HESI LPN
HESI Practice Test for Fundamentals
1. A client is receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. Which laboratory value would be most important for the nurse to monitor?
- A. White blood cell count
- B. Hemoglobin level
- C. Serum creatinine
- D. Blood glucose level
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the white blood cell count. Chemotherapy can lead to neutropenia, which is a decrease in white blood cells, particularly neutrophils. Neutropenia increases the risk of infections, making it crucial to monitor the white blood cell count during chemotherapy. Monitoring hemoglobin level is important but not as critical as white blood cell count in this scenario. Serum creatinine and blood glucose levels are not directly impacted by chemotherapy for breast cancer, making them less relevant to monitor in this situation.
2. What is the most effective method to prevent medication errors during administration?
- A. Relying on memory for medication dosages
- B. Using a bar-code medication administration system
- C. Administering medications as quickly as possible to avoid delays
- D. Allowing another individual to administer medications
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Using a bar-code medication administration system is the best method to prevent medication errors during administration. This system verifies medication details electronically, ensuring that the correct medication is given to the right patient. Relying on memory for medication dosages (choice A) is not recommended as it can lead to errors. Administering medications quickly (choice C) may increase the risk of mistakes due to haste. Allowing another individual (choice D) to administer medications does not address the root cause of preventing errors during administration.
3. While documenting in a client’s medical record, which of the following entries should the nurse record?
- A. “Incision without redness or drainage”
- B. “Drank adequate amounts of fluid with meals”
- C. “Administered pain medication”
- D. “Oral temperature slightly elevated at 0800”
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because documenting specific observations, such as an oral temperature being slightly elevated at a specific time, is crucial for monitoring the client's health status accurately. This type of information helps in assessing trends and changes in the client's condition over time. Choice A is incorrect as it lacks specificity and does not provide measurable data about the client's condition. Choice B is incorrect because it is a general statement related to client behavior rather than a specific health observation. Choice C is incorrect as it reflects an action taken by the nurse and not a direct client's condition or observation.
4. Which of the following differentiates ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease?
- A. Crohn's disease primarily affects the left colon and rectum, while ulcerative colitis most often affects the right colon and distal ileum.
- B. Crohn's disease presents with shallow ulcerations, whereas ulcerative colitis presents with a cobblestone appearance of the mucosal lining.
- C. The extent of involvement is noncontiguous and segmented with Crohn's disease, whereas it is contiguous and diffuse with ulcerative colitis.
- D. Crohn's disease has primarily mucosal involvement, whereas it is transmural with ulcerative colitis.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Crohn's disease is characterized by noncontiguous, segmented involvement, meaning it can affect different areas with healthy tissue in between, while ulcerative colitis involves continuous areas of inflammation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus, can present with shallow ulcerations or deep fissures, and is transmural, meaning it affects the entire thickness of the bowel wall. On the other hand, ulcerative colitis typically affects the colon and rectum, presents with a continuous pattern of inflammation, and primarily involves the mucosal lining of the colon.
5. The nurse is measuring the output of an infant admitted for vomiting and diarrhea. During a 12-hour shift, the infant drinks 4 ounces of Pedialyte, vomits 25 ml, and voids twice. The dry diaper weighs 105 grams. Which computer documentation should the nurse enter in the infant’s record?
- A. Subtract vomitus from 120 ml Pedialyte, then document 95 ml oral intake.
- B. Compare the difference between the infant’s current weight and admission weight.
- C. Document on the flow sheet that the infant voided twice and vomited 25 ml.
- D. Calculate the difference in wet and dry diapers and document 80 ml urine.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to document on the flow sheet that the infant voided twice and vomited 25 ml. This choice accurately reflects the need for accurate documentation of intake and output, essential for monitoring the infant's hydration status. Choice A is incorrect because the oral intake should not be calculated by subtracting vomitus from the oral intake. Choice B is incorrect because it does not address the specific documentation related to the infant's output. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on calculating urine output based on diaper weight, which is not the primary concern in this scenario.