HESI LPN
HESI Fundamentals Study Guide
1. The client has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which symptom would be most concerning?
- A. Pain in the affected leg
- B. Redness and warmth in the affected leg
- C. Shortness of breath
- D. Swelling in the affected leg
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Shortness of breath is the most concerning symptom in a client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) because it could indicate a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening complication where a blood clot travels to the lungs. This condition requires immediate medical attention. While pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the affected leg are common symptoms of DVT, shortness of breath suggests a more critical situation that necessitates urgent intervention.
2. A client in the emergency department is being cared for by a nurse and has abdominal trauma. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse identify as an indication of hypovolemic shock?
- A. Tachycardia
- B. Elevated blood pressure
- C. Warm, dry skin
- D. Decreased respiratory rate
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Tachycardia is a hallmark sign of hypovolemic shock. When a client experiences significant blood loss, the body compensates by increasing the heart rate to maintain adequate perfusion to vital organs. Elevated blood pressure is not typically seen in hypovolemic shock; instead, hypotension is a more common finding. Warm, dry skin is characteristic of neurogenic shock, not hypovolemic shock. Decreased respiratory rate is not a typical manifestation of hypovolemic shock, as the body usually tries to increase respiratory effort to improve oxygenation in response to hypovolemia.
3. A client is experiencing a severe sore throat, pain when swallowing, and swollen lymph nodes. Which of the following stages of infection is the client likely in?
- A. Prodromal
- B. Incubation
- C. Convalescence
- D. Illness
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The client in this scenario is in the illness stage of infection. During this stage, the individual exhibits specific symptoms such as a severe sore throat, pain when swallowing, and swollen lymph nodes. The prodromal stage precedes the appearance of specific symptoms and is characterized by nonspecific signs. The incubation period occurs between exposure to the pathogen and the onset of symptoms. Convalescence is the recovery period following the resolution of the infection. Therefore, the correct answer is 'D: Illness' as it aligns with the symptoms presented by the client.
4. A client with chronic kidney disease is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen). Which laboratory value should the LPN/LVN monitor to determine the effectiveness of this medication?
- A. Serum potassium
- B. Hemoglobin
- C. Serum creatinine
- D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hemoglobin. Monitoring hemoglobin levels is essential to assess the effectiveness of epoetin alfa in clients with chronic kidney disease. Epoetin alfa is a medication that stimulates red blood cell production, aiming to increase hemoglobin levels and improve symptoms of anemia in these patients. Monitoring serum potassium (Choice A) is important in clients with kidney disease, but it is more related to assessing electrolyte balance rather than the direct effectiveness of epoetin alfa. Serum creatinine (Choice C) and blood urea nitrogen (Choice D) are kidney function tests that help evaluate kidney health but do not specifically reflect the effectiveness of epoetin alfa therapy.
5. The patient is being treated for cancer with weekly radiation therapy to the head and intravenous chemotherapy treatments. Which assessment is the priority?
- A. Feet
- B. Nail beds
- C. Perineum
- D. Oral cavity
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is the oral cavity. During cancer treatment involving radiation to the head and intravenous chemotherapy, the oral cavity is a priority assessment area. Radiation can reduce salivary flow and lower the pH of saliva, which can lead to stomatitis and tooth decay. Assessing the oral cavity allows for the early identification and management of potential complications. Choice A, assessing the feet, is not the priority in this scenario as it is not directly impacted by the described cancer treatments. Choice B, assessing the nail beds, is not the priority compared to the oral cavity. Nail bed assessment may be relevant for certain conditions, but in this case, the oral cavity is of higher priority due to the specific treatment effects. Choice C, assessing the perineum, is also not the priority in this situation as it is not directly affected by the described cancer treatments, unlike the oral cavity.
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