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NCLEX RN Exam Review Answers
1. A client is admitted for a head injury. His body is lying in an abnormal position and the physician states he is exhibiting decorticate posturing. Based on this assessment, the nurse can expect to find the client with:
- A. The legs extended and rotated internally; the elbow, wrists, and fingers flexed
- B. The legs pulled toward the chest; the head bent back at a 30-degree angle
- C. The back arched; the arms and legs extended and rigid
- D. The legs extended and rotated externally; the head turned to the right or the left
Correct answer: The legs extended and rotated internally; the elbow, wrists, and fingers flexed
Rationale: Decorticate posturing is indicative of an injury to the corticospinal tract, resulting in abnormal posturing. It may occur spontaneously or in response to stimulation. This posture involves the legs being extended and rotated internally, while the elbows, wrists, and fingers are flexed inward. Choice A is correct because it accurately describes the expected positioning associated with decorticate posturing. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choice B describes a different type of posturing known as opisthotonos. Choice C describes an exaggerated arching of the back, which is not characteristic of decorticate posturing. Choice D describes a different type of posturing with external rotation of the legs and head turning to the side, not consistent with decorticate posturing.
2. A client is being admitted to the hospital because of a seizure that occurred at his home. The client has no previous history of seizures. In planning the client's nursing care, which of the following measures is most essential at the time of admission?
- A. Place a padded tongue depressor at the head of the bed.
- B. Pad the bed with blankets.
- C. Inform the client about the importance of wearing a medical identification tag.
- D. Teach the client about seizures.
Correct answer: Pad the bed with blankets.
Rationale: The most essential measure when admitting a client who had a seizure is to pad the bed with blankets (Option B). This is crucial to prevent injury in case of another seizure. Placing a padded tongue depressor at the head of the bed (Option A) is incorrect as current nursing guidelines advise against putting anything in the client's mouth during a seizure. Informing the client about wearing a medical identification tag (Option C) and teaching the client about seizures (Option D) are important but are more relevant once the cause of the seizure is known. It's crucial to remember that not all seizures are classified as epilepsy.
3. What is the most important step that healthcare personnel can take to prevent the transmission of microorganisms in the hospital setting?
- A. Wear protective eyewear at all times.
- B. Wear gloves whenever in direct contact with patients.
- C. Wash hands before and after contact with each patient.
- D. Clean the stethoscope with an alcohol swab between patients.
Correct answer: C: Wash hands before and after contact with each patient.
Rationale: The most crucial step in preventing the transmission of microorganisms in the hospital setting is proper hand hygiene. Healthcare personnel should wash their hands thoroughly before and after each patient contact to reduce the risk of spreading infections. While cleaning the stethoscope with an alcohol swab between patients is recommended, it is secondary to hand hygiene. Wearing protective eyewear at all times is not necessary for routine patient care unless specifically indicated, and wearing gloves only when in direct contact with patients is important but not as critical as proper handwashing. Therefore, the correct answer is to wash hands before and after contact with each patient.
4. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer an enteral feeding through a gastrostomy tube. Before administering the feeding, the healthcare professional aspirates some stomach contents and checks the pH. The result is 3.9. What is the next action of the healthcare professional?
- A. Administer the feeding as ordered
- B. Pull the feeding tube out approximately 3 cm
- C. Flush the feeding tube with 60 cc of water
- D. Contact the physician
Correct answer: Administer the feeding as ordered
Rationale: When the pH of the aspirated stomach contents is 4 or less, it indicates that the gastrostomy tube is in the stomach, confirming correct placement. A pH of 3.9 falls within this range, so the healthcare professional can proceed with administering the enteral feeding. There is no need to adjust the tube placement, flush with water, or contact the physician in this situation as the tube is appropriately positioned for feeding.
5. Research participants are involved in a trial that incidentally separates them into two groups. One group receives an intervention, while the other group does not. Both groups are compared for outcomes. What type of research method is this?
- A. Experimental design
- B. Double-blind experiment
- C. Randomized controlled trial
- D. Repeated measures design
Correct answer: Randomized controlled trial
Rationale: A randomized controlled trial is a research method in which participants are randomly assigned to either a treatment or control group. This design helps eliminate bias and allows for the comparison of outcomes between the two groups. In this scenario, where participants are separated into intervention and non-intervention groups for comparison, it aligns with the characteristics of a randomized controlled trial. The key feature distinguishing it from the other options is the random assignment of participants to groups, ensuring that both groups are comparable at the start of the study. Double-blind experiments involve blinding both participants and researchers to treatment allocation, which is not explicitly mentioned in the scenario. Experimental design refers to a broader category that includes various types of research designs beyond just randomized controlled trials. Repeated measures design involves collecting multiple observations from the same participants over time, which is not the case described in the scenario.
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