HESI LPN
Fundamentals HESI
1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports a pain level of 5 on a scale from 0-10. The client informs the nurse that pain medication is not an option for managing pain. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. I'm sure it will work if you just give it a chance.
- B. You may take any herbal remedies you bring from home.
- C. Why do you think pain medication is not going to help you?
- D. Would you like me to give you a back massage?
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the client has expressed that pain medication is not an option for managing pain. Offering alternative pain relief options like a back massage is appropriate because it respects the client's preferences and provides a non-pharmacological intervention to help alleviate pain. Choices A, B, and C are not as suitable: A may come across as dismissive of the client's decision, B may not be safe as herbal remedies can interact with medical treatments, and C focuses more on questioning the client's decision rather than providing immediate comfort.
2. You are managing a 10-month-old infant who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock. You have initiated supplemental oxygen therapy and elevated the lower extremities. En route to the hospital, you note that the child's work of breathing has increased. What must you do first?
- A. Lower the extremities and reassess the child
- B. Begin positive pressure ventilations and reassess the child
- C. Place a nasopharyngeal airway and increase the oxygen flow
- D. Listen to the lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal breath sounds
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the infant is showing signs of shock with increased work of breathing. Lowering the extremities helps improve venous return to the heart, cardiac output, and oxygenation by reducing the pressure on the diaphragm. This action can alleviate the respiratory distress and is a critical step to take in a child with signs of shock. Beginning positive pressure ventilations (Choice B) should be considered if the infant's respiratory distress worsens despite lowering the extremities. Placing a nasopharyngeal airway and increasing oxygen flow (Choice C) may not directly address the increased work of breathing or the underlying shock condition. Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope (Choice D) may provide information on lung sounds but does not address the immediate need to improve breathing in a child with signs of shock.
3. A healthcare professional is assessing a patient's skin. Which patient is most at risk for impaired skin integrity?
- A. A patient who is afebrile
- B. A patient who is diaphoretic
- C. A patient with strong pedal pulses
- D. A patient with adequate skin turgor
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Excessive moisture on the skin, as seen in a diaphoretic patient, can lead to impaired skin integrity. Diaphoresis softens epidermal cells, promotes bacterial growth, and can cause skin maceration. Afebrile status, strong pedal pulses, and adequate skin turgor are not directly associated with an increased risk of impaired skin integrity. Afebrile indicates the absence of fever, not a risk to skin integrity. Strong pedal pulses suggest good circulation, which is beneficial for skin health. Adequate skin turgor is a sign of good hydration and skin elasticity, indicating a lower risk of impaired skin integrity.
4. During a vaccination drive at a well-child clinic, a nurse observes that a recently hired nurse is not wearing gloves. What should the nurse advise the newly hired nurse to do?
- A. Speak with the nurse manager regarding techniques.
- B. Put on gloves because standard precautions are required.
- C. Continue with the immunizations because gloves are not needed.
- D. Evaluate the child’s appearance to determine whether gloves are needed.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Put on gloves because standard precautions are required." Standard precautions are essential in healthcare settings to prevent the transmission of infections, and wearing gloves is a crucial part of these precautions during immunizations. Choice A is incorrect because speaking with the nurse manager about techniques does not address the immediate need for wearing gloves. Choice C is incorrect because gloves are indeed needed to prevent the spread of infections. Choice D is incorrect as evaluating the child's appearance is not a substitute for wearing gloves which are a basic infection control measure.
5. A nurse is counseling an older adult who describes having difficulty with several issues. Which of the following problems verbalized by the client should the nurse identify as the priority?
- A. “I spent my whole life dreaming about retirement, and now I wish I had my job back.”
- B. “It’s been so stressful for me to have to depend on my child to help around the house.”
- C. “I just heard my friend Al die. That’s the third one in 3 months.”
- D. “I keep forgetting which medications I have taken during the day.”
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The statement expressing the loss of friends is the priority issue as it indicates potential grief and emotional distress. Losing multiple friends within a short period can have a profound impact on an older adult's emotional well-being. Option A expresses regret but does not indicate an immediate emotional crisis. Option B focuses on stress related to dependence, which is important but not as urgent as coping with loss. Option D highlights a memory concern, which is significant but does not address the emotional impact of loss.