HESI RN
Pediatric HESI
1. What is the recommended analgesia for preparing a school-age child for a lumbar puncture (LP)?
- A. Ondansetron (Zofran) 4 mg / 5 ml PO TID.
- B. Codeine 10 mg PO 30 minutes before the procedure.
- C. A transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) patch immediately before the procedure.
- D. EMLA (eutectic mixtures of local anesthetics) 2.5 hours before the procedure.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: For a lumbar puncture in a school-age child, EMLA cream should be applied 2.5 hours before the procedure. EMLA is commonly used to numb the skin, reducing pain and discomfort for the child during the procedure. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because ondansetron is an antiemetic, codeine is an opioid analgesic that may not be suitable for children, and transdermal fentanyl is a strong opioid that is not typically used for local anesthesia in children undergoing lumbar puncture.
2. The nurse is providing care for a client with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Serum sodium of 140 mEq/L.
- B. Serum osmolality of 280 mOsm/kg.
- C. Weight gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours.
- D. Serum sodium of 130 mEq/L.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The corrected answer is D. A serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, which requires immediate intervention in a client with SIADH. Hyponatremia can lead to serious complications such as seizures, coma, and cerebral edema. Choices A, B, and C are not the most critical findings in a client with SIADH. While a serum sodium of 140 mEq/L is within the normal range, a decrease to 130 mEq/L is concerning and requires prompt action to prevent complications.
3. The nurse is caring for a 2-year-old child who was admitted for dehydration due to gastroenteritis. The child is now receiving IV fluids and appears more alert. What is the best indicator that the child’s condition is improving?
- A. The child is more alert and playful
- B. The child’s urine output has increased
- C. The child’s vital signs are stable
- D. The child is tolerating small amounts of oral fluids
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Increased urine output is a reliable indicator that hydration status is improving. While alertness and playfulness are positive signs, increased urine output directly reflects improved hydration. Stable vital signs are important but may not directly indicate hydration status. Tolerating small amounts of oral fluids is a good sign but may not be as direct an indicator as increased urine output.
4. After fertilization, cell division occurs through a process of:
- A. Binary fission
- B. Meiosis
- C. Budding
- D. Mitosis
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After fertilization, the zygote undergoes cell division through the process of mitosis. Mitosis is the type of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Choice A, binary fission, is a form of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes, not the process that occurs after fertilization in multicellular organisms. Choice B, meiosis, is a type of cell division that leads to the formation of gametes with half the number of chromosomes, not the process that occurs after fertilization. Choice C, budding, is a form of asexual reproduction seen in some organisms like yeast, but it is not the process of cell division after fertilization.
5. What most likely led to the 67-year-old woman who lives alone tripping on a rug in her home and fracturing her hip?
- A. Failing eyesight causing an unsafe environment.
- B. Renal osteodystrophy due to chronic renal failure.
- C. Osteoporosis due to hormonal changes.
- D. Cardiovascular changes leading to small strokes impairing mental acuity.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Osteoporosis, caused by hormonal changes in later life, is the most likely predisposing factor for the fracture in the proximal end of her femur. Osteoporosis leads to reduced bone density, making bones more fragile and susceptible to fractures, especially in the elderly. Choices A, B, and D are less likely to directly lead to a hip fracture in this scenario. Failing eyesight (choice A) could contribute to the fall but is not the main predisposing factor for the fracture. Renal osteodystrophy (choice B) and cardiovascular changes (choice D) are less commonly associated with hip fractures compared to osteoporosis in elderly women.