HESI LPN
Fundamentals of Nursing HESI
1. A client has extracellular fluid volume deficit. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Postural hypotension
- B. Distended neck veins
- C. Dependent edema
- D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Postural hypotension is a common sign of extracellular fluid volume deficit due to decreased blood volume, leading to a drop in blood pressure upon standing. Distended neck veins, dependent edema, and bradycardia are not typically associated with extracellular fluid volume deficit. Distended neck veins are more indicative of fluid volume overload, dependent edema is a sign of fluid retention, and bradycardia is not a common finding in extracellular fluid volume deficit.
2. When changing a client's colostomy pouch and noticing peristomal skin irritation, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Change the pouch as needed based on individual requirements.
- B. Apply the pouch only when the skin barrier is completely dry.
- C. Pat the peristomal skin dry after cleaning.
- D. Ensure the pouch is 0.32 cm (1/8 in) larger than the stoma.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When a nurse observes peristomal skin irritation while changing a client's colostomy pouch, it is crucial to ensure that the pouch is slightly larger (0.32 cm or 1/8 inch) than the stoma. This extra space helps prevent the pouch from rubbing against the stoma and causing further irritation. Option A is correct because colostomy pouches should be changed based on individual needs, not necessarily every 24 hours. Option B is incorrect because applying the pouch only when the skin barrier is completely dry ensures better adhesion. Option C is incorrect as patting the peristomal skin dry after cleaning is more gentle and less likely to cause irritation compared to rubbing.
3. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is washing her hands prior to assisting with a surgical procedure. Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates proper surgical hand-washing techniques?
- A. The nurse washes with her hands held higher than her elbows.
- B. The nurse uses a brush to scrub under her nails.
- C. The nurse washes for at least 30 seconds.
- D. The nurse uses alcohol-based hand rub only.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Proper surgical hand-washing technique involves keeping the hands higher than the elbows to prevent contamination. Washing with hands held lower than the elbows can lead to potential contamination. Using a brush to scrub under the nails is not recommended as it can cause microabrasions, increasing infection risk. While washing for at least 30 seconds is a good practice for thorough hand hygiene, hand positioning is critical during surgical hand-washing. Using alcohol-based hand rub alone is insufficient for surgical hand-washing as it may not effectively remove dirt, debris, and transient microorganisms.
4. A post-op nurse has an indwelling catheter in place for gravity drainage. The nurse notes that the client's urine bag has been empty for 2 hours. The first action the nurse should take is to:
- A. Check to see if the tubing is kinked.
- B. Increase the IV fluid rate.
- C. Check the catheter insertion site.
- D. Contact the healthcare provider.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when the urine bag has not filled for 2 hours is to check if the tubing is kinked. Kinks in the tubing can obstruct the flow of urine from the catheter, leading to decreased drainage. Increasing the IV fluid rate is not the appropriate initial action in this situation as the primary concern is with the catheter drainage. Checking the catheter insertion site would be secondary to ensuring proper drainage. Contacting the healthcare provider is not necessary as the issue can often be resolved by checking for simple tubing obstructions first.
5. A client is lying on the bathroom floor after a nurse responds to a call light. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Check the client for injuries
- B. Move hazardous objects away from the client
- C. Notify the provider
- D. Ask the client to describe how she felt prior to the fall
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The nurse's priority in this situation is to assess the client for injuries. Checking for injuries first is crucial to determine the extent of harm caused by the fall and to provide immediate care. Moving hazardous objects can wait until the client's safety is ensured. Notifying the provider and asking the client about how she felt prior to the fall are important but are secondary to assessing for injuries in this urgent scenario. It is essential to address immediate physical needs before investigating the cause of the fall or notifying other healthcare team members.
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