HESI RN
HESI RN Exit Exam 2023
1. An older male client with a history of diabetes mellitus, chronic gout, and osteoarthritis comes to the clinic with a bag of medication bottles. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Identify pills in the bag
- B. Review the client's medication schedule
- C. Assess the client's symptoms
- D. Educate the client about proper medication usage
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to identify pills in the bag first. This is essential to ensure the client is taking the correct medications and to prevent any potential medication errors. Reviewing the client's medication schedule (choice B) can come after identifying the pills to cross-reference the medications. Assessing the client's symptoms (choice C) is important but should follow identifying the medications. Educating the client about proper medication usage (choice D) is crucial but should be done after confirming the medications in the bag.
2. The healthcare provider is assessing a client who has returned from hemodialysis. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Weight gain of 1 pound.
- B. Dizziness.
- C. Fatigue.
- D. Muscle cramps.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After hemodialysis, muscle cramps can indicate an electrolyte imbalance, such as low potassium or magnesium levels, which requires immediate intervention to prevent potential complications like cardiac arrhythmias. Weight gain of 1 pound, dizziness, and fatigue are common post-hemodialysis symptoms that may not necessarily require immediate intervention unless they are severe or persisting.
3. An 80-year-old male client with multiple chronic health problems becomes disoriented, agitated, and combative 24 hours after being admitted to the hospital. What nursing intervention is most important to include in this client's plan of care?
- A. Request a psychiatric consultation for the client.
- B. Reorient the client frequently to time, place, and person.
- C. Administer prescribed antipsychotic medications to reduce agitation.
- D. Obtain an order for a sitter to stay with the client.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Reorienting the client frequently is the most important nursing intervention in this scenario. It helps reduce confusion and agitation, which are common symptoms of acute delirium in hospitalized elderly clients. Requesting a psychiatric consult (choice A) may be necessary if the reorientation does not improve the client's condition or if there are underlying psychiatric concerns, but reorientation should be attempted first. Administering antipsychotic medications (choice C) should not be the initial intervention as they can have adverse effects in elderly individuals. Obtaining a sitter (choice D) may provide support but does not directly address the client's disorientation and agitation.
4. An elderly female client with osteoarthritis reports increasing pain and stiffness in her right knee and asks how to reduce these symptoms. In responding to the client, the nurse recognizes what pathology as the cause of her symptoms?
- A. Destruction of joint cartilage.
- B. Inflammation of synovial membrane.
- C. Formation of bone spurs.
- D. Reduction of joint space.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Osteoarthritis typically involves the destruction of joint cartilage, leading to pain and stiffness. This destruction of joint cartilage results in bone rubbing against bone, causing pain and reduced mobility. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Inflammation of the synovial membrane (choice B) is more commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Formation of bone spurs (choice C) and reduction of joint space (choice D) are manifestations that can occur as a result of osteoarthritis but are not the primary pathology responsible for the symptoms of pain and stiffness.
5. A first-grade boy is sent to the school nurse after he fainted while playing tag during recess. When he arrives in the clinic he is alert and oriented and his vital signs include temperature of 97.8°F, pulse 96 bpm, respirations 15 breaths/minute, and blood pressure 80/56 mmHg. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. request transport of the child to his pediatrician's office
- B. call the child's parents and send him home for the day
- C. compare the child's body mass index to normal values
- D. measure the child's pulse and blood pressure every 15 minutes
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the most important intervention for the nurse to implement is to measure the child's pulse and blood pressure every 15 minutes. The child experienced a syncopal episode (fainting) which could be due to various reasons, including dehydration or cardiac issues. Monitoring vital signs frequently will help detect any changes that may indicate underlying health issues. Requesting transport to the pediatrician's office or sending the child home without continuous monitoring may not provide immediate assessment and intervention. Comparing the child's body mass index to normal values is not relevant in addressing the immediate concern of monitoring vital signs after a syncopal episode.