HESI LPN-ADN ENTRANCE MOBILITY
EXAM PREPARATION
1. A nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which
clinical finding should the nurse report immediately to the healthcare provider?
A. A barrel-shaped chest
B. A change in mental status and confusion
C. Increased use of accessory muscles
D. Clubbing of the fingernails
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A change in mental status or confusion can indicate hypoxia or
hypercapnia, requiring immediate intervention. Barrel chest, clubbing, and accessory
muscle use are common chronic findings in COPD.
2. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which assessment finding should lead the
nurse to suspect digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
,C. Increased urine output
D. Anorexia and blurred vision with yellow halos
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal upset (anorexia,
nausea) and visual disturbances like yellow-green halos. Hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia,
increases the risk of toxicity.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postoperative following a thyroidectomy.
Which finding is the highest priority for the nurse to address?
A. Pain level of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
B. Laryngeal stridor
C. Nausea and one episode of vomiting
D. Incisional serosanguinous drainage
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Laryngeal stridor indicates airway obstruction, which is a
medical emergency following thyroid surgery. Pain, nausea, and minor drainage are
expected but not life-threatening.
4. Which laboratory result is most critical for a nurse to monitor in a client receiving a heparin
infusion for a pulmonary embolism?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
, B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Platelet count of 350,000/mm3
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of heparin
therapy. PT and INR are used for warfarin therapy.
5. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is found unconscious and diaphoretic. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Administer 15 grams of oral glucose
B. Administer glucagon intramuscularly
C. Check the blood glucose level
D. Call the code team
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: If a diabetic client is unconscious and hypoglycemia is
suspected, the nurse should administer glucagon or D50 IV. Oral glucose is contraindicated
due to the risk of aspiration.
6. When assessing a client with a history of alcohol abuse who is experiencing tremors and
hallucinations, which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Disulfiram
EXAM PREPARATION
1. A nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which
clinical finding should the nurse report immediately to the healthcare provider?
A. A barrel-shaped chest
B. A change in mental status and confusion
C. Increased use of accessory muscles
D. Clubbing of the fingernails
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A change in mental status or confusion can indicate hypoxia or
hypercapnia, requiring immediate intervention. Barrel chest, clubbing, and accessory
muscle use are common chronic findings in COPD.
2. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which assessment finding should lead the
nurse to suspect digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
,C. Increased urine output
D. Anorexia and blurred vision with yellow halos
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal upset (anorexia,
nausea) and visual disturbances like yellow-green halos. Hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia,
increases the risk of toxicity.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postoperative following a thyroidectomy.
Which finding is the highest priority for the nurse to address?
A. Pain level of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
B. Laryngeal stridor
C. Nausea and one episode of vomiting
D. Incisional serosanguinous drainage
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Laryngeal stridor indicates airway obstruction, which is a
medical emergency following thyroid surgery. Pain, nausea, and minor drainage are
expected but not life-threatening.
4. Which laboratory result is most critical for a nurse to monitor in a client receiving a heparin
infusion for a pulmonary embolism?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
, B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Platelet count of 350,000/mm3
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of heparin
therapy. PT and INR are used for warfarin therapy.
5. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is found unconscious and diaphoretic. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Administer 15 grams of oral glucose
B. Administer glucagon intramuscularly
C. Check the blood glucose level
D. Call the code team
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: If a diabetic client is unconscious and hypoglycemia is
suspected, the nurse should administer glucagon or D50 IV. Oral glucose is contraindicated
due to the risk of aspiration.
6. When assessing a client with a history of alcohol abuse who is experiencing tremors and
hallucinations, which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Disulfiram
