HESI RN
HESI Maternity Test Bank
1. A mother calls the school nurse to report that her preschool-aged child was bitten by a tick during a school outing last week. The mother removed the tick and flushed it down the toilet. What action should the school nurse take?
- A. Refer the mother to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- B. Report the incident to the school principal.
- C. Culture the bite site when the child returns to school.
- D. Schedule a test for Lyme disease if a rash appears.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct action to take in this situation is to schedule a test for Lyme disease if a rash appears. Lyme disease can be transmitted through tick bites, and a rash is a common early symptom of the disease. Testing for Lyme disease is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications. Referring the mother to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Choice A) is not necessary at this point, as immediate testing for Lyme disease is more appropriate. Reporting the incident to the school principal (Choice B) is not the most direct action to address the potential health concern. Culturing the bite site when the child returns to school (Choice C) may not be as effective as scheduling a test for Lyme disease if a rash appears, as the latter is a more specific diagnostic measure for Lyme disease.
2. The caregiver learns the use of a gait belt from the nurse for a woman with right-sided weakness. The caregiver demonstrates the skill. Which observation indicates that the caregiver has learned how to perform this procedure correctly?
- A. Standing on the woman's strong side, the caregiver is ready to hold the gait belt if any evidence of weakness is observed.
- B. Standing on the woman's weak side, the caregiver provides security by holding the gait belt from the back.
- C. Standing behind the woman, the caregiver provides balance by holding both sides of the gait belt.
- D. Standing slightly in front and to the right of the woman, the caregiver guides her forward by gently pulling on the gait belt.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Standing on the weak side of the client and holding the gait belt from the back provides better security and support during ambulation, reducing the risk of falls. This positioning allows the caregiver to offer stability and assistance without interfering with the client's movement, ensuring safe ambulation for the client with right-sided weakness. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not provide the optimal support and security needed for a client with right-sided weakness. Standing on the weak side and holding the gait belt from the back is the most effective way to assist the client while minimizing the risk of falls.
3. A client is experiencing acute bronchospasm. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Administer a nebulizer treatment of albuterol.
- B. Start an IV infusion of normal saline.
- C. Administer oxygen at 4L/min via nasal cannula.
- D. Position the client in a high Fowler's position.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer a nebulizer treatment of albuterol. In acute bronchospasm, the priority intervention is to deliver a bronchodilator like albuterol to open the airways and improve breathing. Starting an IV infusion of normal saline (Choice B) may be necessary but not the priority in this situation. Administering oxygen at 4L/min via nasal cannula (Choice C) is important but not the first intervention for bronchospasm. Positioning the client in a high Fowler's position (Choice D) can help with breathing but is not the priority over administering a bronchodilator.
4. The healthcare professional is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client with anemia. Which action is most important to prevent a transfusion reaction?
- A. Check the client's vital signs before starting the transfusion.
- B. Use a blood filter when administering the transfusion.
- C. Verify the blood type and Rh factor with another healthcare professional.
- D. Administer antihistamines before starting the transfusion.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Verifying the blood type and Rh factor with another healthcare professional is the most crucial action to prevent a transfusion reaction. Ensuring compatibility between the donor blood and the recipient is essential in preventing adverse reactions such as hemolytic transfusion reactions. Checking vital signs is important for monitoring the client during the transfusion process but does not directly prevent a transfusion reaction. Using a blood filter can help remove clots and debris but does not address the risk of a reaction due to blood type incompatibility. Administering antihistamines before the transfusion is not a standard practice to prevent transfusion reactions related to blood type incompatibility.
5. The nurse is taking the blood pressure measurement of a client with Parkinson's disease. Which information in the client's admission assessment is relevant to the nurse's plan for taking the blood pressure reading?
- A. Frequent syncope
- B. Muscle rigidity
- C. Gait instability
- D. Fine motor tremors
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Frequent syncope.' Orthostatic hypotension, common in Parkinson's disease, often causes syncope (fainting) when blood pressure drops upon standing. This information is critical for planning safe blood pressure measurements, ensuring readings are taken in both lying and standing positions to assess for sudden drops in pressure. Muscle rigidity, tremors, or gait instability are important symptoms in Parkinson's disease but are not directly related to blood pressure assessment.