HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AVAILABLE

HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AVAILABLE 1. 1The nurse is caring for a patient in the burn unit. Which type of wound healing will the nurse consider when planning care for this patient? a. Partial-thickness repair b. Secondary intention c. Tertiary intention d. Primary intention ANS: B A wound involving loss of tissue such as a burn or a pressure ulcer or laceration heals by secondary intention. The wound is left open until it becomes filled with scar tissue. It takes longer for a wound to heal by secondary intention; thus the chance of infection is greater. A clean surgical incision is an example of a wound with little loss of tissue that heals by primary intention. The skin edges are approximated or closed, and the risk for infection is low. Partial-thickness repair is done on partial-thickness wounds that are shallow, involving loss of the epidermis and maybe partial loss of the dermis. These wounds heal by regeneration because the epidermis regenerates. Tertiary intention is seen when a wound is left open for several days, and then the wound edges are approximated. Wound closure is delayed until the risk of infection is resolved. 2. A nurse is assessing a patient’s wound. Which nursing observation will indicate the wound healed by secondary intention? a. Minimal loss of tissue function b. Permanent dark redness at site c. Minimal scar tissue d. Scarring that may be severe ANS: D A wound healing by secondary intention takes longer than one healing by primary intention. The wound is left open until it becomes filled with scar tissue. If the scarring is severe, permanent loss of function often occurs. Wounds that heal by primary intention heal quickly with minimal scarring. Scar tissue contains few pigmented cells and has a lighter color than normal skin. 3. The nurse is caring for a patient who has experienced a total abdominal hysterectomy. Which nursing observation of the incision will indicate the patient is experiencing a complication of wound healing? a. The site is hurting. b. The site is approximated. c. The site has started to itch. d. The site has a mass, bluish in color. ANS: D A hematoma is a localized collection of blood underneath the tissues. It appears as swelling, change in color, sensation, or warmth or a mass that often takes on a bluish discoloration. A hematoma near a major artery or vein is dangerous because it can put pressure on the vein or artery and obstruct blood flow. Itching is not a complication. Incisions should be approximated with edges together; this is a sign of normal healing. After surgery, when nerves in the skin and tissues have been traumatized by the surgical procedure, it is expected that the patient will experience pain. 4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient. Which finding will alert the nurse to a potential wound dehiscence? a. Protrusion of visceral organs through a wound opening b. Chronic drainage of fluid through the incision site c. Report by patient that something has given way d. Drainage that is odorous and purulent ANS: C Patients often report feeling as though something has given way with dehiscence. Dehiscence occurs when an incision fails to heal properly and the layers of skin and tissue separate. It involves abdominal surgical wounds and occurs after a sudden strain such as coughing, vomiting, or sitting up in bed. Evisceration is seen when vital organs protrude through a wound opening. When there is an increase in serosanguineous drainage from a wound in the first few days after surgery, be alert for the potential for dehiscence. Infection is characterized by drainage that is odorous and purulent. 5. A patient has developed a pressure ulcer. Which laboratory data will be important for the nurse to check? a. Vitamin E b. Potassium c. Albumin d. Sodium ANS: C Normal wound healing requires proper nutrition. Serum proteins are biochemical indicators of malnutrition, and serum albumin is probably the most frequently measured of these parameters. The best measurement of nutritional status is prealbumin because it reflects not only what the patient has ingested but also what the body has absorbed, digested, and metabolized. Zinc and copper are the minerals important for wound healing, not potassium and sodium. Vitamins A and C are important for wound healing, not vitamin E. 6. A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound. Which assessment data will be most important for the nurse to gather with regard to wound healing? a. Muscular strength assessment b. Pulse oximetry assessment c. Sensation assessment d. Sleep assessment ANS: B Oxygen fuels the cellular functions essential to the healing process; the ability to perfuse tissues with adequate amounts of oxygenated blood is critical in wound healing. Pulse oximetry measures the oxygen saturation of blood. Assessment of muscular strength and sensation, although useful for fitness and mobility testing, does not provide any data with regard to wound healing. Sleep, although important for rest and for integration of learning and restoration of cognitive function, does not provide any data with regard to wound healing. 7. The nurse is caring for a patient with a healing Stage III pressure ulcer. Upon entering the room, the nurse notices an odor and observes a purulent discharge, along with increased redness at the wound site. What is the next best step for the nurse? Complete the head-to-toe assessment, including current treatment, a. vital signs, and laboratory results. Notify the health care provider by utilizing Situation, Background, b. Assessment, and Recommendation (SBAR). Consult the wound care nurse about the change in status and the c. potential for infection. Check with the charge nurse about the change in status and the d. potential for infection. ANS: A The patient is showing signs and symptoms associated with infection in the wound. The nurse should complete the assessment: gather all data such as current treatment modalities, medications, vital signs including temperature, and laboratory results such as the most recent complete blood count or white cell count. The nurse can then notify the primary care provider and receive treatment orders for the patient. It is important to notify the charge nurse and consult the wound nurse on the patient’s status and on any new orders.