NCLEX NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Prioritization Questions
1. The nurse is performing tuberculosis (TB) skin tests in a clinic that has many patients who have immigrated to the United States. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask before the skin test?
- A. Is there any family history of TB?
- B. How long have you lived in the United States?
- C. Do you take any over-the-counter (OTC) medications?
- D. Have you received the bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for TB?
Correct answer: Have you received the bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for TB?
Rationale: It is crucial for the nurse to inquire about whether the patient has received the bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for TB before performing the skin test. Patients who have received the BCG vaccine can have a positive Mantoux test, leading to the need for alternative screening methods, such as a chest x-ray, to determine TB infection. While family history of TB and length of time in the United States are relevant factors, they do not directly impact the decision to perform the TB skin test. Asking about over-the-counter medications, unless relevant to TB treatment, is not as critical as assessing BCG vaccination status.
2. The nurse is developing a plan of care for an infant after surgical intervention for imperforate anus. The nurse should include in the plan that which position is the most appropriate one for the infant in the postoperative period?
- A. Prone position
- B. Supine with no head elevation
- C. Side-lying with the legs extended
- D. Supine with the head elevated 45 degrees
Correct answer: Prone position
Rationale: The most appropriate position for an infant after surgical intervention for imperforate anus is the prone position. Placing the infant in a prone position helps keep the hips elevated, reducing edema and pressure on the surgical site. This position promotes optimal healing and comfort for the infant. Option B, supine with no head elevation, does not provide the necessary elevation to reduce pressure on the surgical site. Option C, side-lying with the legs extended, does not offer the same benefits as the prone position in terms of reducing pressure on the surgical site. Option D, supine with the head elevated 45 degrees, does not specifically address the need for hip elevation to prevent pressure on the surgical site. Therefore, the correct choice is the prone position for this postoperative care scenario.
3. Which action should the nurse implement when providing wound care instructions to a client who does not speak English?
- A. Ask an interpreter to provide wound care instructions.
- B. Speak directly to the client, with an interpreter translating.
- C. Request the accompanying family member to translate.
- D. Instruct a bilingual employee to read the instructions.
Correct answer: Speak directly to the client, with an interpreter translating.
Rationale: When providing wound care instructions to a client who does not speak English, the nurse should speak directly to the client with the assistance of an interpreter for accurate translation. The interpreter is trained to provide objective translations in the client's primary language, ensuring the client understands the instructions and can ask questions. Using family members for translation is discouraged as they may alter instructions or feel uncomfortable discussing certain topics. Instructing a bilingual employee to read the instructions is not ideal as they may lack the necessary training in accurate interpretation, which could lead to misunderstandings in crucial wound care instructions.
4. A client is brought into the emergency room where the physician suspects that he has cardiac tamponade. Based on this diagnosis, the nurse would expect to see which of the following signs or symptoms in this client?
- A. Fever, fatigue, malaise
- B. Hypotension and distended neck veins
- C. Cough and hemoptysis
- D. Numbness and tingling in the extremities
Correct answer: Hypotension and distended neck veins
Rationale: Cardiac tamponade occurs when fluid or blood accumulates in the pericardium, preventing the heart from contracting properly. This leads to decreased cardiac output and is considered a medical emergency. Classic signs of cardiac tamponade include hypotension (low blood pressure) and distended neck veins due to the increased pressure around the heart. These signs result from the compromised ability of the heart to pump effectively. Choices A, C, and D are not typically associated with cardiac tamponade. Fever, fatigue, and malaise are non-specific symptoms that can be seen in various conditions. Cough and hemoptysis are more commonly associated with respiratory conditions, while numbness and tingling in the extremities are neurological symptoms not typically seen in cardiac tamponade.
5. Which of the following situations indicates the need to file an incident report?
- A. The neon sign directing parking for visitors has burned out
- B. A nurse must send a syringe pump to maintenance for annual service
- C. A client's blood pressure dropped to 90/55 after receiving a dose of morphine
- D. A client's spouse becomes angry and is asked to leave the premises
Correct answer: A client's spouse becomes angry and is asked to leave the premises
Rationale: An incident report is necessary for documenting unexpected events that occur in a healthcare setting. Situations that warrant filing an incident report include client accidents, medication errors, security problems, or disruptive behaviors that involve clients, families, or visitors. In this scenario, when a client's spouse displays disruptive behavior and is asked to leave the premises, it is essential to document this incident to ensure a record of the event and its resolution. Choices A, B, and C do not involve disruptive behavior or safety concerns that would require an incident report to be filed.
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