HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Practice Exam Quizlet
1. A postmenopausal client asks the nurse why she is experiencing discomfort during intercourse. What response is best for the nurse to provide?
- A. Estrogen deficiency causes the vaginal tissues to become dry and thinner.
- B. Infrequent intercourse results in the vaginal tissues losing their elasticity.
- C. Dehydration from inadequate fluid intake causes vulva tissue dryness.
- D. Lack of adequate stimulation is the most common reason for dyspareunia.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal clients leads to a decrease in the moisture-secreting capacity of vaginal cells. This results in vaginal tissues becoming thinner, drier, and smoother, which reduces vaginal stretching and contributes to discomfort during intercourse. Choice B is incorrect because the primary reason for discomfort is not infrequent intercourse but rather physiological changes due to estrogen deficiency. Choice C is incorrect as dehydration may cause dryness but is not the primary reason for discomfort in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect as lack of stimulation is not the most common reason for dyspareunia in postmenopausal clients; estrogen deficiency is the key factor.
2. Which of the following is a group of three RNA nucleotides?
- A. A stop codon
- B. A codon
- C. An anticodon
- D. tRNA
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B - A codon. A codon is a sequence of three RNA nucleotides that specifies a particular amino acid or a stop signal during protein synthesis. Choice A, a stop codon, is a sequence of three nucleotides that signals the termination of protein synthesis. Choice C, an anticodon, is a group of three nucleotides found in tRNA that pairs with the complementary codon in mRNA. Choice D, tRNA, stands for transfer RNA, which is a type of RNA that carries amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.
3. The nurse is assessing a client who complains of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. The nurse determines the client has moist skin with fine hair, prominent eyes, lid retraction, and a staring expression. These findings are consistent with which disorder?
- A. Graves' disease.
- B. Cushing's syndrome.
- C. Addison's disease.
- D. Hypothyroidism.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Graves' disease. The symptoms described in the client are classic manifestations of hyperthyroidism, which is commonly caused by Graves' disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid. Weight loss, racing heart rate, difficulty sleeping, moist skin with fine hair, prominent eyes, lid retraction, and a staring expression are all indicative of hyperthyroidism. Choice B, Cushing's syndrome, is characterized by weight gain, hypertension, and a rounded face due to excess cortisol. Choice C, Addison's disease, presents with symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue, and hyperpigmentation due to adrenal insufficiency. Choice D, hypothyroidism, typically features symptoms opposite to those described in the client, such as weight gain, bradycardia, and dry skin.
4. A patient with a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome is likely to exhibit which of the following symptoms?
- A. Hyperpigmentation.
- B. Moon face.
- C. Hypotension.
- D. Hypertension.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Moon face. Cushing's syndrome is characterized by excess cortisol levels, leading to the distinctive round and full face known as moon face. Hyperpigmentation (choice A) may occur due to increased ACTH levels, but it is not a hallmark symptom like moon face. Hypotension (choice C) is less common in Cushing's syndrome as cortisol typically leads to hypertension (choice D) due to its effects on blood pressure regulation.
5. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing dyspnea. Which of these actions should the nurse perform first?
- A. Administer oxygen therapy
- B. Encourage the client to perform deep breathing exercises
- C. Raise the head of the bed
- D. Check the client's oxygen saturation level
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client's oxygen saturation level first. This action is crucial in assessing the severity of dyspnea and determining the necessity for oxygen therapy. Administering oxygen therapy without knowing the current oxygen saturation level can be inappropriate and potentially harmful. Encouraging deep breathing exercises and raising the head of the bed are important interventions, but assessing the oxygen saturation level takes precedence in managing dyspnea in a client with COPD.