HESI RN
HESI Medical Surgical Exam
1. Which of the following is a primary intervention for a patient with sepsis?
- A. Administering antibiotics
 - B. Administering IV fluids
 - C. Administering antipyretics
 - D. Monitoring blood cultures
 
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Monitoring blood cultures is a primary intervention for a patient with sepsis because it helps identify the causative organism, which is crucial in guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy. Administering antibiotics (Choice A) is important in treating sepsis but is considered a secondary intervention. Administering IV fluids (Choice B) is also crucial for sepsis management to restore perfusion and hemodynamic stability. Administering antipyretics (Choice C) may help reduce fever, but it is not a primary intervention for managing sepsis.
2. A client with polycystic kidney disease (PKD is being assessed by a nurse. Which assessment finding should prompt the nurse to immediately contact the healthcare provider?
- A. Flank pain
 - B. Periorbital edema
 - C. Bloody and cloudy urine
 - D. Enlarged abdomen
 
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Periorbital edema would not typically be associated with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and could indicate other underlying issues that require immediate attention. Flank pain and an enlarged abdomen are common findings in PKD due to kidney enlargement and displacement of other organs. Bloody or cloudy urine can result from cyst rupture or infection, which are expected in PKD. Therefore, periorbital edema is the most alarming finding in this scenario and warrants prompt notification of the healthcare provider.
3. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be prescribed for the client with diabetes mellitus to reduce vascular changes and possibly prevent or delay the development of:
- A. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
 - B. Pancreatic cancer.
 - C. Renal failure.
 - D. Cerebrovascular accident.
 
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Renal failure. ACE inhibitors are commonly used in clients with diabetes mellitus to help reduce the progression of diabetic nephropathy by improving renal blood flow. This medication class can help prevent or delay the development of renal failure in these clients. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because ACE inhibitors do not have a direct impact on preventing or delaying the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pancreatic cancer, or cerebrovascular accidents in clients with diabetes mellitus.
4. A patient has been taking spironolactone (Aldactone) to treat heart failure. The nurse will monitor for
- A. hyperkalemia.
 - B. hypermagnesemia.
 - C. hypocalcemia.
 - D. hypoglycemia.
 
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: hyperkalemia. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic commonly used in heart failure management. One of the major side effects of spironolactone is hyperkalemia, which is an elevated level of potassium in the blood. Monitoring for hyperkalemia is crucial as it can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Hypermagnesemia (choice B) is not typically associated with spironolactone use. Hypocalcemia (choice C) and hypoglycemia (choice D) are also not directly linked to the use of spironolactone in heart failure treatment.
5. The healthcare provider is developing standards of care for a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease and wants to review current evidence for practice. Which one of the following resources will provide the most helpful information?
- A. A review in the Cochrane Library.
 - B. A literature search in a database, such as the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL).
 - C. An online nursing textbook.
 - D. The policy and procedure manual at the healthcare agency.
 
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The Cochrane Library provides systematic reviews of primary research in healthcare, making it a reliable resource for evidence-based practice. Choice B, a literature search in a database like CINAHL, may also be useful but does not guarantee the same level of systematic review and reliability as the Cochrane Library. Choice C, an online nursing textbook, may offer information but might not provide the most current or evidence-based practices. Choice D, the policy and procedure manual at the healthcare agency, is unlikely to offer the comprehensive evidence-based information needed for developing standards of care.
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