HESI RN
HESI 799 RN Exit Exam Capstone
1. A client with multiple sclerosis is receiving intravenous methylprednisolone. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Monitor blood glucose levels every 6 hours.
- B. Monitor for signs of infection.
- C. Encourage increased oral fluid intake.
- D. Check the client's temperature every 4 hours.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When a client with multiple sclerosis is receiving intravenous methylprednisolone, the nurse's priority action is to monitor for signs of infection. Corticosteroids like methylprednisolone can suppress the immune system, increasing the risk of infection. Monitoring for signs of infection allows for early detection and prompt intervention. Monitoring blood glucose levels may be important in clients receiving corticosteroids for prolonged periods, but it is not the priority in this case. Encouraging increased oral fluid intake is generally beneficial but not the priority over monitoring for infection. Checking the client's temperature is important but not the priority action compared to monitoring for signs of infection.
2. A male client with hypertension, who received new antihypertensive prescriptions at his last visit returns to the clinic two weeks later to evaluate his blood pressure (BP). His BP is 158/106, and he admits that he has not been taking the prescribed medication because the drugs make him feel bad. In explaining the need for hypertension control, the nurse should stress that an elevated BP places the client at risk for which pathophysiological condition?
- A. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
- B. Myocardial infarction
- C. Heart failure
- D. Renal failure
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Stroke is a major complication of uncontrolled hypertension. Elevated BP, especially at levels like 158/106, can cause damage to blood vessels in the brain, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. Controlling BP is essential to prevent such life-threatening events. Myocardial infarction (choice B) is more commonly associated with coronary artery disease, while heart failure (choice C) and renal failure (choice D) can be complications of uncontrolled hypertension but are not directly related to the elevated BP leading to a hemorrhagic stroke.
3. A client admitted to the hospital for depression is escorted to a private room. Prior to leaving the room, what intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Explain the program's guidelines
- B. Search all personal belongings
- C. Initiate psychosocial assessment
- D. Review the healthcare provider's prescription
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Searching personal belongings is essential to ensure the safety of the client by preventing access to items that could be used for self-harm. While explaining the program's guidelines (Choice A) and initiating a psychosocial assessment (Choice C) are important aspects of care, the immediate concern in this situation is the safety of the client. Reviewing the healthcare provider's prescription (Choice D) is important for providing appropriate treatment but is not as urgent as ensuring the client's safety.
4. A client with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease is receiving atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication?
- A. Complete blood count (CBC)
- B. Serum potassium level
- C. Liver function tests (LFTs)
- D. Serum cholesterol level
Correct answer: C
Rationale: To evaluate the effectiveness of atorvastatin (Lipitor), the nurse should monitor liver function tests (LFTs) (C) because this medication can impact liver function. Complete blood count (CBC) (A), serum potassium level (B), and serum cholesterol level (D) are not directly indicative of the medication's effectiveness in managing coronary artery disease.
5. The nurse is caring for a 2-day old neonate who has not passed meconium and has a swollen abdomen. The healthcare provider reviews the flat plate X-ray of the abdomen and makes a tentative diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease. Which pathophysiological process is consistent with this neonate's clinical picture?
- A. The congenital absence of parasympathetic ganglion cells to large intestine produces no peristalsis.
- B. Pyloric obstruction causes reflux and projectile hematemesis.
- C. Partial imperforated anal opening limits passage of stools.
- D. Peristalsis moving against the intestinal obstruction causing hyperactivity of the bowel.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Hirschsprung's disease is caused by the absence of parasympathetic ganglion cells in the large intestine, leading to a lack of peristalsis and obstruction.