HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice Test
1. A college student brings a dorm roommate to the campus clinic because the roommate has been talking to someone who is not present. The client tells the nurse that her voices are saying, “Kill, Kill.” What question should the nurse ask the client next?
- A. When did these voices begin?
- B. Are you planning to obey the voices?
- C. Have you taken any hallucinogens?
- D. Do you believe the voices are real?
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Assessing whether the client has a plan to act on the voices is critical for evaluating the risk of harm. Asking if the client is planning to obey the voices helps determine the immediate safety concerns. While understanding when the voices began could provide insight into the situation, assessing the intent to act on them is more urgent. Asking about hallucinogen use may be relevant but does not address the immediate safety issue. Inquiring about the client's belief in the reality of the voices is important but does not address the immediate risk of harm.
2. An adolescent male client is admitted to the hospital. Based on Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, which nursing intervention best assists this adolescent’s adjustment to his hospital stay?
- A. Invite him to participate in the evening group activity
- B. Schedule frequent private phone calls to his parents
- C. Provide access to a variety of video games in his room
- D. Encourage him to learn his way around the hospital
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Inviting the adolescent to participate in group activities aligns with Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, specifically the stage of developing social relationships. By engaging in group activities, the adolescent can interact with peers, fostering social skills and aiding in adjustment to the hospital environment. Choice B is incorrect as excessive reliance on phone calls to parents may hinder the adolescent's autonomy and independence, which are crucial aspects of Erikson's theory for this age group. Choice C, providing access to video games, while potentially offering entertainment, does not directly address the need for social interaction and relationship-building. Choice D, encouraging the adolescent to learn his way around the hospital, is important for familiarity but may not directly address the need for social interaction and adjustment in the hospital setting.
3. A client with DM states, 'I cannot eat big meals; I prefer to snack throughout the day.' The nurse should carefully explain that the:
- A. Regulated food intake is crucial for control
- B. Restricting salt and sugar is the main concern
- C. Opting for small, frequent meals aids digestion
- D. Consuming large meals can contribute to weight issues
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In clients with diabetes, regulated food intake is crucial for controlling blood glucose levels. Choice A is the correct answer because maintaining consistent meal sizes and timings helps in managing blood sugar levels effectively. Choice B is incorrect because while monitoring salt and sugar intake is important, it is not the primary consideration in this scenario. Choice C is incorrect as the focus is on regulating food intake rather than aiding digestion. Choice D is also incorrect because consuming large meals can indeed lead to fluctuations in blood glucose levels, but the primary concern in this case is the regulation of food intake for better control of diabetes.
4. What would be important for the nurse to include when teaching an adolescent about tinea pedis?
- A. Keep your feet moist and exposed to the air as much as possible.
- B. Dry the area between your toes thoroughly.
- C. Wear nylon or synthetic socks every day.
- D. Walk barefoot in the school locker room.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Dry the area between your toes thoroughly.' When educating an adolescent about tinea pedis, emphasis should be placed on keeping the feet dry, especially between the toes, to minimize the risk of fungal infection. Choice A is incorrect as keeping the feet moist can exacerbate the condition. Choice C is incorrect because nylon or synthetic socks can trap moisture, promoting fungal growth. Choice D is incorrect as walking barefoot in locker rooms increases the risk of contracting tinea pedis from contaminated surfaces.
5. When should a nurse on a labor and delivery unit instruct a newly licensed nurse to don gloves for a procedure?
- A. Assisting a mother with breastfeeding
- B. Performing a newborn's initial bath
- C. Administering the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine
- D. Performing umbilical cord care
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Performing a newborn's initial bath. Gloves should be worn during this procedure to protect against exposure to body fluids, such as amniotic fluid or blood. Assisting a mother with breastfeeding (Choice A) does not typically require gloves unless there are specific reasons for infection control. Administering vaccines (Choice C) and performing umbilical cord care (Choice D) are procedures that may require hand hygiene but not necessarily gloves, unless there is active bleeding or potential exposure to body fluids. The initial bath involves direct contact with body fluids, making it crucial to wear gloves for protection.