which is the best way to position a clients neck for palpation of the thyroid

NCLEX-PN

2024 PN NCLEX Questions

1. How should a client's neck be positioned for palpation of the thyroid?

A. flexed toward the side being examined
B. hyperextended directly backward
C. flexed away from the side being examined
D. flexed directly forward

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct way to position a client's neck for palpation of the thyroid is to have it flexed toward the side being examined. This positioning helps to better access and palpate the thyroid gland. Option B, hyperextending the neck directly backward, is incorrect as it can make palpation more difficult and uncomfortable for the client. Option C, flexing the neck away from the side being examined, is also incorrect as it may obscure the thyroid gland, making it harder to palpate. Option D, flexing the neck directly forward, is not ideal for thyroid palpation as it does not provide the best access to the gland.

2. When a 16-year-old girl visits the women's health clinic to obtain information about birth control because she is sexually active and wants to avoid pregnancy, what should the nurse do first when interviewing the client?

A. Assess the client's knowledge of available birth control methods.
B. Inform the client that birth control methods can be discussed without the client's boyfriend present.
C. Tell the client that for her age and lifestyle, birth control pills would be one of the methods of contraception.
D. Give the client written material about various birth control methods and ask her to read them and to call if she has any questions.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a client seeks information about birth control, it is essential for the nurse to first assess the client's existing knowledge on the subject. This enables the nurse to provide tailored information that complements what the client already knows, facilitating better understanding and decision-making. Providing written material is a helpful educational tool but should not be the first intervention. Offering specific advice on birth control methods based on age and lifestyle limits the client's autonomy and decision-making process. Mentioning the client's boyfriend as a requirement for discussing birth control is inappropriate and nontherapeutic, as the client should be able to seek information independently.

3. A pregnant client is scheduled to undergo a transabdominal ultrasound, and the nurse provides information to the client about the procedure. The nurse provides which information?

A. The procedure typically takes 10 to 30 minutes.
B. She may need to drink fluids before the test and may not void until the test has been completed.
C. A probe coated with gel will be inserted into the vagina.
D. She will be positioned on her back, with her head elevated and turned slightly to one side.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is that the client may need to drink fluids before the test and may not void until the test has been completed. For a transabdominal ultrasound, the woman is positioned on her back with her head elevated and turned slightly to one side to prevent supine hypotension. A wedge or rolled blanket is placed under one hip to help her maintain this position comfortably. If a full bladder is necessary, the woman is instructed to drink several glasses of clear fluid 1 hour before the test and told that she should not void until the test has been completed. Warm mineral oil or transmission gel is spread over her abdomen, and the sonographer slowly moves a transducer over the abdomen to obtain a picture. The procedure typically takes 10 to 30 minutes, making choice A incorrect. Choice C is incorrect because a probe is not inserted into the vagina for a transabdominal ultrasound. Choice D is incorrect because the woman is positioned on her back with her head elevated and turned slightly to one side, not specifically on her back.

4. When a 25-year-old client complains of chest congestion and cough after previously presenting with cold symptoms, what data should the nurse collect?

A. Data related to follow-up care
B. A complete health database
C. Data related to the respiratory system
D. Data related to the treatment for the cold

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this case, the nurse should collect data related to the respiratory system since the client is presenting with symptoms like chest congestion and cough, indicating a respiratory issue. Focusing on the respiratory system will help gather pertinent information to assess the current problem comprehensively. A complete health database involves a detailed health history and full physical examination, which is beyond the immediate scope of the presenting issue. Data related to follow-up care is premature as the primary focus should be on assessing the current respiratory symptoms. Data related to the treatment for the cold is not the priority at this stage, as understanding the underlying respiratory problem is crucial for appropriate intervention.

5. What is the primary force in sex education in a child's life?

A. school nurse
B. peers
C. parents
D. media

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Parents are the primary force in sex education in a child's life. Parents play a central role in shaping a child's understanding of sex from an early age. They provide continuous guidance, values, and information about sex and relationships. While the school nurse is involved in formal sex education and counseling within the school setting, parents have the most direct and significant impact on a child's sex education. Peers become more influential during adolescence, but their information may not always be accurate or appropriate. The media also exert significant influence on children's perceptions of sex through various forms of entertainment like movies, TV shows, and video games, but parents remain the primary educators on this subject.