HESI Compas B

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Sample questions from HESI Compas B

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A 72-year-old client is 2 hours postoperative after a colectomy. In the recovery unit, the client is restless, has a respiratory rate of 30/min, oxygen saturation of 88% on room air, and diminished breath sounds at the bases. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Apply oxygen and raise the head of the bed
   • B.Administer the prescribed opioid for incisional pain
   • C.Encourage oral fluids
   • D.Notify the surgeon before intervening

   Rationale: Applying oxygen and elevating the head of the bed address the immediate breathing problem while the nurse continues assessment. An opioid may worsen respiratory depression, and oral fluids are not the priority for hypoxemia. The nurse should not delay basic airway and breathing interventions while waiting for the surgeon.

2. 2.A 58-year-old client with heart failure is admitted with increased dyspnea, crackles, and oxygen saturation of 89% on room air. The client has prescriptions for IV furosemide, oral potassium, and a daily weight. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Administer the prescribed IV furosemide
   • B.Give the oral potassium supplement
   • C.Obtain the client's daily weight
   • D.Teach the client to limit sodium

   Rationale: The client has signs of fluid overload with impaired oxygenation, so the prescribed diuretic is the priority intervention. Potassium replacement and daily weights are important but do not relieve the current congestion as promptly. Sodium teaching is appropriate after the acute problem is addressed.

3. 3.A 34-year-old client with type 1 diabetes is alert in the clinic and reports shakiness and sweating. The blood glucose is 54 mg/dL, and the client can swallow safely. Which action should the nurse take?

   • A.Give 15 g of a fast-acting carbohydrate
   • B.Administer the client's scheduled rapid-acting insulin
   • C.Give glucagon intramuscularly
   • D.Recheck the glucose in 1 hour without intervening

   Rationale: An alert client who can swallow should receive a fast-acting carbohydrate for symptomatic hypoglycemia, followed by a glucose recheck in about 15 minutes. Insulin would worsen the low glucose, and glucagon is generally used when oral treatment is unsafe or impossible. Waiting an hour risks progression to severe hypoglycemia.

4. 4.A 67-year-old client with pneumonia is receiving IV antibiotics. The client suddenly develops hives, wheezing, and a blood pressure of 78/42 mm Hg shortly after an antibiotic infusion begins. Which action is the priority?

   • A.Stop the infusion and activate emergency response while preparing to give epinephrine
   • B.Slow the infusion and reassess in 10 minutes
   • C.Administer an oral antihistamine
   • D.Document the reaction and contact the prescriber after the dose finishes

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A 45-year-old client arrives at the emergency department with sudden right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking that began 40 minutes ago. Blood pressure is 174/96 mm Hg, and glucose is 112 mg/dL. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Activate the stroke response and establish the time last known well
   • B.Give oral aspirin immediately
   • C.Lower the blood pressure with an unscheduled antihypertensive
   • D.Offer water to assess swallowing

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.