HESI RN
HESI RN CAT Exit Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client who has had three spontaneous abortions is requesting information about possible causes. The nurse's response should be based on which information?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because chromosomal abnormalities are indeed the most common cause of early spontaneous abortions. These abnormalities can occur during fertilization or early cell division, leading to non-viable embryos. Choice B, incompetent cervix, typically causes late-term miscarriages. Choice C, infections, can contribute to miscarriages but are not the most common cause. Choice D, nutritional deficiencies, can impact pregnancy outcomes but are not the primary cause of early spontaneous abortions. In summary, the correct answer A is supported by the fact that chromosomal abnormalities are the leading cause of early spontaneous abortions, while the other choices are either more relevant to late-term miscarriages or less commonly associated with early pregnancy loss.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse is planning care for a client in the late stage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ineffective breathing pattern. In late-stage ALS, respiratory muscles weaken, leading to breathing difficulties. Priority is given to maintaining adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Impaired physical mobility (choice A) is important but not the highest priority. Impaired skin integrity (choice C) and risk for infection (choice D) may result from immobility but are secondary to the critical issue of breathing in this scenario.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse assesses a client who is receiving an infusion of 5% dextrose in water with 20 mEq of potassium chloride. The client has oliguria and a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. What action should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to implement first is to stop the infusion (Choice C). Oliguria and a high serum potassium level indicate the client is at risk for hyperkalemia, which can be exacerbated by the potassium chloride infusion. Stopping the infusion is crucial to prevent further elevation of potassium levels and potential cardiac complications. Choice A (Notify the healthcare provider) is not the first action as immediate intervention is needed to prevent harm. Choice B (Decrease the rate of the IV infusion) is not sufficient to address the immediate risk of hyperkalemia. Choice D (Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate) is not appropriate as the first action and should only be considered after stabilizing the client's condition.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is administering total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a central line at 75 ml/hour to a client who had a bowel resection 4 days ago. Which laboratory finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Serum calcium of 7.8 mg/dL. This finding indicates hypocalcemia, which can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Low calcium levels can be caused by TPN administration or poor calcium absorption following bowel resection. Immediate intervention may include administering IV calcium gluconate. A: Blood glucose of 140 mg/dL is within the normal range and not an immediate concern. B: White blood cell count of 8000/mm³ is within the normal range and does not require immediate intervention. C: Serum potassium of 3.8 mEq/L is within the normal range and does not pose an immediate threat.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is evaluating the health status of an older client. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because pain in the lower back may indicate a potential serious issue such as kidney problems or infection in the elderly. The kidneys are located in the lower back region, so pain in this area could be a sign of kidney dysfunction. The nurse should report this finding to the healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation and intervention. Choice A is incorrect because decreased urine output can be a common issue in older adults and may not always indicate a serious problem. Choice B is incorrect as loss of appetite can have various causes and may not be as urgent as lower back pain. Choice D is also incorrect as a persistent cough can have multiple causes, but it is not as concerning as potential kidney issues indicated by lower back pain in an older client.