HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Specialty Exam
1. A male client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is refusing to take his medication and has missed two hemodialysis appointments. What is the best initial action for the nurse?
- A. Discuss what the treatment regimen means to him.
- B. Refer the client to a mental health nurse practitioner.
- C. Reschedule the appointments to another date and time.
- D. Discuss the option of peritoneal dialysis.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The best initial action for the nurse in this scenario is to have a discussion with the client about what the treatment regimen means to him. It is important to assess the client's anxiety, coping styles, and acceptance of the required treatment for CKD. The client may be in denial of the diagnosis or may have concerns that need to be addressed. While rescheduling hemodialysis appointments could be helpful, referring the client to a mental health nurse practitioner or discussing peritoneal dialysis are not the most appropriate first steps. Understanding the client's perspective and concerns is crucial before exploring other interventions.
2. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is receiving erythropoietin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
- A. Serum potassium
- B. Hemoglobin
- C. White blood cell count
- D. Serum creatinine
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Serum potassium. When a client with chronic kidney disease is receiving erythropoietin therapy, monitoring serum potassium closely is essential. Erythropoietin therapy can lead to increased red blood cell production, which may cause potassium levels to rise, potentially resulting in hyperkalemia. Monitoring potassium levels helps prevent complications associated with hyperkalemia. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they are not directly impacted by erythropoietin therapy in the context of CKD.
3. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of supplemental oxygen over several days can cause which pathophysiological effect?
- A. Reduced cardiac output
- B. Disrupted surfactant production
- C. Hyperactivity of alveoli
- D. Increased oxygen carrying capacity
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Prolonged exposure to high oxygen concentrations can disrupt the production of surfactant in the lungs, leading to atelectasis and other lung complications. Surfactant is essential for maintaining lung compliance and preventing alveolar collapse. Reduced cardiac output (Choice A) is not directly associated with prolonged oxygen exposure. Hyperactivity of alveoli (Choice C) is not a recognized consequence of high oxygen levels. Increased oxygen carrying capacity (Choice D) is not a pathophysiological effect of prolonged high oxygen exposure.
4. A client with DM demonstrates acute anxiety when first admitted for the treatment of hyperglycemia. The most appropriate intervention to decrease the client's anxiety would be to:
- A. Administer a sedative
- B. Make sure the client knows all the correct medical terms to understand what is happening.
- C. Ignore the signs and symptoms of anxiety so that they will soon disappear.
- D. Convey empathy, trust, and respect toward the client.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Conveying empathy, trust, and respect can help reduce the client's anxiety and improve their overall experience during treatment. This approach creates a supportive environment and fosters a sense of safety and understanding for the client. Administering a sedative (Choice A) should not be the initial intervention for anxiety, as it does not address the underlying emotional needs of the client. Making sure the client knows all the correct medical terms (Choice B) may increase anxiety by overwhelming the client with technical information. Ignoring signs and symptoms of anxiety (Choice C) can lead to worsening distress and potential complications in the client's care.
5. Discuss the anatomical/physiological changes in pregnancy under the following: Cardiovascular system
- A. The heart is displaced upward and to the left by the enlarging uterus, cardiac capacity increases, and blood pressure declines slightly.
- B. The heart is displaced downward and to the right, and blood pressure increases.
- C. The cardiovascular system remains unchanged during pregnancy.
- D. Cardiovascular changes include increased peripheral resistance and reduced cardiac output.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: During pregnancy, the cardiovascular system undergoes changes such as the heart being displaced upward and to the left by the enlarging uterus, increased cardiac capacity, and a slight decline in blood pressure. Choice B is incorrect as the heart is displaced upwards, not downwards, and blood pressure typically decreases slightly. Choice C is incorrect as the cardiovascular system does undergo changes during pregnancy. Choice D is incorrect as cardiovascular changes in pregnancy involve increased cardiac output rather than reduced output.