HESI LPN
Pharmacology HESI 55 Questions 2023
1. A client is prescribed an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection (UTI). What instruction should the practical nurse provide to the client to ensure the effectiveness of the medication?
- A. Take the medication with food.
- B. Increase fluid intake.
- C. Complete the full course of the medication.
- D. Avoid dairy products.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The practical nurse should instruct the client to complete the full course of the antibiotic to ensure the infection is fully treated and to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. Completing the full course of antibiotics helps to eradicate the infection completely and reduces the risk of bacteria developing resistance to the medication. Choices A, B, and D are not directly related to ensuring the effectiveness of the antibiotic. While taking medication with food or increasing fluid intake can be beneficial in general, the crucial instruction in this case is to complete the full course of the antibiotic.
2. After receiving the third dose of a new oral anticoagulant prescription, which action should the nurse implement? Select all that apply.
- A. Notify the healthcare provider of the finding
- B. Provide a PRN NSAID for gum discomfort
- C. Review the most recent coagulation lab values
- D. Complete a medication variance report
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Reviewing the most recent coagulation lab values is crucial after receiving multiple doses of a new oral anticoagulant to ensure the patient is within the desired therapeutic range and to prevent adverse events related to over or under-anticoagulation. It is essential to monitor these values closely to adjust the dosage if needed. Notifying the healthcare provider of any concerning findings is important, but it may not be the immediate priority after receiving the third dose. Providing a PRN NSAID for gum discomfort is not typically indicated with oral anticoagulant therapy, as it may increase the risk of bleeding. Completing a medication variance report is more relevant in cases of medication errors or discrepancies, which may not apply in this scenario.
3. What is the function of the epiglottis during swallowing?
- A. Prevents food from entering the trachea
- B. Aids in food propulsion
- C. Enhances taste sensation
- D. Lubricates the esophagus
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that closes over the trachea during swallowing to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway. Choice A is correct because the primary function of the epiglottis is to act as a lid over the trachea, ensuring that food goes down the esophagus and not into the windpipe. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not describe the specific role of the epiglottis during swallowing.
4. Which of the following signs or symptoms is more common in children than adults following head trauma?
- A. nausea and vomiting
- B. altered mental status
- C. tachycardia and diaphoresis
- D. changes in pupillary reaction
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are more common in children following head trauma due to their higher risk of increased intracranial pressure. Children have less space for swelling within the skull compared to adults, making them more prone to experiencing symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Altered mental status and changes in pupillary reaction can also occur in both children and adults following head trauma, but they are not specifically more common in children. Tachycardia and diaphoresis are generally signs of autonomic nervous system activation and may occur in both children and adults, but they are not typically more common in children compared to adults following head trauma.
5. A client has had several episodes of clear, watery diarrhea that started yesterday. What action should the nurse implement?
- A. Administer a prescribed PRN antiemetic
- B. Assess the client for the presence of hemorrhoids
- C. Check the client’s hemoglobin level
- D. Review the client’s current list of medications
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to implement in a client experiencing clear, watery diarrhea is to review the client's current list of medications. Certain medications can cause diarrhea as a side effect, so identifying any potential culprits is essential. Administering an antiemetic (Choice A) is not appropriate for diarrhea, as antiemetics are used to control nausea and vomiting, not diarrhea. Assessing for hemorrhoids (Choice B) is not the priority when the client is experiencing watery diarrhea; addressing the root cause is crucial. Checking the client’s hemoglobin level (Choice C) is not the immediate action needed for this situation as it does not directly address the cause of diarrhea.