HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Assignment Exam
1. Blood is drawn from a client with suspected uric acid calculi for a serum uric acid determination. Which value does the nurse recognize as a normal uric acid level?
- A. 1.7 mg/dL
- B. 5.8 mg/dL
- C. 8.9 mg/dL
- D. 12.8 mg/dL
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The normal range for uric acid is 4.5 to 8 mg/dL for males and 2.5 to 6.2 mg/dL for females. A uric acid level of 5.8 mg/dL falls within the normal range. Choices A, C, and D are outside the normal reference range, making them incorrect. Choice B is the correct answer as it aligns with the typical uric acid levels in the blood.
2. A client with a urinary tract infection is prescribed trimethoprim. What is the most important teaching point?
- A. Take the medication only when symptoms are severe.
- B. Take the medication until symptoms disappear.
- C. Report any pain or burning with urination.
- D. Take the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Take the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve.' It is crucial for clients to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed to ensure that the infection is fully eradicated and to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. Choice A is incorrect because antibiotics should not be reserved for severe symptoms only; they should be taken as prescribed. Choice B is incorrect as stopping the medication once symptoms disappear may lead to a relapse of the infection. Choice C is important but not the most crucial teaching point when compared to completing the full course of antibiotics.
3. A client with hyperthyroidism is admitted to the postoperative unit after subtotal thyroidectomy. Which of the client's serum laboratory values requires intervention by the nurse?
- A. Total calcium 5.0 mg/dL.
- B. Serum sodium 140 mEq/L.
- C. Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L.
- D. Serum glucose 90 mg/dL.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. A calcium level of 5.0 mg/dL is critically low and could indicate hypoparathyroidism, a possible complication after thyroidectomy. Low calcium levels can lead to tetany, seizures, and cardiac dysrhythmias, requiring immediate intervention. Choices B, C, and D fall within the normal range and do not require immediate intervention in this scenario.
4. Cryptorchidism is a condition where _________.
- A. One or both testes are not developed
- B. One or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum
- C. One or both testes are not formed
- D. None of the above
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Cryptorchidism is a condition where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum. This means that the testes do not properly move from the abdomen into the scrotum during fetal development. Choice A is incorrect because the issue is not about development but descent. Choice C is incorrect as it implies that the testes were never formed, which is not the case in cryptorchidism. Choice D is incorrect as cryptorchidism does involve the testes but rather their descent into the scrotum.
5. A client with pneumonia is receiving oxygen therapy. What assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Increased oxygen saturation of 96%.
- B. Oxygen saturation of 89%.
- C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute.
- D. Decreased heart rate of 70 beats per minute.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. An oxygen saturation of 89% indicates hypoxemia, which is below the normal range (usually 95-100%). This finding requires immediate intervention as it signifies inadequate oxygenation. Options A, C, and D are within normal limits and do not indicate an urgent need for intervention. Option A indicates a good oxygen saturation level, option C denotes a normal respiratory rate, and option D suggests a normal heart rate. Therefore, these options do not require immediate intervention compared to the critically low oxygen saturation level of 89% in option B.