HESI RN
Biology Test
1. A molecule's specific heat is the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of 1 gram of that molecule by:
- A. One degree Celsius
- B. Five degrees Celsius
- C. Two degrees Celsius
- D. Four degrees Celsius
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'One degree Celsius.' Specific heat is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius. This property is specific to each substance and is used in various calculations involving heat and temperature changes. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because specific heat is always measured per one degree Celsius increase in temperature for one gram of the substance, not five degrees, two degrees, or four degrees.
2. A 4-year-old child is brought to the clinic with complaints of ear pain and fever. The practical nurse suspects otitis media. Which symptom supports this suspicion?
- A. Clear nasal discharge.
- B. Dry, hacking cough.
- C. Tugging at the ear.
- D. Sore throat.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Tugging at the ear is a common symptom in children with otitis media. It often indicates discomfort or pain in the ear, suggesting inflammation or infection in the middle ear. This behavior is frequently observed in young children who are unable to express their discomfort verbally, making it a significant clinical indicator for otitis media in this age group. Clear nasal discharge (Choice A) is more indicative of a cold or allergies, while a dry, hacking cough (Choice B) is not typically associated with otitis media. Although a sore throat (Choice D) can sometimes accompany ear infections, tugging at the ear is a more specific and reliable symptom in this case.
3. The healthcare provider is assessing an older Caucasian male who has a history of peripheral vascular disease. The healthcare provider observes that the man's left great toe is black. The discoloration is probably a result of:
- A. Atrophy.
- B. Contraction.
- C. Gangrene.
- D. Rubor.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Gangrene refers to dead, blackened tissue, often a result of chronic ischemia in clients with peripheral vascular disease. Atrophy (Choice A) is the wasting away or decrease in size of tissue or organ. Contraction (Choice B) refers to the shortening or tightening of a muscle or other body part. Rubor (Choice D) is a red discoloration of the skin, often associated with inflammation or poor circulation, but not typically presenting as blackening like gangrene.
4. How can the need to respect clients' rights to informed consent be attained in quality of care?
- A. by providing adequate information and counseling
- B. by forcing all patients scheduled for surgery to sign the consent form
- C. by engaging the Senior medical superintendent of the hospital to sign consent forms for the patients
- D. by simply telling the patient to sign the consent form
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'by providing adequate information and counseling.' Respecting clients' rights to informed consent involves ensuring that patients are adequately informed about the procedures they will undergo. This includes providing them with all necessary information and counseling to make an informed decision. Choice B is incorrect because forcing patients to sign consent forms does not ensure that they are fully informed or that their rights are respected. Choice C is incorrect as involving a senior medical superintendent to sign consent forms does not guarantee that patients are adequately informed. Choice D is incorrect because simply telling the patient to sign the consent form does not fulfill the requirement of providing adequate information for informed consent.
5. A healthcare professional is reading a physician's progress notes in the client's record and reads that the physician has documented 'insensible fluid loss of approximately 800 mL daily.' The healthcare professional understands that this type of fluid loss can occur through:
- A. The skin
- B. Urinary output
- C. Wound drainage
- D. The gastrointestinal tract
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Insensible fluid loss refers to the fluid lost from the body that is not easily measured, such as through sweating and respiration. The skin is a major contributor to insensible fluid loss due to evaporation of water through the skin. Choice B, urinary output, represents measurable fluid loss through urine excretion. Choice C, wound drainage, is a measurable form of fluid loss that occurs externally from a wound. Choice D, the gastrointestinal tract, primarily involves fluid loss through feces and is also a measurable form of output. Therefore, the correct answer is 'A: The skin,' as it is the main route for insensible fluid loss.