NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Prioritization Questions
1. What action will the nurse plan to take for a 40-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who has urinary retention caused by a flaccid bladder?
- A. Decrease the patient's evening fluid intake.
- B. Teach the patient how to use the Cred method.
- C. Suggest the use of adult incontinence briefs for nighttime only.
- D. Assist the patient to the commode every 2 hours during the day.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: For a 40-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis experiencing urinary retention due to a flaccid bladder, teaching the Cred method is the appropriate action. The Cred method involves applying manual pressure over the bladder to aid in bladder emptying. Decreasing fluid intake is not the correct approach as it will not address the underlying issue of bladder emptying and may lead to dehydration and urinary tract infections. Using adult incontinence briefs only addresses the symptom of incontinence without addressing the bladder emptying problem. Assisting the patient to the commode every 2 hours does not actively address the issue of improving bladder emptying as effectively as teaching the Cred method.
2. A patient is admitted to the emergency department with an open stab wound to the left chest. What is the first action that the nurse should take?
- A. Position the patient so that the left chest is dependent
- B. Tape a nonporous dressing on three sides over the chest wound
- C. Cover the sucking chest wound firmly with an occlusive dressing
- D. Keep the head of the patient's bed at no more than 30 degrees elevation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct initial action for a patient with an open stab wound to the chest is to tape a nonporous dressing on three sides over the chest wound. This dressing technique allows air to escape during expiration but prevents air from entering the pleural space during inspiration, helping to prevent tension pneumothorax. Placing the patient so that the left chest is dependent or covering the wound with an occlusive dressing can trap air in the pleural space, leading to tension pneumothorax. Keeping the head of the bed elevated at 30 to 45 degrees helps facilitate breathing and is not the first action to take when managing an open chest wound.
3. Which response would best assist the chemically impaired client in dealing with issues of guilt?
- A. Addiction usually causes people to feel guilty. Don't worry, it is a typical response due to your drinking behavior.
- B. What have you done that you feel most guilty about and what steps can you begin to take to help you lessen this guilt?
- C. Don't focus on your guilty feelings. These feelings will only lead you to drinking and taking drugs.
- D. You've caused a great deal of pain to your family and close friends, so it will take time to undo all the things you've done.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct response is, 'What have you done that you feel most guilty about and what steps can you begin to take to help you lessen this guilt?' This response encourages the client to reflect on their actions, identify sources of guilt, and develop a plan to address and reduce these feelings constructively. Choice A is incorrect as it dismisses the client's guilt as typical, potentially invalidating their emotions. Choice C is incorrect as it suggests avoiding guilty feelings by turning to substance use, which is counterproductive. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on the negative consequences of the client's actions without offering a constructive way to address and alleviate guilt.
4. The nurse is working in a support group for clients with HIV. Which point is most important for the nurse to stress?
- A. They must inform household members of their condition.
- B. They must take their medications exactly as prescribed.
- C. They must abstain from substance use.
- D. They must avoid large crowds.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is that clients with HIV must take their medications exactly as prescribed. Antiretrovirals need to be taken as directed to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains and maintain treatment effectiveness. Missing doses can compromise the effectiveness of future treatments. Choice A, informing household members, is important for social support but not the most critical aspect of managing the condition. Choice C, abstaining from substance use, is important but not as crucial as medication adherence. Choice D, avoiding large crowds, is not directly related to HIV management as long as the individual's immune system is not significantly compromised.
5. A physician suspects a patient may have pancreatitis. Which of the following tests would be most appropriate to diagnose this condition?
- A. CK and Troponin
- B. BUN and Creatinine
- C. Amylase and Lipase
- D. HDL and LDL Cholesterol Levels
Correct answer: C
Rationale: To diagnose pancreatitis, testing amylase and lipase levels is crucial. Amylase and lipase are enzymes produced by the pancreas that help digest carbohydrates and lipids. In pancreatitis, these enzymes are released in high amounts into the bloodstream due to pancreatic inflammation or damage. Elevated levels of amylase and lipase in blood tests strongly indicate pancreatitis. Choice A, CK and Troponin, are cardiac markers used in diagnosing heart conditions like myocardial infarction, not pancreatitis. Choice B, BUN and Creatinine, are kidney function tests, not specific to pancreatitis. Choice D, HDL and LDL Cholesterol Levels, are lipid profile tests used to assess cardiovascular health, not for diagnosing pancreatitis.
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