HESI LPN
HESI Fundamental Practice Exam
1. A healthcare professional is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which observation requires immediate intervention?
- A. Constant bubbling in the suction control chamber
- B. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber
- C. Drainage of 50 ml per hour
- D. Crepitus around the insertion site
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Crepitus around the chest tube insertion site may indicate subcutaneous emphysema, a serious condition that requires immediate attention. It can be a sign of an air leak in the lung or surrounding tissues. Constant bubbling in the suction control chamber is expected in a functioning chest tube system as it indicates proper suction. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber is also normal, showing that the system is functioning correctly, allowing air to escape but not re-enter. Drainage of 50 ml per hour is within the expected range for chest tube output and does not require immediate intervention unless there are other concerning signs such as rapid increase or a sudden change in color or consistency.
2. .A child with type 1 diabetes mellitus is being discharged from the hospital. What is important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching?
- A. Monitor blood glucose levels once a day
- B. Follow a strict meal plan
- C. Administer insulin only when blood glucose is high
- D. Recognize signs of hypoglycemia
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Recognizing signs of hypoglycemia is crucial for managing type 1 diabetes mellitus and preventing complications.
3. What is a common sign of an allergic reaction in children?
- A. Persistent cough
- B. Skin rash or hives
- C. Increased appetite
- D. Low-grade fever
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Skin rash or hives are common signs of an allergic reaction in children, often following exposure to allergens. While a persistent cough can occur in some cases, it is not typically a primary sign of an allergic reaction. Increased appetite is unrelated to allergic reactions. A low-grade fever is not a common sign of an allergic reaction but can be present in other conditions like infections.
4. When assessing the perfusion status of a 2-year-old child with possible shock, which of the following parameters would be LEAST reliable?
- A. distal capillary refill
- B. systolic blood pressure
- C. skin color and temperature
- D. presence of peripheral pulses
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: systolic blood pressure. In young children, systolic blood pressure is the least reliable parameter for assessing perfusion status. Factors such as anxiety, crying, and fear can significantly affect blood pressure measurements, leading to inaccuracies. Distal capillary refill, skin color and temperature, and presence of peripheral pulses are more reliable indicators of perfusion status in pediatric patients. Distal capillary refill assesses peripheral perfusion, skin color, and temperature reflect tissue perfusion, and the presence of peripheral pulses indicates blood flow to the extremities. Therefore, when evaluating a 2-year-old child with possible shock, focusing on parameters other than systolic blood pressure is crucial for an accurate assessment of perfusion status.
5. When developing an educational program for staff regarding a new intravenous pump, what is the correct sequence of actions for a nurse to take?
- A. Develop learning objectives for the program
- B. Identify what skills to teach the staff members
- C. Conduct program evaluation with staff members
- D. Schedule several sessions of the program
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct sequence of actions when developing an educational program for staff regarding a new intravenous pump is to first identify what skills to teach the staff members. This step is essential as it sets the foundation for the learning objectives to be developed next. Once the learning objectives are established, scheduling several sessions of the program can be planned accordingly. Finally, after the program has been conducted, program evaluation with staff members should take place to assess the effectiveness of the educational program. Therefore, options A, C, and D are out of sequence, making them incorrect choices.