NCLEX NCLEX-RN
Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions
1. A child is admitted to the hospital several days after stepping on a sharp object that punctured her athletic shoe and entered the flesh of her foot. The physician is concerned about osteomyelitis and has ordered parenteral antibiotics. Which of the following actions is done immediately before the antibiotic is started?
- A. The admission orders are written.
- B. A blood culture is drawn.
- C. A complete blood count with differential is drawn.
- D. The parents arrive.
Correct answer: A blood culture is drawn.
Rationale: Before starting antibiotics, a blood culture should be drawn to identify the causative organism. This step is crucial as antibiotics may interfere with the identification process. Drawing a complete blood count with differential or writing admission orders are important steps in patient care but are not as critical as obtaining a blood culture to guide appropriate antibiotic therapy. The arrival of the parents is not directly related to the immediate action required before starting antibiotics in this scenario.
2. A hospitalized client has had difficulty falling asleep for two nights and is becoming irritable and restless. Which action by the nurse is best?
- A. Determine the client's usual bedtime routine and include these rituals in the plan of care as safety allows.
- B. Instruct the UAP not to wake the client under any circumstances during the night.
- C. Place a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door and change assessments from every 4 to every 8 hours.
- D. Encourage the client to avoid pain medication during the day, which might increase daytime napping.
Correct answer: A: Determine the client's usual bedtime routine and include these rituals in the plan of care as safety allows.
Rationale: By determining the client's usual bedtime routine and incorporating these rituals into the care plan, the nurse can help the client fall asleep faster and improve the quality of care without compromising safety. This approach respects the client's individual needs and preferences. In contrast, options B, C, and D do not address the client's sleep issue effectively and may even compromise the client's safety or standard of care. Option B fails to address the underlying problem of the client's sleep disturbance, while option C reduces the frequency of assessments, which can impact the timely identification of changes in the client's condition. Option D focuses on pain medication and daytime napping, which are not directly related to the client's current sleep difficulties.
3. Which desired outcome written by the nurse is correctly written and measurable?
- A. Client will have a normal bowel pattern by April 2
- B. The client will lose 4 lbs. within the next 2 weeks
- C. The nurse will provide skin care at least 3 times each day
- D. The client will breathe better after resting for 10 minutes
Correct answer: The client will lose 4 lbs. within the next 2 weeks
Rationale: An outcome statement must describe the observable client behavior that should occur in response to the nursing interventions. It consists of a subject, action verb, conditions under which the behavior is to be performed, and the level at which the client will perform the desired behavior. Option B is correctly written and measurable as it includes all the required elements: subject (client), action verb (lose), conditions (within the next 2 weeks), and the level at which the behavior should occur (4 lbs.). Option A lacks the conditions and a specific level, making it not measurable. Option C is a nursing intervention rather than a client goal. Option D does not provide a specific level at which the client should perform the desired behavior, making it not measurable as well.
4. A nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client who had back surgery. All of the following indicate that the client is ready for discharge EXCEPT:
- A. The client still has sutures at the incision site
- B. The client is able to take a shower
- C. The client must still use an ice pack at the wound site
- D. The client has a temperature of 100.8°F
Correct answer: The client has a temperature of 100.8°F
Rationale: When determining if a client is ready for discharge after back surgery, it is essential to ensure that there are no signs of complications or emerging issues. A postoperative temperature of 100.8°F may indicate a developing infection, and the client should not be discharged until this is further evaluated by the physician. Choices A, B, and C are indicators that the client is progressing well and ready for discharge, as having sutures, being able to shower, and using an ice pack are typically expected postoperative activities without indicating a need for further hospitalization.
5. During the evacuation of a group of clients from a medical unit due to a fire, the nurse observes an ambulatory client walking alone toward the stairway at the end of the hall. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Assign an unlicensed assistive person to transport the client via a wheelchair.
- B. Remind the client to walk carefully down the stairs until reaching a lower floor.
- C. Ask the client to help by assisting a wheelchair-bound client to a nearby elevator.
- D. Open the closest fire doors so that ambulatory clients can evacuate more rapidly.
Correct answer: Remind the client to walk carefully down the stairs until reaching a lower floor.
Rationale: During the evacuation of a unit due to a fire, ambulatory clients should be evacuated via the stairway if possible and reminded to walk carefully to ensure their safety. They do not necessarily require assistance via a wheelchair. Elevators should not be used during a fire evacuation as they can pose a risk, and fire doors should be kept closed to contain the fire and smoke, preventing its spread to other areas of the building. Therefore, reminding the client to walk carefully down the stairs is the most appropriate action in this situation. Assigning an unlicensed assistive person to transport the client via a wheelchair may delay the evacuation process and put both individuals at risk. Asking the client to help by assisting a wheelchair-bound client to an elevator is not safe during a fire evacuation. Opening fire doors indiscriminately can lead to the spread of fire and smoke, endangering the clients and staff further.
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