Increase lung volume
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The primary function of surfactant in the lungs is to reduce surface tension in the alveoli. This reduction in surface tension prevents lung collapse and allows for easier breathing. It is particularly crucial in premature infants to help with lung expansion. Choice B is incorrect because surfactant primarily affects surface tension, not oxygen absorption. Choice C is incorrect because surfactant's main role is not in facilitating carbon dioxide release. Choice D is incorrect because surfactant does not directly increase lung volume; its main role is in reducing surface tension.
3. When admitting a client to an acute care facility, an identification bracelet is sent up with the admission form. In the event these do not match, the nurse's best action is to
- A. Change whichever item is incorrect to the correct information
- B. Use the bracelet and admission form until a replacement is supplied
- C. Notify the admissions office and wait to apply the bracelet
- D. Make a corrected identification bracelet for the client
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should notify the admissions office and wait to apply the bracelet. By doing so, the nurse ensures patient safety and accuracy in identification. Changing the incorrect item (Choice A) could lead to errors and confusion in the patient's identification. Using the mismatched items until a replacement is supplied (Choice B) compromises patient safety and could result in errors during care delivery. Making a corrected identification bracelet without verifying the correct information (Choice D) could introduce further inaccuracies and risks in patient identification.
4. A parent tearfully tells a nurse, 'They think our child is developmentally delayed. We are thinking about investigating a preschool program for cognitively impaired children.' What is the nurse’s most appropriate response?
- A. Praise the parent for the decision and encourage the plan.
- B. Ask for more specific information related to the developmental delays.
- C. Advise the parent to have the healthcare provider help choose an appropriate program.
- D. Explain that this may be a premature action and the developmental delays could disappear.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate response for the nurse in this situation is to ask for more specific information related to the developmental delays. By seeking additional details, the nurse can better understand the situation, offer appropriate support, and provide guidance tailored to the child's specific needs. Praising the parent or encouraging the plan without understanding the full context may not be beneficial. Advising the parent to have the healthcare provider help choose a program assumes the parent has not already involved the healthcare provider, which may not be the case. Explaining that the developmental delays could disappear is not appropriate as it may give false hope or minimize the parent's concerns.
5. A client with a diagnosis of hypertension is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. Which potential side effect should the nurse monitor for?
- A. Hyperkalemia
- B. Hypernatremia
- C. Hypokalemia
- D. Hypoglycemia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Hypokalemia.' Thiazide diuretics commonly cause potassium loss, which can lead to hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential when a client is taking thiazide diuretics to prevent complications such as cardiac dysrhythmias. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Hyperkalemia (choice A) is an elevated level of potassium, which is not typically associated with thiazide diuretics. Hypernatremia (choice B) is an elevated level of sodium, and hypoglycemia (choice D) is low blood sugar, neither of which are directly linked to thiazide diuretic use.