HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Specialty Exam
1. The nurse is caring for a patient who will receive 10% calcium gluconate to treat a serum potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L. The nurse performs a drug history prior to beginning the infusion. Which drug taken by the patient would cause concern?
- A. Digitalis
- B. Hydrochlorothiazide
- C. Hydrocortisone
- D. Vitamin D
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Calcium gluconate is administered to treat hyperkalemia by reducing myocardial irritability. When given to a patient taking digitalis, it can lead to digitalis toxicity. Digitalis and calcium gluconate both affect cardiac function, and their concomitant use can potentiate adverse effects. Hydrochlorothiazide, Hydrocortisone, and Vitamin D may impact potassium levels, but they do not interact with calcium gluconate in a way that would cause concern for toxicity.
2. The client who experiences angina has been advised to follow a low-cholesterol diet. Which of the following meals would be best?
- A. Hamburger, salad, and milkshake.
- B. Baked liver, green beans, and coffee.
- C. Spaghetti with tomato sauce, salad, and coffee.
- D. Fried chicken, green beans, and skim milk.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The best meal option for a client with angina following a low-cholesterol diet is spaghetti with tomato sauce, salad, and coffee. This meal is lower in cholesterol content compared to the other options provided. Hamburger with salad and milkshake, baked liver with green beans and coffee, and fried chicken with green beans and skim milk are higher in cholesterol and may not be suitable for an individual with angina who needs to adhere to a low-cholesterol diet.
3. The client has been managing angina episodes with nitroglycerin. Which of the following indicates the drug is effective?
- A. Decreased chest pain.
- B. Increased blood pressure.
- C. Decreased blood pressure.
- D. Decreased heart rate.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decreased chest pain. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that works by decreasing myocardial oxygen consumption, which helps to reduce chest pain caused by angina. Therefore, a reduction in chest pain is a positive indicator of the drug's effectiveness. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because nitroglycerin does not typically increase blood pressure or heart rate; instead, it often causes a decrease in blood pressure due to vasodilation and may cause a reflex tachycardia (increased heart rate) as a compensatory response to lowered blood pressure.
4. A client recovering from a urologic procedure is being assessed by a nurse. Which assessment finding indicates an obstruction of urine flow?
- A. Severe pain
- B. Overflow incontinence
- C. Hypotension
- D. Blood-tinged urine
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Overflow incontinence.' The most common manifestation of urethral stricture after a urologic procedure is obstruction of urine flow. This obstruction can lead to overflow incontinence, which is the involuntary loss of urine when the bladder is distended. Severe pain is not typically associated with an obstruction of urine flow. Hypotension is unrelated to this issue. Blood-tinged urine is not a direct indication of an obstruction of urine flow but may indicate other conditions like trauma or infection.
5. A patient is being treated for shock after a motor vehicle accident. The provider orders 6% dextran 75 to be given intravenously. The nurse should expect which outcome as the result of this infusion?
- A. Decreased urine output
- B. Improved blood oxygenation
- C. Increased interstitial fluid
- D. Stabilization of heart rate and blood pressure
Correct answer: D
Rationale: 6% Dextran 75 is a high molecular-weight colloidal solution used to treat shock from burns or trauma. Colloids like 6% dextran 75 are plasma expanders that help increase blood volume, leading to improved heart rate and blood pressure stabilization. The infusion of plasma expanders does not typically decrease urine output. It primarily aims to stabilize circulation rather than affect blood oxygenation or increase interstitial fluid levels.
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