HESI RN
HESI RN CAT Exit Exam
1. A 3-year-old boy is brought to the emergency center with dysphagia, drooling, a fever of 102°F, and stridor. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Place the child in a mist tent
- B. Obtain a sputum culture
- C. Prepare for an emergent tracheostomy
- D. Examine the child's oropharynx and report the findings to the healthcare provider
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In a 3-year-old boy presenting with dysphagia, drooling, fever, and stridor, the priority intervention should be to place the child in a mist tent. This intervention helps alleviate respiratory distress, providing immediate relief. Options B, C, and D are not as urgent as ensuring the child's airway is managed effectively. Obtaining a sputum culture, preparing for a tracheostomy, and examining the oropharynx can be done after stabilizing the child's respiratory status.
2. The nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-op following an abdominal hysterectomy. The client reports feeling something 'give way' in the incision site and there is a small amount of bowel protruding from the wound. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Apply a sterile saline dressing to the wound
- B. Notify the healthcare provider
- C. Administer pain medication
- D. Cover the wound with an abdominal binder
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In this situation, the priority action for the nurse is to apply a sterile saline dressing to the wound. This helps to cover and protect the exposed bowel, preventing infection and maintaining a moist environment for wound healing. Option B, notifying the healthcare provider, is important but should come after addressing the immediate need of covering the wound. Administering pain medication (option C) and covering the wound with an abdominal binder (option D) are not appropriate initial actions for this situation.
3. The nurse is performing a physical assessment of a male client who has chronic renal failure. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
- A. Client reports difficulty breathing
- B. Client reports shortness of breath when lying flat
- C. Client reports swelling in the feet and ankles
- D. Client reports a metallic taste in the mouth
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In a client with chronic renal failure, difficulty breathing is the most critical finding to report. This symptom may indicate fluid overload or pulmonary edema, which can be life-threatening. Shortness of breath when lying flat (orthopnea) is also concerning but less urgent than difficulty breathing. Swelling in the feet and ankles (edema) is a common finding in renal failure but may not be as immediately critical as difficulty breathing. A metallic taste in the mouth is associated with uremia, a common complication of chronic renal failure, but it is not as urgent as respiratory distress.
4. When obtaining a urine specimen from a female infant, which intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Place the wet diaper in a biohazard specimen bag
- B. Obtain the urine sample using a straight size 4 French catheter
- C. Collect the urinary stream in mid-air when the infant cries
- D. Secure the pediatric urine collector bag to the perineum
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When obtaining a urine specimen from a female infant, securing the pediatric urine collector bag to the perineum is the most appropriate intervention. This method allows for non-invasive collection of urine without causing discomfort or distress to the infant. Placing the wet diaper in a biohazard specimen bag (Choice A) is incorrect as it does not involve collecting a fresh urine sample. Using a catheter (Choice B) is invasive and not typically necessary for routine urine specimen collection from infants. Collecting the urinary stream in mid-air when the infant cries (Choice C) is not a reliable or hygienic method of obtaining a urine specimen.
5. One hour after delivery, the nurse is unable to palpate the uterine fundus of a client and notes a large amount of lochia on the perineal pad. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Empty the bladder using an indwelling urinary catheter
- B. Increase the rate of the IV containing oxytocin (Pitocin)
- C. Assess for shock by determining the blood pressure
- D. Perform gentle massage at the level of the umbilicus
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Gentle massage at the level of the umbilicus is the initial intervention to help contract the uterus and reduce bleeding, which is crucial in managing postpartum hemorrhage. Emptying the bladder can help with fundal displacement, but massage should be done first to stimulate uterine contractions. Increasing the IV oxytocin rate is a possible intervention but not the initial priority. Assessing for shock is important, but addressing the uterine atony through massage takes precedence to prevent further hemorrhage.
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