NCLEX NCLEX-PN
NCLEX Question of The Day
1. After a client has a tubal ligation in the outpatient surgical clinic, what is the priority for the nurse to determine?
- A. The client’s prior experiences with outpatient surgery
- B. The client’s medical plan and the extent of coverage for outpatient surgery
- C. The client’s plan for transportation and care at home
- D. The client’s plan to spend the night at the surgical center
Correct answer: The client’s plan for transportation and care at home
Rationale: The priority for the nurse is to ensure the client has a safe way to get home and adequate care after discharge. It is crucial to determine the client's transportation arrangements and availability of care at home to ensure a smooth transition postoperatively. Options A and B, though important, are not immediate priorities compared to the client's safety and well-being after the procedure. Option D is incorrect as spending the night at the surgical center is not typically part of the plan for outpatient surgery.
2. A nurse is planning client assignments for the day. Which task should the nurse assign to the nursing assistant (unlicensed assistive personnel)?
- A. Recording the urinary output for a client with renal calculi whose urine must be strained
- B. Dressing change instructions for a client who had a mastectomy 2 days ago
- C. Reporting abnormal lab values to the health care provider for a client scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- D. Preprocedural teaching for a client scheduled for a cardiac stress test
Correct answer: Recording the urinary output for a client with renal calculi whose urine must be strained
Rationale: The nurse is legally responsible for client assignments and must assign tasks based on state nursing practice act guidelines and job descriptions provided by the employing agency. The nursing assistant is trained to measure, collect, and strain urine, making recording urinary output for a client with renal calculi a suitable task for the nursing assistant. This task falls within the nursing assistant's role description. Dressing change instructions for a client who had a mastectomy involve a higher level of skill and knowledge, beyond the scope of a nursing assistant. Reporting abnormal lab values to the health care provider for a client scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires interpretation and clinical judgment, which is typically not within the nursing assistant's role. Preprocedural teaching for a client scheduled for a cardiac stress test involves providing detailed information and education, which is usually the responsibility of a licensed nurse or other qualified healthcare provider.
3. A 60-year-old widower is hospitalized after complaining of difficulty sleeping, extreme apprehension, shortness of breath, and a sense of impending doom. What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. “You have nothing to worry about. You are in a safe place. Try to relax.”
- B. “Has anything happened recently or in the past that might have triggered these feelings?”
- C. “We have given you a medication that helps to decrease feelings of anxiety.”
- D. “Take some deep breaths and try to calm down.”
Correct answer: “Has anything happened recently or in the past that might have triggered these feelings?”
Rationale: Choice B is the best response as it shows empathy, acknowledges the patient's feelings, and opens the door for discussion about potential triggers for anxiety. This approach helps the patient explore the root cause of his anxiety and provides an opportunity for therapeutic communication. Choice A dismisses the patient's feelings and offers false reassurance, which may not address the underlying issue. Choices C and D do not encourage the patient to express his emotions or delve into the reasons behind his anxiety, hindering the therapeutic process.
4. A client admitted with an episode of bleeding esophageal varices is receiving propranolol (Inderal LA). The nurse knows to monitor for?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Hyperkalemia
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Arthralgia
Correct answer: Bradycardia
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Bradycardia.' Propranolol is a beta-blocking agent used to decrease the heart rate. In the case of bleeding esophageal varices, propranolol is given to reduce the risk of bleeding by keeping the heart rate around 55 beats per minute. Monitoring for bradycardia is essential as the medication's intended effect is to lower the heart rate. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because propranolol would not typically cause hypertension, hyperkalemia, or arthralgia.
5. What is the next step for a 64-year-old male diagnosed with COPD and CHF who shows a 10 lbs increase in total body weight over the last few days?
- A. Contact the patient’s physician immediately.
- B. Check the intake and output on the patient’s flow sheet.
- C. Encourage the patient to ambulate to reduce lower extremity edema.
- D. Check the patient’s vitals every 2 hours.
Correct answer: Check the intake and output on the patient’s flow sheet.
Rationale: In a patient with COPD and CHF experiencing a sudden increase in total body weight, the priority is to check the intake and output on the patient’s flow sheet to evaluate fluid balance. This assessment helps determine if the weight gain is due to fluid retention, which can exacerbate CHF. Contacting the physician may be necessary based on the intake and output findings. While encouraging ambulation is beneficial for circulation, it may not address the root cause of fluid retention. Checking vitals every 2 hours is important for monitoring stability but may not pinpoint the reason behind the weight gain.
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