HESI
HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS %
CORRECT.
Which client should the nurse identify as being at highest risk for complications
during the use of an opioid analgesic? answer >> A young adult with
inflammatory bowel disease.
Rationale:
The principal indication for opioid use is acute pain, and a client with
inflammatory bowel disease is at risk for toxic mega colon or paralytic ileus
related to slowed peristalsis, a side effect of morphine. Adverse effects of
morphine do not pose as great a risk for clients with diabetes or a fracture as for
the client with bowel disease.
The healthcare provider prescribes digitalis (Digoxin) for a client diagnosed with
heart failure. Which intervention should the nurse implement prior to
administering the digoxin? answer >> Assess the serum potassium level.
Rationale:
Hypokalemia (decreased serum potassium) will precipitate digitalis toxicity in
persons receiving digoxin. The nurse should monitor the client's serum potassium
levels. Blood pressure and respiratory rate will not inform the nurse about
potential safety issues with digitalis.
,HESI
A client with hyperlipidemia receives a prescription for niacin (Niaspan). Which
client teaching is most important for the nurse to provide? answer >> Expected
duration of flushing.
Rationale:
Flushing of the face and neck, lasting up to an hour, is a frequent reason for
discontinuing niacin. Inclusion of this effect in client teaching may promote
compliance in taking the medication. While nutrition tips and managing pruritus
are worthwhile instructions to help clients minimize or cope with normal side
effects associated with niacin (Niaspan), flushing is intense and causes the most
concern for the client.
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls the triage
nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which
statement reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the nurse should provide to
this client? answer >> Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider,
because muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
Rationale:
Myopathy, suggested by the leg pain and weakness, is a serious, and potentially
life-threatening, complication of Lipitor, and should be evaluated immediately by
the healthcare provider.
An antacid (Maalox) is prescribed for a client with peptic ulcer disease. The nurse
knows that the purpose of this medication is to answer >> maintain a gastric pH
of 3.5 or above.
Rationale:
, HESI
The objective of antacids is to neutralize gastric acids and keep pH of 3.5 or above
which is necessary for pepsinogen inactivity.
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a
controlled-release oxycodone prescription? answer >> Every 12 hours.
Rationale:
A controlled-release oxycodone provides long-acting analgesia to relieve
moderate to severe pain, so a dosing schedule of every 12 hours provides the best
around-the-clock pain management. Controlled-release oxycodone is not
prescribed for breakthrough pain on a PRN or as needed schedule. Using a
schedule of every 4 to 6 hours may jeopardize patient safety due to cumulative
effects.
A client with osteoarthritis receives a new prescription for celecoxib (Celebrex)
orally for symptom management. The nurse notes the client is allergic to sulfa.
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement prior to administering
the first dose? answer >> Notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale:
Celebrex contains a sulfur molecule, which can lead to an allergic reaction in
individuals who are sensitive to sulfonamides, so the healthcare provider should
be notified of the client's allergies.
The nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing anaphylaxis from an insect
sting. Which prescription should the nurse prepare to administer this client?
answer >> Epinephrine.
Rationale:
HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS %
CORRECT.
Which client should the nurse identify as being at highest risk for complications
during the use of an opioid analgesic? answer >> A young adult with
inflammatory bowel disease.
Rationale:
The principal indication for opioid use is acute pain, and a client with
inflammatory bowel disease is at risk for toxic mega colon or paralytic ileus
related to slowed peristalsis, a side effect of morphine. Adverse effects of
morphine do not pose as great a risk for clients with diabetes or a fracture as for
the client with bowel disease.
The healthcare provider prescribes digitalis (Digoxin) for a client diagnosed with
heart failure. Which intervention should the nurse implement prior to
administering the digoxin? answer >> Assess the serum potassium level.
Rationale:
Hypokalemia (decreased serum potassium) will precipitate digitalis toxicity in
persons receiving digoxin. The nurse should monitor the client's serum potassium
levels. Blood pressure and respiratory rate will not inform the nurse about
potential safety issues with digitalis.
,HESI
A client with hyperlipidemia receives a prescription for niacin (Niaspan). Which
client teaching is most important for the nurse to provide? answer >> Expected
duration of flushing.
Rationale:
Flushing of the face and neck, lasting up to an hour, is a frequent reason for
discontinuing niacin. Inclusion of this effect in client teaching may promote
compliance in taking the medication. While nutrition tips and managing pruritus
are worthwhile instructions to help clients minimize or cope with normal side
effects associated with niacin (Niaspan), flushing is intense and causes the most
concern for the client.
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls the triage
nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which
statement reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the nurse should provide to
this client? answer >> Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider,
because muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
Rationale:
Myopathy, suggested by the leg pain and weakness, is a serious, and potentially
life-threatening, complication of Lipitor, and should be evaluated immediately by
the healthcare provider.
An antacid (Maalox) is prescribed for a client with peptic ulcer disease. The nurse
knows that the purpose of this medication is to answer >> maintain a gastric pH
of 3.5 or above.
Rationale:
, HESI
The objective of antacids is to neutralize gastric acids and keep pH of 3.5 or above
which is necessary for pepsinogen inactivity.
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a
controlled-release oxycodone prescription? answer >> Every 12 hours.
Rationale:
A controlled-release oxycodone provides long-acting analgesia to relieve
moderate to severe pain, so a dosing schedule of every 12 hours provides the best
around-the-clock pain management. Controlled-release oxycodone is not
prescribed for breakthrough pain on a PRN or as needed schedule. Using a
schedule of every 4 to 6 hours may jeopardize patient safety due to cumulative
effects.
A client with osteoarthritis receives a new prescription for celecoxib (Celebrex)
orally for symptom management. The nurse notes the client is allergic to sulfa.
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement prior to administering
the first dose? answer >> Notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale:
Celebrex contains a sulfur molecule, which can lead to an allergic reaction in
individuals who are sensitive to sulfonamides, so the healthcare provider should
be notified of the client's allergies.
The nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing anaphylaxis from an insect
sting. Which prescription should the nurse prepare to administer this client?
answer >> Epinephrine.
Rationale:
