HESI LPN
HESI Fundamentals Study Guide
1. During a follow-up visit, a home health nurse notices that a client with a gastrostomy tube, who receives intermittent feedings and medications, has developed diarrhea. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a possible cause of the diarrhea?
- A. The client’s caregiver washes out the feeding bag once every 24 hours with warm water.
- B. The client’s caregiver washes out the feeding bag with hot water every 24 hours.
- C. The client’s caregiver changes the feeding bag every 48 hours.
- D. The client’s caregiver adds water to the formula before administration.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Washing out the feeding bag once every 24 hours with warm water can lead to bacterial growth due to inadequate cleaning, potentially causing diarrhea. Hot water, as in choice B, can also promote bacterial growth, which is not desirable. Changing the feeding bag every 48 hours, like in choice C, is within an acceptable timeframe and is unlikely to be a cause of diarrhea. Adding water to the formula before administration, as in choice D, is a common practice to dilute the formula but is not typically associated with causing diarrhea in this scenario.
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 Parkinson's disease is experiencing difficulty swallowing. Which intervention should the nurse implement to prevent aspiration?
- A. Encourage the client to eat quickly.
- B. Provide a straw for liquids.
- C. Place the client in an upright position during meals.
- D. Offer thin liquids.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Placing the client in an upright position during meals is the correct intervention to prevent aspiration in a client with Parkinson's disease. This position helps facilitate swallowing and reduces the risk of aspiration. Choice A is incorrect because encouraging the client to eat quickly can increase the risk of choking and aspiration. Choice B is not the best option as straws may not prevent aspiration effectively. Choice D is incorrect as thin liquids can actually increase the risk of aspiration in individuals with swallowing difficulties.
4. A nurse on the IV team is conducting an in-service education program about the complications of IV therapy. Which of the following statements by an attendee indicates an understanding of the manifestations of infiltration? (Select all that apply.)
- A. “The temperature around the IV site is cooler.”
- B. “The rate of the infusion increases.”
- C. “The skin at the IV site is red.”
- D. “The IV dressing is damp.”
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct statement is: 'The temperature around the IV site is cooler.' Cooler temperature around the site is indicative of infiltration, where IV fluid leaks into the surrounding tissue, causing tissue swelling. The other options are incorrect: B) An increase in infusion rate is not a sign of infiltration; instead, it could indicate an issue with the infusion pump or the IV catheter. C) Redness around the IV site is more indicative of infection rather than infiltration. D) A damp IV dressing is more suggestive of a leak in the IV system, not infiltration.
5. A nurse is caring for an infant born with exstrophy of the bladder. What does the nurse determine is the greatest risk for this infant?
- A. Infection
- B. Dehydration
- C. Urinary retention
- D. Intestinal obstruction
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Infection is the greatest risk for an infant with exstrophy of the bladder due to the exposure of the bladder and surrounding tissues. The exposed bladder increases the risk of infection as it lacks the protective covering of the skin. Dehydration (Choice B) may occur but is not the greatest risk compared to infection. Urinary retention (Choice C) is less likely due to the nature of the condition. Intestinal obstruction (Choice D) is not directly associated with exstrophy of the bladder.