HESI LPN
HESI Practice Test Pharmacology
1. A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed sucroferric oxyhydroxide. What potential side effect should the nurse monitor for?
- A. Diarrhea
- B. Constipation
- C. Nausea
- D. Hyperphosphatemia
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Sucroferric oxyhydroxide is known to cause diarrhea as a side effect. Therefore, the nurse should closely monitor the client for any signs of diarrhea while on this medication to ensure timely intervention and management.
2. A nurse is preparing to delegate bathing and turning of a newly admitted client who has end-stage cancer to an experienced assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following assessments should the nurse make before delegating care?
- A. Is the client's family present so the AP can show them how to turn the client?
- B. Has data been collected about specific client needs related to turning?
- C. Does the AP have time to change the client's central IV line dressing after turning her?
- D. Has the AP checked the client's pain level prior to turning her?
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Before delegating the task of bathing and turning a client with end-stage cancer to an experienced assistive personnel (AP), the nurse must assess specific client needs related to turning. This assessment ensures that the delegated care is tailored to the client's individual requirements, promoting safe and effective care. Option A is incorrect because the presence of the client's family is not directly related to assessing the client's specific needs for turning. Option C is incorrect as it refers to a different task (changing the central IV line dressing) and is not directly related to the turning assessment. Option D is incorrect as checking the client's pain level, although important, is not directly related to the specific needs related to turning the client.
3. In what position does the Pavlik harness hold a child's femurs for developmental hip dysplasia?
- A. Abduction
- B. Adduction
- C. Flexion
- D. Extension
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The Pavlik harness is designed to position a child's femurs in abduction for developmental hip dysplasia. Abduction helps align the hip joint correctly and promotes proper development in cases of hip dysplasia. Adduction (choice B) brings the legs closer to the midline, which is not the desired position in this condition. Flexion (choice C) refers to bending at a joint, while extension (choice D) is the opposite of flexion. However, in the case of developmental hip dysplasia, abduction is crucial for the Pavlik harness to work effectively.
4. A client with a diagnosis of hypertension is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. Which potential side effect should the nurse monitor for?
- A. Hyperkalemia
- B. Hypernatremia
- C. Hypokalemia
- D. Hypoglycemia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Hypokalemia.' Thiazide diuretics commonly cause potassium loss, which can lead to hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential when a client is taking thiazide diuretics to prevent complications such as cardiac dysrhythmias. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Hyperkalemia (choice A) is an elevated level of potassium, which is not typically associated with thiazide diuretics. Hypernatremia (choice B) is an elevated level of sodium, and hypoglycemia (choice D) is low blood sugar, neither of which are directly linked to thiazide diuretic use.
5. A woman who is 38 weeks gestation is receiving magnesium sulfate for severe preeclampsia. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. Dizziness while standing
- B. Sinus tachycardia
- C. Lower back pain
- D. Absent patellar reflexes
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Absent patellar reflexes. Absent patellar reflexes can indicate magnesium toxicity, a serious condition that requires immediate intervention to prevent respiratory depression or cardiac arrest. Dizziness while standing (choice A) is common in pregnancy but does not specifically indicate magnesium toxicity. Sinus tachycardia (choice B) can be a normal response to magnesium sulfate but does not indicate toxicity. Lower back pain (choice C) is common in pregnancy and not specifically associated with magnesium toxicity.