NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Questions
1. A client is in her third month of her first pregnancy. During the interview, she tells the nurse that she has several sex partners and is unsure of the identity of the baby's father. Which of the following nursing interventions is a priority?
- A. Counsel the woman to consent to HIV screening.
- B. Perform tests for sexually transmitted diseases.
- C. Discuss her high risk for cervical cancer.
- D. Refer the client to a family planning clinic.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the client's disclosure of having multiple sex partners and uncertainty about the baby's father indicates a potential high risk for HIV. Therefore, the priority nursing intervention is to counsel the woman to consent to HIV screening. Early detection of HIV is crucial for initiating timely treatment and improving outcomes. Choices B, C, and D are not the priority in this situation as HIV screening takes precedence over testing for other sexually transmitted diseases, discussing cervical cancer risk, or referring to a family planning clinic.
2. A child is suspected of suffering from intussusception. The nurse should be alert to which clinical manifestation of this condition?
- A. Tender, distended abdomen
- B. Presence of fecal incontinence
- C. Incomplete development of the anus
- D. Infrequent and difficult passage of dry stools
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Intussusception is an invagination of a section of the intestine into the distal bowel, and it is the most common cause of bowel obstruction in children aged 3 months to 6 years. A tender, distended abdomen is a typical clinical manifestation of intussusception. The presence of fecal incontinence is not a characteristic presentation of intussusception; it describes encopresis, which generally affects preschool and school-aged children but is not specific to intussusception. Incomplete development of the anus describes imperforate anus, a disorder diagnosed in the neonatal period, not intussusception. The infrequent and difficult passage of dry stools is characteristic of constipation, a common issue in children that can occur at any age, although it often peaks at 2 to 3 years old.
3. A two-year-old child has sustained an injury to the leg and refuses to walk. The nurse in the emergency department documents swelling of the lower affected leg. Which of the following does the nurse suspect is the cause of the child's symptoms?
- A. Possible fracture of the tibia.
- B. Bruising of the gastrocnemius muscle.
- C. Possible fracture of the radius.
- D. No anatomic injury, the child wants his mother to carry him.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The child's refusal to walk, along with swelling of the lower leg, indicates a possible fracture, specifically of the tibia. Fractures can cause pain and swelling, leading to difficulty or refusal to bear weight on the affected limb. Choice B, bruising of the gastrocnemius muscle, would not typically result in the child refusing to walk. Choice C, a possible fracture of the radius, is less likely given the location of the swelling and the associated refusal to walk. Choice D, stating no anatomic injury and attributing the child's behavior to wanting to be carried by the mother, is incorrect as the physical findings suggest a potential fracture that needs to be evaluated further.
4. A patient asks the nurse why they must have a heparin injection. What is the nurse's best response?
- A. Heparin will dissolve clots that you have.
- B. Heparin will reduce the platelets that make your blood clot.
- C. Heparin will work better than warfarin.
- D. Heparin will prevent new clots from developing.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Heparin will prevent new clots from developing.' Heparin is an anticoagulant medication that helps prevent the formation of new blood clots. It does not dissolve existing clots (choice A), reduce platelets (choice B), or necessarily work 'better' than warfarin (choice C) but rather functions differently. The primary action of heparin is to prevent the development of new clots, especially in conditions where clot formation is a concern.
5. A patient is undergoing a stress test on a treadmill and turns to talk to the nurse. Which of these statements would require the most immediate intervention?
- A. I'm feeling extremely thirsty and will get some water after this.
- B. I can feel my heart racing.
- C. My shoulder and arm are hurting.
- D. My blood pressure reading is 158/80
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: My shoulder and arm are hurting.' Unilateral arm and shoulder pain are classic symptoms of myocardial ischemia, indicating possible heart issues. In this scenario, immediate intervention is required, and the stress test should be halted. Choice A about feeling thirsty does not indicate an acute medical issue. Choice B mentioning heart racing is expected during a stress test. Choice D, a blood pressure reading of 158/80, while slightly elevated, does not present an immediate concern compared to the symptoms of arm and shoulder pain suggesting cardiac distress.
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