HESI LPN
Practice HESI Fundamentals Exam
1. A staff nurse is teaching a newly hired nurse about alternatives to the use of restraints on clients who are confused. Which of the following instructions should the staff nurse include?
- A. Remove clocks from the client’s room
- B. Use full-length side rails on the client’s bed
- C. Check on the client frequently while they are in the restroom
- D. Encourage physical activity throughout the day to expend energy
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Encouraging physical activity throughout the day is an effective way to manage confusion in clients and reduce the need for restraints. Physical activity helps in expending energy, promoting circulation, and improving overall well-being. Removing clocks from the client’s room (choice A) may not directly address the issue of confusion or reduce the need for restraints. Using full-length side rails on the client’s bed (choice B) can actually increase the risk of entrapment and should be avoided. Checking on the client frequently while they are in the restroom (choice C) is important for monitoring safety but may not directly address the underlying issue of confusion and the need for restraints.
2. A client with hypothyroidism is taking levothyroxine (Synthroid). Which symptom should prompt the nurse to notify the healthcare provider?
- A. Weight gain
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Nervousness and tremors
- D. Fatigue
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nervousness and tremors. These symptoms may indicate hyperthyroidism resulting from excessive dosing of levothyroxine. Weight gain (Choice A) is a common symptom of hypothyroidism and may indicate undertreatment or inadequate dosing. Bradycardia (Choice B) is a symptom of hypothyroidism and may improve with levothyroxine therapy; it does not typically indicate an urgent need for healthcare provider notification. Fatigue (Choice D) is a symptom of hypothyroidism and can persist even with levothyroxine treatment, so it is not a symptom that would require immediate notification of the healthcare provider.
3. When preparing an injection for opioid medication, a nurse draws 1mL from a 2mL vial. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Ask another nurse to observe medication wastage
- B. Document the amount of medication drawn on the MAR
- C. Dispose of the remaining medication in a sharps container
- D. Administer the entire vial of medication to avoid wastage
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When drawing medication from a vial, especially for controlled substances like opioids, any wastage must be witnessed by another healthcare professional to ensure accuracy, prevent diversion, and maintain safety standards. This process is crucial for proper documentation and accountability. Recording the amount drawn on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) is important for tracking administered doses and preventing errors. Disposing of the remaining medication in a sharps container is not recommended as it does not address proper wastage documentation. Administering the entire vial of medication just to avoid wastage is inappropriate and can lead to potential harm or overdose in the patient.
4. A nurse is orienting a newly licensed nurse about client confidentiality. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
- A. I can use another nurse's password as long as I log off after using the computer
- B. I should encrypt personal health information when sending emails
- C. I can post the client's vital signs in the client's room
- D. I should discard personal health information documents in the trash before leaving the unit
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because encrypting personal health information when sending emails is a crucial aspect of maintaining client confidentiality. This process ensures that sensitive information is protected during electronic communication. Choice A is incorrect as sharing passwords violates client confidentiality. Choice C is incorrect as posting client's vital signs breaches confidentiality. Choice D is incorrect as discarding personal health information in the trash can lead to unauthorized access.
5. A client with chronic pain is prescribed oxycodone. What instruction should the practical nurse (PN) include in the client's teaching plan?
- A. Take the medication with meals to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
- B. Avoid taking the medication with alcohol.
- C. Increase fluid intake to avoid constipation.
- D. Report any signs of respiratory depression to the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to avoid taking oxycodone with alcohol. Mixing oxycodone with alcohol can lead to serious side effects, including respiratory depression. Taking the medication with meals may not always be necessary, and instructions about fluid intake to avoid constipation are important but not the priority when considering the immediate risks associated with oxycodone. While reporting signs of respiratory depression is crucial, preventing it by avoiding alcohol is key in the client's safety.