2024 LATEST Exit HESI Practice Questions WITH ANSWERS

A client presents at the ED complaining of a raspy voice, cold intolerance, and fatigue. Lab tests indicate an elevated TSH and low T3 and T4 levels. After the client is admitted to the telemetry unit, which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement? A) Assess for presence of non-pitting edema. B) Administer the prescribed dose of levothyroxine. C) Offer additional blankets and a warm drink. D) Note client's most recent hemoglobin levels. - ANSWER B) Administer the prescribed dose of levothyroxine. Rationale: In the negative feedback mechanism of hypothyroidism, a low level of thyroid hormone stimulates TSH production by the hypothalamus and results in an elevated TSH level, but the thyroid gland does not respond with adequate production of T3 and T4 to regulate basal metabolic rate. These serum hormone levels indicate the need to administer supplementary thyroid hormone as soon as possible to avert possible myxedema coma. Non-pitting edema is seen in chronic hypothyroidism and assessment of the presence and location of the edema (A) is not a top priority. Providing warmth (C) is beneficial but of less priority than (B). Anemia is common in hypothyroidism, but (D) is of lower priority than initiating treatment to prevent myxedema coma. The nurse suspects that a client might be hemorrhaging internally. Which findings of an orthostatic tilt test are a most likely indication of a major bleed ( 1000 ml)? A) A decrease in the systolic BP of 10 mm Hg with a corresponding increase in the HR of 20. B) A decrease in the systolic BP of 10 mm Hg with a corresponding decrease in the HR of 20. C) A decrease in the systolic BP of 20 mm Hg with a corresponding decrease in the HR of 10. D) A decrease in the systolic BP of 20 mm Hg with a corresponding increase in the HR of 10. - ANSWER Ans: A) A decrease in the systolic BP of 10 mm Hg with a corresponding increase in the HR of 20. Rationale: The loss of circulatory volume results in a 10 mm Hg drop in the systolic pressure, while the HR increases by 20 % above normal as a compensatory response to the low pressure. When conducting diet teaching for a client who is on a postoperative full liquid diet, which foods should the nurse encourage the client to eat? SATA. A) Canned fruit cocktail B) Creamy peanut butter C) Vegetable juice D) Vanilla frozen yogurt E) Clear beef broth - ANSWER Ans: C, D, E A full liquid diet includes all liquids that are not clear such as vegetable juice and frozen yogurt, as well as clear liquids. Pieces of fruit as found in fruit cocktail and peanut butter are not considered liquids. A client is receiving ophthalmic drops preoperatively for a cataract extraction and asks the nurse why he is prescribed all these medications? SATA. A) One of the medications is used to anesthetize the corneal surface. B) The iris must be paralyzed during the surgery to prevent it from reacting to light. C) Medication is used to induce sleep during the procedure. D) Pupillary dilation is necessary to access the eye chamber for lens removal. E) These meds assist in obstructing the client's vision during the surgery. - ANSWER Ans: A, B, D Cataract surgery is accessed through the cornea using eyelid retractors while the client is awake. It is necessary to anesthetize the corneal surface (A), paralyze the ciliary body (B), and provide pupil dilation (D)(mydriasis) to facilitate access to the lens which ties behind the iris (posterior chamber of the anterior cavity). A sedative may be administered to reduce anxiety but it is not used to induce sleep. (C) Cloudy vision may be a side effect of these agents, but the client will still be able to see during the surgery (E). When assessing an IV site that is sued for fluid replacement and medication administration, the client complains of the tenderness when the arm is touched above the site. Which additional assessment warrants immediate intervention by the nurse? A) Sluggish blood return B) Client uses the arm cautiously C) Spot of dried blood at the insertion site D) Red streak tracking the vein - ANSWER Ans: D A red streak (D) indicates vein irritation and necessitates discontinuing the IV at the present site. A, B, and C are indications for relocating the IV site or other immediate intervention. A client with a liver abscess develops septic shock. A sepsis resuscitation bundle protocol is initiated and the client receives a bolus of IV fluids. Which parameter should the nurse monitor to assess effectiveness of the fluid bolus? A) Blood cultures. B) Oxygen saturation. C) White blood count. D) Mean arterial pressure (MAP). - ANSWER D) Mean arterial pressure (MAP) The cornerstone of initial sepsis resuscitation is fluid volume administration to restore and then maintain MAP of at least 65 mmHg. When attempting to establish risk reduction strategies in a community, the nurse notes that regional studies indicate a high number of persons with growth stunting and irreversible mental deficiencies (cretinism) caused by hypothyroidism. The nurse should seek funding to implement which screening measure? A)T4 levels in newborns. B) TSH levels in women over 45. C) T3 levels in school-aged children D) Iodine levels in all persons over 60. - ANSWER A) T4 levels in newborns. Screening for low T4 levels in newborns with follow-up treatment can reduce the risk for irreversible growth stunting and mental deficiencies caused by congenital hypothyroidism. For the past 24 hours, an antidiarrheal agent, diphenoxylate, has been administered to a bedridden, older client with infectious gastroenteritis. Which finding requires the nurse to take further action? A) Loss of appetite B) Serum K+ 4.0 mEq/L or mmol/L (SI) C) Loose, runny stools. D) Tented skin turgor. - ANSWER D) Tented skin turgor. Indicates dehydration, a serious complication following prolonged diarrhea that requires further intervention by the nurse. A male client with ulcerative colitis received an Rx for a corticosteroid last month but because of the S/E, he stopped taking the medications 6 days ago. Which finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse? A) Fluid retention B) Hypotension and fever C) Anxiety and restlessness D) Increased blood glucose - ANSWER B) Hypotension and fever