HESI RN
HESI Nutrition Practice Exam
1. A client is admitted for first and second degree burns on the face, neck, anterior chest, and hands. The nurse's priority should be
- A. Cover the areas with dry sterile dressings
- B. Assess for dyspnea or stridor
- C. Initiate intravenous therapy
- D. Administer pain medication
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to assess for dyspnea or stridor. In burn cases involving the face, neck, or chest, there is a risk of airway compromise due to swelling. Dyspnea (difficulty breathing) or stridor (noisy breathing) can indicate airway obstruction or respiratory distress, which requires immediate intervention. Covering the burns with dry sterile dressings (choice A) can be important but ensuring airway patency takes precedence. Initiating intravenous therapy (choice C) may be necessary but not the priority over assessing the airway. Administering pain medication (choice D) is important for comfort but should come after ensuring the airway is clear and breathing is adequate.
2. Which of the following statements is true regarding ethical principles and laws?
- A. The government enforces ethics.
- B. Laws establish standards that aid in decision-making.
- C. Ethics are highly specific.
- D. Ethical principles can serve as the foundation for laws.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Ethical principles can influence the creation of laws but are not equivalent to laws themselves. Laws are established by governing bodies to provide a framework for society, whereas ethical principles guide individuals' moral conduct. Choice A is incorrect because governments enforce laws, not ethics. Choice B is incorrect as laws set legal standards rather than ethical ones. Choice C is incorrect because ethics are principles that guide behavior but are not necessarily highly specific.
3. A client with hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. What teaching should the nurse provide?
- A. Take the medication in the morning to avoid frequent urination at night.
- B. Increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
- C. Avoid potassium-rich foods, such as bananas and oranges.
- D. Monitor the client’s potassium levels weekly.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct teaching for a client prescribed hydrochlorothiazide is to increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that can lead to fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances, so adequate fluid intake is crucial. Choice A is incorrect because hydrochlorothiazide is typically taken in the morning to avoid nighttime urination. Choice C is incorrect as potassium-rich foods should not be avoided but monitored, as hydrochlorothiazide can cause potassium loss. Choice D is incorrect as potassium levels should be monitored regularly, but not necessarily weekly, unless indicated by the healthcare provider.
4. A nurse cares for a client with urinary incontinence. The client states, “I am so embarrassed. My bladder leaks like a young child’s bladder.” How should the nurse respond?
- A. I understand how you feel. I would be mortified.
- B. Incontinence pads will minimize leaks in public.
- C. I can teach you strategies to help control your incontinence.
- D. More women experience incontinence than you might think.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should accept and acknowledge the client’s concerns, and assist the client to learn techniques that will allow control of urinary incontinence. The nurse should not diminish the client’s concerns with the use of pads or stating statistics about the occurrence of incontinence.
5. The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult client. Which site should the nurse select?
- A. Deltoid muscle
- B. Ventrogluteal muscle
- C. Vastus lateralis muscle
- D. Dorsogluteal muscle
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for intramuscular injections in adults because it is free from major blood vessels and nerves, reducing the risk of injury. The deltoid muscle can be used for smaller volumes of medication, primarily vaccines. The vastus lateralis muscle is commonly used in infants, toddlers, and young children. The dorsogluteal muscle site is discouraged due to its proximity to the sciatic nerve, increasing the risk of injury or nerve damage.