HESI LPN
HESI Practice Test for Fundamentals
1. The healthcare provider is assessing a client diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Which assessment finding would be most concerning?
- A. Morning stiffness
- B. Joint deformities
- C. Weight loss
- D. Fever
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Fever in a client with rheumatoid arthritis can indicate an underlying infection or a more serious systemic involvement, such as vasculitis or inflammation of internal organs. These conditions can lead to serious complications and require immediate medical attention. Joint deformities and morning stiffness are common manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis itself and may not be indicative of an acute issue. Weight loss can be seen in chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis but is not as concerning as fever, which suggests an acute process requiring prompt evaluation and intervention.
2. Which of the following is a nursing issue of concern today?
- A. Safe staffing
- B. Low workloads
- C. Increasing professional autonomy
- D. Improving salaries
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Safe staffing. Safe staffing is a critical issue in nursing today due to its impact on patient outcomes and nurse well-being. While low workloads (choice B) may seem beneficial, they can also indicate understaffing, leading to burnout and compromising patient care. Increasing professional autonomy (choice C) is generally viewed positively as it empowers nurses, and improving salaries (choice D) is important but may not directly address patient safety concerns related to staffing levels.
3. What is a common clinical manifestation of Kawasaki disease?
- A. Severe headaches
- B. High fever lasting more than 5 days
- C. Chronic cough
- D. Severe abdominal pain
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A high fever lasting more than 5 days is a common clinical manifestation of Kawasaki disease. This fever is often accompanied by other symptoms such as rash and conjunctivitis. Severe headaches (Choice A), chronic cough (Choice C), and severe abdominal pain (Choice D) are not typically associated with Kawasaki disease, making them incorrect choices.
4. Which of the following joints normally allows 360-degree circumflexion?
- A. The knee
- B. The shoulder
- C. The elbow
- D. The fingertips
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The shoulder. The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint that allows for a wide range of motion, including 360-degree circumflexion. This joint provides flexibility and mobility in various directions. Choice A, the knee joint, primarily allows flexion and extension but does not have a 360-degree circumflexion. Choice C, the elbow joint, is a hinge joint that permits flexion and extension but not circumflexion. Choice D, the fingertips, do not form a specific joint that allows circumflexion; rather, they have joints that enable bending and straightening movements.
5. A client with heart failure and a new prescription for hydrochlorothiazide is receiving discharge teaching about safety considerations from a nurse. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
- A. “I will take a hot bath before going to bed.”
- B. “I will take my new medication in the evening.”
- C. “I will leave a light on in my bathroom at night.”
- D. “I will weigh myself once weekly.”
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Leaving a light on in the bathroom at night is important for an older adult with heart failure who is taking hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic that can cause nocturia. This safety measure helps prevent falls during nighttime bathroom visits. Option A is incorrect because taking a hot bath before bed can increase the risk of falls due to potential dizziness. Option B does not directly relate to safety considerations but rather the timing of medication administration. Option D, weighing oneself once weekly, is important for monitoring fluid retention but does not address safety concerns related to nocturia and falls.