HESI RN
HESI Fundamentals
1. An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) places a client in a left lateral position prior to administering a soap suds enema. Which instruction should the nurse provide the UAP?
- A. Position the client on the right side of the bed in reverse Trendelenburg.
- B. Fill the enema container with 1000 ml of warm water and 5 ml of castile soap.
- C. Reposition the client in the Sims' position.
- D. Raise the side rails on both sides of the bed and elevate the bed to waist level.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct position for administering a soap suds enema is the Sims' position, not the left lateral position. The Sims' position allows the enema solution to follow the anatomical course of the intestines and provides the best overall results. By repositioning the client in the Sims' position, the weight is distributed to the anterior ilium, facilitating the enema administration process.
2. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of fluid volume excess. Which intervention should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?
- A. Encourage increased fluid intake.
- B. Place the client in a high Fowler's position.
- C. Measure the client's intake and output.
- D. Restrict dietary sodium intake.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Restricting dietary sodium intake (D) is the most critical intervention for a client with fluid volume excess to prevent further fluid retention. Encouraging increased fluid intake (A) would exacerbate the issue by adding more fluid to the body. Placing the client in a high Fowler's position (B) is more relevant for respiratory issues than fluid volume excess. While measuring intake and output (C) is important for assessing fluid balance, restricting sodium intake is the priority as it helps manage fluid levels more effectively by reducing fluid retention.
3. A client with a chest tube following a pneumothorax is complaining of increased shortness of breath. What is the nurse's first action?
- A. Check for kinks in the chest tube tubing.
- B. Assess the client's lung sounds.
- C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees.
- D. Prepare for chest tube replacement.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct first action for a client with a chest tube experiencing increased shortness of breath is to elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees. This position promotes lung expansion, improves oxygenation, and can help relieve shortness of breath. Checking for kinks in the chest tube tubing would be important but not the first action in this situation. Assessing the client's lung sounds is also important but not the initial priority. Preparing for chest tube replacement is not indicated based solely on the client's complaint of increased shortness of breath.
4. Which of the following medications is typically used to treat asthma?
- A. Aspirin
- B. Metformin
- C. Albuterol
- D. Lisinopril
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, Albuterol. Albuterol is a bronchodilator commonly used to treat asthma by relaxing the muscles around the airways, helping to relieve symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Aspirin (Choice A) is not typically used to treat asthma and can actually trigger asthma symptoms in some individuals. Metformin (Choice B) is a medication for managing type 2 diabetes and is not indicated for asthma treatment. Lisinopril (Choice D) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor primarily used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, not asthma.
5. A client with Cushing's syndrome is scheduled for surgery to remove an adrenal tumor. The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications postoperatively?
- A. Hyperglycemia
- B. Hypotension
- C. Hypokalemia
- D. Hyponatremia
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Postoperative hypotension is a common complication after adrenal tumor removal in a client with Cushing's syndrome. This occurs due to the sudden withdrawal of cortisol, which leads to a relative adrenal insufficiency state. Hyperglycemia (Choice A) is more common preoperatively due to excessive cortisol levels. Hypokalemia (Choice C) and Hyponatremia (Choice D) are also associated with Cushing's syndrome but are less likely to be immediate postoperative complications compared to hypotension.