HESI LPN
Adult Health Exam 1
1. A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which lab value should the nurse monitor to assess the effectiveness of this medication?
- A. Hemoglobin
- B. White blood cell count
- C. Platelet count
- D. INR
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, INR (International Normalized Ratio). The INR is used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication commonly prescribed for conditions like atrial fibrillation. Monitoring the INR helps healthcare providers ensure that the blood is clotting within a therapeutic range. Hemoglobin (Choice A), white blood cell count (Choice B), and platelet count (Choice C) are not directly related to monitoring the effectiveness of warfarin therapy in this context.
2. What should be included in the medical management of a sickle cell crisis?
- A. Information for parents on home care
- B. Adequate hydration and pain management
- C. Pain management and iron supplements
- D. Adequate oxygenation and factor VIII
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Adequate hydration and pain management. During a sickle cell crisis, it is essential to provide hydration to prevent vaso-occlusive events and manage pain effectively with analgesics. Adequate hydration helps maintain blood flow and prevent further sickling of red blood cells. Pain management is crucial to alleviate the severe pain associated with sickle cell crises. Options A, C, and D are incorrect. Providing information for parents on home care (Option A) may be important for ongoing management but is not specific to an acute crisis. Iron supplements (Option C) are not typically indicated during a sickle cell crisis. Adequate oxygenation and factor VIII (Option D) are not primary interventions for managing a sickle cell crisis; instead, oxygen therapy may be considered in severe cases, and factor VIII is not a standard treatment for sickle cell disease.
3. A client with borderline personality disorder is admitted to the psychiatric unit after a suicide attempt. The client frequently expresses feelings of emptiness and fears of abandonment. What is the most therapeutic nursing approach for this client?
- A. Encourage the client to participate in all group activities.
- B. Set clear and consistent boundaries while providing empathy.
- C. Reassure the client that the staff will not abandon them.
- D. Explore the client's past relationships in depth.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most therapeutic nursing approach for a client with borderline personality disorder, who frequently expresses feelings of emptiness and fears of abandonment, is to set clear and consistent boundaries while providing empathy. This approach helps manage the client's fear of abandonment and feelings of emptiness, which are common in borderline personality disorder. Option A may overwhelm the client in a group setting without addressing their specific needs. Option C, while well-intentioned, may not fully address the underlying issues and may create dependency. Option D delves into the client's past relationships, which may be inappropriate and trigger emotional distress in a vulnerable client.
4. What is the most critical initial intervention for a client who is actively seizing?
- A. Restrain the client to prevent injury
- B. Insert an oral airway
- C. Turn the client to the side
- D. Apply soft restraints to the wrists
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The most critical initial intervention for a client who is actively seizing is to turn the client to the side. This action helps maintain an open airway and prevents aspiration during a seizure. Restrain the client to prevent injury (Choice A) is incorrect because restraining a client during a seizure can lead to injury. Inserting an oral airway (Choice B) is not recommended as it can cause injury and is not necessary during an active seizure. Applying soft restraints to the wrists (Choice D) is also not recommended as it can lead to harm and does not address the immediate airway management needed during a seizure.
5. A client has just returned to the medical-surgical unit following a segmental lung resection. After assessing the client, the first nursing action would be to:
- A. Administer pain medication
- B. Suction excessive tracheobronchial secretions
- C. Assist the client to turn, deep breathe, and cough
- D. Monitor oxygen saturation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: After a segmental lung resection, the priority nursing action should be to suction excessive tracheobronchial secretions. This helps in preventing airway obstruction from secretions, ensuring the patency of the airway and optimizing respiratory function. Administering pain medication can be important but addressing airway clearance takes precedence. Assisting the client to turn, deep breathe, and cough is essential for respiratory hygiene but not the first action immediately post-op. Monitoring oxygen saturation is crucial, but ensuring airway clearance is the priority to prevent complications.