HESI LPN
Medical Surgical HESI 2023
1. When interacting with the parents of a SIDS infant, the nurse should attempt to assist the parents with:
- A. Encouraging the parents to have another baby.
- B. Encouraging the parents to remain stoic.
- C. Allaying feelings of guilt and blame.
- D. Learning how the event could have been prevented.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Allaying feelings of guilt and blame. When parents experience the loss of a SIDS infant, they often struggle with intense feelings of guilt and self-blame. The nurse's role is to provide emotional support and help alleviate these feelings. Choices A and B are incorrect as encouraging the parents to have another baby or to remain stoic is not appropriate or helpful in this situation. Choice D is also incorrect because focusing on how the event could have been prevented may exacerbate feelings of guilt and is not the immediate priority in supporting grieving parents.
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen therapy at 2 liters per minute via a nasal cannula. Which assessment finding indicates a potential complication of oxygen therapy?
- A. Increased respiratory rate
- B. Decreased level of consciousness
- C. Improved oxygen saturation
- D. Complaints of dry mouth
Correct answer: B
Rationale: In clients with COPD, oxygen therapy can lead to a decrease in the respiratory drive caused by the removal of the hypoxic drive. This can result in carbon dioxide retention, leading to a decreased level of consciousness. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because an increased respiratory rate is typically a sign of hypoxia, improved oxygen saturation is a positive response to oxygen therapy, and complaints of dry mouth are not directly related to oxygen therapy complications in this scenario.
3. A client with a history of asthma and bronchitis arrives at the clinic with shortness of breath, productive cough with thickening mucus, and the inability to walk up a flight of stairs without experiencing breathlessness. Which action is most important for the nurse to instruct the client about self-care?
- A. Increase the daily intake of oral fluids to liquefy secretions
- B. Avoid crowded enclosed areas to reduce pathogen exposure
- C. Call the clinic if undesirable side effects of medications occur
- D. Teach anxiety reduction methods for feelings of suffocation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Increasing fluid intake is crucial as it helps to thin mucus secretions, making them easier to expectorate. This can alleviate the client's symptoms of shortness of breath and productive cough. Option B is not the most important action in this scenario, as it does not directly address the client's respiratory distress. Option C, while important, focuses on medication side effects rather than addressing the immediate breathing difficulties. Option D, teaching anxiety reduction methods, is not the priority when the client's main concern is respiratory distress.
4. The nurse is recording a history for a child who has been diagnosed with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP). What is a finding that is characteristic of this disorder?
- A. Morning headaches
- B. Pain for 3 consecutive months
- C. Febrile episodes in the late afternoon
- D. Diaphoresis when attacks occur
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pain for 3 consecutive months. Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is characterized by abdominal pain that occurs at least once per week for at least 2 months before diagnosis. Choosing option A is incorrect since morning headaches are not a common characteristic of RAP. Option C is incorrect because febrile episodes in the late afternoon are not typically associated with RAP. Option D is incorrect as diaphoresis (excessive sweating) when attacks occur is not a common finding in RAP.
5. A client who has a history of unstable angina is admitted to the emergency department with chest pain.
- A. Chest pain relieved by rest.
- B. Chest pain unrelieved after taking 3 sequential nitroglycerin tablets.
- C. Chest pain occurring only with exertion.
- D. Chest pain lasting less than 5 minutes.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Chest pain unrelieved after taking 3 sequential nitroglycerin tablets indicates a possible myocardial infarction and requires immediate medical attention.
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