HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice
1. The nurse instructs an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to turn an immobilized elderly client with an indwelling urinary catheter every two hours. What additional action should the nurse instruct the UAP to take each time the client is turned?
- A. Empty the urinary drainage bag
- B. Feed the client a snack
- C. Offer the client oral fluids
- D. Assess the breath sounds
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct additional action the nurse should instruct the UAP to take each time the immobilized elderly client with an indwelling urinary catheter is turned is to empty the urinary drainage bag. This action helps to prevent backflow of urine, reduces the risk of infection, and prevents bladder distention, which are crucial for the client's comfort and health. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are not directly related to the care of a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Feeding a snack, offering oral fluids, or assessing breath sounds are important aspects of care but not the immediate action needed when turning a client with an indwelling urinary catheter to prevent complications.
2. A client is 48 hours postoperative following a small bowel resection. The client reports gas pains in the periumbilical area. The nurse should plan care based on which of the following factors contributing to this postoperative complication?
- A. Impaired peristalsis of the intestines
- B. Infection at the surgical site
- C. Fluid overload
- D. Inadequate pain management
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Gas pains in the periumbilical area postoperatively are often caused by impaired peristalsis and bowel function. Following abdominal surgery, it is common for peristalsis to be reduced due to surgical manipulation and anesthesia effects. This reduction in peristalsis can lead to the accumulation of gas in the intestines, resulting in gas pains. Infection at the surgical site (Choice B) would present with localized signs of infection such as redness, swelling, warmth, and drainage, rather than diffuse gas pains. Fluid overload (Choice C) would manifest with symptoms such as edema, increased blood pressure, and respiratory distress, not gas pains. Inadequate pain management (Choice D) may lead to increased discomfort, but it is not the primary cause of gas pains in the periumbilical area following a small bowel resection.
3. In a long term rehabilitation care unit a client with spinal cord injury complains of a pounding headache. The client is sitting in a wheelchair watching television in the assigned room. Further assessment by the nurse reveals excessive sweating, a splotchy rash, pilomotor erection, facial flushing, congested nasal passages and a heart rate of 50. The nurse should do which action next?
- A. Take the client's respirations, blood pressure (BP), temperature and then pupillary responses
- B. Place the client into the bed and administer the ordered PRN analgesic
- C. Check the client for bladder distention and the client's urinary catheter for kinks
- D. Turn the television off and then assist client to use relaxation techniques
Correct answer: C
Rationale: These symptoms suggest autonomic dysreflexia, often triggered by bladder distention.
4. How many pairs of autosomes does a human zygote contain?
- A. 46
- B. 44
- C. 23
- D. 22
Correct answer: D
Rationale: A human zygote contains 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes. Therefore, the correct answer is 22. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not accurately represent the number of autosomes in a human zygote. Option A (46) represents the total number of chromosomes in a human zygote, not the number of autosomes. Option B (44) is incorrect as it does not account for the correct number of autosomes. Option C (23) is inaccurate since it represents the total number of chromosomes in a human gamete, not the number of autosomes in a zygote.
5. A postoperative client complains of sudden shortness of breath. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Administer oxygen
- B. Call the healthcare provider
- C. Prepare for chest x-ray
- D. Assess the client's lung sounds
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Assessing the client's lung sounds is the most appropriate initial action when a postoperative client complains of sudden shortness of breath. This step helps the nurse evaluate the respiratory status and detect abnormalities such as decreased breath sounds or crackles, which could indicate a serious condition like a pulmonary embolism. Administering oxygen (Choice A) may be necessary but should come after assessing the lung sounds to ensure the appropriate intervention. Calling the healthcare provider (Choice B) or preparing for a chest x-ray (Choice C) can be important subsequent actions based on the findings from the lung sound assessment, but they are not the first priority in this situation.