HESI LPN
HESI Mental Health 2023
1. A young adult male with a history of substance abuse is admitted to the psychiatric unit for detoxification. He is agitated, sweating, and reports seeing bugs crawling on the walls. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Reassure the client that the bugs are not real.
- B. Administer the prescribed benzodiazepine.
- C. Place the client in a quiet, dark room.
- D. Encourage the client to express his feelings.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer the prescribed benzodiazepine. This intervention helps manage the client's agitation and hallucinations, which are common symptoms during detoxification from substances. Reassuring the client that the bugs are not real (Choice A) may not be effective in addressing the underlying causes of the hallucinations. Placing the client in a quiet, dark room (Choice C) may help reduce sensory stimulation but does not directly address the client's symptoms. Encouraging the client to express his feelings (Choice D) is important for therapeutic communication but may not be the priority when the client is experiencing severe agitation and hallucinations.
2. A 15-month-old child with the diagnosis of hydrocephalus is scheduled for a computed tomography (CT) scan. What should the nurse include when preparing the toddler for the CT scan?
- A. Shaving the head
- B. Starting the prescribed IV infusion
- C. Administering the prescribed sedative
- D. Giving the child a simple explanation of the procedure
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Preparing a toddler for a CT scan involves providing a simple explanation of the procedure to reduce anxiety and help the child understand what will happen. This approach helps establish trust and cooperation, making the experience less frightening for the child. Shaving the head, starting an IV infusion, or administering a sedative are not typically part of the preparation for a CT scan in a toddler and may not be necessary or appropriate in this scenario.
3. What explanation is best for the nurse to provide a client who asks the purpose of using the log-rolling technique for turning?
- A. Working together can decrease the risk of back injury.
- B. The technique is intended to maintain straight spinal alignment.
- C. Using two or three people increases client safety.
- D. Turning instead of pulling reduces the likelihood of skin damage.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'The technique is intended to maintain straight spinal alignment.' Log-rolling is a technique used to move a person as a single unit to maintain the alignment of the spinal column. This is crucial to prevent spinal cord injury, especially in clients with suspected spine fractures. Choice A is incorrect because log-rolling focuses on spinal alignment, not just decreasing back injury risks. Choice C is incorrect because the number of people involved is not the primary purpose of log-rolling, which is maintaining spinal alignment. Choice D is incorrect because while turning instead of pulling may help prevent skin damage, the primary goal of log-rolling is to protect the spine, not the skin.
4. When caring for a child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, what is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administering pancreatic enzymes
- B. Providing respiratory therapy
- C. Encouraging physical activity
- D. Encouraging frequent handwashing
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention when caring for a child with cystic fibrosis is administering pancreatic enzymes. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the digestive and respiratory systems. Administering pancreatic enzymes is crucial in aiding digestion as patients with cystic fibrosis often have pancreatic insufficiency. While providing respiratory therapy and encouraging physical activity are important aspects of care for individuals with cystic fibrosis, administering pancreatic enzymes takes precedence in addressing the malabsorption issues associated with the condition. Encouraging frequent handwashing is also essential in infection control, but it is not the priority intervention specifically related to managing cystic fibrosis.
5. A nurse is evaluating teaching about nutrition with the guardians of an 11-year-old child. Which of the following statements should indicate to the nurse an understanding of the teaching?
- A. “Our child wants to eat as much as we do, but we’re afraid it will lead to becoming overweight.”
- B. “Our child skips lunch sometimes, but we figure it’s okay as long as we eat a healthy breakfast and dinner.”
- C. “We limit fast-food restaurant meals to three times a week now.”
- D. “We reward school achievements with a point system instead of pizza or ice cream.”
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Rewarding school achievements with a point system rather than food items like pizza or ice cream is a healthier approach. This choice indicates an understanding of the teaching about nutrition and the importance of not using food as a reward. Choices A, B, and C do not demonstrate a clear understanding of the teaching as they focus on concerns about overeating, skipping meals, and limiting fast-food consumption but do not address the concept of avoiding food rewards for achievements.