HESI RN
HESI Nutrition Exam
1. A client with a history of asthma is admitted to the emergency department with difficulty breathing. Which of these assessments is the highest priority for the nurse to perform?
- A. Auscultation of breath sounds
- B. Measurement of peak expiratory flow
- C. Observation of the client's use of accessory muscles
- D. Assessment of the client's skin color
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Auscultation of breath sounds is the highest priority assessment in a client with a history of asthma experiencing difficulty breathing. It helps the nurse evaluate the severity of the asthma exacerbation by listening for wheezing, crackles, or decreased breath sounds. This assessment guides treatment decisions, such as administering bronchodilators or oxygen therapy. Measurement of peak expiratory flow, although important in assessing asthma severity, may not be feasible in an emergency situation where immediate intervention is needed. Observation of accessory muscle use and assessment of skin color are also important assessments in asthma exacerbation, but auscultation of breath sounds takes precedence in determining the need for urgent interventions.
2. Following a lumbar puncture, a client voices several complaints. What complaint indicates to the nurse that the client is experiencing a complication?
- A. I am having pain in my lower back when I move my legs
- B. My throat hurts when I swallow
- C. I feel sick to my stomach and am going to throw up
- D. I have a headache that gets worse when I sit up
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A post-lumbar puncture headache, ranging from mild to severe, may occur as a result of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid at the puncture site. This complication is usually managed by bed rest, analgesics, and hydration. Choices A, B, and C do not directly indicate complications associated with a lumbar puncture. Pain in the lower back when moving legs, a sore throat when swallowing, and nausea with a feeling of vomiting are not typical complications of lumbar puncture.
3. An emergency department nurse assesses a client with a history of urinary incontinence who presents with extreme dry mouth, constipation, and an inability to void. Which question should the nurse ask first?
- A. Are you drinking plenty of water?
- B. What medications are you taking?
- C. Have you tried laxatives or enemas?
- D. Has this type of thing ever happened before?
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, the client's symptoms of dry mouth, constipation, and inability to void are indicative of anticholinergic side effects, which can be caused by medications like propantheline (Pro-Banthine) commonly used to treat incontinence. The first question the nurse should ask is about the client's medications to determine if they are taking anticholinergic drugs. This information is crucial as it can help differentiate between a simple side effect or a potential overdose. Asking about water intake (Choice A) may be relevant later but is not the priority in this situation. Questioning about laxatives or enemas (Choice C) and past occurrences (Choice D) are not as pertinent initially as identifying the client's current medication status.
4. A child is brought to the emergency department after ingesting an unknown quantity of acetaminophen. What is the most important action for the nurse to take?
- A. Assess the child's level of consciousness.
- B. Prepare to administer activated charcoal.
- C. Notify the poison control center.
- D. Obtain an order for serum acetaminophen levels.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Obtaining serum acetaminophen levels is critical in determining the level of toxicity and guiding treatment. It helps to assess the risk of hepatotoxicity and determine the need for antidotal therapy with N-acetylcysteine. Assessing the child's level of consciousness (Choice A) is important but obtaining serum acetaminophen levels takes precedence as it directly guides the specific treatment required. Activated charcoal (Choice B) is not routinely used in acetaminophen poisoning. While notifying the poison control center (Choice C) is important, obtaining serum acetaminophen levels should be the immediate action to assess the child's condition and guide treatment.
5. A client with diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky, dizzy, and sweaty. The nurse checks the client's blood glucose level and it is 55 mg/dL. What is the nurse's next action?
- A. Give the client a glucagon injection
- B. Encourage the client to eat a high-protein snack
- C. Administer 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate
- D. Recheck the blood glucose level in 15 minutes
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A blood glucose level of 55 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia, which should be treated with a fast-acting carbohydrate to quickly raise the blood sugar. Administering 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as glucose tablets or juice, is the appropriate initial intervention for hypoglycemia. Giving a glucagon injection is reserved for severe cases or when the client is unconscious. Encouraging the client to eat a high-protein snack is not appropriate for treating acute hypoglycemia, as it is a slower-acting form of glucose. Rechecking the blood glucose level is important but should occur after providing immediate treatment to raise the blood sugar level.