HESI LPN
HESI Fundamentals Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A client with a history of hypertension is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food should the LPN/LVN recommend the client avoid?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, canned soup. Canned soups are often high in sodium content, which can be harmful to individuals with hypertension following a low-sodium diet. Fresh fruits, grilled chicken, and whole grain bread are generally healthier options with lower sodium content and can be included in a low-sodium diet. Fresh fruits provide essential vitamins and minerals, grilled chicken is a lean protein source, and whole grain bread offers fiber and nutrients without excessive sodium levels. Avoiding canned soup aligns with the goal of reducing sodium intake to manage hypertension.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient who has experienced a stroke causing total paralysis of the right side. To help maintain joint function and minimize the disability from contractures, passive range of motion (ROM) will be initiated. When should the nurse begin this therapy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Passive ROM exercises should begin as soon as the patient loses the ability to move the extremity or joint. Initiating passive ROM early helps prevent contractures and maintain joint function. Choice A is incorrect because delaying passive ROM until after the acute phase may lead to irreversible contractures. Choice C is not the best option as waiting until the patient enters the rehab unit delays crucial preventive measures. Choice D is incorrect as passive ROM should not be based on patient requests but on clinical indications and best practices.
Question 3 of 9
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of septicemia. Which assessment finding should the LPN/LVN report to the healthcare provider immediately?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a client with septicemia, decreased blood pressure is a critical finding that suggests potential septic shock, a life-threatening condition. Septic shock requires immediate medical intervention to prevent further deterioration and organ dysfunction. Increased urine output (Choice A) may indicate adequate fluid resuscitation, which is a positive response. Increased heart rate (Choice C) and increased respiratory rate (Choice D) are common physiological responses to sepsis and do not necessarily indicate immediate life-threatening complications like decreased blood pressure does in septic shock.
Question 4 of 9
When assessing the respiratory system for complications of immobility, what action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse when assessing the respiratory system for complications of immobility is to auscultate the entire lung region. This approach allows the nurse to identify any diminished breath sounds, crackles, or wheezes that may indicate respiratory issues. Inspecting chest wall movements primarily during the expiratory cycle (Choice A) may not provide a comprehensive assessment of lung sounds. Focusing auscultation on the upper lung fields (Choice C) may miss important findings in the lower lung fields. Assessing the patient at least every 4 hours (Choice D) is important for monitoring overall patient condition but does not specifically address the assessment of respiratory complications related to immobility.
Question 5 of 9
A client has a sodium level of 125 mEq/L. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Abdominal cramping is a common manifestation of hyponatremia (low sodium levels). When sodium levels drop, it can lead to changes in the body's water balance, affecting cell function and causing symptoms like abdominal cramping. Increased thirst (choice B) is more commonly associated with hypernatremia (high sodium levels) due to the body's attempt to dilute the excess sodium. Elevated blood pressure (choice C) and elevated heart rate (choice D) are not typically direct manifestations of low sodium levels and are more commonly seen in conditions like dehydration or shock.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse at a long-term facility is providing a change-of-shift report to an oncoming nurse about an older adult client who has shingles. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the report?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Information about transmission-based precautions is essential for infection control and continuity of care.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with diabetes. Which task will the nurse assign to the nursing assistive personnel?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is making the patient's bed. Delegating bed-making tasks to nursing assistive personnel is appropriate as it falls within their scope of practice and helps free up the nurse's time to focus on tasks that require their specialized skills and knowledge. Providing nail care and teaching foot care involve direct patient care and education, which should be performed by licensed nursing staff. Determining aspiration risk requires critical thinking and clinical judgment, making it a responsibility of the nurse.
Question 8 of 9
Which action is most important for maintaining sterility when donning sterile gloves?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most crucial action for maintaining sterility when donning sterile gloves is to keep gloved hands above the elbows. This practice is essential to prevent potential contamination and maintain a sterile field. Choices A, maintaining thumbs at a ninety-degree angle, and B, holding hands with fingers pointing downward while gloving, are not as critical as keeping hands above the elbows for maintaining sterility. Choice D, putting the glove on the dominant hand first, is not as important as ensuring that gloved hands are kept above the elbows to maintain sterility.
Question 9 of 9
While changing a client's postoperative dressing, the nurse observes a red and swollen wound with a moderate amount of yellow and green drainage and a foul odor. Given there is a positive MRSA, which is the most important action for the nurse to take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to initiate contact precautions. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a highly contagious bacterium that spreads through direct contact. Contact precautions involve wearing gloves and gowns to prevent the spread of infection to other patients or healthcare workers. Force-feeding oral fluids, requesting a nutrition consult, or limiting visitors to immediate family only are not the most appropriate actions in this scenario. These actions do not directly address the need to prevent the spread of MRSA, which is crucial in a healthcare setting.