HESI RN
HESI Exit Exam RN Capstone
1. A client with cirrhosis is receiving lactulose. What is the most important assessment for the nurse to monitor?
- A. Monitor the client's ammonia levels.
- B. Monitor the client's blood glucose level.
- C. Monitor the client's potassium levels.
- D. Monitor the client's level of consciousness.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the client's level of consciousness. Lactulose is used to reduce ammonia levels in hepatic encephalopathy. Monitoring the level of consciousness helps assess the effectiveness of lactulose therapy in improving the client's condition. Monitoring ammonia levels (choice A) is important, but assessing the client's response to therapy through their level of consciousness is more crucial. Blood glucose levels (choice B) and potassium levels (choice C) are not directly related to lactulose therapy for cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy.
2. A client with Addison's disease is receiving corticosteroid therapy. The nurse should monitor for which of the following potential side effects?
- A. Hypoglycemia
- B. Hyperkalemia
- C. Hyperglycemia
- D. Hyponatremia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, Hyperglycemia. Corticosteroid therapy can lead to hyperglycemia by increasing blood glucose levels. Corticosteroids can induce insulin resistance, decrease glucose uptake by tissues, and promote gluconeogenesis. While corticosteroid therapy can cause hypoglycemia in some cases, it is more commonly associated with hyperglycemia. Hyperkalemia (choice B) is more commonly associated with conditions like renal failure or certain medications. Hyponatremia (choice D) is typically not a common side effect of corticosteroid therapy unless there are other contributing factors present.
3. A 7-year-old child with sickle cell anemia presents to the emergency department with severe pain in the arms and legs. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- A. Administer prescribed pain medication
- B. Apply warm compresses to the affected areas
- C. Encourage the child to drink fluids
- D. Monitor the child’s oxygen saturation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In a sickle cell crisis, pain management is a priority due to the severe pain experienced by the child. Administering prescribed pain medication is crucial to alleviate the pain and provide comfort to the child. Once pain is controlled, other comfort measures like applying warm compresses and encouraging fluid intake can be implemented. Monitoring oxygen saturation is important but not the priority action when dealing with severe pain in a sickle cell crisis.
4. During a home visit, the nurse finds that an elderly client has multiple expired medications. What should the nurse do first?
- A. instruct the client to dispose of the expired medications
- B. review the client's current medication regimen
- C. contact the client's healthcare provider
- D. educate the client on the dangers of taking expired medications
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when finding multiple expired medications in an elderly client's home is to review the client's current medication regimen. This step is crucial to identify any potential issues, ensure the client is taking the correct medications, and understand why the expired medications were not used. Instructing the client to dispose of the expired medications (Choice A) can come after understanding the current medication situation. Contacting the client's healthcare provider (Choice C) may be necessary but reviewing the medication regimen should be the initial step. Educating the client on the dangers of taking expired medications (Choice D) is important but should be done after addressing the immediate concern of reviewing the current medications.
5. When caring for a client with cancer receiving cisplatin, what adverse effects should the nurse monitor for? Select all that apply.
- A. Tinnitus
- B. Insomnia
- C. Hyperkalemia
- D. Hypercalcemia
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Cisplatin, a chemotherapy medication, can lead to various adverse effects, including ototoxicity manifesting as tinnitus, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the nurse should closely monitor for these side effects during the client's treatment.