HESI LPN
HESI Fundamentals Study Guide
1. The nurse is admitting a patient diagnosed with a stroke. The healthcare provider writes orders for 'ROM as needed.' What should the nurse do next?
- A. Restrict the patient's mobility as much as possible.
- B. Realize the patient is unable to move extremities.
- C. Move all the patient's extremities.
- D. Further assess the patient.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to further assess the patient. 'ROM as needed' stands for Range of Motion, indicating that the patient should have their limbs moved to maintain joint flexibility and muscle strength. Before initiating any movements, it is crucial to assess the patient's current condition to determine their abilities and limitations. Restricting mobility (choice A) is not appropriate as it contradicts the purpose of ROM exercises. Realizing the patient is unable to move extremities (choice B) assumes without assessment and can lead to inappropriate care. Moving all the patient's extremities (choice C) without assessing the patient first can be harmful, as it may cause pain or injury if done incorrectly. Therefore, further assessment is necessary to provide safe and effective care.
2. A nurse is providing home care for a client who is receiving tube feedings and medication through a gastrostomy tube. The family member providing the feedings reports that the client has begun to have diarrhea. For which of the following practices should the nurse intervene?
- A. The family member washes out the feeding bag with warm water once every 24 hours.
- B. The family member washes out the feeding bag with hot water once every 24 hours.
- C. The family member washes out the feeding bag with soap and water every 24 hours.
- D. The family member changes the feeding bag every 24 hours.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Washing out the feeding bag with warm water once every 24 hours is not sufficient to prevent bacterial growth and can lead to diarrhea. Using hot water may damage the feeding bag. Washing out the feeding bag with soap and water every 24 hours is excessive and may leave residue that could be harmful. Changing the feeding bag every 24 hours is important for preventing infections but does not directly address the issue of diarrhea in this case.
3. When teaching a group of parents in the daycare center about accident prevention, the nurse explains that young toddlers are prone to injuries from falls. When receiving feedback, the nurse identifies that more teaching is needed when one parent states, 'I will:'
- A. keep medications in a medicine cabinet.
- B. have secured gates at entrances to staircases.
- C. move our child to a regular bed by the appropriate age.
- D. buy shoes that close with Velcro rather than laces.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Moving a child to a regular bed by the appropriate age is not recommended as it can increase the risk of falls. Toddlers should transition to a regular bed only when developmentally ready to prevent accidents. Keeping medications in a medicine cabinet (Choice A) promotes safety by preventing accidental ingestion. Securing gates at entrances to staircases (Choice B) helps prevent falls down stairs. Buying shoes that close with Velcro rather than laces (Choice D) is a good practice to prevent tripping and falling.
4. A nurse on a rehabilitation unit is preparing to transfer a client who is unable to walk from bed to a wheelchair. Which of the following techniques should the nurse use?
- A. Place the wheelchair at a 45-degree angle to the bed
- B. Position the wheelchair parallel to the bed
- C. Place the wheelchair in front of the bed
- D. Have the client stand and pivot into the wheelchair
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Placing the wheelchair at a 45-degree angle to the bed is the correct technique for transferring a client who is unable to walk from bed to a wheelchair. This positioning facilitates a safer and easier transfer by providing more space for maneuvering and reducing the distance the client needs to be moved. Positioning the wheelchair parallel to the bed (Choice B) may make the transfer more challenging due to limited space and a longer distance to move the client. Placing the wheelchair in front of the bed (Choice C) may not provide an optimal angle for the transfer. Having the client stand and pivot into the wheelchair (Choice D) is not appropriate for a client who is unable to walk and could increase the risk of falls or injuries during the transfer.
5. A client with a history of hypertension is prescribed a diuretic. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication?
- A. Monitor serum calcium levels.
- B. Monitor serum potassium levels.
- C. Monitor serum sodium levels.
- D. Monitor serum magnesium levels.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor serum potassium levels. When a client is prescribed a diuretic, monitoring serum potassium levels is essential to evaluate the medication's effectiveness and to detect potential electrolyte imbalances. Diuretics can cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia, which can have serious consequences such as cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring serum calcium levels (Choice A) is not typically required when assessing the effectiveness of diuretics. Similarly, monitoring serum sodium levels (Choice C) is important for other conditions but is not the primary concern when evaluating diuretic therapy. Monitoring serum magnesium levels (Choice D) is also important, but potassium levels are more critical in assessing diuretic effectiveness and preventing complications.