HESI LPN
Pediatric HESI 2023
1. A healthcare professional is assessing a child with suspected pertussis. What clinical manifestation is the healthcare professional likely to observe?
- A. Dry, hacking cough
- B. Inspiratory stridor
- C. Nasal congestion
- D. Severe coughing spells
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Severe coughing spells are a hallmark clinical manifestation of pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is characterized by paroxysms of rapid, consecutive coughs followed by a distinctive 'whoop' sound as the patient gasps for air. This intense coughing can lead to vomiting, exhaustion, and sometimes a characteristic 'whoop' sound. Inspiratory stridor (Choice B) is more commonly associated with croup, not pertussis. Nasal congestion (Choice C) is not a typical feature of pertussis. While a cough is present in pertussis, the specific type of cough described in Choice A (dry, hacking cough) is not the predominant feature observed in pertussis.
2. Upon assessing a newborn immediately after delivery, you note that the infant is breathing spontaneously and has a heart rate of 90 beats/min. What is the most appropriate initial management for this newborn?
- A. begin positive pressure ventilations
- B. provide blow-by oxygen with oxygen tubing
- C. assess the newborn's skin condition and color
- D. start chest compressions and contact medical control
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A heart rate below 100 beats/min in a newborn indicates the need for positive pressure ventilation to improve oxygenation. Providing positive pressure ventilations helps in assisting the newborn's breathing efforts to ensure adequate oxygenation. Choice B, providing blow-by oxygen, may not be sufficient to address the underlying issue of inadequate breathing. Choice C, assessing the newborn's skin condition and color, is important but not the most immediate action needed for a heart rate below 100 beats/min. Choice D, starting chest compressions, is not indicated as the infant is breathing spontaneously and has a heart rate, albeit lower than normal, which does not warrant chest compressions.
3. A 2-year-old child with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is being discharged. What should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
- A. Maintain a structured routine
- B. Encourage social interaction
- C. Use positive reinforcement
- D. Use a communication board
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to maintain a structured routine. Children with autism spectrum disorder benefit greatly from structured routines as they provide a sense of stability and predictability, which can help reduce anxiety and improve behavior. Encouraging social interaction (Choice B) is important but may need to be approached in a structured manner to prevent overwhelming the child. Positive reinforcement (Choice C) is also beneficial for behavior management but may not address the overall need for routine and predictability that is crucial for children with autism. Using a communication board (Choice D) may be helpful for facilitating communication, but establishing and maintaining a structured routine is fundamental for supporting the child's development and well-being in managing their autism spectrum disorder.
4. When explaining the procedure for collecting a 24-hour urine specimen for creatinine clearance to an older adult male, what should the nurse do next?
- A. Assess the client for confusion and reteach the procedure
- B. Check the urine for color and texture
- C. Empty the urinal contents into the 24-hour collection container
- D. Discard the contents of the urinal
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct next step for the nurse is to assess the client for confusion and reteach the procedure. This is crucial to ensure that the older adult male understands the process correctly, reducing the likelihood of errors in collecting the 24-hour urine specimen for creatinine clearance. Checking the urine for color and texture (Choice B) is not the immediate next step as the focus should be on patient understanding first. Emptying the urinal contents into the 24-hour collection container (Choice C) assumes prior knowledge on the client's part and skips the critical step of ensuring comprehension. Discarding the contents of the urinal (Choice D) is incorrect and wasteful since the urine is necessary for the 24-hour collection process.
5. The nurse is assessing a client with cirrhosis who has developed ascites. What is the most important intervention to include in the care plan?
- A. Restrict sodium intake
- B. Encourage high-protein meals
- C. Increase fluid intake
- D. Administer diuretics as prescribed
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer diuretics as prescribed. Diuretics are often prescribed to help manage fluid accumulation in ascites, which is a common complication of cirrhosis. Restricting sodium intake (Choice A) is essential in managing ascites, but administering diuretics takes precedence in the care plan. Encouraging high-protein meals (Choice B) and increasing fluid intake (Choice C) are not the primary interventions for managing ascites in cirrhosis.