HESI LPN
CAT Exam Practice
1. A female client presents to the emergency department in the early evening complaining of abdominal cramping, watery diarrhea, and vomiting. She tells the nurse that she was at a picnic and ate barbecue that afternoon. What question is most important for the triage nurse to ask this client?
- A. Have you recently traveled outside the United States?
- B. How high was your temperature when you returned home?
- C. Have you taken any medication to treat these symptoms?
- D. Is anyone else sick who was also at the picnic?
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The most important question for the triage nurse to ask the client in this scenario is whether anyone else who attended the picnic is also sick. This is crucial to identify a potential outbreak or common source of infection. Asking about recent travel may be important for infectious diseases but is not as relevant as identifying a common source among individuals who shared the same food. Inquiring about the client's temperature is important but does not provide immediate insight into the cause of symptoms. Asking about medication taken is relevant but not as critical as determining if others are affected, which could indicate a foodborne illness.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer an oral antibiotic to a client with unilateral weakness, ptosis, mouth drooping, and aspiration pneumonia. What is the priority nursing assessment that should be done before administering this medication?
- A. Ask the client about soft food preferences
- B. Auscultate the client’s breath sounds
- C. Obtain and record the client’s vital signs
- D. Determine which side of the body is weak
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to auscultate the client’s breath sounds. Assessing breath sounds is crucial in this scenario as it helps ensure that the client can safely swallow the oral antibiotic without aspirating. Unilateral weakness, ptosis, mouth drooping, and aspiration pneumonia indicate potential swallowing difficulties, making it essential to assess breath sounds for any signs of respiratory issues. Asking about food preferences (choice A) may be relevant later but is not the priority before administering the medication. While obtaining vital signs (choice C) is important, assessing breath sounds takes precedence in this case. Determining which side of the body is weak (choice D) is not the priority assessment before administering the oral antibiotic.
3. The client had gastric bypass surgery yesterday. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement during the first 24 postoperative hours?
- A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter
- B. Monitor for the appearance of an incisional hernia
- C. Instruct the client to eat small frequent meals
- D. Measure hourly urinary output
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Monitoring hourly urinary output is crucial during the first 24 postoperative hours to assess kidney function, fluid balance, and early detection of complications like dehydration or inadequate kidney perfusion. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter is not routinely necessary after gastric bypass surgery unless there are specific indications. Monitoring for an incisional hernia is important but not the highest priority in the immediate postoperative period. Instructing the client to eat small frequent meals is essential for long-term dietary management after gastric bypass surgery, but not the most critical intervention during the initial 24 hours.
4. When deciding whether to join a nursing strike called after collective bargaining efforts have failed, which factor is most important for the nurse to consider?
- A. Nurse Practice Act of the State
- B. The role of nurses as client advocates
- C. Standards of clinical nursing practice
- D. Personal value system
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The role of nurses as client advocates is crucial when considering the impact of a strike on patient care. Nurses have a responsibility to advocate for their patients' well-being at all times. Choices A, C, and D, although important, are not the most critical factor to consider in this situation. The Nurse Practice Act of the State is essential for guiding nursing practice, standards of clinical nursing practice ensure quality care, and personal values are important; however, the primary focus during a strike should be on the role of nurses as client advocates.
5. A client with eczema is experiencing severe pruritus. Which PRN prescription should the nurse administer?
- A. Topical corticosteroid
- B. Topical scabicide
- C. Topical alcohol rub
- D. Transdermal analgesic
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Topical corticosteroid. Topical corticosteroids are commonly used to manage itching in eczema by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune response. In this case, for severe pruritus in eczema, a topical corticosteroid would be appropriate. Choice B, Topical scabicide, is used to treat scabies, not eczema. Choice C, Topical alcohol rub, is not typically used to manage pruritus in eczema. Choice D, Transdermal analgesic, is more for pain relief and not specifically targeted at managing itching associated with eczema.
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