Comprehensive HESI Module Exam

A nurse, performing an assessment of a client who has been admitted to the hospital with suspected silicosis, is gathering both subjective and objective data. Which question by the nurse would elicit data specific to the cause of this disorder? "Do you chew tobacco?" "Have you ever worked in a mine?" "Do you smoke cigarettes?" "Are you frequently exposed to paint products?"

"Have you ever worked in a mine?" Rationale: Silicosis is a chronic fibrotic disease of the lungs caused by the inhalation of free crystalline silica dust over a long period. Mining and quarrying are each associated with a high incidence of silicosis. Hazardous exposure to silica dust also occurs in foundry work, tunneling, sandblasting, pottery-making, stone masonry, and the manufacture of glass, tile, and bricks. The finely ground silica used in soaps, polishes, and filters also presents a risk. The assessment questions noted in the other options are unrelated to the cause of silicosis.

A rape victim being treated in the emergency department says to the nurse, "I'm really worried that I've got HIV now." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse? "HIV is rarely an issue in rape victims." "Let's talk about the information that you need to determine your risk of contracting HIV." "You're more likely to get pregnant than to contract HIV." "Every rape victim is concerned about HIV."

"Let's talk about the information that you need to determine your risk of contracting HIV." Rationale: The most appropriate response by the nurse is the one that encourages the client to talk about her condition. HIV is a concern of rape victims. Such concern should always be addressed, and the victim should be given the information needed to evaluate his or her risk. Pregnancy may occur as a result of rape, and pregnancy prophylaxis can be offered in the emergency department or during follow-up, once the results of a pregnancy test have been obtained. However, stating, "You're more likely to get pregnant than to contract HIV" avoids the client's concern. Similarly, "HIV is rarely an issue in rape victims" and "Every rape victim is concerned about HIV" are generalized responses that avoid the client's concern.

A client is taking prescribed ibuprofen 200 mg orally four times daily, to relieve joint pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis. The client tells the nurse that the medication is causing nausea and indigestion. What should the nurse tell the client? "Take the medication with food." "Take the medication twice a day instead of four times a day." "Stop taking the medication." "I will contact your primary health care provider."

"Take the medication with food." Rationale: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication. Side effects include nausea (with or without vomiting) and dyspepsia (heartburn, indigestion, or epigastric pain). If gastrointestinal distress occurs, the client should be instructed to take the medication with milk or food. The nurse would not instruct the client to stop the medication or instruct the client to adjust the dosage of a prescribed medication; these actions are not within the legal scope of the role of the nurse. Contacting the primary health care provider is premature, because the client's complaints are side effects that occasionally occur and can be relieved by taking the medication with milk or food.

A client who recently underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery comes to the primary health care provider's office for a follow-up visit. On assessment, the client tells the nurse that he is feeling depressed. Which response by the nurse is therapeutic? "Tell me more about what you're feeling." "It will take time, but I promise you, you will get over this depression." "That's a normal response after this type of surgery." "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a month."

"Tell me more about what you're feeling." Rationale: The therapeutic response by the nurse is, "Tell me more about what you're feeling." When a client expresses feelings of depression, it is extremely important for the nurse to further explore these feelings with the client. In stating, "This is a normal response after this type of surgery" the nurse provides false reassurance and avoids addressing the client's feelings. "It will take time, but I promise you, you will get over the depression" is also a false reassurance, and it does not encourage the expression of feelings. "Every client who has this surgery feels the same way for about a month" is a generalization that avoids the client's feelings.

A nurse is providing morning care to a client in end-stage kidney disease. The client is reluctant to talk and shows little interest in participating in hygiene care. Which statement by the nurse would be therapeutic? "You need to get yourself cleaned up. You have company coming today." "What are your feelings right now?" "You aren't talking today. Cat got your tongue?" "Why don't you feel like washing up?"

"What are your feelings right now?" Rationale: Asking, "What are your feelings right now?" encourages the client to identify his or her emotions or feelings, which is a therapeutic communication technique. In stating, "Why don't you feel like washing up?" the nurse is requesting an explanation of feelings and behaviors for which the client may not know the reason. Requesting an explanation is a nontherapeutic communication technique. "You aren't talking today. Cat got your tongue?" is a nontherapeutic cliché. The statement "You need to get yourself cleaned up. You have company coming today" is demanding, demeaning to the client, and nontherapeutic.

A primary health care provider prescribes a dose of morphine sulfate 2.5 mg stat to be administered intravenously to a client in pain. The nurse preparing the medication notes that the label on the vial of morphine sulfate solution for injection reads "4 mg/mL." How many milliliters (mL) must the nurse draw into a syringe for administration to the client?

0.625 mL Rationale: Use the medication calculation formula: Desired amt/available x mL = mL per dose

A nurse is monitoring a hospitalized client who is being treated for preeclampsia. Which finding elicited during the assessment indicates that the condition has not yet resolved? Nursing Progress Notes: 1. Hyperreflexia is present. 2. Urinary protein is not detectable. 3. Urine output is 45 mL/hr. 4. Blood pressure is 128/78 mm Hg.

1. Hyperreflexia is present. Rationale: In a client with preeclampsia, deep tendon reflexes may be very brisk (hyperreflexia) and clonus (series of involuntary, rhythmic, muscular contractions and relaxations)may be present, suggesting cerebral irritability resulting from decreased brain circulation and edema. Hypertension, generalized edema, and proteinuria are the three classic signs of preeclampsia. Decreased urinary output (less than 30 mL/hr) indicates poor perfusion of the kidneys and may precede acute renal failure. Negative findings of the urinary protein assay, urine output of 45 mL/hr, and a blood pressure of 128/78 mm Hg are all signs that preeclampsia is resolving.

An emergency department (ED) nurse is monitoring a client with suspected acute myocardial infarction (MI) who is awaiting transfer to the coronary intensive care unit. The nurse notes the sudden onset of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on the monitor, checks the client's carotid pulse, and determines that the PVCs are not perfusing. What is the nurse's most appropriate action? 1. Inform the client that PVCs are expected after an MI 2. Ask the ED primary health care provider to check the client 3. Document the findings 4. Continue to monitor the client's cardiac status

2. Ask the ED primary health care provider to check the client Rationale: The most appropriate action by the nurse would be to ask the ED health care provider to check the client. PVCs are a result of increased irritability of ventricular cells. Peripheral pulses may be absent or diminished with the PVCs themselves because the decreased stroke volume of the premature beats may in turn decrease peripheral perfusion. Because other rhythms also cause widened QRS complexes, it is essential that the nurse determine whether the premature beats are resulting in perfusion of the extremities. This is done by palpating the carotid, brachial, or femoral artery while observing the monitor for widened complexes or by auscultating for apical heart sounds. In the situation of acute MI, PVCs may be considered warning dysrhythmias, possibly heralding the onset of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Therefore, the nurse would not tell the client that the PVCs are expected. Although the nurse will continue to monitor the client and document the findings, these are not the most appropriate actions of those provided.

A primary health care provider writes a prescription for 1000 mL of 0.9% normal saline solution to be administered intravenously (IV) to a client over 10 hours. The drop factor for the infusion set is 15 gtt/mL. At what drip rate does the nurse set the infusion?

25 gtt/min Rationale: Use the formula for calculating IV flow rates: Total vol x Drop factor / time in min = drops in min 1000 mL x 15/600 = 25 drops

Lorazepam 1 mg by way of intravenous (IV) injection (IV push) is prescribed for a client for the management of anxiety. The nurse prepares the medication as prescribed. Over what period of time should the nurse administer this medication? 10 seconds 30 minutes 15 seconds 3 minutes

3 minutes Rationale: Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine. When administered by IV injection, each 2 mg or fraction thereof is administered over a period of 1 to 5 minutes. Ten seconds and 30 seconds are brief periods. Thirty minutes is a lengthy period.

A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and the nurse provides instructions to the client about the test. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further instruction? 1. "I need to take a laxative after the test is completed, because the liquid that I'll have to drink for the test can be constipating." 2. "I need to fast for 8 hours before the test." 3. "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test." 4. "The test will take about 30 minutes."

3. "I need to drink citrate of magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of the test." Rationale: No special preparation is necessary before a GI series, except that NPO (nothing by mouth) status must be maintained for 8 hours before the test. An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus, duodenum, and upper jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves swallowing a contrast medium (usually barium), which is administered in a flavored milkshake. Films are taken at intervals during the test, which takes about 30 minutes. After an upper GI series, the client is prescribed a laxative to hasten elimination of the barium. Barium that remains in the colon may become hard and difficult to expel, leading to fecal impaction.

A nurse on the evening shift checks a primary health care provider's prescriptions and notes that the dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the normal dose. The nurse calls the primary health care provider's answering service and is told that the primary health care provider is off for the night and will be available in the morning. What should the nurse do next? 1. Withhold the medication until the primary health care provider can be reached in the morning 2. Administer the medication but consult the primary health care provider when he becomes available 3. Ask the answering service to contact the on-call primary health care provider 4. Call the nursing supervisor

3. Ask the answering service to contact the on-call primary health care provider Rationale: The nurse has a duty to protect the client from harm. A nurse who believes that a primary health care provider's prescription may be in error is responsible for clarifying the prescription before carrying it out. Therefore the nurse would not administer the medication; instead, the nurse would withhold the medication until the dose can be clarified. The nurse would not wait until the next morning to obtain clarification. It is premature to call the nursing supervisor.

Enalapril maleate is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the medication? 1. Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours 2. Checking the most recent potassium level 3. Checking the client's peripheral pulses 4. Checking the client's blood pressure

4. Checking the client's blood pressure Rationale: Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat hypertension. One common side effect is postural hypotension. Therefore the nurse would check the client's blood pressure immediately before administering each dose. Checking the client's peripheral pulses, the results of the most recent potassium level, and the intake and output for the previous 24 hours are not specifically associated with this mediation.

NPO status is imposed 8 hours before the procedure on a client scheduled to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) at 1 p.m. On the morning of the procedure, the nurse checks the client's record and notes that the client routinely takes an oral antihypertensive medication each morning. What action should the nurse take? Withhold the antihypertensive and administer it at bedtime Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water Administer the medication by way of the intravenous (IV) route Hold the antihypertensive and resume its administration on the day after the ECT

Administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water Rationale: The nurse should administer the antihypertensive with a small sip of water. General anesthesia is required for ECT, so NPO status is imposed for 6 to 8 hours before treatment to help prevent aspiration. Exceptions include clients who routinely receive cardiac medications, antihypertensive agents, or histamine (H2) blockers, which should be administered several hours before treatment with a small sip of water. Withholding the antihypertensive and administering it at bedtime and withholding the antihypertensive and resuming administration on the day after the ECT are incorrect actions, because antihypertensives must be administered on time; otherwise, the risk for rebound hypertension exists. The nurse would not administer a medication by way of a route that has not been prescribed.

An emergency department nurse is told that a client with carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a suicide attempt is being brought to the hospital by emergency medical services. Which intervention will the nurse carry out as a priority upon arrival of the client? Instituting suicide precautions for the client Administering 100% oxygen Having a crisis counselor available Obtaining blood for determination of the client's carboxyhemoglobin level

Administering 100% oxygen Rationale: With a client with carbon monoxide poisoning, the priority is to treat the client with inhalation of 100% oxygen to shorten the half-life of carbon monoxide to around an hour. Hyperbaric oxygen may be required to reduce the half-life to minutes by forcing the carbon monoxide off the hemoglobin molecule. Because the poisoning occurred as a result of a suicide attempt, a crisis counselor should be consulted, but this is not the priority. Suicide precautions should be instituted once emergency interventions have been completed and the client has been admitted to the hospital. The diagnosis is confirmed with a measurement of the carboxyhemoglobin level in the client's blood. Obtaining a blood specimen to measure the carboxyhemoglobin level is a priority; however, the nurse would immediately administer 100% oxygen to the client.

The nurse is caring for a client who just returned to the surgical unit after having a suprapubic prostatectomy. What type of medication does the nurse expect to be ordered? Antidyskinetics Phenothiazines Antispasmodics Benzodiazepines

Antispasmodics Rationale: Antispasmodics are prescribed for bladder spasms related to a suprapubic prostatectomy. This surgery involves removal of the prostate gland by an abdominal incision with a bladder incision. Phenothiazines are a class of antipsychotic medications. Antidyskinetics have an anticholinergic action and are used to treat Parkinson's disease and some of the acute movement disorders that may be caused by antipsychotic agents. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressants and can cause sedation and psychomotor slowing. They can also intensify depression caused by other drugs. Benzodiazepines have some potential for abuse and should be used with caution in clients known to abuse alcohol or other psychoactive medications.

A nurse is caring for a client with sarcoidosis. The client is upset because he has missed work and worried about how he will care financially for his wife and three small children. On the basis of the client's concern, which problem does the nurse identify? Anxiety Powerlessness Disruption of thought processes Inability to maintain health

Anxiety Rationale: Anxiety is a vague, uneasy feeling of apprehension. Some related factors include a threat or perceived threat to physical or emotional integrity or self-concept, changes in function in one's role, and threats to or changes in socioeconomic status. The client experiencing powerlessness expresses feelings of having no control over a situation or outcome. Disruption of thought processes involves disturbance of cognitive abilities or thought. Inability to maintain health is being incapable of seeking out help needed to maintain health.Anxiety is a vague, uneasy feeling of apprehension. Some related factors include a threat or perceived threat to physical or emotional integrity or self-concept, changes in function in one's role, and threats to or changes in socioeconomic status. The client experiencing powerlessness expresses feelings of having no control over a situation or outcome. Disruption of thought processes involves disturbance of cognitive abilities or thought. Inability to maintain health is being incapable of seeking out help needed to maintain health.

A nurse has assisted a primary health care provider in inserting a central venous access device into a client with a diagnosis of severe malnutrition who will be receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). After insertion of the catheter what does the nurse immediately do? Infuse normal saline solution through the catheter at a rate of 100 mL/hr to maintain patency Hang the prescribed bag of PN and start the infusion at the prescribed rate Check the client's blood glucose level to serve as a baseline measurement Call the radiography department to obtain a chest x-ray

Call the radiography department to obtain a chest x-ray Rationale: The nurse should immediately make arrangements to have a chest x-ray done. One major complication associated with central venous catheter placement is pneumothorax, which may result from accidental puncture of the lung. After the catheter has been placed but before it is used for infusions, its placement must be checked with an x-ray. Hanging the prescribed bag of PN and starting the infusion at the prescribed rate and infusing normal saline solution through the catheter at a rate of 100 mL/hr to maintain patency are all incorrect because they could result in the infusion of solution into a lung if a pneumothorax is present. Although the nurse may obtain a blood glucose measurement to serve as a baseline, this action is not the priority.

A client in labor experiences spontaneous rupture of the membranes. The nurse immediately counts the fetal heart rate (FHR) for 1 full minute and then checks the amniotic fluid. The nurse notes that the fluid is yellow and has a strong odor. Which action should be the nurse's priority? Continue to monitor the client and the FHR Document the findings Contact the primary health care provider Check the fluid for protein

Contact the primary health care provider Rationale: The priority action is for the nurse to contact the primary health care provider. The FHR is assessed for at least 1 minute when the membranes rupture. The nurse also checks the quantity, color, and odor of the amniotic fluid. The fluid should be clear (often with bits of vernix) and have a mild odor. Fluid with a foul or strong odor, cloudy appearance, or yellow coloration suggests chorioamnionitis and warrants notifying the primary health care provider. A large amount of vernix in the fluid suggests that the fetus is preterm. Greenish, meconium-stained fluid may be seen in cases of postterm gestation or placental insufficiency. Checking the fluid for protein is not associated with the data in the question. The nurse would continue to monitor the client and the FHR and would document the findings.

A nurse, conducting an assessment of a client being seen in the clinic for signs/symptoms of a sinus infection, asks the client about medications that he is taking. The client tells the nurse that he is taking nefazodone hydrochloride. On the basis of this information, the nurse determines that the client most likely has a history of what problem? Diabetes mellitus Coronary artery disease Depression Hyperthyroidism

Depression Rationale: The client is most likely suffering from depression. Nefazodone hydrochloride is an antidepressant used as maintenance therapy to prevent relapse of an acute depression. Diabetes mellitus, hypethyroidism, and coronary artery disease are not treated with this medication.

Phenelzine sulfate is prescribed for a client with depression. The nurse provides information to the client about the adverse effects of the medication and tells the client to contact the primary health care provider immediately if he/she experiences what sign/symptom? Neck stiffness or soreness Feelings of depression Dry mouth Restlessness

Neck stiffness or soreness Rationale: The client is taught to immediately contact the primary health care provider if the client experiences any occipital headache radiating frontally and neck stiffness or soreness, which could be the first sign of a hypertensive crisis. Phenelzine sulfate, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), is an antidepressant and is used to treat depression. Hypertensive crisis, an adverse effect of this medication, is characterized by hypertension, frontally radiating occipital headache, neck stiffness and soreness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever and chills, clammy skin, dilated pupils, and palpitations. Tachycardia, bradycardia, and constricting chest pain may also be present. Dry mouth and restlessness are common side effects of the medication.

The night nurse is caring for a client who just had a craniotomy. The nurse is monitoring the client's Jackson-Pratt drain that is being maintained on suction. The nurse notes that a total of 200 mL of red drainage has drained from the Jackson-Pratt (J-P) tube in the last 8 hours. What action should the nurse take? Continue to monitor the amount and color of the drainage. Document the amount in the client's record. Notify the primary health care provider immediately of the amount of drainage. Discontinue the Jackson-Pratt drain from suction.

Notify the primary health care provider immediately of the amount of drainage. Rationale: The nurse must immediately notify the primary health care provider of this excessive amount of drainage. The primary health care provider must also be immediately notified of any saturated head dressings. The normal amount of drainage from a Jackson-Pratt drain is 30 to 50 mL per shift. Discontinuing the suction from the J-P drain is not an option and is not done. Also, just documenting the amount in the client's record is not correct even though the nurse would document that the primary health care provider was notified of the total drain amount. Just continuing to monitor the amount of drainage is also not an option.

A nurse reviewing the medical record of a client with a diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast notes documentation of the presence of peau d'orange skin. On the basis of this notation, which finding would the nurse expect to note on assessment of the client's breast? This question has images. Think: What does peau d'orange look like?

Rationale: Peau d'orange (French for "orange peel") is the term used to describe skin dimpling, resembling the skin of an orange, at the location of a breast mass. This change, along with increased vascularity, nipple retraction, or ulceration, may indicate advanced disease. Erythema, or reddening, of the breast indicates inflammation such as that resulting from cellulitis or a breast abscess. Paget's disease is a rare type of breast cancer that is manifested as a red, scaly nipple; discharge; crusting lasting more than a few weeks. In nipple retraction, the nipple is pointed or pulled in an abnormal direction. It is suggestive of malignancy.

A nurse is reviewing the record of a client scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Which diagnosis, if noted on the client's record, would indicate a need to contact the primary health care provider who is scheduled to perform the ECT? Peripheral vascular disease Hypothyroidism Recent stroke History of glaucoma

Recent stroke Rationale: Several conditions pose risks in the client scheduled for ECT. Among them are recent myocardial infarction or stroke and cerebrovascular malformations or intracranial lesions. Hypothyroidism, glaucoma, and peripheral vascular disease are not contraindications to this treatment.

The mother of an adolescent diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus tells the nurse that her child is a member of the school soccer team and expresses concern about her child's participation in sports. What does the nurse tell the mother after providing information to the mother about diet, exercise, insulin, and blood glucose control? To administer additional insulin before a soccer game if the blood glucose level is 240 mg/dL (13.3 mmol/L) or higher and ketones are present. To always administer less insulin on the days of soccer games That the child should eat a carbohydrate snack about a half-hour before each soccer game That it is best not to encourage the child to participate in sports activities

That the child should eat a carbohydrate snack about a half-hour before each soccer game Rationale: The child with diabetes mellitus who is active in sports requires additional food intake in the form of a carbohydrate snack about a half-hour before the anticipated activity. Additional food will need to be consumed, often as frequently as every 45 minutes to 1 hour, during prolonged periods of activity. If the blood glucose level is increased (240 mg/dL [13.3 mmol/L] or more) and ketones are present before planned exercise, the activity should be postponed until the blood glucose has been controlled. Moderate to high ketone values should be reported to the primary health care provider. There is no reason for the child to avoid participating in sports.

A client undergoing therapy with carbidopa/levodopa calls the nurse at the clinic and reports that his urine has become darker since he started taking the medication. What should the nurse tell the client? That this is an occasional side effect of the medication That this may be a sign/symptom of developing toxicity of the medication To call his primary health care provider That he needs to drink more fluids

That this is an occasional side effect of the medication Rationale: Carbidopa/levodopa, an antiparkinson agent, may cause darkening of the urine or sweat. The client should be reassured that this is a harmless side effect of the medication and that the medication's use should be continued. Although fluid intake is important, telling the client that he needs to drink more fluid is incorrect and unnecessary. Telling the client that the darkening of his urine may signal developing medication toxicity is incorrect and might alarm the client unnecessarily. There is no need for the client to call the primary health care provider.

Risperidone is prescribed for a client hospitalized in the mental health unit for the treatment of a psychotic disorder. Which finding in the client's medical record would prompt the nurse to contact the prescribing primary health care provider before administering the medication? The client has a history of cataracts. The client takes a prescribed antihypertensive. The client has a history of hypothyroidism. The client is allergic to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

The client takes a prescribed antihypertensive. Rationale: Risperidone is an antipsychotic medication. Contraindications to the use of risperidone include cardiac disorders, cerebrovascular disease, dehydration, hypovolemia, and therapy with antihypertensive agents. Risperidone is used with caution in clients with a history of seizures. History of cataracts, hypothyroidism, or allergy to aspirin does not affect the administration of this medication.

A client who has been undergoing long-term therapy with an antipsychotic medication is admitted to the inpatient mental health unit. Which finding does the nurse, knowing that long-term use of an antipsychotic medication can cause tardive dyskinesia, monitor in the client? Tongue protrusion Hypertension Fever Diarrhea

Tongue protrusion Rationale: The clinical manifestations include abnormal movements (dyskinesia) and involuntary movements of the mouth, tongue ("flycatcher tongue"), and face. Tardive dyskinesia is a severe reaction associated with long-term use of antipsychotic medications. In its most severe form, tardive dyskinesia involves the fingers, arms, trunk, and respiratory muscles. When this occurs, the medication is discontinued. Fever, diarrhea, and hypertension are not characteristics of tardive dyskinesia.