HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice Test
1. A high school football player comes to the clinic complaining of severe acne. The mother reports recent behavior changes, including irritability and suspiciousness of friends. The nurse’s assessment reveals an elevated blood pressure. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Encourage the client to see a dermatologist
- B. Refer the adolescent to a substance abuse program
- C. Suggest a low-salt, low-fat, and caffeine-free diet
- D. Inquire about a possible use of anabolic steroids
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the high school football player presenting with severe acne, behavior changes, elevated blood pressure, and suspicion of friends suggests the possible use of anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroid use can lead to such symptoms. Therefore, the nurse should first inquire about the possible use of anabolic steroids to address the root cause of the presenting issues. Encouraging the client to see a dermatologist (Choice A) may be necessary but addressing the underlying cause is crucial first. Referring the adolescent to a substance abuse program (Choice B) is premature without confirming steroid use. Suggesting a low-salt, low-fat, and caffeine-free diet (Choice C) is not the priority in this situation where a serious issue like anabolic steroid use needs immediate attention.
2. A 5-year-old child is diagnosed with acute glomerulonephritis. What is a key assessment the nurse should perform?
- A. Monitor blood glucose levels
- B. Monitor respiratory rate
- C. Monitor urine output
- D. Monitor for signs of infection
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a child diagnosed with acute glomerulonephritis, monitoring urine output is a crucial assessment. Acute glomerulonephritis affects the kidneys, leading to decreased urine output due to impaired kidney function. Monitoring urine output helps assess renal perfusion, fluid status, and kidney function. This assessment is essential in determining the effectiveness of treatment and identifying complications. Monitoring blood glucose levels (Choice A) is not directly related to acute glomerulonephritis. Respiratory rate (Choice B) may be important in other conditions but is not a key assessment for acute glomerulonephritis. Monitoring for signs of infection (Choice D) is important in general, but it is not specific to the primary issue of impaired kidney function in acute glomerulonephritis.
3. Which drug was marketed in the 1960s to pregnant women and caused birth defects such as missing or stunted limbs in infants?
- A. Progestin
- B. Estrogen
- C. Thalidomide
- D. Oxytocin
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Thalidomide is the correct answer. Thalidomide was a drug marketed in the 1960s to pregnant women as a sedative and anti-nausea medication but tragically led to severe birth defects, including limb deformities, when taken during pregnancy. Progestin (Choice A) and Estrogen (Choice B) are hormones that are not associated with causing birth defects like Thalidomide. Oxytocin (Choice D) is a hormone that plays a role in labor and breastfeeding and is not known to cause birth defects like Thalidomide.
4. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is receiving erythropoietin therapy. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
- A. To lower blood pressure
- B. To improve appetite
- C. To increase red blood cell production
- D. To reduce fluid retention
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'To increase red blood cell production.' Erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells to treat anemia associated with CKD. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because erythropoietin therapy is primarily used to address anemia by increasing the production of red blood cells rather than lowering blood pressure, improving appetite, or reducing fluid retention.
5. Why is patient confidentiality significant in healthcare?
- A. Sharing patient information freely
- B. Protecting patient privacy
- C. Ignoring patient consent
- D. Limiting patient access to their own records
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Patient confidentiality is significant in healthcare because it involves protecting patient privacy. Maintaining confidentiality ensures that patients feel safe and secure when sharing sensitive information with healthcare providers. Choice A is incorrect because sharing patient information freely would violate confidentiality. Choice C is incorrect because ignoring patient consent goes against ethical principles. Choice D is incorrect because limiting patient access to their own records does not relate directly to the concept of patient confidentiality.