HESI LPN
HESI Practice Test Pharmacology
1. A client has a prescription for heparin 1,000 units IV STAT. Several pre-filled syringes of low molecular weight heparin are available in the client's medication drawer. Which action should the nurse implement?
- A. Dilute the available heparin in 250ml of normal saline solution prior to IV administration
- B. Advise the pharmacy on the need to deliver a vial of heparin to the nursing unit immediately
- C. Calculate and administer the equivalent dose of the available low molecular weight heparin
- D. Request a prescription to change the route of administration and use the available heparin
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should contact the pharmacy to obtain the correct heparin formulation as the prescription calls for heparin 1,000 units IV STAT. Low molecular weight heparin is not the same as unfractionated heparin, and therefore, the nurse should not administer the available low molecular weight heparin without first obtaining the correct medication. Diluting the available heparin, calculating an equivalent dose, or changing the route of administration would not address the discrepancy between the prescribed heparin and the available low molecular weight heparin.
2. The LPN/LVN is caring for a client who is experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Administer a PRN dose of lorazepam (Ativan).
- B. Monitor the client's vital signs.
- C. Place the client on seizure precautions.
- D. Encourage the client to express feelings about withdrawal.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When caring for a client experiencing alcohol withdrawal, the first intervention the nurse should implement is to monitor the client's vital signs. Vital sign monitoring is crucial to assess for any potential complications such as hypertension, tachycardia, fever, or other signs of autonomic hyperactivity. Administering medication like lorazepam (Ativan) would come after assessing the vital signs to determine the need for pharmacological intervention. Placing the client on seizure precautions is important, but assessing vital signs takes precedence to ensure immediate safety. Encouraging the client to express feelings about withdrawal is a supportive intervention but does not address the immediate physiological risk associated with alcohol withdrawal.
3. What complication of mumps is crucial for adolescents to prevent?
- A. Sterility
- B. Hypopituitarism
- C. Decreased libido
- D. Decreased androgens
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Sterility. Mumps can lead to sterility, particularly in adolescent males, highlighting the significance of vaccination to prevent this serious complication. While hypopituitarism (choice B) can be a potential complication of mumps, it is not as crucial to prevent in adolescents compared to the risk of sterility. Choices C and D, Decreased libido and Decreased androgens, are not direct complications of mumps and are not the primary concerns for adolescents in relation to mumps prevention.
4. A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What is the most important instruction the nurse should provide?
- A. Avoid foods high in potassium while taking this medication.
- B. Take your medication with food to prevent nausea.
- C. Be sure to maintain a consistent sodium intake.
- D. You can stop taking the medication once your symptoms improve.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Maintaining a consistent sodium intake is crucial for clients taking lithium because changes in sodium levels can impact lithium concentrations, potentially leading to toxicity. It is essential to avoid excessive sodium intake, as both low and high levels can affect lithium levels. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. A high potassium diet is not a concern with lithium therapy. While taking lithium with food can help reduce gastrointestinal side effects, it is not the most important instruction. Finally, abruptly stopping lithium can lead to a recurrence of symptoms or a worsening of the condition, so it is vital to follow the prescribed regimen.
5. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is reporting pain despite taking analgesics. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to determine the intensity of the client’s pain?
- A. Ask the client what precipitates the pain.
- B. Question the client about the location of the pain.
- C. Offer the client a pain scale to measure their pain.
- D. Use open-ended questions to identify the client’s pain sensations.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Offering the client a pain scale is the most appropriate action to determine the intensity of the client’s pain. Pain scales help quantify the intensity of pain, providing a standardized way to assess and compare pain levels. Asking about precipitating factors (choice A) may help identify triggers but does not directly measure pain intensity. Questioning about the location of pain (choice B) helps with localization but not with quantifying intensity. Using open-ended questions (choice D) may provide insights into the quality and experience of pain but does not provide a standardized measure of intensity.