HESI RN
HESI 799 RN Exit Exam
1. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen). Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
- A. Hemoglobin
- B. White blood cell count
- C. Serum potassium
- D. Serum creatinine
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Serum potassium. When a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen), monitoring serum potassium levels closely is crucial. Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production, which can lead to an increase in potassium levels. Hyperkalemia is a potential risk in these clients. Monitoring hemoglobin levels (choice A) is important in assessing the effectiveness of epoetin alfa therapy, but it is not the laboratory value that poses an immediate risk related to the medication. White blood cell count (choice B) and serum creatinine (choice D) are not directly affected by epoetin alfa therapy and are not the priority laboratory values to monitor in this case.
2. A client is taking ticlopidine hydrochloride (Ticlid). The nurse tells the client to avoid which of the following while taking this medication?
- A. Vitamin C
- B. Vitamin D
- C. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- D. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Ticlopidine hydrochloride is a platelet aggregation inhibitor. Aspirin or any aspirin-containing product should be avoided as they can precipitate or aggravate bleeding by affecting platelet function and increasing the risk of bleeding complications.
3. The healthcare professional is educating a client with Cushing's syndrome about dietary management. Which of the following instructions should the healthcare professional include?
- A. Increase sodium intake
- B. Limit protein intake
- C. Limit calcium intake
- D. Increase potassium intake
Correct answer: D
Rationale: For clients with Cushing's syndrome, they are at risk of developing hypokalemia due to increased excretion of potassium. Therefore, it is essential to advise them to increase their potassium intake. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because: A) Increasing sodium intake can worsen fluid retention and hypertension common in Cushing's syndrome. B) Limiting protein intake is not necessary unless there are specific kidney issues that require protein restriction. C) Limiting calcium intake is not typically recommended unless there are underlying conditions such as hypercalcemia.
4. Which of the following is a lipid that is a membrane component and a precursor to significant hormones?
- A. Nucleic acids
- B. Proteins
- C. Carbohydrates
- D. Steroids
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Steroids. Steroids are a type of lipid that function as essential components of cell membranes and serve as precursors for significant hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Nucleic acids (choice A) are not lipids but are molecules like DNA and RNA that store genetic information. Proteins (choice B) and carbohydrates (choice C) are biomolecules but are not lipids and do not serve as precursors for hormones or membrane components.
5. When planning a community health fair to promote mental health awareness, which activity should be included to best engage participants?
- A. free mental health screenings
- B. lectures on mental health topics
- C. distribution of mental health resources
- D. interactive workshops on stress management
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The best activity to engage participants in a community health fair promoting mental health awareness is to offer free mental health screenings. This activity not only attracts participants but also provides them with immediate, valuable information about their mental health status. Free screenings can help raise awareness, encourage early detection of mental health issues, and prompt participants to seek further assistance if needed. Lectures, while informative, may not be as engaging or impactful as the personalized feedback individuals receive from screenings. Distributing resources is helpful, but active engagement through screenings is more effective in promoting awareness and encouraging action. Interactive workshops on stress management are beneficial but might not provide the same level of individualized insight into mental health as screenings do.