HESI RN
HESI RN Exit Exam Capstone
1. A client is admitted with a suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Administer anticoagulant therapy as prescribed.
- B. Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
- C. Check the client's oxygen saturation.
- D. Prepare the client for a CT scan.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to prepare the client for a CT scan. A CT scan is essential in confirming the presence of a pulmonary embolism (PE) and guiding further treatment. Administering anticoagulant therapy (Choice A) is important in the management of PE, but it is not the priority intervention in this case. Elevating the head of the bed (Choice B) is beneficial for optimizing oxygenation but is not the priority intervention when a PE is suspected. Checking the client's oxygen saturation (Choice C) is important, but obtaining a definitive diagnosis through a CT scan takes precedence in this situation.
2. When measuring vital signs, the healthcare provider observes that a client is using accessory neck muscles during respirations. What follow-up action should the healthcare provider take first?
- A. Determine pulse pressure
- B. Auscultate heart sounds
- C. Measure oxygen saturation
- D. Check for neck vein distention
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Observing a client using accessory neck muscles during respiration indicates respiratory distress. The priority action should be to measure oxygen saturation to assess the adequacy of oxygenation. This intervention provides crucial information about the client's respiratory status and helps guide further assessment and interventions.
3. When organizing home visits for the day, which older client should the home health nurse plan to visit first?
- A. A woman who takes naproxen (Naprosyn) and reports a recent onset of dark, tarry stools.
- B. A man who receives weekly injections of epoetin (Procrit) for a low serum iron level.
- C. A man with emphysema who smokes and is complaining of white patches in his mouth.
- D. A frail woman with heart failure who reported a 2-pound weight gain in the last week.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Dark, tarry stools may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention. Visiting this client first is crucial for prompt assessment and intervention. Choices B, C, and D do not present immediate life-threatening conditions that require urgent attention compared to the potential emergency indicated by dark, tarry stools.
4. Which intervention by the community health nurse is an example of a secondary level of prevention?
- A. providing a needle exchange program at a community mental health clinic
- B. developing an educational program for clients with diabetes mellitus
- C. administering influenza vaccines to residents of a nursing home
- D. initiating contact notifications for sexual partners of an HIV client
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Administering influenza vaccines to residents of a nursing home is an example of secondary prevention. Secondary prevention aims to detect and treat a disease or condition in its early stages to prevent complications. In this case, administering influenza vaccines helps prevent the spread of the flu among vulnerable individuals. Choices A, B, and D are not examples of secondary prevention. Providing a needle exchange program (Choice A) is a harm reduction strategy (tertiary prevention). Developing an educational program for clients with diabetes mellitus (Choice B) focuses on health promotion and primary prevention. Initiating contact notifications for sexual partners of an HIV client (Choice D) is a measure to prevent further transmission of the disease but is more aligned with tertiary prevention.
5. A new nurse is working hard to follow the established procedures on the unit and is focusing on being as efficient as possible. Which of the following best describes this nurse’s behavior?
- A. The nurse is demonstrating the concept of efficiency, which involves following established procedures to complete tasks in the most effective way possible.
- B. The nurse is demonstrating the concept of task orientation, which focuses on completing tasks efficiently without necessarily considering the impact on patient care.
- C. The nurse is demonstrating the concept of patient-centered care, which focuses on providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences and needs.
- D. The nurse is demonstrating the concept of transformational leadership, which involves inspiring and motivating others to achieve a higher level of performance.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The nurse is demonstrating the concept of efficiency by following established procedures to complete tasks effectively. Efficiency in healthcare involves optimizing processes and resources to achieve the best outcomes. Choice B is incorrect as task orientation refers to focusing on task completion without considering broader aspects like patient care. Choice C is incorrect as patient-centered care emphasizes individual patient needs and preferences rather than operational efficiency. Choice D is incorrect as transformational leadership involves inspiring and motivating others, not specifically related to task efficiency.