Hesi Exit 4 Exam 2025

An ER nurse is completing an assessment on a patient that is alert but struggles to answer questions. When she attempts to talk, she slurs her speech and appears very frightened. What additional clinical manifestation does the nurse expect to find if nacy's sysmptoms have been caused by a brain attack (stroke)? A. A carotid bruit B. A hypotensive blood pressure C. hyperreflexic deep tendon relexes. D. Decreased bowel sounds - ANSWER a Which clinical manifestation further supports an assessment of a left-sided brain attack? A) Visual field deficit on the left side. B) Spatial-perceptual deficits. C) Paresthesia of the left side. D) Global aphasia. - ANSWER D When preparing a patient for a noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan STAT, what nursing intervention should the nurse implement? A) Determine if the client has any allergies to iodine B) Explain that the client will not be able to move her head throughout the CT scan. C) Premedicate the client to decrease pain prior to having the procedure. D) Provide an explanation of relaxation exercises prior to the procedure. - ANSWER B A neurologist prescribes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head STAT for a patient. Which data warrants immediate intervention by the nurse concerning this diagnostic test? A) Elevated blood pressure. B) Allergy to shell fish. C) Right hip replacement. D) History of atrial fibrillation. - ANSWER C A client's daughter is sitting by her mother's bedside who was recently transferred to the Intermediate Care Unit. She states "I don't understand what a brain attack is. The healthcare provider told me my mother is in serious condition and they are going to run several tests. I just don't know what is going on. What happened to my mother?" What is the best response by the nurse? A) "I am sorry, but according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA), I cannot give you any information." B) "Your mother has had a stroke, and the blood supply to the brain has been blocked." C) "How do you feel about what the healthcare provider said?" D) "I will call the healthcare provider so he/she can talk to you about your mother's serious condition." - ANSWER B What is the normal range for cardiac output? - ANSWER 4-8L/min A client was admitted with the diagnosis of a brain attack. Their symptoms began 24 hours before being admitted. Why would this client not be a candidate for for thrombolytic therapy? - ANSWER Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in clients with symptom onset longer than 3 hours prior to admission. This client had symptoms for 24 hours before being brought to the medical center What are plate guards? - ANSWER Plate guards prevent food from being pushed off the plate. Using plate guards and other assistive devices will encourage independence in a client with a self-care deficit. Which condition is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for a brain attack? A) High cholesterol levels. B) Obesity. C) History of atrial fibrillation. D) Advanced age. - ANSWER D A client is experiencing homonymous hemianopsia as the result of a brain attack. Which nursing intervention would the nurse implement to address this condition? A) Turn Nancy every two hours and perform active range of motion exercises. B) Place the objects Nancy needs for activities of daily living on the left side of the table. C) Speak slowly and clearly to assist Nancy in forming sounds to words. D) Request that the dietary department thicken all liquids on Nancy's meal and snack trays. - ANSWER B A physical therapist (PT) places a gait belt on a client and is assisting them with ambulation from the bed to the chair. As they get up out of the bed, they report being dizzy and begin to fall. The PT carefully allows them to fall back to the bed and notifies the primary nurse. Which written documentation should the nurse put in the client's record? A) Client experienced orthostatic hypotension when getting out of bed. B) PT reported client complained of dizziness when getting out of bed, and gait belt was used to allow client to fall back onto the bed. C) PT notified the primary nurse that the client could not ambulate at this time because of dizziness. D) Client had difficulty ambulating from the bed to the chair when accompanied by the PT, variance report completed. - ANSWER B A new nurse graduate is caring for a postoperative client with the following arterial blood gases (ABGs): pH, 7.30; PCO2, 60 mm Hg; PO2, 80 mm Hg; bicarbonate, 24 mEq/L; and O2 saturation, 96%. Which of these actions by the new graduate is indicated? A) Encourage the client to use the incentive spirometer and to cough. B) Administer oxygen by nasal cannula. C) Request a prescription for sodium bicarbonate from the health care provider. D) Inform the charge nurse that no changes in therapy are needed. - ANSWER A The nurse is providing dietary instructions to a 68-year-old client who is at high risk for development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Which information should the nurse include? A) Limit dietary selection of cholesterol to 300 mg per day B) Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day. C) Decrease plant stanols and sterols to less than 2 grams/day. D) Ensure saturated fat is less than 30% of total caloric intake. - ANSWER B A splint is prescribed for nighttime use by a client with rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the nurse provides the most accurate explanation for use of the splints? A) Prevention of deformities. B) Avoidance of joint trauma. C) Relief of joint inflammation. D) Improvement in joint strength. - ANSWER A A 32-year-old female client complains of severe abdominal pain each month before her menstrual period, painful intercourse, and painful defecation. Which additional history should the nurse obtain that is consistent with the client's complaints? A) Frequent urinary tract infections. B) Inability to get pregnant. C) Premenstrual syndrome. D) Chronic use of laxatives. - ANSWER B A client with a 16-year history of diabetes mellitus is having renal function tests because of recent fatigue, weakness, elevated blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine levels. Which finding should the nurse conclude as an early symptom of renal insufficiency? A) Dyspnea. B) Nocturia. C) Confusion. D) Stomatitis. - ANSWER B A client with heart disease is on a continuous telemetry monitor and has developed sinus bradycardia. In determining the possible cause of the bradycardia, the nurse assesses the client's medication record. Which medication is most likely the cause of the bradycardia? A) Propanolol (Inderal). B) Captopril (Capoten). C) Furosemide (Lasix). D) Dobutamine (Dobutrex). - ANSWER A A client has been taking oral corticosteroids for the past five days because of seasonal allergies. Which assessment finding is of most concern to the nurse? A) White blood count of 10,000 mm3. B) Serum glucose of 115 mg/dl. C) Purulent sputum. D) Excessive hunger. - ANSWER C (indicates infection) A female client receiving IV vasopressin (Pitressin) for esophageal varice rupture reports to the nurse that she feels substernal tightness and pressure across her chest. Which PRN protocol should the nurse initiate? A) Start an IV nitroglycerin infusion. B) Nasogastric lavage with cool saline. C) Increase the vasopressin infusion. D) Prepare for endotracheal intubation. - ANSWER A A client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been experiencing severe reflux during sleep. Which recommendation by the nurse is most effective to assist the client? A) Losing weight. B) Decreasing caffeine intake. C) Avoiding large meals. D) Raising the head of the bed on blocks. - ANSWER D The nurse is caring for a client with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), which is manifested by which symptoms? A) Loss of thirst, weight gain. B) Dependent edema, fever. C) Polydipsia, polyuria. D) Hypernatremia, tachypnea. - ANSWER A The nurse is planning care for a client with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus that requires insulin. Which assessment should the nurse identify before beginning the teaching session? A) Present knowledge related to the skill of injection. B) Intelligence and developmental level of the client. C) Willingness of the client to learn the injection sites. D) Financial resources available for the equipment. - ANSWER c The nurse is caring for a client who has taken a large quantity of furosemide (Lasix) to promote weight loss. The nurse anticipates the finding of which acid-base imbalance? A) PO2 of 78 mm Hg B) HCO3 of 34 mEq/L C) PCO2 of 56 mm Hg D) pH of 7.31 - ANSWER b (diuretics cause metabolic acidosis) The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client who is newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which signs and symptoms should the nurse describe when teaching the client about hypoglycemia? A) Sweating, trembling, tachycardia. B) Polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia. C) Nausea, vomiting, anorexia. D) Fruity breath, tachypnea, chest pain. - ANSWER a Which reaction should the nurse identify in a client who is responding to stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system? A) Pupil constriction. B) Increased heart rate. C) Bronchial constriction. D) Decreased blood pressure. - ANSWER b Which client should the nurse recognize as most likely to experience sleep apnea? A) Middle-aged female who takes a diuretic nightly. B) Obese older male client with a short, thick neck. C) Adolescent female with a history of tonsillectomy. D) School-aged male with a history of hyperactivity disorder. - ANSWER b To decrease the risk of acid-base imbalance, what goal must the client with diabetes mellitus strive for? A) Checking blood glucose levels once daily B) Drinking 3 L of fluid per day C) Eating regularly, every 4 to 8 hours D) Maintaining blood glucose level within normal limits - ANSWER d After the fourth dose of gentamicin sulfate (Garamycin) IV, the nurse plans to draw blood samples to determine peak and trough levels. When are the best times to draw these samples? A) 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the next dose. B) One hour before and one hour after the next dose. C) 5 minutes before and 30 minutes after the next dose. D) 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the next dose. - ANSWER c The nurse is caring for a client with an oxygen saturation of 88% and accessory muscle use. The nurse provides oxygen and anticipates which of these physician orders? A) Administration of IV sodium bicarbonate B) Computed tomography (CT) of the chest, stat C) Intubation and mechanical ventilation D) Administration of concentrated potassium chloride solution - ANSWER c A male client receives a local anesthetic during surgery. During the post-operative assessment, the nurse notices the client is slurring his speech. Which action should the nurse take? A) Determine the client is anxious and allow him to sleep. B) Evaluate his blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory status. C) Review the client's pre-operative history for alcohol abuse. D) Continue to monitor the client for reactivity to anesthesia. - ANSWER b When providing discharge teaching for a client with osteoporosis, the nurse should reinforce which home care activity? A) A diet low in phosphates. B) Skin inspection for bruising. C) Exercise regimen, including swimming. D) Elimination of hazards to home safety. - ANSWER d During lung assessment, the nurse places a stethoscope on a client's chest and instructs him/her to say "99" each time the chest is touched with the stethoscope. What should be the correct interpretation if the nurse hears the spoken words "99" very clearly through the stethoscope? A) This is a normal auscultatory finding. B) May indicate pneumothorax. C) May indicate pneumonia. D) May indicate severe emphysema. - ANSWER c The nurse is caring for a group of clients with acidosis. The nurse recognizes that Kussmaul respirations are consistent with which situation? A) Client receiving mechanical ventilation B) Use of hydrochlorothiazide C) Aspirin overdose D) Administration of sodium bicarbonate - ANSWER c During an interview with a client planning elective surgery, the client asks the nurse, "What is the advantage of having a preferred provider organization insurance plan?" Which response is best for the nurse to provide? A) Long-term relationships with healthcare providers are more likely. B) There are fewer healthcare providers to choose from than in an HMO plan. C) Insurance coverage of employees is less expensive to employers. D) An individual can become a member of a PPO without belonging to a group. - ANSWER c A client has taken steroids for 12 years to help manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When making a home visit, which nursing function is of greatest importance to this client? Assess the client's A) pulse rate, both apically and radially. B) blood pressure, both standing and sitting. C) temperature. D) skin color and turgor. - ANSWER c The nurse is teaching a female client who uses a contraceptive diaphragm about reducing the risk for toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Which information should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.) A) Remove the diaphragm immediately after intercourse. B) Wash the diaphragm with an alcohol solution. C) Use the diaphragm to prevent conception during the menstrual cycle. D) Do not leave the diaphragm in place longer than 8 hours after intercourse. E) Contact a healthcare provider a sudden onset of fever grater than 101º F appears. F) Replace the old diaphragm every 3 months. - ANSWER D, E A middle-aged male client with diabetes continues to eat an abundance of foods that are high in sugar and fat. According to the Health Belief Model, which event is most likely to increase the client's willingness to become compliant with the prescribed diet? A) He visits his diabetic brother who just had surgery to amputate an infected foot. B) He is provided with the most current information about the dangers of untreated diabetes. C) He comments on the community service announcements about preventing complications associated with diabetes. D) His wife expresses a sincere willingness to prepare meals that are within his prescribed diet. - ANSWER a A female client taking oral contraceptives reports to the nurse that she is experiencing calf pain. What action should the nurse implement? A) Determine if the client has also experienced breast tenderness and weight gain. B) Encourage the client to begin a regular, daily program of walking and exercise. C) Advise the client to notify the healthcare provider for immediate medical attention. D) Tell the client to stop taking the medication for a week to see if symptoms subside. - ANSWER C (indicates thrombophlebitis) A female client requests information about using the calendar method of contraception. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain? A) Amount of weight gain or weight loss during the previous year. B) An accurate menstrual cycle diary for the past 6 to 12 months. C) Skin pigmentation and hair texture for evidence of hormonal changes. D) Previous birth-control methods and beliefs about the calendar method. - ANSWER b The nurse knows that lab values sometimes vary for the older client. Which data should the nurse expect to find when reviewing laboratory values of an 80-year-old male? A) Increased WBC, decreased RBC. B) Increased serum bilirubin, slightly increased liver enzymes. C) Increased protein in the urine, slightly increased serum glucose levels. D) Decreased serum sodium, an increased urine specific gravity. - ANSWER c Which postmenopausal client's complaint should the nurse refer to the healthcare provider? A) Breasts feel lumpy when palpated. B) History of white nipple discharge. C) Episodes of vaginal bleeding. D) Excessive diaphoresis occurs at night. - ANSWER c The nurse is assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery. What action should the nurse do first? A) Place a chair at a right angle to the bedside. B) Encourage deep breathing prior to standing. C) Help the client to sit and dangle legs on the side of the bed. D) Allow the client to sit with the bed in a high Fowler's position. - ANSWER d The nurse is receiving report from surgery about a client with a penrose drain who is to be admitted to the postoperative unit. Before choosing a room for this client, which information is most important for the nurse to obtain? A) If suctioning will be needed for drainage of the wound. B) If the family would prefer a private or semi-private room. C) If the client also has a Hemovac® in place. D) If the client's wound is infected. - ANSWER d A patient admitted for a head injusry develops dry skin and urine output of 600 mL/hr. Which of the following interventions should the nurse perform first? a) Assess the patient's urine specific gravity b) Slow IV fluid infusion rate c) Assess the patient's level of conciousness d) Notify the physician - ANSWER a A patient is prescribed dexamethasone (Decadron) to reduce cerebral edema after a motor vehicle accident. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect if this treatment is effective? a) Increased response to stimuli b) decreased urine output c) respiration rate of 12 d) Increased blood pressure - ANSWER a The nurse is assessing a client who is bedfast and refuses to turn or move from a supine position. How should the nurse assess the client for possible dependent edema? A) Compress the flank and upper buttocks. B) Measure the client's abdominal girth. C) Gently palpate the lower abdomen. D) Apply light pressure over the shins. - ANSWER a A male client with chronic atrial fibrillation and a slow ventricular response is scheduled for surgical placement of a permanent pacemaker. The client asks the nurse how this devise will help him. How should the nurse explain the action of a synchronous pacemaker? A) Ventricular irritability is prevented by the constant rate setting of pacemaker. B) Ectopic stimulus in the atria is suppressed by the device usurping depolarization. C) An impulse is fired every second to maintain a heart rate of 60 beats per minute. D) An electrical stimulus is discharged when no ventricular response is sensed. - ANSWER d