HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Specialty Exam
1. Which clients are at risk for kidney problems? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Clients taking synthetic creatine supplements
- B. Clients taking metformin for diabetes mellitus
- C. Clients taking high-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for chronic back pain
- D. Clients taking prenatal vitamins and using albuterol nebulizers
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Clients who take synthetic creatine supplements, metformin, and high-dose or long-term NSAIDs are at risk for kidney dysfunction. Synthetic creatine supplements can cause kidney damage, metformin may rarely cause lactic acidosis leading to renal impairment, and high-dose NSAIDs can lead to acute kidney injury. Prenatal vitamins and albuterol nebulizers are not known to significantly impact kidney function, thus do not pose a risk for kidney problems.
2. A client who has undergone pleural biopsy is being monitored by a nurse. Which finding indicates a potential complication for the client?
- A. Warm, dry skin
- B. Mild pain at the biopsy site
- C. Complaints of shortness of breath
- D. Capillary refill time of less than 3 seconds
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Complaints of shortness of breath are a concerning finding post-pleural biopsy, as they may indicate a complication such as a pneumothorax or hemothorax. Shortness of breath can be a sign of respiratory distress that requires immediate attention. Warm, dry skin, mild pain at the biopsy site, and a capillary refill time of less than 3 seconds are not typically associated with immediate complications following a pleural biopsy. Warm, dry skin may be a normal finding, mild pain can be expected at the biopsy site, and a capillary refill time of less than 3 seconds is within normal limits.
3. The nurse assesses a client with advanced cirrhosis of the liver for signs of hepatic encephalopathy. Which finding would the nurse consider an indication of progressive hepatic encephalopathy?
- A. An increase in abdominal girth.
- B. Hypertension and a bounding pulse.
- C. Decreased bowel sounds.
- D. Difficulty in handwriting.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Difficulty in handwriting is a common early sign of hepatic encephalopathy. Changes in handwriting can indicate progression or reversal of hepatic encephalopathy leading to coma. Choice (A) is a sign of ascites, not hepatic encephalopathy. Hypertension and a bounding pulse (Choice B) are not typically associated with hepatic encephalopathy. Decreased bowel sounds (Choice C) do not directly indicate an increase in serum ammonia level, which is the primary cause of hepatic encephalopathy.
4. The nurse is caring for five clients on the medical-surgical unit. Which clients would the nurse consider to be at risk for post-renal acute kidney injury (AKI)? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Man with prostate cancer
- B. Woman with blood clots in the urinary tract
- C. Client with ureterolithiasis
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Post-renal acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs due to urine flow obstruction, which can result from conditions such as prostate cancer, blood clots in the urinary tract, and ureterolithiasis (kidney stones). Severe burns would lead to pre-renal AKI by reducing blood flow to the kidneys. Lupus would cause intrarenal AKI by affecting the kidney tissue directly. Therefore, options A, B, and C are correct choices for clients at risk for post-renal AKI, making option D the correct answer.
5. An elderly client is admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. The nurse's assessment of the client will most likely reveal which sign/symptom?
- A. Leukocytosis and febrile.
- B. Polycythemia and crackles.
- C. Pharyngitis and sputum production.
- D. Confusion and tachycardia.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The onset of pneumonia in the elderly may be signaled by general deterioration, confusion, increased heart rate or increased respiratory rate due to the decreased oxygen- carbon dioxide exchange at the alveoli, known as the V-Q mismatch.
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