HESI LPN
HESI Practice Test for Fundamentals
1. A nurse is providing teaching to an older adult client who has constipation. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. Sit on the toilet 30 minutes after eating a meal.
- B. Increase your fluid intake to help with bowel movements.
- C. Exercise regularly to improve bowel function.
- D. Consume more high-fiber foods to prevent constipation.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct statement the nurse should include in the teaching is to 'Sit on the toilet 30 minutes after eating a meal.' This advice can help establish a regular bowel routine and improve bowel movement. Option B, 'Increase your fluid intake to help with bowel movements,' while important, is not specific to the time after eating and does not directly address the need for establishing a routine. Option C, 'Exercise regularly to improve bowel function,' is also important but does not address the timing of bowel movements. Option D, 'Consume more high-fiber foods to prevent constipation,' is beneficial for preventing constipation but does not address the timing aspect related to bowel movements.
2. The actual sets of traits that people exhibit are called their genotypes.
- A. TRUE
- B. FALSE
- C. Possibly
- D. Always
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The actual sets of traits that people exhibit are called phenotypes, not genotypes. Genotypes refer to the genetic makeup of an individual.
3. A child undergoes heart surgery to repair the defects associated with tetralogy of Fallot. What behavior is essential for the nurse to prevent postoperatively?
- A. Crying
- B. Coughing
- C. Straining at stool
- D. Unnecessary movement
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct behavior that the nurse needs to prevent postoperatively is straining at stool. Straining at stool should be avoided as it can increase intrathoracic pressure, leading to stress on the surgical site. This stress can potentially compromise the surgical repair and increase the risk of complications. Crying, coughing, and unnecessary movement, although important to monitor postoperatively, do not directly impact the surgical site as significantly as straining at stool does. Therefore, the focus should be on preventing straining at stool to ensure the best postoperative outcome for the child.
4. The nurse is teaching a group of adults about modifiable cardiac risk factors. Which of the following should the nurse focus on first?
- A. Weight reduction
- B. Stress management
- C. Physical exercise
- D. Smoking cessation
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, smoking cessation. Smoking is a major and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is often the highest priority in cardiac risk reduction because stopping smoking has immediate and long-term benefits for heart health. Choices A, B, and C are also important in reducing cardiac risk factors, but smoking cessation takes precedence due to its significant impact on cardiovascular health.
5. The healthcare provider is caring for a 17-month-old with acetaminophen poisoning. Which lab reports should the healthcare provider review first?
- A. Prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
- B. Red blood cell and white blood cell counts
- C. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels
- D. Liver enzymes (AST and ALT)
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In acetaminophen poisoning, liver damage is a significant concern due to the toxic effects of the drug on the liver. Liver enzymes such as AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) are essential markers to assess liver function and damage. Monitoring these enzymes early is crucial to detect hepatotoxicity and guide further management. Prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time are coagulation studies and are not the priority in acetaminophen poisoning. Red and white blood cell counts are not specific to assess liver damage in this context. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels are primarily used to evaluate kidney function, which is not the primary concern in acetaminophen poisoning.