HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice
1. What actions should the nurse take regarding an older adult male who had an abdominal cholecystectomy and has become increasingly confused and disoriented over the past 24 hours, found wandering into another client’s room and returned to his own room by the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply)
- A. Apply soft upper limb restraints and raise all four bed rails
- B. Report mental status change to the healthcare provider
- C. Assess the client’s breath sounds and oxygen saturation
- D. Assign the UAP to re-assess the client’s risk for falls
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In this situation, the appropriate action for the nurse to take is to report the mental status change to the healthcare provider. Confusion and disorientation post-surgery can be indicative of various factors, such as electrolyte imbalances or respiratory issues, necessitating comprehensive assessment by the healthcare team. Applying restraints and raising bed rails may not address the underlying cause of the confusion, and assigning the UAP to reassess the client's risk for falls does not directly address the cognitive changes observed.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to a 6-month-old child. Which injection site is best for the nurse to use?
- A. Vastus lateralis
- B. Deltoid
- C. Ventrogluteal
- D. Dorsogluteal
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for IM injections in infants due to their limited muscle mass and safety. Infants do not have well-developed muscle mass, making the vastus lateralis the best option for IM injections. The deltoid muscle is typically used for older children and adults. Ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites are not recommended for infants due to safety concerns, including the risk of damaging the sciatic nerve. Therefore, the correct choice is the vastus lateralis for IM injections in infants.
3. An older client is having photocoagulation for macular degeneration. What intervention should the nurse implement during post-procedure care in the outpatient surgical unit?
- A. Apply bilateral eye patches while sleeping
- B. Use a whiteboard to communicate with the client
- C. Arrange food on the plate in a clockwise order
- D. Verbally identify oneself when entering the room
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct intervention is to apply bilateral eye patches while sleeping. This measure helps protect the eyes and support healing following photocoagulation for macular degeneration. Choice B is incorrect as using a whiteboard is not directly related to post-procedure care for this intervention. Choice C is incorrect as arranging food on the plate in a clockwise order is not relevant to the post-procedure care of photocoagulation. Choice D is incorrect as verbally identifying oneself when entering the room is important for communication but not specific to the post-procedure care in this scenario.
4. Which action should the school nurse take first when conducting a screening for scoliosis?
- A. Compare dorsal trunk measurements
- B. Have the individual extend arms over the head for visualization
- C. Inspect for symmetrical shoulder height
- D. Observe weight-bearing on each leg
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Inspecting for symmetrical shoulder height is a crucial initial step in screening for scoliosis. Asymmetry in shoulder height can indicate the presence of spinal curvature, which is a key indicator of scoliosis. This assessment is prioritized as it provides a visual clue to potential spinal abnormalities. Choices A, B, and D are not the first steps in scoliosis screening. Choice A involves a more detailed measurement that is not the primary visual indicator for scoliosis; choice B is not a primary indicator of scoliosis but can be used for further examination, and choice D is not directly related to identifying spinal curvature.
5. An older male client is admitted to the mental health unit with a sudden onset of global disorientation and is continuously conversing with his mother, who died 50 years ago. The nurse reviews the multiple prescriptions the client is currently taking and assesses his urine specimen, which is cloudy, dark yellow, and has a foul odor. These findings suggest that this client is experiencing which condition?
- A. Psychotic episode
- B. Dementia
- C. Delirium
- D. Depression
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, delirium. The sudden onset of global disorientation along with cloudy, dark yellow urine with a foul odor are indicative of delirium. Delirium is an acute condition characterized by a fluctuating disturbance in awareness and cognition. In this case, the symptoms are suggestive of an underlying physiological cause, such as infection or medication side effects. Choice A, psychotic episode, is less likely as the symptoms are more in line with delirium than a primary psychotic disorder. Choice B, dementia, is a chronic and progressive condition, not typically presenting with sudden onset disorientation. Choice D, depression, does not align with the acute cognitive changes and urine abnormalities described in the scenario.
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