HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice
1. The nurse enters the room of a client who is awaiting surgery for appendicitis. The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) has helped the client to a position of comfort with the right leg flexed and has applied a heating pad to the client’s abdomen to relieve the client’s pain. Which action should the nurse implement first?
- A. Remove the heating pad.
- B. Reposition the client’s right leg.
- C. Monitor for signs of inflammation.
- D. Assess the client’s pain level.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to implement first is to remove the heating pad. Heating pads should not be used for suspected appendicitis as they can mask symptoms and potentially worsen inflammation. Choice B is not the priority as the position of comfort chosen by the UAP may be appropriate. Monitoring for signs of inflammation (Choice C) is important but not the initial action to address the immediate issue of the heating pad. Assessing the client's pain level (Choice D) can be done after removing the heating pad to evaluate the effectiveness of pain relief measures.
2. A client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being taught about dietary modifications. What should be emphasized?
- A. Avoiding spicy and fatty foods
- B. Eating small, frequent meals
- C. Avoiding meals before bedtime
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In managing GERD, dietary modifications play a significant role. Avoiding spicy and fatty foods helps reduce irritation, while eating small, frequent meals prevents overeating, which can trigger reflux. Avoiding meals before bedtime allows for better digestion and reduces the likelihood of acid reflux during the night. Therefore, all of the options (A, B, and C) are crucial in managing GERD symptoms, making choice D the correct answer.
3. What is an important aspect of managing a child with ADHD?
- A. Increasing academic workload
- B. Consistent behavior management strategies
- C. Restricting all physical activity
- D. Encouraging solitary activities
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Consistent behavior management strategies are crucial when managing a child with ADHD. By implementing consistent strategies, such as clear rules, positive reinforcement, and structure, it helps the child improve focus, manage impulsivity, and regulate their behavior. Choice A, 'Increasing academic workload,' is incorrect as overwhelming a child with ADHD with more academic tasks can exacerbate their symptoms. Choice C, 'Restricting all physical activity,' is also incorrect as physical activity is beneficial for children with ADHD to release excess energy and improve focus. Choice D, 'Encouraging solitary activities,' is not ideal as social interaction and engagement with others are important for a child's development and well-being.
4. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is dividing care for four clients. The nurse should identify which of the following situations as an ethical dilemma?
- A. A client who has a new colostomy refuses to take instructions from the ostomy therapist because she 'doesn't like him.'
- B. A surgeon who removed the wrong kidney during a surgical procedure refuses to take responsibility for her actions.
- C. The family of a client who has a terminal illness asks the provider not to tell the client the diagnosis.
- D. A client who has Crohn's disease reports that his prescription drug plan will not pay for his medications.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because an ethical dilemma involves conflicting moral principles. In this scenario, the family's request not to disclose the terminal diagnosis to the client raises the moral question of truth-telling and patient autonomy. Choice A does not present an ethical dilemma but rather a challenge in client compliance. Choice B involves professional responsibility and accountability, not an ethical dilemma. Choice D relates to financial concerns and insurance coverage, which do not constitute an ethical dilemma but rather a financial issue.
5. A client with chronic back pain asks a nurse about receiving acupuncture for relief. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a contraindication to receiving this treatment?
- A. Obesity
- B. Hypertension
- C. Migraines
- D. Cellulitis
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Cellulitis. Cellulitis is a contraindication for acupuncture due to the risk of infection. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into the skin, and if a person has cellulitis, which is a bacterial skin infection, there is a higher risk of introducing the infection deeper into the body. Obesity (choice A), hypertension (choice B), and migraines (choice C) are not contraindications for receiving acupuncture. These conditions do not pose a direct risk of complications related to acupuncture treatment.