HESI FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
, HESI FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
A 25-year-old client was admitted yesterday after a motor vehicle collision. Neurodiagnostic
studies have shown a basal skull fracture in the middle fossa. Assessment on admission
revealed both halo and battle signs. Which new symtom indicates that the client is likely to be
experiencing a common life-threatening complication associated with a basal skull fracture?
A) Bilateral jugular vein distension.
B) Oral temp of 102.
C) Intermittent focal motor seizures.
D) Intractable pain in the cervical region. - - Answer --B.
Clients with basilar skull fractures are at high risk for infection of the brain, as indicated by an
increased oral temp because the fracture leaves the meninges open to bacterial invasion.
A 55-year-old male client has been admitted to the hospital with a medical diagnosis of COPD.
Which risk factor is the most significant in the development of this client's COPD?
A) The client's father was diagnosed with COPD in his 50's.
B) A close family member contracted TB last year.
C) The client smokes one to two packs of cigarettes per day.
D) The client has been 40 pounds overweight for 15 years. - - Answer --C.
Smoking, considered to be a modifiable risk factor, is the most significant risk factor for the
development of COPD. The exact mechanism of genetic and hereditary implications for the
development of COPD is still under investigation.
A 58-year-old client who has no health problems asks the nurse about receiving the
pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax). Which statement given by the nurse would offer the client
accurate information about this vaccine?
A) The vaccine is given annually before the flu season to those older than 50 years.
B) The immunization is administered once to older adults or those at risk for illness.
C) The vaccine is for all ages and is given primarily to those persons traveling overseas to areas
of infection.
D) The vaccine will prevent the occurrence of pneumococcal pneumonia for up to 5 years. - -
Answer --B.
It is usually recommended that persons older than 65 years and those with a history of chronic
illness should receive the vaccine once in their lifetime. The vaccine is usually given once in a
lifetime, but with immunosuppressed clients or clients with a history of pneumonia, revaccination
is sometimes required.
A client calls the ER and tells the nurse that he came directly into contact with poison ivy
shrubs. The client tells the nurse that he cannot see anything on the skin and asks the nurse
what to do. The nurse should make which response?
A) "Come to the ER."
B) "Apply calamine lotion immediately to the exposed skin areas."
C) "Take a shower immediately, lathering and rinsing several times."
D) "It is not necessary to do anything if you cannot see anyth - - Answer --C.
When an individual comes in contact with a poison ivy plant, the sap from the plant forms an
invisible film on the human skin. The client should be instructed to cleanse the area by
, showering immediately and to lather the skin several times and rinse each time in running
water. The client does not need to be seen in the ER at this time.
A client diagnosed with angina pectoris complains of chest pain while ambulating in the hallway.
Which action should the nurse implement first?
A) Support the client to a sitting position.
B) Ask the client to walk slowly back to the room.
C) Administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet.
D) Provide oxygen via nasal cannula. - - Answer --A.
The nurse should safely assist the client to a resting position and then perform C and D. The
client must cease all activity immediately, which will decrease the oxygen requirement of the
myocardial muscle.
A client diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) 2 years ago is regularly treated at a
community hemodialysis facility. Before his scheduled dialysis treatment, which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse anticipate?
A) Hypophosphatemia.
B) Hypocalcemia.
C) Hyponatremia.
D) Hypokalemia - - Answer --B.
Hypocalcemia develops in CKD because of chronic hyperphosphatemia. Increased phosphate
levels cause the peripheral deposition of calcium and resistance to vitamin D absorption needed
for calcium absorption. Prior to dialysis, the nurse would expect to find the client hypernatremic
and hyperkalemic, not with C or D.
A client has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Which signs and symptoms may indicate
thyroid storm, a complication of this disorder?
A) Fever.
B) Nausea.
C) Lethargy.
D) Tremors.
E) Confusion.
F) Bradycardia. - - Answer --A, B, D, E.
Thyroid storm is an acute and life-threatening condition that occurs in a client with
uncontrollable hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of thyroid storm include fever, nausea, tremors,
confusion, restlessness, anxiety and tachycardia.
A client has just had surgery to create an ileostomy. The nurse assesses the client in the
immediate postoperative period for which most frequent complication of this type of surgery?
A) Folate deficiency.
B) Malabsorption of fat.
C) Intestinal obstruction.
D) Fluid and electrolyte imbalances. - - Answer --D.
A frequent complication that occurs following ileostomy is fluid and electrolyte imbalance. The
client requires constant monitoring of intake and output to prevent this from occurring. Losses
require replacement by IV infusion until the client can tolerate a diet orally.
QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
, HESI FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
A 25-year-old client was admitted yesterday after a motor vehicle collision. Neurodiagnostic
studies have shown a basal skull fracture in the middle fossa. Assessment on admission
revealed both halo and battle signs. Which new symtom indicates that the client is likely to be
experiencing a common life-threatening complication associated with a basal skull fracture?
A) Bilateral jugular vein distension.
B) Oral temp of 102.
C) Intermittent focal motor seizures.
D) Intractable pain in the cervical region. - - Answer --B.
Clients with basilar skull fractures are at high risk for infection of the brain, as indicated by an
increased oral temp because the fracture leaves the meninges open to bacterial invasion.
A 55-year-old male client has been admitted to the hospital with a medical diagnosis of COPD.
Which risk factor is the most significant in the development of this client's COPD?
A) The client's father was diagnosed with COPD in his 50's.
B) A close family member contracted TB last year.
C) The client smokes one to two packs of cigarettes per day.
D) The client has been 40 pounds overweight for 15 years. - - Answer --C.
Smoking, considered to be a modifiable risk factor, is the most significant risk factor for the
development of COPD. The exact mechanism of genetic and hereditary implications for the
development of COPD is still under investigation.
A 58-year-old client who has no health problems asks the nurse about receiving the
pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax). Which statement given by the nurse would offer the client
accurate information about this vaccine?
A) The vaccine is given annually before the flu season to those older than 50 years.
B) The immunization is administered once to older adults or those at risk for illness.
C) The vaccine is for all ages and is given primarily to those persons traveling overseas to areas
of infection.
D) The vaccine will prevent the occurrence of pneumococcal pneumonia for up to 5 years. - -
Answer --B.
It is usually recommended that persons older than 65 years and those with a history of chronic
illness should receive the vaccine once in their lifetime. The vaccine is usually given once in a
lifetime, but with immunosuppressed clients or clients with a history of pneumonia, revaccination
is sometimes required.
A client calls the ER and tells the nurse that he came directly into contact with poison ivy
shrubs. The client tells the nurse that he cannot see anything on the skin and asks the nurse
what to do. The nurse should make which response?
A) "Come to the ER."
B) "Apply calamine lotion immediately to the exposed skin areas."
C) "Take a shower immediately, lathering and rinsing several times."
D) "It is not necessary to do anything if you cannot see anyth - - Answer --C.
When an individual comes in contact with a poison ivy plant, the sap from the plant forms an
invisible film on the human skin. The client should be instructed to cleanse the area by
, showering immediately and to lather the skin several times and rinse each time in running
water. The client does not need to be seen in the ER at this time.
A client diagnosed with angina pectoris complains of chest pain while ambulating in the hallway.
Which action should the nurse implement first?
A) Support the client to a sitting position.
B) Ask the client to walk slowly back to the room.
C) Administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet.
D) Provide oxygen via nasal cannula. - - Answer --A.
The nurse should safely assist the client to a resting position and then perform C and D. The
client must cease all activity immediately, which will decrease the oxygen requirement of the
myocardial muscle.
A client diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) 2 years ago is regularly treated at a
community hemodialysis facility. Before his scheduled dialysis treatment, which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse anticipate?
A) Hypophosphatemia.
B) Hypocalcemia.
C) Hyponatremia.
D) Hypokalemia - - Answer --B.
Hypocalcemia develops in CKD because of chronic hyperphosphatemia. Increased phosphate
levels cause the peripheral deposition of calcium and resistance to vitamin D absorption needed
for calcium absorption. Prior to dialysis, the nurse would expect to find the client hypernatremic
and hyperkalemic, not with C or D.
A client has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Which signs and symptoms may indicate
thyroid storm, a complication of this disorder?
A) Fever.
B) Nausea.
C) Lethargy.
D) Tremors.
E) Confusion.
F) Bradycardia. - - Answer --A, B, D, E.
Thyroid storm is an acute and life-threatening condition that occurs in a client with
uncontrollable hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of thyroid storm include fever, nausea, tremors,
confusion, restlessness, anxiety and tachycardia.
A client has just had surgery to create an ileostomy. The nurse assesses the client in the
immediate postoperative period for which most frequent complication of this type of surgery?
A) Folate deficiency.
B) Malabsorption of fat.
C) Intestinal obstruction.
D) Fluid and electrolyte imbalances. - - Answer --D.
A frequent complication that occurs following ileostomy is fluid and electrolyte imbalance. The
client requires constant monitoring of intake and output to prevent this from occurring. Losses
require replacement by IV infusion until the client can tolerate a diet orally.
