HESI RN
HESI Nutrition Practice Exam
1. A client with a head injury is being monitored for increased intracranial pressure. Which of these findings should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
- A. A heart rate of 72 beats per minute
- B. A blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
- C. Pupils equal and reactive to light
- D. Client reports headache
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Pupils that are equal and reactive to light are a crucial neurological assessment finding. Changes in pupil size and reactivity can indicate increased intracranial pressure, which requires immediate medical attention. Reporting this finding promptly allows for timely intervention to prevent further complications. Choices A, B, and D are within normal ranges and are not indicative of increased intracranial pressure. A heart rate of 72 beats per minute, blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg, and a client reporting a headache are common findings and may not necessitate immediate intervention in this context.
2. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The client refuses to take medication and states 'I don't think I need those medications. They make me too sleepy and drowsy. I insist that you explain their use and side effects.' The nurse should understand that
- A. A referral is needed to the psychiatrist who is to provide the client with answers
- B. The client has a right to know about the prescribed medications
- C. Such education is an independent decision of the individual nurse whether or not to teach clients about their medications
- D. Clients with schizophrenia are at a higher risk of psychosocial complications when they know about their medication side effects
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The client has a legal right to be informed about their treatment, including medication uses and side effects, as part of informed consent. This helps ensure that the client can make an informed decision about their care. Choice A is incorrect because the nurse can provide the client with information about their medications. Choice C is incorrect as it is not an independent decision of the nurse but a professional responsibility to educate clients. Choice D is incorrect as knowledge about medication side effects can actually empower clients to manage their condition effectively.
3. The nurse is preparing a client for a scheduled surgical procedure. What client statement should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?
- A. I am very anxious about the surgery.
- B. I drank a glass of juice after midnight.
- C. I have an allergy to latex.
- D. I had nausea after my last surgery.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The client's statement of drinking juice after midnight should be reported to the healthcare provider. Consuming liquids after midnight can increase the risk of aspiration during surgery under general anesthesia. Choices A, C, and D are not as critical to report for the client's safety during the surgical procedure. Anxiety about surgery, latex allergy, and postoperative nausea, although important for overall care, do not pose immediate risks during the surgical preparation as the intake of fluids does.
4. After administering the varicella vaccine to a 5-year-old child, which instruction should the nurse provide the child’s parent?
- A. Chewable children’s aspirin will not help prevent inflammation.
- B. Keep the child home for the next two days.
- C. Any fever should be monitored and reported if severe.
- D. Apply a cool pack to the injection site to reduce discomfort.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After receiving the varicella vaccine, applying a cool pack to the injection site can help reduce discomfort. This intervention is a simple and effective way to manage local reactions at the site of the vaccination, providing comfort to the child and potentially reducing swelling or pain. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because chewable children’s aspirin is not typically recommended after vaccination, keeping the child home is not necessary unless advised by a healthcare provider, and monitoring fever alone is not the primary instruction post-varicella vaccination.
5. When assessing a client with left-sided heart failure, which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Administer oxygen therapy as prescribed.
- B. Monitor the client's urine output.
- C. Administer a loop diuretic as prescribed.
- D. Administer morphine as prescribed.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Administering oxygen therapy is the initial intervention for a client with left-sided heart failure. This action is crucial in improving oxygen levels and reducing pulmonary congestion. Monitoring urine output is important for assessing renal function in heart failure, but it is not the priority over ensuring adequate oxygenation. Administering loop diuretics helps manage fluid overload but should come after addressing oxygen needs. Morphine may be indicated for pain or anxiety in some cases, but it is not the primary intervention for left-sided heart failure.