HESI RN
HESI Exit Exam RN Capstone
1. An older adult client with gastroenteritis has been taking the antidiarrheal diphenoxylate for the past 24 hours. What finding requires the nurse to take further action?
- A. Monitor the client’s fluid intake.
- B. Obtain a stool sample for testing.
- C. Administer a laxative to clear the infection.
- D. Assess skin turgor and provide fluids.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Assessing skin turgor is crucial as tented skin turgor indicates dehydration, which can be worsened by antidiarrheal medications like diphenoxylate. Providing fluids is essential to address dehydration in this client. Monitoring fluid intake (choice A) is important, but assessing skin turgor takes precedence in this situation. Obtaining a stool sample for testing (choice B) could be necessary for diagnostic purposes but is not the immediate priority. Administering a laxative (choice C) is contraindicated in this case as it can worsen the client's condition by further exacerbating fluid loss.
2. An antibiotic IM injection for a 2-year-old child is ordered. The total volume of the injection equals 2.0 ml. The correct action is to
- A. administer the medication in 2 separate injections
- B. give the medication in the ventrogluteal site
- C. call to get a smaller volume ordered
- D. check with the pharmacy for a liquid form of the medication
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Administering the medication in 2 separate injections is the correct action. When the total volume of an injection is relatively large for a specific site, dividing it into smaller volumes and administering them separately is a safer practice to prevent discomfort, tissue damage, or absorption issues. Giving the medication in the ventrogluteal site can be appropriate for IM injections but does not address the issue of the total volume being too high for a single injection. Calling to get a smaller volume ordered may delay treatment and is not necessary when a safe administration method is available. Checking with the pharmacy for a liquid form of the medication does not directly address the issue of the total volume being too high for a single injection, and changing the formulation may not be necessary if the correct administration technique can be applied.
3. The products of conception are retained in which of the following?
- A. Complete abortions
- B. Incomplete abortions
- C. Threatened abortion
- D. Mixed abortion
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In incomplete abortions, the products of conception are retained. In a complete abortion, all the products of conception are expelled from the uterus. Threatened abortion refers to a situation where there is vaginal bleeding but the cervix remains closed, and it does not necessarily involve retention of products of conception. Mixed abortion is not a recognized medical term related to retained products of conception.
4. A client admitted with left-sided heart failure presents with shortness of breath and pink frothy sputum. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Decreased breath sounds bilaterally.
- B. Heart rate of 110 bpm and irregular rhythm.
- C. Pink frothy sputum and increased respiratory rate.
- D. Elevated blood pressure and shortness of breath.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: Pink frothy sputum and increased respiratory rate. Pink frothy sputum is a sign of pulmonary edema, indicating fluid in the lungs, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure. Increased respiratory rate is also concerning as it indicates the body's effort to compensate for the decreased oxygenation. Options A, B, and D are not the most critical findings in this situation. Decreased breath sounds bilaterally may indicate a pneumothorax or atelectasis, heart rate of 110 bpm and irregular rhythm can be managed with medications and further assessment, and elevated blood pressure with shortness of breath is not as urgent as pink frothy sputum and increased respiratory rate.
5. When speaking with a group of teens about chemotherapy side effects for cancer, which side effect would the nurse expect this group to be more interested in discussing?
- A. Mouth sores
- B. Fatigue
- C. Diarrhea
- D. Hair loss
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Teens are more likely to be concerned with hair loss when discussing chemotherapy side effects because it is a visible and emotionally impactful side effect for them. While all the listed side effects are important to consider, hair loss can have a significant impact on a teenager's self-image and emotional well-being, making it a key point of interest for this age group. Mouth sores, fatigue, and diarrhea are also common side effects of chemotherapy, but they may not carry the same level of emotional weight and visibility as hair loss for teens.