NCLEX-RN
Safe and Effective Care Environment NCLEX RN Questions
1. When a nurse's hand comes in contact with a client's blood after providing wound care, what is the next action the nurse should take?
- A. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to disinfect the hands
- B. Wash hands with soap and water using appropriate technique
- C. Notify the appropriate personnel about the exposure to client's blood
- D. Sample some of the client's blood to determine the presence of diseases
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse's hand comes in contact with a client's blood, it is important to follow appropriate infection control measures. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not sufficient in this scenario as the blood is a visible contaminant. The best practice is to wash hands with soap and water using appropriate technique to ensure thorough cleansing and removal of any potential pathogens. Notifying the appropriate personnel about the exposure is important for documentation and further evaluation, but immediate hand hygiene is crucial. Sampling the client's blood for disease determination is not within the nurse's scope of practice and is unnecessary in this situation.
2. To accurately assess a patient's respiration rate, which of the following methods would be BEST?
- A. Tell the patient, 'Please remain silent while I count your number of breaths.'
- B. Count respirations at the same time you are counting the pulse rate
- C. Count the pulse rate for one minute, then, while keeping your index fingers on the patient's radial artery, count the respirations for an additional minute.
- D. Count the patient's respiration rate, then take the patient's temperature, and then take the pulse rate.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most accurate method to assess a patient's respiration rate is to count the breaths simultaneously while counting the pulse rate. This approach ensures that the patient is unaware of the specific focus on their breathing, preventing any conscious alteration in breathing patterns. Choice A is incorrect because informing the patient may lead to altered breathing as the patient may consciously change their breathing pattern. Choice C involves counting the pulse rate first, which is not necessary for assessing respiration rate. Choice D is incorrect as it includes unnecessary steps such as taking the patient's temperature before counting respiration rate, which adds no value to accurately assessing the respiration rate.
3. Which of these statements is true regarding the use of Standard Precautions in the healthcare setting?
- A. Standard Precautions apply to all body fluids, except sweat.
- B. Alcohol-based hand rub should be used if hands are not visibly dirty.
- C. Standard Precautions are intended for use with all patients, regardless of their risk or presumed infection status.
- D. Standard Precautions are to be used only when non-intact skin, excretions containing visible blood, or expected contact with mucous membranes are present.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Standard Precautions are designed to reduce the risk for transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources. They are intended for use with all patients, regardless of their risk or presumed infection status. Standard Precautions apply to all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat - whether or not they contain visible blood, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes. Hands should be washed with soap and water if visibly soiled with blood or body fluids. Alcohol-based hand rubs can be used if hands are not visibly soiled. Choice A is incorrect because Standard Precautions apply to all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat. Choice B is incorrect because alcohol-based hand rub should be used when hands are not visibly dirty. Choice D is incorrect because Standard Precautions are not limited to situations involving non-intact skin, excretions with visible blood, or expected mucous membrane contact.
4. A client is being instructed on how to use crutches. Which of the following information should be included in the teaching?
- A. Place the majority of body weight on the axilla.
- B. Dry crutch tips with a paper towel if they become wet.
- C. Use the crutches for support to lift both feet simultaneously when ascending stairs.
- D. Both B and C.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When instructing a client on how to use crutches for ambulation, it is important to emphasize keeping the crutch tips dry to prevent slipping while bearing weight on them. Moisture on the crutch tips can lead to accidents. Therefore, the correct answer is to dry the crutch tips with a paper towel if they become wet. Choice A, placing the majority of body weight on the axilla, is incorrect as the weight should be borne through the hands, not the axilla, to avoid nerve damage. Choice C, using the crutches to lift both feet simultaneously when ascending stairs, is incorrect as the client should ascend stairs by placing weight on the unaffected leg first, followed by the crutches and then the affected leg. This method provides stability and safety during stair climbing.
5. Each small square on the EKG paper is:
- A. 0.04 seconds long and 5mm tall
- B. 0.2 seconds long and 5mm tall
- C. 0.04 seconds long and 20mm tall
- D. 0.04 seconds long and 1mm tall
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Each small square on an EKG paper represents 0.04 seconds long and 1mm tall. This standardization is essential for accurate measurements. One large square on EKG paper consists of 5 small squares in length and 5 small squares in height, which equals 0.2 seconds long and 5mm tall (0.5 mV). Choice A is incorrect because while the duration is correct, the height mentioned is not accurate. Choice B is incorrect as it provides the correct height but the duration is inaccurate. Choice C is incorrect as the height mentioned is exaggerated, and the duration is correct but the height is not. Therefore, the correct answer is 0.04 seconds long and 1mm tall.
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