HESI LPN
Adult Health 1 Final Exam
1. The nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy who is on mechanical ventilation. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Suction the tracheostomy as needed
- B. Ensure the tracheostomy ties are secure
- C. Provide humidified oxygen
- D. Clean any exudate around the tracheostomy site
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a client with a tracheostomy on mechanical ventilation is to suction the tracheostomy as needed. Suctioning is essential to maintain a clear airway and prevent respiratory distress. While ensuring tracheostomy ties are secure (choice B) is important, it is not as urgent as airway maintenance. Providing humidified oxygen (choice C) is beneficial but does not address the immediate need for airway clearance. Cleaning exudate around the tracheostomy site (choice D) is important for hygiene but takes precedence over ensuring airway patency through suctioning.
2. During a mental status exam, what factor should the nurse remember when assessing a client's intelligence?
- A. Acute psychiatric illnesses can impair intelligence
- B. Intelligence can be influenced by social and cultural beliefs
- C. Poor concentration skills suggest limited intelligence
- D. The inability to think abstractly indicates limited intelligence
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Intelligence is indeed influenced by social and cultural beliefs. It is essential to recognize that intelligence is not solely determined by innate abilities but can also be shaped by various external factors such as cultural background, education, and social environment. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because acute psychiatric illnesses do not necessarily impair intelligence, poor concentration skills do not always suggest limited intelligence, and the inability to think abstractly alone does not always indicate limited intelligence.
3. After undergoing surgery using steel bar placement to correct pectus excavatum, what position should the nurse instruct the parents to avoid for the child?
- A. Semi-Fowler position.
- B. Supine position.
- C. High Fowler position.
- D. Side-lying position.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After undergoing surgery for pectus excavatum correction with steel bar placement, the nurse should instruct the parents to avoid placing the child in a side-lying position. This position should be avoided to prevent displacement of the steel bar, which could compromise the surgical outcome. Semi-Fowler, supine, and high Fowler positions do not pose the same risk of displacing the steel bar and are generally safe and comfortable for the child in this postoperative period.
4. A postoperative client has been diagnosed with paralytic ileus. When performing auscultation of the client’s abdomen, the nurse expects the bowel sounds to be:
- A. Absent
- B. Hyperactive
- C. Normal
- D. Hypoactive
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In paralytic ileus, bowel sounds are typically absent or significantly reduced due to decreased motility of the intestines. This absence of bowel sounds is a key characteristic used in diagnosing paralytic ileus. Hyperactive bowel sounds are not expected in this condition as there is a lack of normal peristalsis. Normal bowel sounds would not be present in paralytic ileus, and hypoactive bowel sounds, which indicate decreased bowel motility, are more commonly associated with conditions like postoperative ileus or constipation, rather than paralytic ileus.
5. A client with bipolar disorder is being discharged with a prescription for lithium. What is the most important instruction the nurse should provide?
- A. Avoid foods high in sodium.
- B. Drink plenty of fluids, especially during hot weather.
- C. Take your medication with food.
- D. Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to drink plenty of fluids, especially during hot weather. Maintaining adequate hydration is crucial for clients taking lithium as dehydration can lead to lithium toxicity. Choice A is incorrect because while it is important to monitor sodium intake, staying hydrated is more critical. Choice C is incorrect as lithium is usually recommended to be taken with food to reduce stomach upset. Choice D is also important but not the most crucial instruction compared to ensuring proper hydration.