a nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery which of the following actions should the nurse take first after disco
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Nursing Elites

HESI LPN

HESI Fundamentals 2023 Test Bank

1. A client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery has an eviscerated wound. What should the nurse do first?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The initial action the nurse should take after discovering a client's eviscerated wound is to cover the incision with a moist sterile dressing. This step is crucial to protect the exposed tissue, prevent infection, and create a conducive environment for healing. While notifying the surgeon is important, addressing the wound immediately takes precedence. Assessing vital signs is essential but should follow the immediate intervention of covering the wound. Placing the client in a supine position with knees bent is not the priority in managing an eviscerated wound; the first step is to cover the wound to protect the exposed tissue.

2. A young mother of three children complains of increased anxiety during her annual physical exam. What information should the LPN/LVN obtain first?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The LPN/LVN should first obtain the nutritional history in this scenario. Nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health, and deficiencies or imbalances in diet can contribute to anxiety symptoms. Understanding the mother's nutritional intake can help identify any factors exacerbating her anxiety. Sexual activity patterns are not directly relevant to her anxiety symptoms unless specifically indicated. Leisure activities and financial stressors may be important but are secondary to addressing the potential impact of nutrition on anxiety.

3. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is receiving a change-of-shift report for four clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should prioritize seeing the client who has new onset dyspnea 24 hours after a total hip arthroplasty first. This sudden dyspnea could indicate a serious complication like a pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate assessment and intervention. Acute abdominal pain, a UTI with a low-grade fever, and pneumonia with an oxygen saturation of 96% are important concerns but are not as immediately life-threatening as potential pulmonary embolism indicated by sudden dyspnea postoperatively.

4. A healthcare provider in an office is preparing to auscultate and percuss a client’s thorax as part of a comprehensive physical examination. Which of the following findings should the provider expect?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During a thoracic examination, normal findings should include resonance, which is the expected sound when percussing the thorax. Resonance indicates healthy lung tissue and air-filled spaces. Abnormal findings such as rhonchi and crackles suggest issues like lung congestion or inflammation. Tactile fremitus refers to vibrations felt on the chest wall during palpation and is not typically assessed during percussion and auscultation of the thorax.

5. The nurse is caring for a client with a pressure ulcer on the sacrum. Which action should the LPN/LVN take to prevent further skin breakdown?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Repositioning the client every 2 hours is the most appropriate action to prevent further skin breakdown in a client with a pressure ulcer on the sacrum. This practice helps relieve pressure on the affected area, promoting circulation and reducing the risk of tissue damage. Applying a hydrocolloid dressing (Choice A) may be beneficial for wound healing but is not the initial preventive measure. Using a donut-shaped cushion (Choice C) can actually increase pressure on the sacrum and worsen the condition. Massaging the area around the ulcer (Choice D) can further damage delicate skin and tissues, leading to more harm instead of prevention.

Similar Questions

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A postoperative client is reporting pain at a level of 2 on a scale of 0 to 10. What is an indication that the client understands pain management?
A healthcare professional is measuring vital signs for a client and notices an irregularity in the pulse. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take?
During a skin assessment, a healthcare professional is observing a group of clients. Which of the following lesions should the healthcare professional identify as vesicles?
The patient is being taught about flossing and oral hygiene. What instruction will the nurse include in the teaching session?

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