HESI Fundamentals Practice Test with 100% correct Answers

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A low-sodium, low-protein diet is prescribed for a 45-year-old client with renal insufficiency and hypertension, who gained 3 pounds in the last month. The nurse determines that the client has been no ... ncompliant with the diet, based on which report from the 24-hour dietary recall? (Select all that apply.) A. Snack of potato chips, and diet soda. B. Lunch of tuna fish sandwich, carrot sticks, fresh fruit, and coffee. C. Breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. D. Dinner of vegetable lasagna, tossed salad, sherbet, and iced tea. E. Bedtime snack of crackers and milk. - ANSWER Potato chips (A) are high in sodium. Tuna (B) is high in protein. Bacon (C) and crackers (E) are high in sodium. Only (D) is a meal that is in compliance with a low sodium, low protein diet. Correct Answer: A, B, C, E What intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care for a client who is being treated with an Unna's paste boot for leg ulcers due to chronic venous insufficiency? A. Check capillary refill of toes on lower extremity with Unna's paste boot. B. Apply dressing to wound area before applying the Unna's paste boot. C. Wrap the leg from the knee down towards the foot. D. Remove the Unna's paste boot q8h to assess wound healing. - ANSWER The Unna's paste boot becomes rigid after it dries, so it is important to check distally for adequate circulation (A). Kerlix is often wrapped around the outside of the boot and an ace bandage may be used to cover both, but no bandage should be put under it (B). The Unna's paste boot should be applied from the foot and wrapped towards the knee (C). The Unna's paste boot acts as a sterile dressing, and should not be removed q8h. Weekly removal is reasonable (D). Correct Answer: A A 75-year-old client who has a history of end stage renal failure and advanced lung cancer, recently had a stroke. Two days ago the healthcare provider discontinued the client's dialysis treatments, stating that death is inevitable, but the client is disoriented and will not sign a DNR directive. What is the priority nursing intervention? A. Review the client's most recent laboratory reports. B. Refer the client and family members for hospice care. C. Notify the hospital ethics committee of the client situation. D. Determine who is legally empowered to make decisions. - ANSWER When death is impending, it is essential for the nurse to determine who is legally empowered to make decisions regarding the use of life-saving measures for the client (D). (A) will be abnormal and will worsen without dialysis, so are not of immediate concern. (B) may help improve the client's quality of life prior to death, but is of less immediacy than determining whether actions should be taken to save a client's life. If the nurse remains unable to determine who is empowered to make decisions in this situation, the nurse may choose to contact the ethics committee (C) for a resolution. Correct Answer: D The charge nurse assigns a nursing procedure to a new staff nurse who has not previously performed the procedure. What action is most important for the new staff nurse to take? A. Review the steps in the procedure manual. B. Ask another nurse to assist while implementing the procedure. C. Follow the agency's policy and procedure. D. Refuse to perform the task that is beyond the nurse's experience. - ANSWER According to states' nurse practice acts, it is the responsibility of the nurse to function within the scope of competency (D), and in this case safe nursing practice constitutes refusal to perform the procedure because of a lack of experience. Although state mandates, agency policies, and continued education and experience identify tasks that are within the scope of nursing practice, nurses should first refuse to perform tasks that are beyond their proficiency, and then pursue opportunities to enhance their competency (A, B, and C). Correct Answer: D Before administering a client's medication, the nurse assesses a change in the client's condition and decides to withhold the medication until consulting with the healthcare provider. After consultation with the healthcare provider, the dose of the medication is changed and the nurse administers the newly prescribed dose an hour later than the originally scheduled time. What action should the nurse implement in response to this situation? A. Notify the charge nurse that a medication error occurred. B. Submit a medication variance report to the supervisor. C. Document the events that occurred in the nurses' notes. D. Discard the original medication administration record. - ANSWER The nurse took the correct action and should document the events that occurred in the nurses' notes (C). (A) did not occur and (B) is not indicated. The medication administration record is part of the client's medical record and should be placed in the chart, (D) when no longer current. Correct Answer: C On the third postoperative day following thoracic surgery, a client reports feeling constipated. Which intervention should the nurse implement to promote bowel elimination? A. Remind the client to turn every two hours while lying in bed. B. Provide warm prune juice before the client goes to bed at night. C. Teach the client to splint the incision while walking to the bathroom. D. Administer an analgesic before the client attempts to defecate. - ANSWER Prune juice is a natural laxative that stimulates peristalsis, and warming the prune juice (B) facilitates peristalsis. (A) is also helpful in promoting peristalsis but is less likely to relieve the client's constipation. (C) reduces discomfort during ambulation, but will not help relieve the client's constipation. Defecation is not painful following most surgeries, and many analgesics used postoperatively cause constipation, so (D) is contraindicated. Correct Answer: B The home health nurse visits an elderly client who lives at home with her husband. The client is experiencing frequent episodes of diarrhea and bowel incontinence. Which problem, for which the client is at risk, has the greatest priority when planning the client's care? A. Disturbed sleep pattern. B. Caregiver role strain. C. Impaired skin integrity. D. Fluid volume imbalance. - ANSWER Diarrhea can lead to fluid volume loss, which is potentially life-threatening, so the highest priority is to prevent a fluid volume imbalance (D). Diarrhea and bowel incontinence can also lead to (A, B, and C), but these are of less potential harm than a fluid volume deficit. Correct Answer: D After a client has been premedicated for surgery with an opioid analgesic, the nurse discovers that the operative permit has not been signed. What action should the nurse implement? A. Notify the surgeon that the consent form has not been signed. B. Read the consent form to the client before witnessing the client's signature. C. Determine if the client's spouse is willing to sign the consent form. D. Administer an opioid antagonist prior to obtaining the client's signature. - ANSWER Once a client has been premedicated for surgery with any type of sedative, legal informed consent is not possible, so the nurse must notify the surgeon (A). (B, C, and D) are not legally viable options for ensuring informed consent. Correct Answer: A A client who has been on bedrest for several days now has a prescription to progress activity as tolerated. When the nurse assists the client out of bed for the first time, the client becomes dizzy. What action should the nurse implement? A. Encourage the client to take several slow, deep breaths while ambulating. B. Help the client to remain standing by the bedside until the dizziness is relieved. C. Instruct the client to remain on bedrest until the healthcare provider is contacted. D. Advise the client to sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes before standing again. - ANSWER The nurse should implement (D), because orthostatic hypotension is a common result of immobilization, causing the client to feel dizzy when first getting out of bed following a period of bedrest. To prevent this problem, it is helpful to have the body acclimate to a standing position by sitting upright for a short period (D) before rising to a standing position. (A) is unlikely to alleviate the dizziness. (B) may result in a loss of consciousness. (C) is not indicated and will increase the potential for complications associated with prolonged immobility. Correct Answer: D A client is admitted to the hospital with intractable pain. What instruction should the nurse provide the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who is preparing to assist this client with a bed bath? A. Take measures to promote as much comfort as possible. B. Report any signs of drug addiction to the nurse immediately. C. Wait until the client's pain is gone before assisting with personal care. D. This client's pain will be difficult to manage, since the cause is unknown. - ANSWER Intractable pain is highly resistant to pain relief measures, so it is important to promote comfort (A) during all activities. A client with intractable pain may develop drug tolerance and dependence, but (B) is inappropriate for a UAP. Since intractable pain is resistant to relief measures, (C) may not be possible. Psychogenic pain (D) is a painful sensation that is perceived but has no known cause. Correct Answer: A A male client arrives at the outpatient surgery center for a scheduled needle aspiration of the knee. He tells the nurse that he has already given verbal consent for the procedure to the healthcare provider. What action should the nurse implement? A. Witness the client's signature on the consent form. B. Verify the client's consent with the healthcare provider. C. Notify the healthcare provider that the client is ready for the procedure. D. Document that the client has given consent for the needle aspiration. - ANSWER Written informed consent is required prior to any invasive procedure. The healthcare provider must explain the procedure to the client, but the nurse can witness the client's signature on a consent form (A). (B) is not necessary since written consent must be obtained. (C) is not correct because written consent has not been obtained. (D) must occur after written consent is obtained. Correct Answer: A In assessing a client's femoral pulse, the nurse must use deep palpation to feel the pulsation while the client is in a supine position. What action should the nurse implement? A. Elevate the head of the bed and attempt to palpate the site again. B. Document the presence and volume of the pulse palpated. C. Use a thigh cuff to measure the blood pressure in the leg. D. Record the presence of pitting edema in the inguinal area. - ANSWER Deep palpation may be required to palpate the femoral pulse; and, when palpated, the nurse should document the presence and volume of the pulse (B). The site is best palpated with the client supine; elevation of the head of the bed requires even deeper palpation (A). The use of deep palpation to feel the femoral pulse does not indicate a problem requiring further assessment, such as (C), and does not reflect the presence of edema (D). Correct Answer: B A nurse is preparing to insert a rectal suppository and observes a small amount of rectal bleeding. What action should the nurse implement? A. Administer the medication as scheduled after assessing the client's vital signs. B. Ask the pharmacist to send an alternate form of the prescribed medication to the unit. C. Withhold the administration of the suppository until contacting the healthcare provider. D. Insert the suppository very gently being careful not to further injure the rectal mucosa. - ANSWER The presence of rectal bleeding is generally a contraindication for the insertion of a rectal suppository, so the nurse should withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider (C). (A and D) may cause increased rectal bleeding. Prior to asking the pharmacist for another form of the medication, the nurse must have a new prescription from the healthcare provider (B). Correct Answer: C The nurse is preparing to irrigate a client's indwelling urinary catheter using an open technique. What action should the nurse take after applying gloves? A. Empty the client's urinary drainage bag. B. Draw up the irrigating solution into the syringe. C. Secure the client's catheter to the drainage tubing. D. Use aseptic technique to instill the irrigating solution. - ANSWER To irrigate an indwelling urinary catheter, the nurse should first apply gloves, then draw up the irrigating solution into the syringe (B). The syringe is then attached to the catheter and the fluid instilled, using aseptic technique (D). Once the irrigating solution is instilled, the client's catheter should be secured to the drainage tubing (C). The urinary drainage bag can be emptied (A) whenever intake and output measurement is indicated, and the instilled irrigating fluid can be subtracted from the output at that time. Correct Answer: B When assessing a client with an indwelling urinary catheter, which observation requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse? A. The drainage tubing is secured over the siderail. B. The clamp on the urinary drainage bag is open. C. There are no dependent loops in the drainage tubing. D. The urinary drainage bag is attached to the bed frame. - ANSWER Maintaining a closed urinary drainage system is important to prevent infection, so the most immediate priority is to close the clamp (B) to reduce the risk for ascending microorganisms. If the drainage tubing is secured over the siderail (A), urine will not be able to flow out of the bladder, so the nurse should next reposition the tubing. (C and D) indicate correct care of the urinary drainage system, so documentation of an intact system is the last intervention needed. Correct Answer: B While preparing to insert a rectal suppository in a male adult client, the nurse observes that the client is holding his breath while bearing down. What action should the nurse implement? A. Advise the client to continue to bear down without holding his breath. B. Gently insert the lubricated suppository four inches into the rectum. C. Perform a digital exam to determine if a fecal impaction is present. D. Instruct the client to take slow deep breaths and stop bearing down. - ANSWER During administration of a rectal suppository, the client is asked to take slow deep breaths through the mouth to relax the anal sphincter (D). Bearing down (A) will push the suppository out of the rectum, so the suppository should not be inserted while the client is bearing down (B). Further data is needed before performing an invasive digital exam to check for fecal impaction (C). Correct Answer: D While the nurse is administering a bolus feeding to a client via nasogastric tube, the client begins to vomit. What action should the nurse implement first? A. Discontinue the administration of the bolus feeding. B. Auscultate the client's breath sounds bilaterally. C. Elevate the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position. D. Administer a PRN dose of a prescribed antiemetic. - ANSWER When a client receiving a tube feeding begins to vomit, the nurse should first stop the feeding (A) to prevent further vomiting. (C) should then be implemented to reduce the risk of aspiration. After that, (B and D) can be implemented as indicated. Correct Answer: A Which client care requires the nurse to wear barrier gloves as required by the protocol for Standard Precautions? A. Removing the empty food tray from a client with a urinary catheter. B. Washing and combing the hair of a client with a fractured leg in traction. C. Administering oral medications to a cooperative client with a wound infection. D. Emptying the urinary catheter drainage bag for a client with Alzheimer's disease. - ANSWER Possible contact with body secretions, excretions, or broken skin is an indication for wearing barrier (nonsterile) gloves. Emptying a urine drainage bag requires the use of gloves (D). (A, B, and C) do not require gloves. Correct Answer: D What action should the nurse implement when adding sterile liquids to a sterile field? A. Use an outdated sterile liquid if the bottle is sealed and has not been opened. B. Consider the sterile field contaminated if it becomes wet during the procedure. C. Remove the container cap and lay it with the inside facing down on the sterile field. D. Hold the container high and pour the solution into a receptacle at the back of the sterile field. - ANSWER Wet or damp areas on a sterile field allow organisms to wick from the table surface and permeate into the sterile area, so the field is considered contaminated if it becomes wet (B). Outdated liquids may be contaminated and should be discarded, not used (A). The container's cap should be removed, placed facing up, and off the sterile field, not (C). To prevent contamination of the sterile field, liquids should be held close (6 inches) to the receptacle when pouring to prevent splashing, and the receptacle should be placed near the front edge to avoid reaching over or across the sterile field (D). Correct Answer: B A healthcare provider is performing a sterile procedure at a client's bedside. Near the end of the procedure, the nurse observes the healthcare provider contaminate a sterile glove and the sterile field. What is the best action for the nurse to implement? A. Report the healthcare provider for the violation in aseptic technique. B. Allow the completion of the procedure. C. Ask if the glove and sterile field are contaminated. D. Identify the break in surgical asepsis and provide another set of sterile supplies. - ANSWER Any possible break in surgical asepsis that is identified when others are unaware should be considered contaminated and new sterile supplies added to maintain the sterile field (D). Reporting the healthcare provider is not indicated (A). When sterility is suspect during aseptic technique, it should not be questioned (C) but all members of the team should move forward with reestablishing a sterile field. Allowing the procedure to progress under unsterile conditions (B) places the client at risk for infection and is an act of omission (negligence) by the nurse and other healthcare team members. Correct Answer: D An older client who is able to stand but not to ambulate receives a prescription to be mobilized into a chair as tolerated during each day. What is the best action for the nurse to implement when assisting the client from the bed to the chair? A. Use a mechanical lift to transfer from the bed to a chair. B. Place a roller board under the client who is sitting on the side of the bed and slide the client to the chair. C. Lift the client out of bed to the chair with another staff member using a coordinated effort on the count of three. D. Place a transfer belt around the client, assist to stand, and pivot to a chair that is placed at a right angle to the bed. - ANSWER A client who can stand can safely be assisted to pivot and transfer with the use of a transfer belt (D). A mechanical lift (A) is usually used for a client who is obese, unable to be weight-bearing, and who is unable to assist. Roller boards (B) placed under a sheet are used to facilitate the transfer of a recumbent client who is being transferred to and from a stretcher. Lifting a client (C) out of bed places the client and nurses at risk for injury and should only be implemented by skilled lift teams. Correct Answer: D What action should the nurse implement to prevent the formation of a sacral ulcer for a client who is immobile? A. Maintain in a lateral position using protective wrist and vest devices. B. Position prone with a small pillow below the diaphragm. C. Raise the head and knee gatch when lying in a supine position. D. Transfer into a wheelchair close to the nurse's station for observation. - ANSWER The prone position (B) using a small pillow below the diaphragm maintains alignment and provides the best pressure relief over the sacral bony prominence. Using protective (restraining) devices (A) is not indicated. Raising the head and bed gatch (C) may reduce shearing forces due to sliding down in bed, but it interferes with venous return from the legs and places pressure on the sacrum, predisposing to ulcer formation. Sitting in a wheelchair (D) places the body weight over the ischial tuberosities and predisposes to a potential pressure point. Correct Answer: B What action is most important for the nurse to implement when placing a client in the Sim's position? A. Raise the bed to a waist-high working level. B. Elevate the head of the bed 45 degrees. C. Place a pillow behind the client's back. D. Bring the client to one edge of the bed. - ANSWER A waist-high bed height (A) is a comfortable and safe working height to maintain the nurse's proper body mechanics and prevent back injury. The head should be flat for a Sim's side-lying position, not raised (B). (C) is implemented after the client is positioned laterally. (D) brings the client closer to the nurse when being turned. Correct Answer: A The nurse is providing passive range of motion (ROM) exercises to the hip and knee for a client who is unconscious. After supporting the client's knee with one hand, what action should the nurse take next? A. Raise the bed to a comfortable working level. B. Bend the client's knee. C. Move the knee toward the chest as far as it will go. D. Cradle the client's heel. - ANSWER Passive ROM exercise for the hip and knee is provided by supporting the joints of the knee and ankle (D) and gently moving the limb in a slow, smooth, firm but gentle manner. (A) should be done before the exercises are begun to prevent injury to the nurse and client. (B) is carried out after both joints are supported. After the knee is bent, then the knee is moved toward the chest to the point of resistance (C) two or three times. Correct Answer: D The nurse is caring for a client who is weak from inactivity because of a 2-week hospitalization. In planning care for the client, the nurse should include which range of motion (ROM) exercises? A. Passive ROM exercises to all joints on all extremities four times a day. B. Active ROM exercises to both arms and legs two or three times a day. C. Active ROM exercises with weights twice a day with 20 repetitions each. D. Passive ROM exercises to the point of resistance and slightly beyond. - ANSWER Active, rather than passive, ROM is best to restore strength and (B) is an effective schedule. Passive ROM 4 times a day (A) is not as beneficial for the client as (B). With weights (C), the client may fatigue quickly and develop muscle soreness. ROM is not performed beyond the point of resistance or pain (D) because of the risk of damage to underlying structures. Correct Answer: B What does RACE stand for? - ANSWER Rescue the patient Activate alarm Confine or contain Extinguish Dorsal recumbent position - ANSWER Supine with knees flexed; used to promote relaxation of abdominal muscles Lithotomy position - ANSWER Dorsal recumbent position with feet in stirrups Sims' position - ANSWER Flexion of the hip and knees in a side-lying position; used to examine the rectal area and if a female is unable to assume the lithotomy position Prone position - ANSWER Lying on stomach Fowler's and semi-Fowler's position - ANSWER Laying on back with head of bed elevated 60 degrees for Fowler's and 30-45 degrees for semi-Fowler's Chain of infection (6 links) - ANSWER 1) Infectious agent 2) Reservoir 3) Portal of exit 4) Mode of transmission 5) Portal of entry 6) Susceptible host 5 stages of infection - ANSWER Incubation, prodromal, illness, decline, convalescence Asepsis - ANSWER Absence of contamination (clean) Contact precautions - ANSWER -Most common form of transmission -Use gown and gloves -Remove PPE and wash hands BEFORE leaving room Droplet precautions - ANSWER -Wear gown, mask, gloves -Remove gloves first, then gown and mask Airborne precautions - ANSWER -Includes TB, varicella (chickenpox), SARS (pneumonia), and rubeola (measles) -Wear gown, N-95 mask, gloves -Remove mask OUTSIDE the room after closing the door Protective, or reverse isolation - ANSWER -Immunosuppressed patients (low WBC counts, chemotherapy, large open wounds) -Make sure equipment is disinfected BEFORE it is taken into the room What is the most common incident reported in hospitals? - ANSWER Falls Release restraints at least every ____ hours. - ANSWER 2 When giving a bed bath, wash from _____ to _____. - ANSWER Distal to proximal (upward motion to increase circulation) What do you do first if you commit a medication error? - ANSWER Check the patient (take VS) 3 checks of safe medication administration - ANSWER 1) Before you pour, mix, or draw up a medication 2) After you prepare the medication 3) At the bedside Rights of medication - ANSWER 1) Right drug 2) Right patient 3) Right dose 4) Right route 5) Right time 6) Right documentation Others: 7) Right reason 8) Right to know 9) Right to refuse What is the preferred IM site for infants? - ANSWER Vastus lateralis muscle What is the site of choice for IM injections? - ANSWER -Ventrogluteal muscle -Landmarks are the greater trochanter, anterior superior iliac spine, and iliac crest What supplements do pregnant women need to take? - ANSWER Folic acid, iron, calcium (vitamin D) Normal creatinine levels - ANSWER 0.5-1.2 mg/dL Low levels of _____ are associated with malnutrition. - ANSWER Albumin Paralytic ileus - ANSWER Cessation of bowel peristalsis Digital removal can stimulate the _____ nerve, so stop the procedure if the patient accumulates bradycardia. - ANSWER Vagus Normal urine output - ANSWER 50-60 mL/hr or 1500 mL/day Urine output indicating renal failure - ANSWER <30 mL/hr Specific gravity - ANSWER Measure of dissolved solutes in a solution; an increase in fluid intake dilutes and makes urine lighter as it approaches 1.000; low fluid intake or fluid loss (diarrhea or vomiting) darkens urine and makes the specific gravity rise Normal specific gravity range - ANSWER 1.002 to 1.028 For men, if the catheter will remain in place long-term, secure tubing to the ______ to prevent damage to penile-scrotal juncture. - ANSWER Abdomen What happens when someone has pain? - ANSWER 1) Transduction 2) Transmission 3) Perception 4) Modulation NSAIDS decrease _______ response. - ANSWER Prostaglandin (activate nociceptors so trigger pain) What do you perceive pain? - ANSWER Frontal cortex Sedation rating scale - ANSWER 1=awake and alert 2=slightly drowsy, easily aroused 3=frequently drowsy, arousable by voice 4=arousable by shaking* 5=somnolent, not arousable* *Stimulate patient and notify physician Orthopneic position - ANSWER For shortness of breath; leaning forward over a table with a pillow What orders would you expect if a patient had low H&H? - ANSWER Oxygen and PRBCs (packed red blood cells) What breathing is noted with diabetic ketoacidosis? - ANSWER Kussmaul's (trying to get rid of CO2) Which mask can deliver 100% oxygen? - ANSWER Non-rebreather In emergencies, turn oxygen all the way up to ______ liters. - ANSWER 15 Early Signs of Hypoxia - ANSWER -anxiety, -restlessness -inability to concentrate -increases in heart rate -increased respiratory rate and blood pressure -cardiac dysrhythmias Signs of Hypocalcemia - ANSWER -paresthesias followed by numbness -hyperactive deep tendon reflexes -a positive Trousseau's or Chvostek's sign -neuromuscular excitability -muscle cramps -twitching -tetany -seizures, irritability, and anxiety -increased gastric motility, hyperactive bowel sounds, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Trousseau Sign - ANSWER Trousseau sign of latent tetany is a medical sign observed in patients with low calcium. To elicit the sign, a blood pressure cuff is placed around the arm and inflated to a pressure greater than the systolic blood pressure and held in place for 3 minutes. This will occlude the brachial artery. In the absence of blood flow, the patient's hypocalcemia and subsequent neuromuscular irritability will induce spasm of the muscles of the hand and forearm. Hyponatremia Signs - ANSWER -Hyperactive Bowels Sounds -Muscle Weakness -Increased Urine Output -Decreased specific gravity of urine would be noted Normal Phosphorus Level - ANSWER 2.7-4.5 mg/dL Prothrombin time greater than 30 seconds places the client at risk for what? - ANSWER bleeding PT Male - ANSWER 9.6-11.8 seconds PT Female - ANSWER 9.5-11.3 seconds Warfarin Therapeutic PT - ANSWER 1.5 - 2 times higher than the normal level. Approx. 18-23 seconds Troponin - ANSWER -a regulatory protein found in striated muscle. The troponins function together in the contractile apparatus for striated muscle in skeletal muscle and in the myocardium. -Increased amounts of troponins are released into the bloodstream when an infarction causes damage to the myoca [Show More]

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