NCLEX NCLEX-RN
Safe and Effective Care Environment NCLEX RN Questions
1. A client is being transferred from a bed to a wheelchair. Which action is essential to maintain client safety in this situation?
- A. Position the wheelchair at the foot of the bed
- B. Maintain a space of at least 12 inches between the wheelchair and the bed
- C. Place the footplates in the lowest position before transferring the client
- D. Lock both wheels on the wheelchair before moving the client
Correct answer: Lock both wheels on the wheelchair before moving the client
Rationale: When transferring a client from a bed to a wheelchair, it is crucial to prioritize client safety. Locking both wheels on the wheelchair before moving the client is essential as it adds stability and prevents the wheelchair from moving unexpectedly during the transfer process. Placing the wheelchair at the foot of the bed allows for easier transfer, but ensuring the wheels are locked is more critical for safety. Maintaining a 12-inch space between the wheelchair and the bed is not as essential as ensuring wheel locks are engaged. While placing the footplates in the lowest position can enhance client comfort, it is not a safety measure that is as critical as securing the wheelchair by locking its wheels before the transfer.
2. When a client who has had a mastectomy sees her incision for the first time, she exclaims, 'I look horrible! Will it ever look better?' Which response would the nurse provide?
- A. 'You seem shocked by the way you look now.'
- B. 'Now that the tumor is gone, the area will heal quickly.'
- C. 'After it heals, others won’t even know you had surgery.'
- D. 'You will feel better about it when the swelling subsides.'
Correct answer: 'You seem shocked by the way you look now.'
Rationale: The correct response, 'You seem shocked by the way you look now,' acknowledges the client's feelings and provides an opportunity for the client to express emotions freely. This reflection of feelings may help promote eventual acceptance of body image changes. Choices B, C, and D provide false reassurance and negate the client's feelings. Saying that the area will heal quickly now that the tumor is gone dismisses the client's concerns. Similarly, stating that others won’t know about the surgery or that the client will feel better once the swelling subsides does not address the client's current emotional state and may undermine trust in the nurse-client relationship.
3. A parent of a young child says, 'I’m so upset! The doctor prescribed an antidepressant!' Which response is best?
- A. 'Tell me more about what’s bothering you.'
- B. 'Weren’t you told about the need for the medication?'
- C. 'I’ll notify the healthcare provider about your concerns.'
- D. 'Maybe the medication is for attention deficit disorder.'
Correct answer: 'Tell me more about what’s bothering you.'
Rationale: The best response in this situation is to express empathy and encourage the parent to share more about their concerns. Option A ('Tell me more about what’s bothering you.') allows the nurse to show understanding and gather more information to address the parent's distress effectively. Option B ('Weren’t you told about the need for the medication?') is confrontational and may make the parent defensive, hindering effective communication. Option C ('I’ll notify the healthcare provider about your concerns.') is premature; the nurse should first assess the parent's feelings before deciding on further actions. Option D ('Maybe the medication is for attention deficit disorder.') assumes without clarification, which is not appropriate; the nurse should validate the prescription before suggesting alternative reasons.
4. The nurse receives change-of-shift report on the following four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
- A. A 23-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis who has pulmonary function testing scheduled
- B. A 46-year-old patient on bed rest who is complaining of sudden onset of shortness of breath
- C. A 77-year-old patient with tuberculosis (TB) who has four antitubercular medications due in 15 minutes
- D. A 35-year-old patient who was admitted the previous day with pneumonia and has a temperature of 100.2 F (37.8 C)
Correct answer: A 46-year-old patient on bed rest who is complaining of sudden onset of shortness of breath
Rationale: The correct answer is the 46-year-old patient on bed rest who is complaining of sudden onset of shortness of breath. Patients on bed rest who are immobile are at high risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Sudden onset of shortness of breath in a patient with a DVT suggests a pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate assessment and action such as oxygen administration to maintain adequate oxygenation. The other patients should also be assessed as soon as possible, but they do not present with an immediate life-threatening condition that requires urgent intervention like the patient experiencing sudden shortness of breath.
5. A patient’s chart indicates a history of meningitis. Which of the following would you NOT expect to see with this patient if this condition were acute?
- A. Increased appetite
- B. Vomiting
- C. Fever
- D. Poor tolerance of light
Correct answer: Increased appetite
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Increased appetite.' In cases of acute meningitis, loss of appetite would be expected rather than an increase. Meningitis is often caused by an infectious agent that colonizes or infects various sites in the body, leading to systemic symptoms. Common symptoms of acute meningitis include fever, vomiting, and poor tolerance of light due to meningeal irritation. The inflammatory response in the meninges can result in symptoms like photophobia. Increased appetite is not typically associated with acute meningitis. Therefore, choice A is the least likely symptom to be observed in a patient with acute meningitis. Choices B, C, and D are symptoms commonly seen in acute meningitis due to the inflammatory process affecting the central nervous system and meninges.
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