HESI LPN
HESI Mental Health 2023
1. The nurse observes a female client with schizophrenia watching the news on TV. She begins to laugh softly and says, 'Yes, my love, I'll do it.' When the nurse questions the client about her comment, she states, 'The news commentator is my lover, and he speaks to me each evening. Only I can understand what he says.' What is the best response for the nurse to make?
- A. What do you believe the news commentator said to you?
- B. Let's watch the news on a different television channel.
- C. Does the news commentator have plans to harm you or others?
- D. The news commentator is not talking to you.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct response for the nurse is to ask the client, 'What do you believe the news commentator said to you?' This is important to determine the content of the auditory hallucination and understand the client's perception. Choice B is incorrect as changing the TV channel does not address the underlying issue. Choice C is incorrect as it introduces a paranoid idea that the news commentator may have harmful intentions, which is not supported by the scenario. Choice D is incorrect as it dismisses the client's belief without exploring or validating her experience.
2. When providing care for a client receiving palliative care for terminal cancer, what should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Pain management
- B. Arranging family visits
- C. Discussing advance directives
- D. Providing nutritional support
Correct answer: A
Rationale: When caring for a client receiving palliative care for terminal cancer, the nurse should prioritize pain management. Effective pain management is crucial in enhancing the quality of life for terminally ill patients. While arranging family visits and discussing advance directives are important aspects of care, pain management takes precedence in providing comfort and alleviating suffering. Nutritional support is essential but may be of lesser priority compared to pain management in this context.
3. The female is caring for a male patient who is uncircumcised but not ambulatory and has full function of all extremities. The nurse is providing the patient with a partial bed bath. How should perineal care be performed for this patient?
- A. Should be postponed because it may cause embarrassment.
- B. Should be unnecessary because the patient is uncircumcised.
- C. Should be done by the patient.
- D. Should be done by the nurse.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Perineal care should be encouraged to be done by the patient if they are capable of performing self-care. In this scenario, the patient is not ambulatory and has full function of all extremities, indicating that the patient can independently perform perineal care. Encouraging self-care promotes independence and maintains the patient's dignity. Postponing perineal care (Choice A) is incorrect because it is essential for hygiene. Choice B is incorrect as perineal care is necessary for all patients regardless of circumcision status. Choice D is incorrect as the patient is capable of performing the care independently, and promoting self-care is a priority in nursing practice.
4. The nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy. Which action should the nurse perform when suctioning the tracheostomy tube?
- A. Increase wall suction while removing the suction catheter
- B. Instill 10 ml of sterile saline into the tracheostomy tube before applying continuous suction
- C. Suction the client’s oropharynx after tracheal suctioning
- D. Insert the suction catheter into the trachea, and apply intermittent suction with removal of the catheter
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When suctioning a tracheostomy tube, it is essential to insert the suction catheter into the trachea and apply intermittent suction with removal of the catheter. This technique helps prevent damage to the trachea and reduces discomfort for the client. Choice A is incorrect because increasing wall suction with the removal of the suction catheter can cause trauma to the tracheal mucosa. Choice B is incorrect because instilling saline into the tracheostomy tube before suctioning is not recommended as it can lead to complications. Choice C is incorrect as oropharyngeal suctioning should be done before tracheal suctioning to prevent the risk of aspiration.
5. Postoperative client with fluid volume deficit. Which change indicates successful treatment?
- A. Decrease in heart rate
- B. Increase in blood pressure
- C. Decrease in respiratory rate
- D. Increase in urine output
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A decrease in heart rate can indicate improved fluid balance and successful treatment of fluid volume deficit. When a client is experiencing fluid volume deficit, the heart rate typically increases as a compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output. As fluid volume is restored and the deficit is corrected, the heart rate should decrease back towards a normal range. Choices B, C, and D are less likely to be directly related to the successful treatment of fluid volume deficit. An increase in blood pressure may occur as a compensatory response to fluid volume deficit; a decrease in respiratory rate is not a typical indicator of fluid volume deficit correction; and an increase in urine output can be a sign of improved kidney function but may not directly reflect fluid volume status.