Fundamentals HESI Exam practice questions And
Answers With Well Explained Rationales
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) selects a scrambled egg for
his breakfast. Which action should the nurse take?
Commend the client for selecting a high biologic value protein.
Remind the client that protein in the diet should be avoided.
Suggest that the client also select orange juice, to promote absorption.
Encourage the client to attend classes on dietary management of CKD.
- ...ANSWER✓✓✓A
Foods such as eggs and milk are high biologic proteins which are
allowed because they are complete proteins and supply the essential
amino acids that are necessary for growth and cell repair. Although a
low-protein diet is followed, some protein is essential. Orange juice is
rich in potassium, and should not be encouraged. The client has made a
good diet choice, so classes on dietary management is not necessary.
A client with multiple sclerosis is prescribed Dantrolene (Dantrium) 0.1
grams PO bid for spasticity. Dantrolene is available in 100 mg capsules.
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How many capsules should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value
only.) - ...ANSWER✓✓✓1 Using the conversion of 1 gram = 1000 mg:
0.1 gram = 100 mg
100 mg = 1 capsule
A client with pericardial effusion has phrenic nerve compression
resulting in recurrent hiccups. The healthcare provider prescribes
metoclopramide (Reglan) liquid 10 mg PO q 6 hours. Reglan is
available as 5 mg/5 ml. A measuring device marked in teaspoons is
being used. How many teaspoons should the nurse administer? -
...ANSWER✓✓✓2
First, using the formula, Desired dose/dose on Hand x Quantity
of volume on hand (D/H x Q), 10 mg / 5 mg x 5ml = 10 ml Next
using the known conversion of 5 ml = 1 tsp:
5 ml : 1 tsp :: 10 ml : X
: 1 / X
5X = 10
X=2
A client with pneumonia has a decrease in oxygen saturation from 94%
to 88% while ambulating. Based on these findings, which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
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Assist the ambulating client back to the bed.
Encourage the client to ambulate to resolve pneumonia.
Obtain a prescription for portable oxygen while ambulating.
Move the oximetry probe from the finger to the earlobe. -
...ANSWER✓✓✓A
An oxygen saturation below 90% indicates inadequate oxygenation.
First, the client should be assisted to return to bed to minimize oxygen
demands. Ambulation increases aeration of the lungs to prevent pooling
of respiratory secretions, but the client's activity at this time is depleting
oxygen saturation of the blood. Increased activity increases respiratory
effort, and oxygen may be necessary to continue ambulation, but first
the client should return to bed to rest.
A client with type 2 diabetes is receiving metformin (Glucophage) 1
gram PO twice daily. The medication is available in 500 mg tablets.
How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value
only.) - ...ANSWER✓✓✓2
Using the known equivalent, 1 gram = 1000 mg, the nurse should first
convert the dose to the same unit of measurement, which is 1 gram =
1000 mg.
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Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 tablets:
1000 mg / 500 mg x 1 = 2 tablets
A client's daily PO prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased
from 15 mg to 30 mg. The medication is available in 15 mg tablets, and
the client already received one tablet today. How many additiona l
tablets should the nurse administer so the client receives the total newly
prescribed dose for the day? (Enter numeric v alue only.) -
...ANSWER✓✓✓1
30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still
needs to be administered.
Using the Desired/Have formula:
15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet
A client's spouse is learning passive range-of-motion for the client's
contracted shoulder. The nurse observes that the spouse is holding the
client's arm above and below the elbow. Which nursing action should
the nurse implement?
Acknowledge that the spouse is supporting the arm correctly.
Encourage the spouse to keep the joint covered to maintain warmth.