HESI LPN
Maternity HESI Practice Questions
1. What is the most critical action in caring for the newborn immediately after birth?
- A. Keeping the airway clear.
- B. Fostering parent-newborn attachment.
- C. Drying the newborn and wrapping the infant in a blanket.
- D. Administering eye drops and vitamin K.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The most critical action in caring for the newborn immediately after birth is keeping the airway clear. This is essential to ensure that the newborn can breathe effectively and prevent any respiratory distress. Fostering parent-newborn attachment, although important, is not the most critical action immediately after birth. Drying the newborn and wrapping the infant in a blanket is important for temperature regulation but is not as critical as maintaining a clear airway. Administering eye drops and vitamin K is typically done later and is not the most critical action immediately after birth.
2. Which instruction should the nurse provide a client who was recently diagnosed with Raynaud's disease?
- A. Avoid cold temperatures completely.
- B. Take medications only during flare-ups.
- C. Wear gloves when removing packages from the freezer.
- D. Limit physical activity to avoid stress.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct instruction for a client with Raynaud's disease is to wear gloves when handling cold items to prevent vasospasm. Raynaud's disease is characterized by vasospasm in response to cold or stress, leading to reduced blood flow to extremities. Wearing gloves when removing packages from the freezer helps minimize exposure to cold temperatures and can prevent triggering vasospasms. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Avoiding cold temperatures completely is impractical and may not always be possible. Taking medications only during flare-ups does not address prevention strategies, and limiting physical activity to avoid stress is not a primary intervention for Raynaud's disease.
3. A female client with borderline personality disorder expresses fear of being abandoned by the nursing staff. What is the best nursing intervention?
- A. Reassure the client that she will not be abandoned.
- B. Set limits on the client's behavior and enforce them consistently.
- C. Encourage the client to talk about her fears.
- D. Rotate the nursing staff assigned to the client frequently.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The best nursing intervention for a client with borderline personality disorder expressing fear of abandonment is to set limits on the client's behavior and enforce them consistently. This approach helps establish boundaries and provides a sense of security for the client. Choice A may provide temporary reassurance but does not address the core issue or help the client develop coping strategies. Choice C is important but should be accompanied by setting limits to address the underlying fear of abandonment. Choice D of rotating staff frequently can exacerbate the client's fear of abandonment by reinforcing the idea of being left.
4. A client is crying while reading from a religious book and asks to be left alone. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Contact the hospital’s spiritual services.
- B. Ask what is making the client cry.
- C. Ensure no visitors or staff enter the room for a short time period.
- D. Turn on the television for a distraction.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to ensure no visitors or staff enter the room for a short time period. Respecting the client's wish for privacy during emotional moments is crucial for providing patient-centered care. Contacting spiritual services or asking about the reason for crying may intrude on the client's privacy and emotional space. Turning on the television for a distraction is not appropriate as it does not address the client's emotional needs or request for privacy.
5. The patient is being treated for cancer with weekly radiation therapy to the head and intravenous chemotherapy treatments. Which assessment is the priority?
- A. Feet
- B. Nail beds
- C. Perineum
- D. Oral cavity
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is the oral cavity. During cancer treatment involving radiation to the head and intravenous chemotherapy, the oral cavity is a priority assessment area. Radiation can reduce salivary flow and lower the pH of saliva, which can lead to stomatitis and tooth decay. Assessing the oral cavity allows for the early identification and management of potential complications. Choice A, assessing the feet, is not the priority in this scenario as it is not directly impacted by the described cancer treatments. Choice B, assessing the nail beds, is not the priority compared to the oral cavity. Nail bed assessment may be relevant for certain conditions, but in this case, the oral cavity is of higher priority due to the specific treatment effects. Choice C, assessing the perineum, is also not the priority in this situation as it is not directly affected by the described cancer treatments, unlike the oral cavity.