NCLEX NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Prioritization Questions
1. A 64-year-old patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is hospitalized with pneumonia. Which nursing action will be included in the plan of care?
- A. Assist with active range of motion (ROM).
- B. Observe for agitation and paranoia.
- C. Give muscle relaxants as needed to reduce spasms.
- D. Use simple words and phrases to explain procedures.
Correct answer: Assist with active range of motion (ROM).
Rationale: In a patient with ALS, progressive muscle weakness is a significant issue. Assisting with active range of motion (ROM) exercises will help maintain muscle strength for as long as possible. Agitation and paranoia are not typically associated with ALS, making choice B incorrect. Giving muscle relaxants can further weaken muscles and depress respirations, worsening the condition, so choice C is inappropriate. Choice D is not directly related to the patient's physical condition and needs.
2. A physician has written an order for '2.0 mg MS q 2-4 hr prn pain.' What is the nurse's appropriate response to this order?
- A. Give 2 mg of morphine sulfate to the client
- B. Give 20 mg of morphine sulfate to the client
- C. Contact the pharmacy to clarify the order
- D. Contact the physician to rewrite the order
Correct answer: Contact the physician to rewrite the order
Rationale: The physician's order contains several errors that could lead to potential harm to the client if not addressed. The use of '2.0' involves a trailing decimal point, which may lead to confusion regarding the intended dose of the drug. Additionally, the abbreviation 'MS' is considered a Do Not Use abbreviation by the Joint Commission, as it could refer to morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate, leading to medication errors. While the order indicates the drug should be used for pain, the nurse should contact the physician to clarify the exact dose and specific drug to be administered, ensuring safe and accurate medication administration. Therefore, the correct response is to contact the physician to rewrite the order.
3. As you are assessing the fetus during labor, you are determining the fetal lie, presentation, attitude, station, and position. Your client asks you what all these assessments are. Among other things, how should you respond to the mother?
- A. You should explain that fetal lie is where the fetus's presenting part is within the birth canal during labor, among other information about the other assessments.
- B. You should explain that fetal presentation is the relationship of the fetus's spine to the mother's spine, among other information about the other assessments.
- C. You should explain that fetal attitude is the relationship of the fetus's presenting part to the anterior, posterior, right, or left side of the mother's pelvis, among other information about the other assessments.
- D. You should explain that fetal station is the level of the fetus's presenting part in relationship to the mother's ischial spines, among other information about the other assessments.
Correct answer: You should explain that fetal station is the level of the fetus's presenting part in relationship to the mother's ischial spines, among other information about the other assessments.
Rationale: You should explain that fetal station is the level of the fetus's presenting part in relationship to the mother's ischial spines. Fetal station is measured in terms of the number of centimeters above or below the mother's ischial spines. When the fetus is 1 to 5 centimeters above the ischial spines, the fetal station is -1 to -5, and when the fetus is 1 to 5 centimeters below the level of the maternal ischial spines, the fetal station is +1 to +5. Choices A, B, and C provide incorrect information about fetal lie, presentation, and attitude, respectively, which do not align with the definitions of these terms in obstetrics.
4. A systemic sign of infection is ______________.
- A. swelling
- B. redness
- C. heat
- D. a lack of appetite
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is 'a lack of appetite.' When a person experiences a systemic infection, they may exhibit signs that affect the entire body. A lack of appetite is a common systemic sign of infection, along with other symptoms like rapid pulse, fever, and an elevated white blood cell count. Swelling, redness, and heat are more indicative of localized inflammation or infection, rather than systemic involvement.
5. Which type of environment would be most suitable for a confused client?
- A. Familiar
- B. Variable
- C. Challenging
- D. Stimulating
Correct answer: Familiar
Rationale: The most appropriate environment for a confused client is a familiar one. A familiar environment provides security and safety, reducing stress for the confused client. Confused individuals struggle to adapt to constant changes, making a variable environment unsuitable. A challenging environment would likely increase anxiety and frustration in a confused client. Similarly, a stimulating environment could overwhelm the confused client, exacerbating their confusion.
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