HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice Test
1. A client is being treated for minor injuries following an automobile accident in which the only other passenger was killed. The client asks the nurse, 'Is my friend who was in the car with me ok?' What response is best for the nurse to provide?
- A. I am sorry, but your friend was killed in the accident.
- B. Right now you need to concentrate on getting well.
- C. Was the passenger in the car your friend?
- D. I think your friend is going to be all right.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'I am sorry, but your friend was killed in the accident.' In this situation, honesty and compassion are essential. The nurse should provide the client with truthful information, acknowledging the client's need to know the reality of the situation. Choice B is dismissive and does not address the client's inquiry directly. Choice C is a deflecting question and does not offer the direct information the client is seeking. Choice D provides false reassurance, which is not appropriate in this circumstance where the reality needs to be communicated.
2. A continuous infusion of nitroglycerin is prescribed for an adult male admitted with an acute myocardial infarction. The client is experiencing active chest pain that he describes as 8 out of 10. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Administer the infusion via an infusion pump
- B. Obtain the current serum potassium level
- C. Continuously monitor blood pressure
- D. Teach guided imagery to decrease pain
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Continuously monitoring blood pressure is crucial in this case because nitroglycerin can cause hypotension as a side effect. Monitoring blood pressure allows the nurse to assess the client's response to the medication and detect any signs of hypotension promptly. This intervention is essential to ensure the effectiveness of nitroglycerin therapy and prevent potential complications. Administering the infusion via an infusion pump is important for accurate dosing but not the most critical at this moment. Obtaining the current serum potassium level is important but not the most immediate concern when the client is experiencing active chest pain. Teaching guided imagery may be beneficial for pain management, but in this scenario, monitoring blood pressure takes precedence due to the potential side effects of nitroglycerin.
3. An older adult resident of a long-term care facility has a 5-year history of hypertension. The client has a headache and rates the pain 5 on a pain scale of 0 to 10. The client’s blood pressure is currently 142/89. Which interventions should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply)
- A. Administer the scheduled daily dose of lisinopril.
- B. Assess the client for postural hypotension.
- C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- D. Provide a PRN dose of acetaminophen for the headache.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the client's blood pressure of 142/89 is within an acceptable range for someone with a history of hypertension. The client's headache with a pain rating of 5 does not warrant an immediate notification to the healthcare provider. Administering the scheduled dose of lisinopril is appropriate to manage the client's hypertension. Assessing the client for postural hypotension is relevant due to the client's age and hypertension history. Providing a PRN dose of acetaminophen for the headache is not necessary at this point as the pain level is moderate and can be managed with other interventions.
4. When administering ceftriaxone sodium intravenously to a client before surgery, which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. Headache
- B. Pruritus
- C. Nausea
- D. Stridor
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched, noisy breathing sound that can indicate a serious condition like airway obstruction or a severe allergic reaction, necessitating immediate intervention to maintain the client's airway and prevent further complications. While headache, pruritus, and nausea are important to assess and manage, they are not as immediately life-threatening as stridor, which requires prompt attention to prevent respiratory compromise.
5. The nurse receives change of shift report on a group of clients for the upcoming shift. A client with which condition requires the most immediate attention by the nurse?
- A. Gunshot wound three hours ago with dark drainage of 2 cm on the dressing
- B. Mastectomy 2 days ago with 50 ml bloody drainage in the Jackson-Pratt drain
- C. Collapsed lung after a fall 8 hours ago with 100 ml blood in the chest tube collection container
- D. Abdominal-perineal resection 2 days ago with no drainage on dressing and fever and chills
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A collapsed lung with significant blood accumulation requires immediate attention to prevent respiratory compromise. Option A may also require attention, but the immediate threat to airway and breathing in option C takes precedence over the others. Option B has expected drainage after a mastectomy, and option D's fever and chills, while concerning, do not pose an immediate life-threatening risk as in option C.
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