HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice Test
1. A male client with hypertension, who received new antihypertensive prescriptions at his last visit returns to the clinic two weeks later to evaluate his blood pressure (BP). His BP is 158/106 mmHg and he admits that he has not been taking the prescribed medication because the drugs make him feel bad. In explaining the need for hypertension control, the nurse should stress that an elevated BP places the client at risk for which pathophysiological condition?
- A. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
- B. Acute kidney injury due to glomerular damage
- C. Heart block due to myocardial damage
- D. Blindness secondary to cataracts
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Stroke secondary to hemorrhage. Hypertension increases the risk of stroke due to the stress and damage it causes to blood vessels, which can lead to hemorrhage. Choice B is incorrect because acute kidney injury is more commonly associated with chronic uncontrolled hypertension, not acute elevations. Choice C is incorrect as heart block is not a direct consequence of hypertension. Choice D is incorrect as hypertension does not directly cause cataracts leading to blindness.
2. A client reports feeling dizzy and light-headed when standing up. What is the nurse's best initial action?
- A. Instruct the client to sit or lie down
- B. Monitor blood pressure and pulse
- C. Administer an anti-dizziness medication
- D. Increase fluid intake
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor blood pressure and pulse. When a client reports feeling dizzy and light-headed when standing up, the nurse's best initial action should be to monitor the client's blood pressure and pulse. These symptoms are indicative of orthostatic hypotension, which can be confirmed by changes in blood pressure and pulse when moving from lying to standing positions. Instructing the client to sit or lie down may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying cause. Administering an anti-dizziness medication should not be the initial action without assessing vital signs first. Increasing fluid intake is important for overall health but is not the priority in this situation where vital sign monitoring is needed to assess for orthostatic hypotension.
3. What is the most common clinical manifestation of coarctation of the aorta?
- A. Clubbing of the digits
- B. Upper extremity hypertension
- C. Pedal edema and portal congestion
- D. Loud systolic ejection murmur
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Upper extremity hypertension. Coarctation of the aorta leads to increased blood pressure in the upper extremities. The pressure in the arms is typically 20 mm Hg higher than in the legs. Choice A, clubbing of the digits, is not a common clinical manifestation of coarctation of the aorta. Choice C, pedal edema, and portal congestion are more suggestive of conditions like heart failure rather than coarctation of the aorta. Choice D, loud systolic ejection murmur, can be heard in conditions like aortic stenosis, but it is not the most common clinical manifestation of coarctation of the aorta.
4. Which of the following is the best way for a nurse to improve quality of care?
- A. Recognize that physicians are among the health-care professionals interested in improving quality of care.
- B. Work with patients and families to improve healthcare.
- C. Collaborate with other health-care professionals, patients, and their families.
- D. Recognize that physicians are among the numerous professionals in health care.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The best way for a nurse to improve the quality of care is by collaborating with other health-care professionals, patients, and their families. By working together with the healthcare team, patients, and families, nurses can ensure a holistic approach to care delivery, leading to better outcomes. Choices A and D are incorrect as they focus solely on physicians, while choice B, though important, does not fully encompass the collaborative aspect necessary for comprehensive care.
5. The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old client. Which finding suggests to the nurse this child may have a genetic disorder?
- A. The inquiry determines the child had feeding problems.
- B. The child weighs 40 lb (18.2 kg) and is 40 in (101.6 cm) in height.
- C. The child has low-set ears with lobe creases.
- D. The child can hop on one foot but cannot skip.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Low-set ears with lobe creases are often associated with genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome, and can indicate underlying chromosomal abnormalities. This physical characteristic is a common feature seen in various genetic syndromes. The other choices, including feeding problems, weight and height measurements, and motor skills, are not typically specific indicators of genetic disorders in the absence of other associated features.