HESI LPN
Mental Health HESI 2023
1. When preparing a teaching plan for a client who is to be discharged with a prescription for lithium carbonate (Lithonate), which instruction is most important for the nurse to include?
- A. It may take 3 to 4 weeks to achieve therapeutic effects.
- B. Keep your dietary salt intake consistent.
- C. Avoid eating aged cheese and chicken liver.
- D. Eat foods high in fiber such as whole grain breads.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Keep your dietary salt intake consistent.' Consistent salt intake is crucial when taking lithium carbonate to avoid lithium toxicity or ineffectiveness due to its renal excretion mechanism. Option A is incorrect because it focuses on the time to achieve therapeutic effects, which is important but not as critical as maintaining consistent salt intake. Option C is incorrect as it mentions avoiding aged cheese and chicken liver, which is more relevant for individuals taking MAOIs. Option D is incorrect as it suggests eating high-fiber foods, which is not directly related to lithium carbonate therapy.
2. Which of the following statements about nutrition is true?
- A. Nutrition is the only factor that influences health.
- B. Nutrient needs are the same for everyone.
- C. Certain nutrients are more important than others.
- D. Nutrient recommendations are designed to meet the needs of most healthy people.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Nutrient recommendations are designed to meet the needs of most healthy people, providing guidelines for a balanced diet. Choice A is incorrect because while nutrition plays a crucial role in health, it is not the only factor influencing it. Choice B is incorrect as nutrient needs vary based on factors like age, gender, activity level, and health status. Choice C is incorrect because all nutrients are essential for different bodily functions, and none can be deemed universally more important than others.
3. A nurse is evaluating a 3-year-old child’s developmental progress. The inability to perform which task indicates to the nurse that there is a developmental delay?
- A. Copying a square
- B. Hopping on one foot
- C. Catching a ball reliably
- D. Using a spoon effectively
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Copying a square. At 3 years old, children should be able to copy a square as part of their fine motor skill development. The inability to perform this task may indicate a developmental delay in fine motor skills. Choice B, hopping on one foot, typically develops around 4-5 years of age, so it is not a reliable indicator of a delay at 3. Choice C, catching a ball reliably, involves coordination skills that develop later in childhood, making it less relevant for a 3-year-old assessment. Choice D, using a spoon effectively, is more related to self-care and feeding skills rather than fine motor development, so it is not the best indicator of a developmental delay in this context.
4. The nurse empties the nasogastric suction collection canister of a client who had a bowel resection the previous day and notes that 1,000 mL of gastric secretions were collected in the last 4 hours. The nurse should assess the client for symptoms of which related problem?
- A. Respiratory acidosis.
- B. Metabolic alkalosis.
- C. Hypoglycemia.
- D. Hyperkalemia.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Metabolic alkalosis. Loss of gastric secretions can lead to metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of hydrochloric acid. This can result in an increase in blood pH levels. Respiratory acidosis (choice A) is caused by retention of carbon dioxide, not related to the loss of gastric secretions. Hypoglycemia (choice C) is a low blood sugar level and is not directly related to the loss of gastric secretions. Hyperkalemia (choice D) is an elevated potassium level in the blood and is not typically associated with the loss of gastric secretions.
5. During a home visit, the nurse assesses the skin of a client with eczema who reports that an exacerbation of symptoms has occurred during the last week. Which information is most useful in determining the possible cause of the symptoms?
- A. An old friend with eczema came for a visit.
- B. Recently received an influenza immunization.
- C. A grandson and his new dog recently visited.
- D. Corticosteroid cream was applied to eczema.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Contact with the grandson's new dog could have introduced new allergens or irritants, exacerbating the eczema symptoms. Choice A is unrelated to the exacerbation of symptoms. Choice B, receiving an influenza immunization, is unlikely to directly cause an exacerbation of eczema symptoms. Choice D, applying corticosteroid cream, is a common treatment for eczema and would not likely be the cause of the exacerbation.