HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Specialty Exam
1. A male client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is refusing to take his medication and has missed two hemodialysis appointments. What is the best initial action for the nurse?
- A. Discuss what the treatment regimen means to him.
 - B. Refer the client to a mental health nurse practitioner.
 - C. Reschedule the appointments to another date and time.
 - D. Discuss the option of peritoneal dialysis.
 
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The best initial action for the nurse in this scenario is to have a discussion with the client about what the treatment regimen means to him. It is important to assess the client's anxiety, coping styles, and acceptance of the required treatment for CKD. The client may be in denial of the diagnosis or may have concerns that need to be addressed. While rescheduling hemodialysis appointments could be helpful, referring the client to a mental health nurse practitioner or discussing peritoneal dialysis are not the most appropriate first steps. Understanding the client's perspective and concerns is crucial before exploring other interventions.
2. An 81-year-old male client has emphysema. He lives at home with his cat and manages self-care with no difficulty. When making a home visit, the nurse notices that his tongue is somewhat cracked, and his eyeballs are sunken into his head. What nursing intervention is indicated?
- A. Help the client determine ways to increase his fluid intake.
 - B. Obtain an appointment for the client to see a pulmonologist.
 - C. Schedule an appointment with a nutritionist to assess the client's diet.
 - D. Encourage the client to slightly increase his use of oxygen at night and to always use humidified oxygen.
 
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct nursing intervention in this scenario is to assist the client in finding ways to increase his fluid intake. Clients with COPD, including emphysema, should aim to consume at least three liters of fluids per day to help keep their mucus thin. As the disease progresses, these clients may decrease fluid intake due to various reasons. Suggesting creative methods, such as having disposable fruit juices readily available, can help the client meet this goal. Option B is incorrect as seeing an ear, nose, and throat specialist is not directly related to the client's symptoms. Option C is not the priority in this case, as the main concern is addressing the client's dehydration. Option D does not address the immediate need for managing the client's dehydration and is not the most appropriate intervention at this time.
3. A client is recovering after a nephrostomy tube was placed 6 hours ago. The nurse notes drainage in the tube has decreased from 40 mL/hr to 12 mL over the last hour. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Document the finding in the client’s record.
 - B. Evaluate the tube as working in the hand-off report.
 - C. Clamp the tube in preparation for removing it.
 - D. Assess the client’s abdomen and vital signs.
 
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to assess the client’s abdomen and vital signs. The nephrostomy tube should have a consistent amount of drainage, and a decrease may indicate obstruction. Before notifying the provider, the nurse must assess the client for pain, distention, and changes in vital signs. This assessment is crucial to gather essential information to report accurately. Documenting the finding without further assessment may delay necessary intervention. Evaluating the tube as working in the hand-off report or clamping the tube prematurely are not appropriate actions and could lead to complications if there is an obstruction.
4. An older client with long-term type 2 diabetes Mellitus (DM) is seen in the clinic for a routine health assessment. Which assessment would the nurse complete to determine if a patient with type 2 diabetes Mellitus (DM) is experiencing long-term complications?
- A. Signs of respiratory tract infection
 - B. Sensation in feet and legs
 - C. Skin condition of lower extremities
 - D. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
 
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Assessing sensation in the feet and legs is crucial for detecting diabetic neuropathy, a common long-term complication of diabetes. While signs of respiratory tract infection, skin condition of lower extremities, and serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels are important assessments in diabetic care, they are not specific for detecting long-term complications like neuropathy.
5. Which of the following is a common complication of hypertension?
- A. Diabetes.
 - B. Heart failure.
 - C. Kidney failure.
 - D. Stroke.
 
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Stroke. Hypertension can lead to stroke due to the increased pressure on blood vessels in the brain, which can result in reduced blood flow and oxygen to the brain tissue. While choices B (Heart failure) and C (Kidney failure) can be complications of hypertension, they are not as directly associated as stroke. Choice A, Diabetes, is not a direct complication of hypertension but rather a separate condition that can be influenced by various factors. However, stroke is more commonly linked to the increased pressure on blood vessels in the brain in individuals with hypertension.
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