HESI LPN
Adult Health 1 Final Exam
1. The healthcare provider is caring for a client with a chest tube following a pneumothorax. Which assessment finding should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
- A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
- B. Absence of drainage in the collection chamber
- C. Tidaling in the water seal chamber
- D. Presence of subcutaneous emphysema around the insertion site
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately. This finding may indicate an air leak, which can compromise the effectiveness of the chest tube in re-expanding the lung. Absence of drainage in the collection chamber (choice B) may signify that the chest tube is blocked, but it does not pose an immediate threat to the client's condition. Tidaling in the water seal chamber (choice C) is an expected finding and indicates proper functioning of the chest tube system. Presence of subcutaneous emphysema around the insertion site (choice D) suggests air leakage but is not as urgent as continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
2. A client with bipolar disorder is started on a regimen of valproic acid (Depakote). Which laboratory test is most important for the nurse to monitor?
- A. Liver function tests
- B. Kidney function tests
- C. Blood glucose levels
- D. Serum sodium levels
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Liver function tests. Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity, leading to liver damage. Monitoring liver function tests is crucial to detect any early signs of liver impairment. Kidney function tests (Choice B) are not the most important to monitor in this case. Blood glucose levels (Choice C) and serum sodium levels (Choice D) are not directly affected by valproic acid and are not the priority for monitoring in a client taking this medication.
3. A child has been admitted to the pediatric unit with a severe asthma attack. What type of acid-base imbalance should the nurse expect the child to develop?
- A. metabolic alkalosis caused by decreased acid metabolites production
- B. respiratory alkalosis caused by decreased respiratory rate and carbon dioxide retention
- C. respiratory acidosis caused by impaired respirations and increased carbonic acid formation
- D. metabolic acidosis caused by the kidneys' inability to compensate for increased carbonic acid production
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a severe asthma attack, the child is likely to develop respiratory acidosis due to impaired respirations leading to the retention of carbon dioxide, which combines with water to form carbonic acid. This results in the pH imbalance characterized by an excess of carbonic acid. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Metabolic alkalosis (Choice A) is not typically associated with severe asthma attacks; respiratory alkalosis (Choice B) would involve a decrease, not an increase, in carbon dioxide levels; and metabolic acidosis (Choice D) is not the primary acid-base imbalance seen in severe asthma attacks.
4. A client who is prescribed sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension calls the clinic for advice. Which condition should the practical nurse notify the health care provider immediately and instruct the client to stop taking the medication?
- A. The client is experiencing vision and hearing loss.
- B. The client has an erection lasting longer than 4 hours.
- C. The client is complaining of nasal congestion.
- D. The client is complaining of feeling flushed.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. If a client prescribed sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension experiences vision and/or hearing loss or an erection lasting more than 4 hours, the practical nurse should instruct the client to discontinue the medication immediately and notify the health care provider. These symptoms could indicate serious side effects that require prompt medical attention to prevent complications. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because an erection lasting more than 2 hours (not 4 hours as stated in choice B) is a critical adverse effect that warrants immediate medical attention. Nasal congestion (choice C) and feeling flushed (choice D) are common side effects of sildenafil and typically do not necessitate immediate discontinuation of the medication or emergency intervention.
5. Which of the following is a key component of community-based participatory research?
- A. Conducting research in a laboratory setting
- B. Involving community members in the research process
- C. Focusing solely on quantitative data
- D. Ignoring community input
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Involving community members in the research process.' Community-based participatory research emphasizes the active involvement of community members in all aspects of the research process, from identifying research questions to interpreting and disseminating results. Choice A is incorrect because community-based participatory research typically takes place in real-world settings, not in laboratories. Choice C is incorrect because community-based participatory research values a mix of quantitative and qualitative data. Choice D is incorrect because community input is essential in this research approach.