NCLEX NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Prioritization Questions
1. The nurse prepares a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion for a thoracentesis. How should the nurse position the patient?
- A. Supine with the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees
- B. In a high-Fowler's position with the left arm extended
- C. On the right side with the left arm extended above the head
- D. Sitting upright with the arms supported on an overbed table
Correct answer: D: Sitting upright with the arms supported on an overbed table
Rationale: The correct position for a patient with a left-sided pleural effusion undergoing thoracentesis is sitting upright with the arms supported on an overbed table. This position helps increase lung expansion, allows fluid to collect at the lung bases, and expands the intercostal space making access to the pleural space easier. Placing the patient supine, in a high-Fowler's position, or on the right side with the left arm extended above the head could increase the work of breathing for the patient and complicate the thoracentesis procedure for the healthcare provider.
2. A patient experiences a chest wall contusion as a result of being struck in the chest with a baseball bat. The emergency department nurse would be most concerned if which finding is observed during the initial assessment?
- A. Paradoxic chest movement
- B. Complaint of chest wall pain
- C. Heart rate of 110 beats/minute
- D. Large bruised area on the chest
Correct answer: Paradoxic chest movement
Rationale: Paradoxic chest movement is the most concerning finding as it indicates a potential flail chest, which can lead to severe compromise in gas exchange and rapid hypoxemia. This condition requires immediate attention to prevent respiratory distress. Complaint of chest wall pain, a slightly elevated heart rate, and a large bruised area on the chest are important assessment findings but may not immediately threaten gas exchange or respiratory function. Therefore, identifying paradoxic chest movement is critical for prompt intervention and management.
3. Which of the following statements is true regarding non-profit organizations?
- A. They are located in various areas, not specifically poor or rural ones.
- B. They are mandated to care for people, even if clients are unable to pay for services.
- C. The money they receive for services is reinvested back into their own business to further develop services.
- D. They are not referred to as proprietary organizations.
Correct answer: They are mandated to care for people, even if clients are unable to pay for services.
Rationale: Non-profit organizations are entities that operate for a social cause or public benefit, and they do not distribute profits to owners or shareholders. They are not limited to being located in poor or rural areas; they can be found in various locations. One key characteristic of non-profits is that they are obligated to provide services, regardless of a client's ability to pay. This ensures that essential services are accessible to all individuals in need. The statement 'The money they receive for services is reinvested back into their own business to further develop services' is correct. Non-profit organizations reinvest any surplus funds back into their operations to enhance the services they provide. The statement 'They are not referred to as proprietary organizations' is correct because proprietary organizations are typically for-profit entities, not non-profit ones.
4. An 18-year-old male patient informs the nurse that he isn't sure if he is homosexual because he is attracted to both genders. The nurse establishes a trusting relationship with the patient by saying:
- A. Don't worry. It's just a phase you will grow out of.
- B. Those are abnormal impulses. You should seek therapy.
- C. At your age, it is normal to be curious about both genders.
- D. Having questions about sexuality is normal. Have you noticed any changes in the way this makes you feel about yourself?
Correct answer: At your age, it is normal to be curious about both genders.
Rationale: It is important for the nurse to validate the patient's concerns and provide a supportive environment. By acknowledging that it is normal for young adults to have questions about sexuality, the nurse helps the patient feel understood and accepted. This response encourages further discussion and exploration of the patient's feelings without judgment. Choice A dismisses the patient's concerns and implies that his feelings are not valid. Choice B stigmatizes the patient's feelings by labeling them as abnormal and suggests therapy without proper assessment. Choice D addresses the patient's feelings but lacks the validation and reassurance present in the correct answer, which is essential in building a trusting relationship with the patient.
5. The charge nurse is notified that the unit will be receiving an admission of a client from another bed in the hospital in order to make room for others being admitted through the emergency room. The unit is the Women's Health Center of the hospital. Which of the following patients would be most appropriate to be transferred to this unit?
- A. A 26-year-old woman who had a bowel resection
- B. A 40-year-old man who underwent a hernia repair
- C. A 31-year-old woman with septicemia and who is on a ventilator
- D. A 91-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease recovering from a fall
Correct answer: A 26-year-old woman who had a bowel resection
Rationale: When deciding on transferring patients between units in a hospital, it is essential to consider the appropriateness of the patient for the receiving unit. The Women's Health Center typically caters to female patients with gynecological or obstetric conditions that do not require intensive monitoring or specialized care. In this scenario, the most suitable patient for transfer to the Women's Health Center would be the 26-year-old woman who had a bowel resection, as her condition aligns more closely with the services provided in that unit. The other options, including a male patient, a critically ill patient on a ventilator, and an elderly patient with Alzheimer's disease, would not be appropriate for transfer to a Women's Health Center due to the specialized care they require, which may not align with the unit's focus and staffing capabilities.
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