HESI LPN
Adult Health Exam 1
1. The nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who will undergo a thyroidectomy. What information should the nurse include about postoperative care?
- A. Importance of maintaining neck stability
- B. How to care for the surgical drain
- C. Pain management strategies
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Providing preoperative teaching for a client undergoing a thyroidectomy is essential to prepare them for postoperative care. Information about the importance of maintaining neck stability is crucial to prevent complications such as strain on the surgical site. Teaching the client how to care for the surgical drain is important to prevent infections, ensure proper wound healing, and aid in monitoring postoperative recovery. Pain management strategies are vital to ensure the client's comfort and promote optimal recovery. Including all these aspects in preoperative teaching ensures the client is well-prepared for comprehensive postoperative care. Therefore, the correct answer is D because all these elements are essential components of postoperative care for a client undergoing a thyroidectomy. Choices A, B, and C are all important aspects of postoperative care that the nurse should include in the preoperative teaching session.
2. The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which instruction is most important to prevent complications?
- A. Monitor blood glucose levels regularly
- B. Maintain a low-fat diet
- C. Exercise regularly
- D. Take medication as prescribed
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is crucial in managing diabetes and preventing complications. This allows the client and healthcare team to make timely adjustments to the treatment plan. While maintaining a low-fat diet, exercising regularly, and taking medication as prescribed are all important aspects of diabetes management, monitoring blood glucose levels takes precedence as it provides real-time information about the client's condition and helps prevent acute complications.
3. The nurse is caring for a client postoperatively following a thyroidectomy. Which assessment finding should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
- A. Hoarseness of the voice.
- B. Slight swelling at the incision site.
- C. Tingling around the mouth.
- D. Mild fever.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Tingling around the mouth should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately as it may indicate hypocalcemia, a potential complication after thyroidectomy. Hoarseness of the voice is common postoperatively due to surgical manipulation, slight swelling at the incision site is a normal response, and a mild fever can be expected after surgery. However, tingling around the mouth suggests a potential calcium imbalance, which requires prompt attention to prevent serious complications.
4. A child is postoperative following a tonsillectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Administer analgesics to the child on a routine schedule throughout the day and night.
- B. Offer fluids to the child immediately after surgery.
- C. Allow the child to return to solid foods gradually.
- D. Avoid administering any medication until the child is fully awake.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Administering analgesics to the child on a routine schedule throughout the day and night is crucial for managing postoperative pain effectively and ensuring the child's comfort. Pain management is a priority in the postoperative period to promote healing and prevent complications. Offering fluids to the child immediately after surgery (Choice B) is essential to prevent dehydration, but pain control takes precedence. Allowing the child to return to solid foods gradually (Choice C) is important, but initially, the child may need to start with clear liquids and progress to soft foods post-tonsillectomy. Avoiding administering any medication until the child is fully awake (Choice D) is not advisable because timely pain relief is essential for the child's comfort and recovery.
5. During an annual physical by the occupational nurse working in a corporate clinic, a male employee tells the nurse that his high-stress job is causing trouble in his personal life. He further explains that he often gets so angry while driving to and from work that he has considered 'getting even' with other drivers. How should the nurse respond? SATA
- A. Anger is contagious and could result in major confrontation.
- B. Try not to let your anger cause you to act impulsively.
- C. Expressing your anger to a stranger could result in an unsafe situation.
- D. It sounds as if there are many situations that make you feel angry.
Correct answer: C, D
Rationale: The correct responses are C and D. The nurse should acknowledge the employee's feelings of anger and suggest that expressing anger to strangers, like other drivers, could lead to unsafe situations. This response aims to prevent potential confrontations or harm. Choice A is incorrect as it doesn't address the specific situation of expressing anger while driving. Choice B is also incorrect as it is vague and doesn't provide practical advice to manage the anger effectively.