HESI RN
HESI RN Exit Exam 2023
1. The nurse is assessing a client with a small bowel obstruction who was hospitalized 24 hours ago. Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately to the healthcare provider?
- A. Hypoactive bowel sounds in the lower quadrant.
- B. Rebound tenderness in the upper quadrants.
- C. Tympany with percussion of the abdomen.
- D. Light-colored gastric aspirate via the nasogastric tube.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Rebound tenderness in the upper quadrants may indicate peritonitis, which requires prompt medical attention. Hypoactive bowel sounds are expected in small bowel obstruction and would not be a priority over signs of peritonitis. Tympany with percussion is a normal finding and not a cause for immediate concern. Light-colored gastric aspirate could indicate various issues but is not as urgent as peritonitis.
2. A client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia is exhibiting negative symptoms such as anhedonia and social withdrawal. Which intervention should be a priority for the nurse?
- A. Encourage participation in group activities.
- B. Administer prescribed antipsychotic medication.
- C. Assist the client in setting realistic goals.
- D. Promote engagement in social interactions.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Encouraging participation in group activities is a priority intervention for a client with schizophrenia exhibiting negative symptoms like anhedonia and social withdrawal. Group activities provide structured social interactions and can help the client gradually re-engage with others, potentially reducing social withdrawal and improving social skills. Administering antipsychotic medication (Choice B) is essential in managing positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions, not negative symptoms like anhedonia and social withdrawal. While assisting the client in setting realistic goals (Choice C) is important for overall care, addressing social withdrawal and anhedonia is more immediate. Promoting engagement in social interactions (Choice D) is beneficial, but encouraging participation in group activities provides a structured and supportive environment that can specifically target the negative symptoms being exhibited.
3. Inevitable abortion occurs when:
- A. The ovum dies in utero and the decidua capsularis remains intact.
- B. The cervix is open, and the products of conception are about to be expelled.
- C. The products of conception are expelled before the 20th week of gestation.
- D. The fetus dies and is expelled in the first trimester.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Inevitable abortion occurs when the cervix is open, and the products of conception are about to be expelled. This is a critical point in the process of spontaneous abortion, indicating that expulsion of the products of conception is imminent. Choice A is incorrect as it describes a missed abortion where the ovum dies but the decidua capsularis remains intact. Choice C is incorrect as it describes an incomplete abortion where the products of conception are expelled before the completion of 20 weeks of gestation. Choice D is incorrect as it describes a missed abortion where the fetus dies and is expelled in the first trimester.
4. Cycloserine (Seromycin) is added to the medication regimen for a client with tuberculosis. Which of the following would the nurse include in the client-teaching plan regarding this medication?
- A. To take the medication after meals
- B. To return to the clinic weekly for serum drug-level testing
- C. To call the health care provider (HCP) if a skin rash occurs
- D. To restrict alcohol intake with this medication
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Cycloserine requires weekly serum drug level determinations to monitor for neurotoxicity. The medication must be taken after meals, and the client should avoid alcohol. Additionally, the client should report any signs of skin rash or central nervous system toxicity to the healthcare provider.
5. A client with cirrhosis is admitted with jaundice and ascites. Which assessment finding is most concerning?
- A. Peripheral edema
- B. Confusion and altered mental status
- C. Yellowing of the skin
- D. Increased abdominal girth
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a client with cirrhosis presenting with jaundice and ascites, yellowing of the skin (icterus) is the most concerning assessment finding. This indicates significant liver dysfunction and a high level of bilirubin in the blood. Yellowing of the skin suggests a severe impairment of the liver's ability to process bilirubin, which can lead to serious complications. Peripheral edema and increased abdominal girth are common manifestations of cirrhosis but are not as acutely concerning as skin yellowing. Confusion and altered mental status are also critical findings in cirrhosis, indicating hepatic encephalopathy, but skin yellowing is more closely associated with the severity of liver dysfunction in this scenario.