HESI RN
HESI RN CAT Exit Exam Questions
Question 1 of 9
When caring for a laboring client whose contractions are occurring every 2-3 minutes, the nurse should document that the pump is infusing how many ml/hour?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct calculation for infusion based on the given data is 5 ml/hr. To calculate the infusion rate per hour, you need to determine the number of contractions per hour. If contractions are occurring every 2-3 minutes, this would mean approximately 20-30 contractions per hour. Therefore, if the pump is infusing 5 ml per contraction, the total infusion rate per hour would be 5 ml x 20 contractions = 100 ml/hr. This makes choice A the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the calculation based on the given data.
Question 2 of 9
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. Stopping the infusion is crucial to prevent further potassium from being administered, which can exacerbate the client's hyperkalemia. Notifying the healthcare provider of the laboratory results (Choice A) can be done after taking immediate action to stop the infusion. Decreasing the rate of the IV infusion (Choice B) may not be sufficient to address the high potassium level quickly. Administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) (Choice D) is not the initial action for managing hyperkalemia; stopping the potassium infusion takes precedence.
Question 3 of 9
When the nurse enters the room to change the dressing of a male client with cancer, he asks, 'Have you ever been with someone when they died?' What is the nurse's best response to him?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct response is to acknowledge the client's question and open the door for further discussion by asking if they have questions about dying. This approach allows the nurse to address the client's concerns and fears, promoting open communication and providing emotional support. Choices B and C do not encourage further dialogue about the client's feelings and concerns regarding death. Choice D briefly acknowledges the question but does not actively invite the client to express their thoughts and emotions regarding dying.
Question 4 of 9
An angry client screams at the emergency department triage nurse, 'I've been waiting here for two hours! You and the staff are incompetent.' What is the best response for the nurse to make?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct response for the nurse is to choose option D, 'I understand you are frustrated with the wait time.' This response acknowledges the client's emotions, shows empathy, and validates their feelings of frustration. Option A justifies the situation but does not address the client's emotional state. Option B is unfair to other patients and may not be based on urgency. Option C focuses on the nurse's actions rather than addressing the client's emotions, making it less effective than option D.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse is making assignments for a new graduate from a practical nursing program who is orienting to the unit. Because the unit is particularly busy this day, there will be little time to provide supervision of this new employee. Which client is the best for the nurse to assign to this newly graduated practical nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a client with a stable infection requires less supervision and is suitable for the new nurse. Choice B involves insulin administration for a client with poorly controlled diabetes, which may require more experience and supervision. Choice C involves a newly admitted patient with a head injury who requires frequent assessments, indicating a need for close monitoring. Choice D involves a patient receiving IV heparin, which requires precise monitoring and adjustment based on protocol, making it a higher-risk assignment for a new nurse without close supervision.
Question 6 of 9
A client who has a new prescription for warfarin (Coumadin) asks the nurse how the medication works. What explanation should the nurse provide?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'It prevents the blood from clotting.' Warfarin works by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver, thereby preventing the formation of blood clots. Choice A is incorrect because warfarin does not dissolve existing blood clots but prevents new ones from forming. Choice C is partially correct but not as specific as choice B in explaining how warfarin works. Choice D is unrelated to the mechanism of action of warfarin and is incorrect.
Question 7 of 9
When performing an admission assessment of a client diagnosed with a brain tumor, which question is most important for the nurse to ask the client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. When assessing a client diagnosed with a brain tumor, asking about seizures is crucial because they can be a common symptom associated with brain tumors. Seizures in this context could provide valuable information regarding the progression and impact of the brain tumor on the client's neurological status. Choices A, B, and C are important questions in a general assessment, but when specifically focusing on a client with a brain tumor, inquiring about seizures takes priority due to its direct relevance to the condition.
Question 8 of 9
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing. What action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take first when a client with COPD reports difficulty breathing while receiving oxygen is to check the client's oxygen saturation level. This helps in determining the adequacy of oxygenation and identifying the cause of the breathing difficulty. Increasing the oxygen flow rate (Choice A) may not be appropriate without knowing the current oxygen saturation level. Instructing the client to breathe deeply and cough (Choice B) may not address the immediate need for oxygen assessment. Placing the client in a high-Fowler's position (Choice D) can help with breathing but should come after ensuring proper oxygenation.
Question 9 of 9
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. A serum calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL requires immediate intervention due to the risk of hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia can lead to serious complications such as tetany, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias. The other laboratory findings are within normal limits or slightly elevated, which do not pose an immediate threat to the client's health in this scenario.