HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice
1. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to perform before ambulating a client with a history of syncope?
- A. Pedal pulses
- B. Breath sounds
- C. Oxygen saturation
- D. Blood pressure
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is 'D: Blood pressure.' It is crucial to check the client's blood pressure before ambulating them, especially if they have a history of syncope. Monitoring blood pressure helps to prevent falls by ensuring that the client's blood pressure is stable enough to tolerate the activity. Choices A, B, and C are not as critical in this scenario. Checking pedal pulses, breath sounds, or oxygen saturation is important but not as crucial as assessing blood pressure when preparing to ambulate a client with a history of syncope.
2. A nurse is providing home care for a client who is receiving tube feedings and medication through a gastrostomy tube. The family member providing the feedings reports that the client has begun to have diarrhea. For which of the following practices should the nurse intervene?
- A. The family member washes out the feeding bag with warm water once every 24 hours.
- B. The family member washes out the feeding bag with hot water once every 24 hours.
- C. The family member washes out the feeding bag with soap and water every 24 hours.
- D. The family member changes the feeding bag every 24 hours.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Washing out the feeding bag with warm water once every 24 hours is not sufficient to prevent bacterial growth and can lead to diarrhea. Using hot water may damage the feeding bag. Washing out the feeding bag with soap and water every 24 hours is excessive and may leave residue that could be harmful. Changing the feeding bag every 24 hours is important for preventing infections but does not directly address the issue of diarrhea in this case.
3. A client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia is still withdrawn, unkempt, and unmotivated to get out of bed. A mental health aide asks the nurse why the client is this way after being on fluphenazine (Prolix) 10 mg for 7 days. The LPN/LVN should tell the health aide:
- A. Prolixin is the most effective with positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
- B. The client will be less withdrawn and unmotivated when the Prolixin takes effect.
- C. The client's Prolixin dose probably needs to be increased again.
- D. Lack of motivation is a common side effect of the Prolixin.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Prolixin is more effective with positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, rather than negative symptoms like withdrawal and lack of motivation.
4. The school nurse is caring for a boy with hemophilia who fell on his arm during recess. What supportive measures should the nurse use until factor replacement therapy can be instituted?
- A. Apply warm, moist compresses
- B. Apply pressure for at least 1 minute
- C. Elevate the area above the level of the heart
- D. Begin passive range-of-motion unless the pain is severe
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct supportive measure for the school nurse to use for a boy with hemophilia who fell on his arm during recess is to elevate the area above the level of the heart. Elevating the affected area helps reduce bleeding and swelling in a child with hemophilia until factor replacement therapy can be provided. Applying warm, moist compresses (Choice A) may worsen bleeding by dilating blood vessels. Applying pressure for at least 1 minute (Choice B) is not recommended for hemophilia as it can lead to increased bleeding. Beginning passive range-of-motion (Choice D) should be avoided as it can exacerbate bleeding and further injury in a child with hemophilia.
5. The mother of a school-age child calls the school to ask when her daughter can return to school after treatment for Pediculosis capitis. What is the nurse’s best response?
- A. When all live lice are eliminated by the treatment
- B. Two weeks after the last treatment
- C. As soon as the itching stops
- D. After the treatment kills all the live lice
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is 'After the treatment kills all the live lice.' The child can return to school once all live lice are eliminated to prevent the spread of Pediculosis capitis. This is essential as live lice are highly contagious. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Waiting for the itching to stop or for an epidemic to subside does not ensure that all live lice are eradicated, which is crucial to prevent reinfestation and transmission.