HESI LPN
HESI Fundamentals Study Guide
1. A client is being discharged home with oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to the client and family?
- A. Wear cotton clothing to avoid static electricity.
- B. Avoid using any electrical appliances.
- C. Keep the oxygen tank away from heat sources.
- D. Use only a specific type of nasal cannula.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Wear cotton clothing to avoid static electricity. When using oxygen therapy, static electricity can pose a hazard as it increases the risk of fire. Cotton clothing helps reduce static electricity buildup. Choice B, avoiding electrical appliances, is overly restrictive and not entirely necessary. Choice C, keeping the oxygen tank away from heat sources, is important to prevent fire hazards but is not directly related to the nasal cannula. Choice D, using only a specific type of nasal cannula, is not a universal guideline and limits flexibility in care.
2. During a large community disaster, a man states that the blast threw him out of a second-story window. Which action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Logroll the client to his side and assess for back injuries
- B. Perform a complete neurological assessment
- C. Open the client's airway immediately
- D. Place the nurse's hands around the client's neck to stabilize
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should first stabilize the client's neck to prevent potential spinal cord injuries. Logrolling the client or performing other assessments should only be done after ensuring spinal stabilization. Opening the airway immediately is important in cases of airway obstruction, but stabilizing the neck takes priority in this scenario. Performing a complete neurological assessment may delay immediate stabilization, which is crucial in suspected spinal injuries.
3. A 1-year-old child has a congenital cardiac malformation that causes right-to-left shunting of blood through the heart. What clinical finding should the nurse expect?
- A. Proteinuria
- B. Peripheral edema
- C. Elevated hematocrit
- D. Absence of pedal pulses
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a child with a congenital cardiac malformation causing right-to-left shunting of blood, the nurse should expect an elevated hematocrit. This occurs because the body compensates for decreased oxygenation by producing more red blood cells. Proteinuria (Choice A) is not a typical clinical finding related to right-to-left shunting. Peripheral edema (Choice B) is more commonly associated with conditions causing volume overload, such as left-sided heart failure. Absence of pedal pulses (Choice D) is not directly related to right-to-left shunting but may be seen in conditions affecting peripheral circulation.
4. A 6-month-old infant who is being treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip has been placed in a hip spica cast. The nurse should teach the parents to
- A. Gently rub the skin with a cotton swab to relieve itching
- B. Place the favorite books and push-pull toys in the crib
- C. Check every few hours for the next day or 2 for swelling in the baby's feet
- D. Turn the baby with the abduction stabilizer bar every 2 hours
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to check every few hours for the next day or 2 for swelling in the baby's feet. Swelling in the baby's feet could indicate compromised circulation due to the cast, and frequent checks are necessary to ensure that there are no complications. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because rubbing the skin with a cotton swab, placing favorite items in the crib, and turning the baby with the abduction stabilizer bar do not address the potential issue of compromised circulation and swelling in the baby's feet.
5. The mother of a child who has been diagnosed with varicella asks the nurse when the child can return to school. When is the child no longer contagious?
- A. When the fever dissipates
- B. After the incubation period
- C. When the lesions have healed
- D. When the lesions are crusted over
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'When the lesions are crusted over.' Varicella is no longer contagious once the lesions are dry and crusted. This stage indicates that the active viral shedding has significantly decreased, reducing the risk of transmission. Choice A, 'When the fever dissipates,' is incorrect because the presence of fever does not necessarily correlate with the contagiousness of varicella. Choice B, 'After the incubation period,' is incorrect as the incubation period occurs before the onset of symptoms and is not relevant to determining contagiousness. Choice C, 'When the lesions have healed,' is incorrect as healed lesions can still be contagious if they are not crusted over.