HESI LPN
HESI Fundamentals Study Guide
1. The nurse is having difficulty reading the healthcare provider's written order that was written right before the shift change. What action should be taken?
- A. Leave the order for the oncoming staff to follow up
- B. Contact the charge nurse for an interpretation
- C. Ask the pharmacy for assistance in interpretation
- D. Call the provider for clarification
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should call the provider for clarification. In situations where there is difficulty reading an order, it is crucial to directly contact the healthcare provider to ensure the correct order is understood and followed. Leaving the order for the oncoming staff (Choice A) may lead to misunderstandings and errors. Contacting the charge nurse (Choice B) may cause delays as they may also need to contact the provider. Asking the pharmacy (Choice C) is not the most direct and immediate action in this scenario, as the provider is the one who can provide immediate clarification.
2. When assessing bowel sounds, what action should a healthcare professional take?
- A. Listen to the bowel sounds before performing abdominal palpation
- B. Auscultate for 2 minutes to determine if bowel sounds are present
- C. Place the diaphragm of the stethoscope over each quadrant
- D. Ask the client to cough while auscultating
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When assessing bowel sounds, it is crucial to listen before performing any palpation as palpation can alter bowel sounds. The correct technique involves placing the diaphragm of the stethoscope over each quadrant of the abdomen to listen for bowel sounds. Auscultating for at least 5 minutes is recommended to accurately determine the presence or absence of bowel sounds. Asking the client to cough is not necessary for assessing bowel sounds and may not provide relevant information. Therefore, option C is the correct choice as it follows the appropriate procedure for assessing bowel sounds.
3. While caring for a four-year-old female patient who was severely burned in a house fire, how would you determine the extent of this child's burns?
- A. By using the Lund and Browder chart
- B. By using the Rule of Nines
- C. By using the Rule of Tens
- D. By using the Parkland Formula
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: By using the Lund and Browder chart. The Lund and Browder chart is specifically designed to assess the extent of burns in children accurately, taking into account the variation in body proportions as children grow. This method provides a more precise estimation of the total body surface area affected by burns in pediatric patients. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. The Rule of Nines is more suitable for adults, not children. The Rule of Tens is not a standard method for assessing burn extent, and the Parkland Formula is used to calculate fluid resuscitation requirements in burn patients, not to determine the extent of burns.
4. The patient refuses a morning bath, stating a preference for evening baths. What is the best action for the nurse to take?
- A. Defer the bath until evening and pass on the information to the next shift.
- B. Tell the patient that daily morning baths are the 'normal' routine.
- C. Explain the importance of maintaining morning hygiene practices.
- D. Cancel hygiene for the day and attempt again in the morning.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The best action for the nurse is to respect the patient's preference and autonomy. By deferring the bath until evening, the nurse acknowledges and accommodates the patient's routine, promoting patient-centered care. Choice B could be seen as dismissive of the patient's preference and may not foster a therapeutic relationship. Choice C, while important, doesn't address the patient's current refusal. Choice D is not respectful of the patient's autonomy and could lead to increased resistance. Therefore, option A is the most appropriate and patient-centered approach.
5. What is the priority nursing intervention for a child with a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving chemotherapy?
- A. Preventing infection
- B. Administering chemotherapy
- C. Providing nutritional support
- D. Monitoring fluid intake
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving chemotherapy is to prevent infection. Chemotherapy compromises the child's immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections. Preventing infection is crucial to avoid potential complications such as sepsis, which can be life-threatening. Administering chemotherapy is essential for treating ALL but preventing infection takes precedence due to the increased risk of infections associated with chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression. Providing nutritional support is important for overall health but preventing infections is more critical in this context. Monitoring fluid intake is significant, but the priority is to prevent infections that can have severe consequences in an immunocompromised child.