NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Practice Questions Exam Cram
1. What would be the most appropriate follow-up by the home care nurse for a 57-year-old male client with a hemoglobin of 10 g/dl and a hematocrit of 32%?
- A. Ask the client if he has noticed any bleeding or dark stools
- B. Tell the client to call 911 and go to the emergency department immediately
- C. Schedule a repeat Hemoglobin and Hematocrit in 1 month
- D. Tell the client to schedule an appointment with a hematologist
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to ask the client if he has noticed any bleeding or dark stools. Normal hemoglobin for males is 13.0 - 18 g/dl, and normal hematocrit for males is 42 - 52%. The values of hemoglobin and hematocrit provided for the client are below normal, indicating mild anemia. The first step for the nurse is to inquire about any signs of bleeding or changes in stools that could suggest bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract. This helps in assessing the possible cause of the low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. The other options are not appropriate as calling 911 and going to the emergency department immediately is not warranted for mild anemia, scheduling a repeat test in 1 month delays addressing the current concern, and referring the client to a hematologist may be premature without investigating the cause of the low levels first.
2. A patient presents to the office with a pencil that has completely penetrated the palm of her hand. Which of the following treatments would be BEST in this situation?
- A. Assist the doctor while he sedates the patient and removes the pencil from her hand.
- B. Have the patient gently pull the pencil out of her hand and assist the physician with stitches.
- C. Wrap a gauze around the pencil, securing it as much as possible until the patient can get to a local emergency room.
- D. Tell the patient to go to the local emergency room. With a doctor's order, give the patient some aspirin for the pain.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Penetrating wounds that leave an object behind may have damaged important blood vessels. Removing the object may lead to significant bleeding. The correct approach is to gently wrap the wound with the object in place to help control bleeding and prevent further injury. The patient should be taken promptly to the nearest emergency room where healthcare professionals can safely and appropriately remove the object and provide necessary treatment. Choice A is incorrect because removing the pencil without proper medical evaluation can worsen the injury. Choice B is incorrect because pulling out the object can cause additional damage and bleeding. Choice D is incorrect because giving aspirin without knowing the extent of the injury and causing potential drug interactions can be harmful.
3. A healthcare professional has just received a medication order that is not legible. Which statement best reflects assertive communication?
- A. I cannot give this medication as it is written. I have no idea what you mean.
- B. Would you please clarify what you have written so I am sure I am reading it correctly?
- C. I am having difficulty reading your handwriting. It would save me time if you would be more careful.
- D. Please print in the future so I do not have to spend extra time attempting to read your writing.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Assertive communication respects the rights and responsibilities of both parties. Choice B is the best example of assertive communication in this scenario. It addresses the issue directly by requesting clarification without blaming or devaluing the prescriber. This approach shows concern for safe practice and acknowledges the importance of clear communication in healthcare. Choices A, C, and D either involve self-depreciation, blaming the prescriber, or making demands without a respectful request for clarification, making them less effective in promoting effective communication and safe patient care.
4. A healthcare professional is preparing to palpate and percuss a patient's abdomen as part of the assessment process. Which of these findings would cause the healthcare professional to immediately discontinue this part of the assessment?
- A. The patient states, 'That sounds like it might hurt me.'
- B. There is a pulsating mass on the upper middle abdomen.
- C. The patient has black, tarry stools and anemia.
- D. The patient has had an endoscopic procedure two days prior.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A pulsating mass on the upper middle abdomen is indicative of a life-threatening aortic aneurysm. Palpating or percussing such an area can potentially cause the aneurysm to rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding and endangering the patient's life. Therefore, the healthcare professional should immediately discontinue the assessment to prevent any harm.\nChoice A is incorrect because the patient expressing concerns about the procedure does not necessarily indicate a life-threatening condition. Choice C describes symptoms that should be further investigated but do not pose an immediate threat during abdominal assessment. Choice D, a prior endoscopic procedure, is not a contraindication for palpation or percussion of the abdomen unless there are specific complications or conditions related to the procedure that would require caution.
5. The nurse is caring for a newborn with a suspected diagnosis of imperforate anus. The nurse monitors the infant, knowing that which is a clinical manifestation associated with this disorder?
- A. Bile-stained fecal emesis
- B. The passage of currant jelly-like stools
- C. Failure to pass meconium stool in the first 24 hours after birth
- D. Sausage-shaped mass palpated in the upper right abdominal quadrant
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Imperforate anus is the incomplete development or absence of the anus in its normal position in the perineum. Failure to pass meconium stool within the first 24 hours after birth is a key clinical manifestation associated with this disorder. This finding should prompt further assessment to confirm the suspected diagnosis. Other assessment findings in imperforate anus may include absence or stenosis of the anal rectal canal, presence of an anal membrane, and an external fistula to the perineum. Options A, B, and D describe findings typically noted in intussusception, a different condition characterized by bowel obstruction and telescoping of the intestines that can present with bile-stained fecal emesis, the passage of currant jelly-like stools, and a sausage-shaped mass palpated in the upper right abdominal quadrant.
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