HESI LPN
HESI Mental Health 2023
1. A client with schizophrenia is admitted to the psychiatric care unit for aggressive behavior, auditory hallucinations, and potential for self-harm. The client has not been taking medications as prescribed and insists that the food has been poisoned and refuses to eat. What intervention should the RN implement?
- A. Assure the client that all food served in the hospital is safe to eat.
- B. Tell the client that irrational thinking is a symptom of schizophrenia.
- C. Obtain an order for a tube feeding for the client.
- D. Provide the client with food in unopened containers.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct intervention is to provide the client with food in unopened containers. This approach can help alleviate the client's fear of poisoning and encourage eating. Choice A may not address the client's specific fear and may be perceived as dismissive. Choice B, while providing information about symptoms of schizophrenia, does not address the immediate issue of the client's refusal to eat due to the fear of poisoning. Choice C of obtaining an order for tube feeding is premature and invasive before exploring less restrictive options.
2. A nurse is discussing the care of a group of clients with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following clients should the newly licensed nurse identify as experiencing chronic pain?
- A. A client who has a broken femur and reports hip pain.
- B. A client who has incisional pain 72 hours following pacemaker insertion.
- C. A client who has food poisoning and reports abdominal cramping.
- D. A client who has episodic back pain following a fall 2 years ago.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Chronic pain is typically defined as pain lasting longer than 3-6 months or persisting after the expected time for tissue healing. Episodic back pain following a fall 2 years ago fits the criteria for chronic pain. Option A describes acute pain related to a recent fracture. Option B describes acute postoperative pain. Option C describes acute pain associated with an acute condition (food poisoning). Therefore, the correct identification of a client experiencing chronic pain is the one with episodic back pain from a past injury, as it has lasted beyond the normal healing time.
3. A client with a history of seizures is prescribed phenytoin. Which instruction should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
- A. Report any signs of a sore throat or fever immediately
- B. Take the medication with antacids to reduce stomach upset
- C. Discontinue the medication if you feel drowsy
- D. Increase the dosage if you experience an aura
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Report any signs of a sore throat or fever immediately.' Phenytoin can cause blood dyscrasias, which can manifest as a sore throat or fever. These symptoms could indicate a serious side effect that requires immediate medical attention. Choice B is incorrect because phenytoin should not be taken with antacids as they can decrease its absorption. Choice C is incorrect because discontinuing phenytoin abruptly can lead to rebound seizures; drowsiness is a common side effect that may improve with time. Choice D is incorrect because adjusting the dosage of phenytoin should only be done under healthcare provider supervision, not based on experiencing an aura.
4. Which intervention is most appropriate when caring for a patient experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure?
- A. Restrain the patient to prevent injury
- B. Place a tongue depressor in the patient's mouth
- C. Turn the patient to the side to maintain an open airway
- D. Attempt to stop the seizure by holding the patient’s arms
Correct answer: C
Rationale: During a tonic-clonic seizure, the priority is to ensure patient safety by maintaining an open airway to prevent aspiration. Turning the patient to the side helps achieve this goal by allowing any fluids to drain out of the mouth, reducing the risk of choking or aspiration. Restraint can lead to injury, placing a tongue depressor can cause harm or obstruct the airway further, and attempting to stop the seizure by holding the patient's arms is ineffective and can also result in injury. Therefore, the most appropriate intervention is to turn the patient to the side.
5. A client with hypothyroidism is taking levothyroxine (Synthroid). Which symptom should prompt the nurse to notify the healthcare provider?
- A. Weight gain
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Nervousness and tremors
- D. Fatigue
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nervousness and tremors. These symptoms may indicate hyperthyroidism resulting from excessive dosing of levothyroxine. Weight gain (Choice A) is a common symptom of hypothyroidism and may indicate undertreatment or inadequate dosing. Bradycardia (Choice B) is a symptom of hypothyroidism and may improve with levothyroxine therapy; it does not typically indicate an urgent need for healthcare provider notification. Fatigue (Choice D) is a symptom of hypothyroidism and can persist even with levothyroxine treatment, so it is not a symptom that would require immediate notification of the healthcare provider.