HESI LPN
Community Health HESI Practice Questions
1. A nurse is planning a nutrition class for a group of senior citizens at a community center and wants to emphasize the amount and types of fat in some foods versus others. What is the best teaching method for the nurse to use?
- A. Display posters with foods and inform seniors about fat content.
- B. Determine the foods most often eaten by this group and discuss the nutritional panel of each product.
- C. Show a movie about cooking with foods that are low in fat but delicious.
- D. Ask each senior to bring a food for others to taste, then estimate the fat content in these foods.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The best teaching method for the nurse in this scenario is to determine the foods most often eaten by the group and discuss the nutritional panel of each product. This approach directly educates the seniors about the fat content in the foods they commonly consume, making the information more relevant and applicable to their daily lives. Choice A, displaying posters with foods, may not engage the seniors effectively or provide detailed information about fat content. Choice C, showing a movie about cooking with low-fat foods, may not address the specific fat content of the seniors' usual food choices. Choice D, asking seniors to bring foods for tasting and estimating fat content, could be subjective and less educational compared to discussing concrete nutritional information from food labels.
2. A healthcare provider is preparing to perform mouth care for an unresponsive client. Which of the following actions should the healthcare provider plan to take?
- A. Raise the level of the bed
- B. Administer mouth care with the client in a supine position
- C. Use a tongue depressor to open the mouth
- D. Place the client in a prone position
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Raising the bed level is the correct action to facilitate easier access for mouth care in an unresponsive client. This position enhances the safety and comfort of both the client and the healthcare provider. Administering mouth care with the client in a supine position (lying flat on their back) can increase the risk of aspiration. Using a tongue depressor to open the mouth is not recommended as it can cause discomfort and potential injury. Placing the client in a prone position (lying face down) is contraindicated for mouth care and can compromise the client's airway.
3. When assessing a client's skin turgor, a nurse should:
- A. Grasp a fold of the skin on the chest under the clavicle, release it, and note the depth of the impression
- B. Check skin elasticity on the back of the hand
- C. Press on the skin over the abdomen
- D. Measure skin turgor on the lower leg
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Correct answer: When assessing a client's skin turgor, a nurse should grasp a fold of the skin on the chest under the clavicle, release it, and note the depth of the impression. This method is reliable for evaluating hydration status as it is less influenced by age-related skin changes or adipose tissue. Choice B, checking skin elasticity on the back of the hand, is not the preferred method for assessing skin turgor. Choice C, pressing on the skin over the abdomen, is not a standard location for assessing skin turgor. Choice D, measuring skin turgor on the lower leg, is not a recommended site for assessing skin turgor in clinical practice.
4. A patient is prescribed sucralfate (Carafate) and asks the nurse what the purpose of taking this medication is. Which is the nurse's best response?
- A. The medication helps reduce bacteria levels in the stomach
- B. The medication helps neutralize gastric acid in the stomach
- C. The medication is used to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa
- D. The medication can reduce the patient's constipation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Sucralfate (Carafate) is used to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa by forming a protective barrier over ulcers. This barrier helps prevent stomach acid from further damaging the ulcers and promotes healing. It does not directly reduce bacteria levels, neutralize gastric acid, or have a direct effect on constipation.
5. A client with brain cancer is transferring to hospice care. The client's son tells the nurse, 'I don’t know what to tell my dad if he asks how he is going to die.' Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. “Let’s talk more about your dad’s condition.”
- B. “The social worker will help you answer those questions.”
- C. “I think that you should discuss this with the hospice nurse.”
- D. “Try to help your dad enjoy this time as much as he can.”
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Choosing option D, 'Try to help your dad enjoy this time as much as he can,' is the most appropriate response by the nurse. This response shows empathy and compassion towards the client and their family during this difficult transition. The focus on supporting the client in enjoying their remaining time reflects a holistic approach to care. Options A, B, and C are not the best responses in this situation. Option A could lead to unnecessary details that might be overwhelming for the family. Option B shifts the responsibility to the social worker without providing immediate support. Option C deflects the son's concerns to another healthcare professional when emotional support is needed.