HESI LPN
Fundamentals of Nursing HESI
1. What intervention should be implemented by the LPN to reduce the risk of aspiration in a client with a nasogastric tube receiving continuous enteral feedings?
- A. Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees.
- B. Check residual volumes every 4 hours.
- C. Verify tube placement every shift.
- D. Flush the tube with water every 4 hours.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees is crucial in reducing the risk of aspiration because it helps keep the gastric contents lower than the esophagus, thereby promoting proper digestion and preventing reflux. This position also aids in reducing the likelihood of regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents. Checking residual volumes every 4 hours is important for monitoring feeding tolerance but does not directly address the risk of aspiration. Verifying tube placement every shift is essential for ensuring the tube is correctly positioned within the gastrointestinal tract but does not directly reduce the risk of aspiration. Flushing the tube with water every 4 hours may help maintain tube patency and prevent clogging, but it does not specifically address the risk of aspiration associated with nasogastric tube feedings.
2. The LPN/LVN calls security and has physical restraints applied when a client who was admitted voluntarily becomes both physically and verbally abusive while demanding to be discharged from the hospital. Which represents the possible legal ramifications for the nurse associated with these interventions? Select one that does not apply.
- A. false imprisonment
- B. Battery
- C. Assault
- D. Slander
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the possible legal ramifications for the nurse could include battery, assault, and false imprisonment. Battery refers to the intentional harmful or offensive touching of another person without consent, which could be perceived when applying physical restraints. Assault is the apprehension of harmful or offensive contact, creating fear in the individual, which can result from the verbal threats and physical actions of the patient. False imprisonment occurs when a person is unlawfully restrained, which may apply if the patient was involuntarily restrained. Slander, on the other hand, is the oral defamation of character, which does not align with the actions described in the scenario, making it the choice that does not apply.
3. How should a healthcare professional manage a child with a newly inserted gastrostomy tube?
- A. Monitor for signs of infection
- B. Increase the child's fluid intake
- C. Restrict all oral intake
- D. Use only sterile equipment for feedings
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Monitoring for signs of infection at the gastrostomy site is crucial for ensuring proper care and preventing complications. This involves observing for redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage around the insertion site. Increasing the child's fluid intake (Choice B) may be beneficial for hydration but is not specifically related to managing a newly inserted gastrostomy tube. Restricting all oral intake (Choice C) is not necessary as long as the healthcare professional follows the recommended guidelines for feeding. While using sterile equipment for feedings (Choice D) is important, monitoring for signs of infection takes precedence in the immediate post-insertion period.
4. A 2-year-old child with a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis is being discharged. What should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
- A. Avoid triggers that cause flare-ups
- B. Apply topical corticosteroids as prescribed
- C. Use a soft toothbrush for oral care
- D. Avoid contact with sick individuals
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to apply topical corticosteroids as prescribed. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that can be managed with topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and itching. While avoiding triggers that cause flare-ups is important in managing atopic dermatitis, the primary treatment approach involves using prescribed medications like corticosteroids. Using a soft toothbrush for oral care and avoiding contact with sick individuals are not directly related to managing atopic dermatitis and are not the priority discharge teachings in this case.
5. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing hypoglycemia. What is the best initial action for the LPN/LVN to take?
- A. Administer glucagon intramuscularly.
- B. Give the client 4 ounces of orange juice.
- C. Give the client a snack containing protein and carbohydrates.
- D. Encourage the client to rest until symptoms resolve.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The best initial action for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus experiencing hypoglycemia is to give them 4 ounces of orange juice. Orange juice quickly raises blood glucose levels in a hypoglycemic client. Administering glucagon intramuscularly is not the best initial action for hypoglycemia; it is usually reserved for severe hypoglycemia cases. Giving a snack containing protein and carbohydrates is not as rapid as orange juice in raising blood glucose levels during hypoglycemia. Encouraging the client to rest until symptoms resolve does not address the immediate need to raise blood glucose levels in a hypoglycemic state.