HESI LPN
Fundamentals HESI
1. Which behavior indicates the nurse is using a team approach when caring for a patient who is experiencing alterations in mobility?
- A. Delegates assessment of lung sounds to nursing assistive personnel
- B. Becomes solely responsible for modifying activities of daily living
- C. Consults physical therapy for strengthening exercises in the extremities
- D. Involves respiratory therapy for altered breathing from severe anxiety levels
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Consulting physical therapy for strengthening exercises in the extremities demonstrates a team approach in caring for a patient with mobility issues. Involving other healthcare professionals like physical therapists ensures a comprehensive and specialized approach to address the patient's mobility needs. This collaborative approach benefits the patient by providing specialized interventions. Choices A, B, and D do not exemplify a collaborative team approach. Delegating assessment tasks to nursing assistive personnel (Choice A) may not address the mobility issue directly. Becoming solely responsible for modifying activities of daily living (Choice B) limits the scope of interventions. Involving respiratory therapy for anxiety-related breathing issues (Choice D) addresses a different aspect of care and does not directly target mobility concerns.
2. When assisting a family who fails to take action during a sick member despite suggestions, you will:
- A. explain the consequences of inaction
- B. identify the courses of action open to the family and the resources needed for each
- C. discuss the consequences of each course of action available
- D. influence the family to act on what you think is best for the situation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When helping a family decide on actions to take, it is essential to identify the courses of action available to them and the resources needed for each. This empowers the family to make informed decisions based on their specific situation. Explaining the consequences of inaction (Choice A) may be necessary but does not provide a range of options. Discussing the consequences of each course of action (Choice C) is important but does not actively guide the family on the available actions. Influencing the family (Choice D) to act based on personal judgment undermines their autonomy and may not lead to the best outcome.
3. When caring for a pregnant woman with cardiac problems, the nurse must be alert for the signs and symptoms of cardiac decompensation. Which critical findings would the nurse find on assessment of the client experiencing this condition?
- A. Regular heart rate and hypertension.
- B. Increased urinary output, tachycardia, and dry cough.
- C. Shortness of breath, bradycardia, and hypertension.
- D. Dyspnea, crackles, and an irregular, weak pulse.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In pregnant women with cardiac problems, signs of cardiac decompensation include dyspnea, crackles, an irregular, weak, and rapid pulse, rapid respirations, a moist and frequent cough, generalized edema, increasing fatigue, and cyanosis of the lips and nailbeds. Choice A is incorrect as a regular heart rate and hypertension are not typically associated with cardiac decompensation. Choice B is incorrect as increased urinary output and dry cough are not indicative of cardiac decompensation, only tachycardia is. Choice C is incorrect as bradycardia and hypertension are not typically seen in cardiac decompensation; dyspnea is a critical sign instead.
4. When administering an analgesic to a client with low back pain, which intervention should the practical nurse implement to promote the effectiveness of the medication?
- A. Massage the lower back and position the client in proper alignment
- B. Encourage the client to ambulate frequently and take deep breaths
- C. Assist the client in performing passive and active range of motion exercises
- D. Give medication with a full glass of water and offer high-fiber foods
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Massaging the lower back and positioning the client in proper alignment can help relieve muscle tension and enhance the effectiveness of analgesics by providing additional comfort and promoting better pain management. This intervention directly addresses the site of pain and can improve the medication's efficacy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while they may have benefits in other situations, they are not directly related to promoting the effectiveness of analgesics in clients with low back pain. Encouraging ambulation and deep breathing, assisting with range of motion exercises, and offering water and high-fiber foods are important for overall patient care but are not specific to enhancing analgesic effectiveness in this context.
5. The nurse assesses an older adult who is newly admitted to a long-term care facility. The client has dry, flaky skin and long thickened fingernails. The client has a medical history of a stroke which resulted in left-sided paralysis and dysphagia. In planning care for the client, which task should the nurse delegate to the unlicensed personnel (UAP)?
- A. Soak and file fingernails
- B. Offer fluids frequently
- C. Monitor skin elasticity
- D. Ambulate in the hallway
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Soaking and filing fingernails is a task that can be delegated to UAP. This task does not require specialized nursing skills and can be safely performed by unlicensed personnel. Offering fluids frequently, monitoring skin elasticity, and ambulating require more skilled assessments and interventions, which are responsibilities of the nurse. The client's dry, flaky skin and long thickened fingernails indicate the need for basic hygiene care, making it appropriate for delegation to unlicensed personnel.