HESI LPN
HESI Mental Health Practice Questions
1. A client with schizophrenia is being treated with risperidone (Risperdal). The nurse notices that the client has a shuffling gait and tremors. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer a PRN dose of an anticholinergic medication.
- B. Document the findings and continue to monitor the client.
- C. Assess the client's blood glucose level.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A shuffling gait and tremors may indicate extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) from risperidone. The nurse's priority action should be to administer an anticholinergic medication as it can help alleviate these symptoms associated with EPS. Documenting the findings and monitoring the client (Choice B) are important but addressing the immediate symptoms takes precedence. Assessing the client's blood glucose level (Choice C) is not directly related to the observed symptoms of shuffling gait and tremors. While notifying the healthcare provider (Choice D) is important, it is not the priority action when dealing with EPS symptoms.
2. A client with pneumonia is receiving antibiotic therapy. Which finding indicates that the treatment is effective?
- A. Decreased white blood cell count
- B. Decreased respiratory rate
- C. Increased breath sounds
- D. Increased heart rate
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increased breath sounds. When a client with pneumonia is receiving antibiotic therapy, increased breath sounds indicate that the lungs are clearing and the pneumonia is resolving. This improvement in breath sounds suggests that the antibiotics are effectively treating the infection. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a decreased white blood cell count, decreased respiratory rate, and increased heart rate are not specific indicators of the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in treating pneumonia. While these parameters may change in response to treatment, they do not directly reflect the resolution of the pneumonia infection.
3. A child is being assessed for suspected intussusception. What clinical manifestation is the nurse likely to observe?
- A. Projectile vomiting
- B. Currant jelly stools
- C. Abdominal distension
- D. Constipation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct clinical manifestation that a nurse is likely to observe in a child with suspected intussusception is abdominal distension. Intussusception is a medical emergency where a part of the intestine folds into itself, causing obstruction. Abdominal distension is a common symptom due to the obstruction and the build-up of gases and fluids. While currant jelly stools (Choice B) are a classic sign of intussusception, they are typically seen in later stages of the condition and may not be present during the initial assessment. Projectile vomiting (Choice A) is more commonly associated with conditions like pyloric stenosis. Constipation (Choice D) is not a typical manifestation of intussusception; the condition usually presents with severe colicky abdominal pain and possible passage of blood and mucus in stools.
4. A nurse receives a prescription for an antibiotic for a client with cellulitis. The nurse checks the client’s medical record, discovers the client's allergy to the antibiotic, and calls the provider for a different prescription. Which of the following critical thinking attitudes did the nurse demonstrate?
- A. Fairness
- B. Responsibility
- C. Risk-taking
- D. Creativity
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The nurse demonstrated responsibility by recognizing the potential harm of administering an antibiotic the client is allergic to and taking the necessary steps to ensure the client's safety. Choice A, 'Fairness,' is not applicable in this scenario as it does not involve treating individuals equitably. Choice C, 'Risk-taking,' is incorrect as the nurse's actions aimed to minimize risks rather than taking them. Choice D, 'Creativity,' is not the best fit as the nurse's actions focused on following established protocols and ensuring patient safety rather than thinking innovatively.
5. What would a healthcare professional expect to find when assessing the skin of a child with cellulitis?
- A. Red, raised hair follicles
- B. Warmth at skin disruption site
- C. Papules progressing to vesicles
- D. Honey-colored exudate
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Cellulitis is characterized by warmth at the site of skin disruption, indicating an infection. The correct answer is choice B. Choice A, 'Red, raised hair follicles,' is more indicative of folliculitis rather than cellulitis. Choice C, 'Papules progressing to vesicles,' is more characteristic of conditions like chickenpox, not cellulitis. Choice D, 'Honey-colored exudate,' is typical of wound infections with bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, not cellulitis.