HESI LPN
Practice HESI Fundamentals Exam
1. A client with a terminal illness is being educated by a healthcare provider about declining resuscitation in a living will. The client asks, “What would happen if I arrived at the ED and I had difficulty breathing?”
- A. We would give you oxygen through a tube in your nose.
- B. We would initiate full resuscitation efforts.
- C. We would consult the living will and provide comfort care.
- D. We would not provide any medical intervention.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In the scenario described, the client has a living will that declines resuscitation. Therefore, if the client arrives at the emergency department with difficulty breathing, healthcare providers would consult the living will to understand the client's wishes. Providing comfort care, which may include oxygen therapy to alleviate symptoms, aligns with the client's preferences. Option A incorrectly suggests an intervention that goes against the client's wishes. Option B is incorrect because full resuscitation efforts are not in line with the client's choice to decline resuscitation. Option D is also incorrect as it does not consider the client's living will and the need to provide care according to the documented preferences of the client.
2. A male client attends a community support program for mentally impaired and chemically abusing clients. The client tells the PN that his drugs of choice are cocaine and heroin. What is the greatest health risk for this client?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hepatitis
- C. Glaucoma
- D. Diabetes
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hepatitis. Hepatitis is the greatest health risk for this client due to the potential for contracting the disease through needle-sharing, common among drug users. This can lead to serious liver complications. While hypertension, glaucoma, and diabetes are all important health concerns, they are not directly associated with the drug abuse mentioned in the scenario.
3. A client with osteoporosis related to long-term corticosteroid therapy receives a prescription for calcium carbonate. Which client’s serum laboratory value requires intervention by the nurse?
- A. Total calcium 9 mg/dl (2.25 mmol/L SI)
- B. Creatinine 4 mg/dl (354 micromol/L SI)
- C. Phosphate 4 mg/dl (1.293 mmol/L SI)
- D. Fasting glucose 95 mg/dl (5.3 mmol/L SI)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: An elevated creatinine level indicates possible renal impairment, which requires intervention. High creatinine levels are associated with decreased kidney function, and in this case, it suggests potential renal issues due to long-term corticosteroid therapy. Monitoring renal function is crucial in clients with osteoporosis on corticosteroid therapy to prevent further complications. Total calcium levels within the normal range are suitable for a client with osteoporosis receiving calcium carbonate. Phosphate and fasting glucose levels do not directly indicate renal impairment in this scenario.
4. When caring for a client with nephrotic syndrome, which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
- A. Daily weight
- B. Vital signs
- C. Level of consciousness
- D. Bowel sounds
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Daily weight is the most important assessment to monitor fluid balance in clients with nephrotic syndrome. In nephrotic syndrome, excessive protein loss leads to fluid retention and edema. Monitoring daily weight allows the nurse to assess fluid status accurately. Vital signs, while important, may not directly reflect fluid balance changes in nephrotic syndrome. Level of consciousness and bowel sounds are not typically the primary assessments for monitoring fluid balance in clients with nephrotic syndrome.
5. A client who is being discharged to home asks the practical nurse (PN) for a dose of hydrocodone before leaving the hospital. How should the PN respond to this client's request?
- A. Determine if a take-home prescription for hydrocodone was provided and, if so, tell him to take one of them.
- B. Encourage him to wait until he is at home to take a medication that might impair reasoning.
- C. Give him a tablet from the hospital stock and tell him to wait until he is almost home to take it.
- D. Ask him to describe the location and severity of the pain and to rate it on a scale from 1 to 10.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Hydrocodone is a narcotic analgesic, and the practical nurse should gather more data from the client about the pain he is experiencing before giving the medication. The client's need for pain medication should be addressed, and pain medication should not be withheld because he is going home.