HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Practice Exam
1. A client has driven himself to the emergency department. He is 50 years old, has a history of hypertension, and informs the nurse that his father died from a heart attack at age 60. The client has indigestion. The nurse connects him to an electrocardiogram monitor and begins administering oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Call for the physician.
- B. Start an IV infusion.
- C. Obtain a portable chest radiograph.
- D. Draw blood for laboratory studies.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In a client presenting with possible myocardial infarction who is receiving oxygen therapy and cardiac monitoring, the next priority action is to establish IV access by starting an IV infusion. This allows for prompt administration of medications and fluids as needed in the management of acute coronary syndromes. Calling the physician (Choice A) may be necessary but is not the immediate next step. Obtaining a portable chest radiograph (Choice C) may help in further assessment but is not as crucial as establishing IV access. Drawing blood for laboratory studies (Choice D) is important for diagnostic purposes but is not as urgent compared to starting an IV infusion in the setting of a potential myocardial infarction.
2. What information should the nurse include in the client's health record after a fall in the bathroom?
- A. Client fell while trying to go to the bathroom
- B. The UAP left the client alone and a fall occurred
- C. The client was found on the floor with no pulse
- D. The client fell, sustaining a fracture to the left hip
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the nurse should document factual, objective information such as the injury sustained by the client. Reporting the specific injury, like a fracture to the left hip, is crucial for accurate medical records. Choices A, B, and C lack specific detail about the injury and focus on different aspects of the fall that are not as pertinent for the health record. Choice A only mentions the fall without specifying the injury, choice B introduces blame without focusing on the client's condition, and choice C adds unnecessary information about the client's pulse which is not directly related to the fall injury.
3. A client is newly diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer. What information should the nurse provide during medication teaching?
- A. Take antacids regularly to manage symptoms.
- B. Avoid spicy foods and alcohol.
- C. Ensure proper administration of antibiotics.
- D. Stop all food intake until symptoms subside.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Clients with duodenal ulcers should avoid spicy foods and alcohol as they can exacerbate symptoms and delay healing. Choice A is incorrect because while antacids may help with symptoms, they are not the primary focus of medication teaching for duodenal ulcers. Choice C is not directly related to medication teaching for duodenal ulcers unless antibiotics are specifically prescribed. Choice D is incorrect as stopping all food intake is not recommended and can lead to other complications.
4. A client with hyperparathyroidism is preparing for surgery. Which preoperative lab finding is most important to report?
- A. Elevated serum calcium.
- B. Decreased serum albumin.
- C. Elevated serum potassium.
- D. Elevated serum magnesium.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Elevated serum calcium. In hyperparathyroidism, elevated calcium levels can lead to complications such as kidney stones, bone pain, and fractures. During surgery, high calcium levels can affect neuromuscular function, cardiac function, and blood clotting. Therefore, it is crucial to report elevated serum calcium levels preoperatively to prevent potential surgical complications. Choices B, C, and D are not directly associated with hyperparathyroidism and are less likely to impact the surgical outcome in this scenario.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?
- A. Change the ostomy appliance daily
- B. Empty the ostomy pouch when it is one-third full
- C. Rinse the ostomy pouch with warm water
- D. Apply a skin barrier to the peristomal skin
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct instruction the nurse should include in the client's teaching plan is to empty the ostomy pouch when it is one-third full. This practice helps prevent leakage and skin irritation by maintaining an appropriate pouching system. Changing the ostomy appliance daily (Choice A) is not necessary unless leakage or other issues occur. Rinsing the ostomy pouch with warm water (Choice C) is not a recommended practice as it may cause damage to the pouch. Applying a skin barrier to the peristomal skin (Choice D) is important but not the most crucial instruction in this scenario.