an adult male who lives alone is brought to the emergency department by his daughter who found him unresponsive initial assessment indicated that the

HESI RN

RN HESI Exit Exam

1. An adult male who lives alone is brought to the Emergency Department by his daughter who found him unresponsive. Initial assessment indicated that the client has minimal respiratory effort, and his pupils are fixed and dilated. At the daughter's request, the client is intubated and ventilated. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?

A. Notify the client's minister of his condition.
B. Determine if the client has an executed living will.
C. Provide the family with information about palliative care.
D. Discuss the possibility of organ donation with the family.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying whether the client has an executed living will is crucial to ensuring that his treatment preferences are followed. In this critical situation, knowing the client's wishes regarding medical interventions is paramount. Options A, C, and D are not the highest priority as they do not directly address the immediate need to determine the client's treatment preferences.

2. The nurse is assessing a primigravida at 39-weeks gestation during a weekly prenatal visit. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?

A. Fetal heart rate of 200 beats/minute.
B. Mild ankle edema.
C. Complaints of back pain.
D. Decreased fetal movements.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A fetal heart rate of 200 beats per minute is significantly elevated and requires immediate medical attention. This finding could indicate fetal distress, tachycardia, or other serious issues that need prompt evaluation. Mild ankle edema, complaints of back pain, and decreased fetal movements are common in pregnancy but are not as urgent or concerning as a high fetal heart rate.

3. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is admitted with hyperkalemia. Which laboratory value is most concerning?

A. Serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium of 135 mEq/L
C. Serum creatinine of 2.0 mg/dl
D. Blood glucose of 150 mg/dl

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L is concerning in a client with CKD as it indicates hyperkalemia, which requires immediate intervention to prevent cardiac complications. Hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias, particularly in patients with impaired kidney function. Serum sodium, creatinine, and blood glucose levels, while important, are not as acutely dangerous as severe hyperkalemia in this context.

4. Which class of drugs is the only source of a cure for septic shock?

A. Antihypertensives
B. Anti-infectives
C. Antihistamines
D. Anticholesteremics

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Anti-infectives. Anti-infective agents, such as antibiotics, are essential in treating septic shock as they can eliminate bacteria and halt the progression of the condition by stopping the production of endotoxins. Antihypertensives (Choice A) are used to lower blood pressure, antihistamines (Choice C) are used to treat allergic reactions, and anticholesteremics (Choice D) are used to lower cholesterol levels. However, none of these drug classes directly address the bacterial infection that underlies septic shock.

5. A client with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?

A. White blood cell count of 10,000/mm³
B. Hemoglobin of 12 g/dL
C. Liver function tests
D. Platelet count of 150,000/mm³

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Liver function tests. Methotrexate can cause hepatotoxicity, making it essential to closely monitor liver function tests in clients receiving this medication. Monitoring white blood cell count, hemoglobin, or platelet count is not specifically required for methotrexate therapy and would not provide relevant information regarding potential adverse effects of the medication.