HESI LPN
Community Health HESI Exam
1. A client with acute pancreatitis is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following complications?
- A. Hypoglycemia
- B. Hyperkalemia
- C. Hyperglycemia
- D. Hyponatremia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hyperglycemia. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) contains a high glucose content, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels, resulting in hyperglycemia. Monitoring for hyperglycemia is crucial in clients receiving TPN to prevent complications such as osmotic diuresis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because TPN is more likely to cause hyperglycemia rather than hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, or hyponatremia.
2. A client post-thoracotomy is complaining of severe pain with deep breathing and coughing. What should the nurse encourage the client to do to manage the pain and prevent respiratory complications?
- A. Hold a pillow against the chest while coughing (splinting).
- B. Take shallow breaths to avoid pain.
- C. Increase the dose of pain medication.
- D. Avoid deep breathing exercises.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Splinting the chest with a pillow helps manage pain during deep breathing and coughing, which is essential to prevent respiratory complications such as atelectasis or pneumonia after thoracic surgery. Holding a pillow against the chest while coughing (splinting) supports the incision site and reduces the pain associated with deep breathing and coughing. Encouraging shallow breaths (Choice B) can lead to respiratory complications due to inadequate lung expansion. Increasing pain medication (Choice C) should be done based on healthcare provider orders and not solely for this situation. Avoiding deep breathing exercises (Choice D) can worsen respiratory function and increase the risk of complications.
3. A healthcare professional is planning to collect a liquid stool specimen from a client for ova and parasites. Inaccurate test results may result if the healthcare professional:
- A. Refrigerates the collected specimen
- B. Collects the specimen in a sterile container
- C. Delays the collection of the specimen
- D. Uses a non-contaminated collection container
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Refrigeration can kill the ova and parasites present in the stool specimen, leading to inaccurate test results. Storing the specimen in a cold environment can disrupt the integrity of the parasites and ova, affecting the accuracy of the test. Collecting the specimen in a sterile container (Choice B) is the correct procedure to prevent external contamination. Delaying the collection of the specimen (Choice C) may affect the freshness of the sample but does not directly impact the test results. Using a non-contaminated collection container (Choice D) is essential to maintain the sample's integrity but does not relate to the risk of killing ova and parasites through refrigeration.
4. What is a common sign of a respiratory infection in infants?
- A. Increased appetite
- B. Rapid breathing
- C. Decreased urine output
- D. Lethargy
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Rapid breathing is a common sign of a respiratory infection in infants. When infants have a respiratory infection, their breathing may become rapid as their body tries to get more oxygen. This symptom is often seen alongside cough and fever. Increased appetite (Choice A) is not typically associated with respiratory infections but can be seen in other conditions. Decreased urine output (Choice C) is more indicative of dehydration or kidney issues rather than a respiratory infection. Lethargy (Choice D) can be a symptom of various illnesses but is not as specific to respiratory infections as rapid breathing.
5. An essential nutrient is one that ___
- A. must be made in large quantities by the body
- B. can only be synthesized by the body
- C. cannot be made in sufficient quantities by the body
- D. is used to synthesize other compounds in the body
Correct answer: C
Rationale: An essential nutrient is a substance that cannot be made in sufficient quantities by the body itself, so it must be obtained from the diet. Choice A is incorrect because essential nutrients are required in specific amounts, not necessarily large quantities. Choice B is incorrect as essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by the body at all. Choice D is incorrect because although essential nutrients may be used in the synthesis of other compounds, that is not the defining characteristic of an essential nutrient.