A 17-year-old single mother is describing how difficult it is to raise a 2-year-old by herself. During the course of the interview, she states, "I can't believe my boyfriend left me to do this by myself! What a terrible thing to do to me!" Which of the following responses by the nurse uses empathy?

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hesi health assessment test bank 2023 Questions

Question 1 of 9

A 17-year-old single mother is describing how difficult it is to raise a 2-year-old by herself. During the course of the interview, she states, "I can't believe my boyfriend left me to do this by myself! What a terrible thing to do to me!" Which of the following responses by the nurse uses empathy?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because it reflects empathy by acknowledging the mother's feelings without judgment or personal bias. The nurse shows understanding and compassion by recognizing the difficulty of the situation. Incorrect answer A lacks empathy as it simply restates the mother's feeling without demonstrating understanding. Answer B also lacks empathy as it focuses on the boyfriend's actions rather than the mother's feelings. Answer D shows some empathy by acknowledging the difficulty but fails to address the mother's emotional state directly. In summary, answer C is correct because it shows empathy by acknowledging the mother's emotions and validating her experience without judgment or redirection.

Question 2 of 9

While taking a detailed history, what should the nurse include?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Functional status. Including functional status in the history is essential as it provides information about the client's ability to perform activities of daily living. This information is crucial for assessing the client's overall health and well-being. Functional status helps the nurse understand the impact of health issues on the client's daily life and helps in planning appropriate care interventions. B: Data focusing on the client complaint is too narrow and may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the client's health status. C: A focused assessment of the client complaint may overlook other important aspects of the client's health that could impact their overall well-being. D: Family history for the past three generations is not typically included in a detailed history-taking process and may not be directly relevant to the client's current health status.

Question 3 of 9

A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following signs and symptoms would the nurse consider as an early indicator of infection?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Fever. Fever is an early indicator of infection as it is the body's natural response to fighting off pathogens. When the body detects an infection, it raises its temperature to create an inhospitable environment for the pathogens. Pain at the surgical site (B) is common post-operatively but may not necessarily indicate infection. Redness at the incision site (C) can be a sign of inflammation but is not specific to infection. Increased heart rate (D) can occur due to various reasons post-operatively, not just infection. Fever is a systemic response and a more reliable early indicator of infection in this context.

Question 4 of 9

Which areas are most important to address for a client in Buck's traction?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Nutrition is important for healing and energy. Step 2: Elimination is crucial for bowel and bladder function. Step 3: Comfort ensures the client's well-being. Step 4: Safety prevents complications. Step 5: ROM exercises can prevent muscle atrophy. Step 6: Transportation and isotonic exercises are not immediate priorities.

Question 5 of 9

A female patient does not speak English well, and the nurse needs to choose an interpreter. Which of the following would be the most appropriate choice?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: A trained interpreter. Choosing a trained interpreter ensures accurate communication and confidentiality. Professional interpreters have the necessary language skills and cultural competence to facilitate effective communication between the healthcare provider and the patient. Using a family member (choices B and C) may compromise confidentiality and accuracy due to potential bias or lack of professional training. Similarly, selecting a volunteer university student (choice D) may result in misinterpretation or breach of privacy as they may not have the same level of expertise as a trained interpreter. Ultimately, the most appropriate choice is a trained interpreter to ensure clear and accurate communication while respecting the patient's privacy and dignity.

Question 6 of 9

What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for a client with severe pain after surgery?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer pain medication. This is the most appropriate nursing intervention because severe pain post-surgery requires immediate relief to ensure the client's comfort and aid in recovery. Pain medication helps manage pain effectively, improving the client's overall well-being and promoting healing. Monitoring vital signs (choice B) is important but secondary to pain relief in this scenario. Administering IV fluids (choice C) may be necessary for hydration but does not directly address the pain. Administering corticosteroids (choice D) is not typically indicated for severe pain post-surgery.

Question 7 of 9

What should the nurse do when a client develops severe shortness of breath after surgery?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen. This is the priority intervention to address severe shortness of breath, ensuring the client receives adequate oxygenation. Administering oxygen helps improve oxygen saturation levels and supports respiratory function. Encouraging deep breathing (B) may exacerbate the client's distress. Elevating the head of the bed (C) can help improve breathing but does not address the immediate need for oxygen. Administering antibiotics (D) is not indicated for shortness of breath unless there is an underlying infection causing it.

Question 8 of 9

A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes who is experiencing hypoglycemia. The nurse should prioritize which of the following actions?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide a source of fast-acting carbohydrate. In hypoglycemia, the priority is to raise blood glucose levels quickly to prevent complications like seizures or loss of consciousness. Fast-acting carbs like juice or glucose tablets are the first-line treatment. Administering insulin (choice A) would lower blood sugar further. Administering an oral hypoglycemic agent (choice C) takes time to work and is not suitable for emergencies. Monitoring blood pressure (choice D) is important but not the priority in this situation.

Question 9 of 9

What should the nurse do first for a client with a history of diabetes who is experiencing hypoglycemia?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer glucose. In hypoglycemia, the priority is to raise the low blood sugar levels quickly. Administering glucose is the most direct and effective way to do so. Glucose will rapidly increase the blood sugar levels and help the client recover from hypoglycemia. Administering insulin (B) would further lower blood sugar levels. Administering glucagon (C) is used for severe hypoglycemia when the client is unconscious. Encouraging deep breathing (D) is not effective in treating hypoglycemia and does not address the immediate need to raise blood sugar levels.

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