HESI LPN
HESI Fundamental Practice Exam
1. A client is grieving the loss of her partner and expresses thoughts of not seeing the point of living anymore. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Recommend that the client seek spiritual guidance
- B. Request additional support from the client's family
- C. Tell the client that this is a normal response to grief
- D. Ask the client if she plans to harm herself
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When a client expresses feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, it is crucial for the nurse to assess for suicidal ideation. Asking the client directly if she plans to harm herself is essential to determine the level of risk and ensure appropriate interventions are implemented. Recommending spiritual guidance (Choice A) may not address the immediate safety concerns related to suicidal ideation. Requesting additional support from the client's family (Choice B) is not as direct in addressing the client's safety. While stating that the client's response is a normal part of grief (Choice C) may provide validation, it does not address the potential risk of harm to the client.
2. A client is prescribed an antacid for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. What is the action of this medication that is effective in treating the client's ulcer?
- A. Decrease in the production of gastric secretions
- B. Production of an adherent barrier over the ulcer
- C. Maintenance of a gastric pH of 3.5 or above
- D. Decrease in the gastric motor activity
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Antacids work by neutralizing gastric acids and maintaining a gastric pH of 3.5 or above. This pH level is crucial to prevent the activation of pepsinogen, a precursor to pepsin, which can further damage the ulcer. Choice A is incorrect because antacids do not directly decrease the production of gastric secretions; they neutralize existing acid. Choice B is incorrect as antacids do not form a physical barrier over the ulcer but rather neutralize the acid around it. Choice D is also incorrect as antacids do not affect gastric motor activity but focus on reducing acidity in the stomach.
3. What is one benefit of using a large sample size in an experiment?
- A. Chance variation is less likely to affect the results.
- B. The possibility of a placebo effect is eliminated.
- C. The experiment will be double-blind.
- D. The control group will be similar to the experimental group.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Using a large sample size reduces the likelihood of chance variation affecting the results, providing more reliable data. Choice B is incorrect because the placebo effect is related to participants' beliefs, not sample size. Choice C is incorrect as double-blind refers to a method of reducing bias, not directly related to sample size. Choice D is incorrect because the similarity between the control and experimental groups is not solely dependent on sample size.
4. While changing the dressing of a client with a leg ulcer, the nurse observes a red, tender, and swollen wound at the site of the lesion. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should note which of the client’s laboratory values?
- A. Neutrophil count.
- B. Hematocrit.
- C. Blood pH.
- D. Serum potassium and sodium.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neutrophil count. Neutrophil count helps assess for infection, which is indicated by the redness, tenderness, and swelling of the wound. Elevated neutrophil count is a common sign of bacterial infection. Hematocrit (choice B) measures the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells and is not directly related to wound infection. Blood pH (choice C) and serum potassium and sodium (choice D) are important for assessing acid-base balance and electrolyte levels but are not the primary indicators of wound infection.
5. What is the priority assessment for a child with suspected appendicitis?
- A. Temperature
- B. Heart rate
- C. Respiratory rate
- D. Pain level
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The priority assessment for a child with suspected appendicitis is 'Pain level.' Evaluating the pain level, particularly in the lower right quadrant, is crucial as it helps in determining the severity of the condition, leading to prompt diagnosis and treatment. Monitoring temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate are important aspects of assessment; however, they are secondary to assessing the pain level in cases of suspected appendicitis. Pain assessment is key in diagnosing this condition since the classic presentation includes abdominal pain that often starts around the umbilicus and then localizes to the right lower quadrant.