HESI RN
HESI 799 RN Exit Exam
1. After a third hospitalization 6 months ago, a client is admitted to the hospital with ascites and malnutrition. The client is drowsy but responding to verbal stimuli and reports recently spitting up blood. What assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. Bruises on arms and legs
- B. Round and tight abdomen
- C. Pitting edema in lower legs
- D. Capillary refill of 8 seconds
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this situation, the client's capillary refill of 8 seconds is the assessment finding that warrants immediate intervention by the nurse. A capillary refill greater than 3 to 5 seconds indicates poor perfusion, which could be a sign of inadequate circulation and oxygenation. Checking capillary refill is a quick and useful way to assess peripheral perfusion. Bruises on arms and legs may indicate a bleeding disorder but are not as urgent as addressing poor perfusion. A round and tight abdomen could suggest ascites, which is already known in this case. Pitting edema in lower legs is a common finding in malnutrition and ascites but does not require immediate intervention as poor capillary refill does.
2. Following a thyroidectomy, a patient complains of “a tingling feeling around my mouth.” Which assessment should the nurse complete immediately?
- A. Presence of the Chvostek’s sign
- B. Abnormal serum potassium level
- C. Decreased thyroid hormone level
- D. Bleeding on the patient’s dressing
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct assessment the nurse should complete immediately is checking for the presence of the Chvostek’s sign. The patient's complaint of tingling around the mouth is indicative of hypocalcemia, which can result from parathyroid injury/removal during thyroidectomy. The Chvostek’s sign is a clinical indication of hypocalcemia, where facial muscle twitching occurs when the facial nerve is tapped. Assessing serum potassium levels (choice B) is not the priority in this situation. While thyroid hormone levels (choice C) play a role in overall health, they do not directly relate to the patient’s current symptoms. Checking for bleeding on the dressing (choice D) is important but not the immediate priority when addressing potential hypocalcemia.
3. A client with hyperthyroidism is prescribed propranolol. The nurse understands that this medication is used to:
- A. Increase metabolism
- B. Reduce anxiety
- C. Decrease heart rate
- D. Increase blood pressure
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Propranolol is a beta-blocker commonly used in the management of hyperthyroidism. It works by blocking the effects of adrenaline, resulting in a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. Choice A is incorrect because propranolol does not increase metabolism; instead, it may have a mild inhibitory effect. Choice B is incorrect as propranolol is not primarily used to reduce anxiety, although it may have some anxiolytic effects. Choice D is incorrect as propranolol actually decreases blood pressure by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart and blood vessels.
4. A client with liver cirrhosis is admitted with ascites and jaundice. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
- A. Serum albumin of 3.0 g/dL
- B. Bilirubin of 3.0 mg/dL
- C. Ammonia level of 80 mcg/dL
- D. Prothrombin time of 18 seconds
Correct answer: C
Rationale: An ammonia level of 80 mcg/dL is elevated and concerning in a client with liver cirrhosis, as it may indicate hepatic encephalopathy. Elevated ammonia levels can lead to cognitive impairment, altered mental status, and even coma. Serum albumin, bilirubin, and prothrombin time are also important markers in liver cirrhosis but are not as directly associated with the risk of hepatic encephalopathy as elevated ammonia levels.
5. Which of the following is a common complication of immobility?
- A. Muscle hypertrophy.
- B. Pressure ulcers.
- C. Bone fractures.
- D. Joint stiffness.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, Pressure ulcers. Immobility can lead to pressure ulcers due to prolonged pressure on the skin, especially over bony prominences. Muscle hypertrophy (Choice A) is not a common complication of immobility; instead, muscle atrophy is more likely to occur due to disuse. Bone fractures (Choice C) can result from trauma but are not directly associated with immobility unless there is a fall or accident. Joint stiffness (Choice D) can develop due to lack of movement but is not as common or severe as pressure ulcers in cases of prolonged immobility.