Which technique is most effective for assessing the patient's abdominal organ size?

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hesi health assessment test bank 2023 Questions

Question 1 of 9

Which technique is most effective for assessing the patient's abdominal organ size?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Palpation. Palpation is the most effective technique for assessing the patient's abdominal organ size as it allows the healthcare provider to feel and evaluate the size, texture, and consistency of the abdominal organs through touch. This hands-on approach provides valuable information about any abnormalities or tenderness in the organs. Inspection (choice A) involves looking at the abdomen for any visible signs but does not provide information on organ size. Percussion (choice C) involves tapping on the abdomen to assess the density of underlying structures, not specifically organ size. Auscultation (choice D) involves listening to sounds within the abdomen and does not directly assess organ size. Palpation is the preferred method for accurately assessing abdominal organ size due to its tactile nature.

Question 2 of 9

A nurse is assessing a patient with a history of smoking. The patient reports a persistent cough that has worsened over the past few months. The nurse would be most concerned about the possibility of:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient's history of smoking, persistent cough, and worsening symptoms over months are indicative of COPD, a progressive lung disease commonly caused by smoking. Asthma (A) typically presents with intermittent symptoms, bronchitis (C) may cause cough but not necessarily worsening over time, and pulmonary embolism (D) is characterized by sudden onset symptoms and is less likely in this case. COPD is the most concerning due to the patient's smoking history and progressive symptoms.

Question 3 of 9

A woman has come to the clinic to seek help for a substance use problem. She admits to using cocaine just before coming to the clinic. Which of the following describes what the nurse may find when examining this woman?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Cocaine is a stimulant drug that typically leads to symptoms such as dilated pupils, pacing, and psychomotor agitation. Dilated pupils occur due to increased catecholamines. Pacing and psychomotor agitation are common behaviors associated with cocaine use. Unsteady gait and aggressiveness (Option B) are more characteristic of alcohol intoxication. Pupil constriction, lethargy, apathy, and dysphoria (Option C) are typical symptoms of opioid use. Constricted pupils, euphoria, and decreased temperature (Option D) are more indicative of opioid use as well.

Question 4 of 9

A nurse is interviewing a 75-year-old patient. Why might the interview take longer with this patient?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Older adults may have a longer story to tell due to their wealth of life experiences. This can include medical history, family background, and personal stories that may impact their health. It is important for the nurse to gather all relevant information to provide appropriate care. Choice B is incorrect because not all older adults are lonely, and the reason for a longer interview is not solely based on the need for social interaction. Choice C is incorrect because while some older adults may experience cognitive decline, it is not a blanket statement that all older adults lose mental abilities. Choice D is incorrect because hearing loss is not a universal issue among older adults, and assuming so can lead to ageist stereotypes.

Question 5 of 9

A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administering oxygen as prescribed. Oxygen therapy is a critical intervention in pneumonia to improve oxygenation and prevent hypoxia. Priority is given to interventions that address the immediate physiological needs of the patient. Encouraging fluid intake (A) is important but not as urgent as oxygen therapy. Encouraging ambulation (C) can be beneficial for overall health but may not be suitable for a patient with pneumonia. Providing pain medication (D) is important for comfort but is not the priority in this case.

Question 6 of 9

A patient tells the nurse that she has been experiencing abdominal pain for the past week. Which of the following would be the best response by the nurse?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it demonstrates active listening and empathy by directly addressing the patient's concern. By asking the patient to point to where it hurts, the nurse can gather specific information to assess the location and severity of the pain. This helps in determining potential causes and appropriate interventions. Choice B is incorrect as it delays addressing the patient's immediate concern. Choice C focuses on dietary history, which may not be relevant to the current pain complaint. Choice D is unrelated to the current issue and does not address the patient's pain directly.

Question 7 of 9

A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed warfarin. The nurse should monitor the patient for signs of which of the following?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bleeding. Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication that works by inhibiting blood clotting factors. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is crucial as warfarin increases the risk of bleeding events. Signs of bleeding may include easy bruising, nosebleeds, blood in urine or stool. Hypertension (B), hyperglycemia (C), and hypokalemia (D) are not direct effects of warfarin. Monitoring for these conditions may be important for other medications or conditions, but they are not the primary concern when a patient is prescribed warfarin.

Question 8 of 9

What nursing interventions are important for a client in Buck's traction?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Nutrition is important for overall health and healing in a client in Buck's traction. Step 2: Elimination is necessary to prevent complications such as constipation. Step 3: Comfort measures help alleviate pain and promote well-being. Step 4: Safety measures ensure the client's well-being during traction. Step 5: ROM exercises are not recommended to prevent displacement of traction. Transportation and isotonic exercises are not directly related to Buck's traction care.

Question 9 of 9

The patient's record, laboratory studies, objective data, and subjective data together form the:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: database. The patient's record, laboratory studies, objective data, and subjective data collectively form the database in healthcare. This term refers to a comprehensive collection of all pertinent information about a patient that is used for analysis, diagnosis, and treatment planning. The other choices are incorrect because B: admitting data specifically refers to information gathered at the time of admission, C: financial statement pertains to financial information, and D: discharge summary summarizes the patient's care and treatment at the time of discharge, not the entire patient record.

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