NCLEX NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Practice Questions With Rationale
1. A physician is explaining a procedure to a patient that may cure her recurring Staph infection. The doctor explains how the procedure is done, what to expect, the odds of the procedure curing the infection, and possible side effects and risks. The physician is:
- A. Preparing the patient to give informed consent.
- B. Protecting HIPAA by listing all the steps of the procedure with the risks involved.
- C. Not required to inform the patient of any alternative therapies.
- D. None of the above.
Correct answer: Preparing the patient to give informed consent.
Rationale: The correct answer is preparing the patient to give informed consent. Giving informed consent is the process of providing a patient with all necessary information about a medical procedure, including how it's done, what to expect, the likelihood of success, and potential risks and side effects. This allows the patient to make an informed decision about their treatment. Protecting HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) involves safeguarding patient health information and is not directly related to the scenario described. It is important for physicians to inform patients of any alternative therapies available to them to ensure they have all relevant information to make a decision regarding their treatment. Therefore, choice C, 'Not required to inform the patient of any alternative therapies,' is incorrect. Choice D, 'None of the above,' is incorrect as the physician is indeed preparing the patient for informed consent.
2. Who is most likely to arrange the discharge of a patient to their own home, a nursing home, or an assisted living facility?
- A. A physical therapist
- B. A speech therapist
- C. A social worker
- D. An occupational therapist
Correct answer: C: A social worker
Rationale: Social workers play a crucial role in arranging patient discharges to suitable facilities. They collaborate with healthcare professionals to ensure that patients are transitioned to the most appropriate setting post-hospitalization. Social workers focus on the holistic needs of patients, including their social and emotional well-being, to facilitate a smooth continuum of care. Choices A, B, and D do not typically have the primary responsibility for arranging patient discharges to various facilities.
3. Which intervention would the nurse implement to develop a caring relationship with the client’s family?
- A. Deciding health care options for the client
- B. Identifying the client’s family members and their roles
- C. Declining to inform the client’s family after performing a procedure
- D. Refraining from discussing the client’s health with the family
Correct answer: Identifying the client’s family members and their roles
Rationale: To establish a caring relationship with the client's family, the nurse should start by identifying the family members and understanding their roles in the client's life. This step is crucial in determining how they can contribute to the client's healthcare and support. Deciding healthcare options for the client (Choice A) is not the nurse's role; it should be a collaborative decision with the client and family. Declining to inform the client’s family after a procedure (Choice C) goes against transparency and collaboration in care. Refraining from discussing the client’s health with the family (Choice D) can hinder effective communication and support, which are essential in developing a caring relationship with the family.
4. A male client is laughing at a television program with his wife when the evening nurse enters the room. He says his foot is hurting and he would like a pain pill. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Ask him to rate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
- B. Encourage him to wait until bedtime so the pill can help him sleep.
- C. Attend to the acutely ill client's needs first because this client is laughing.
- D. Instruct him in the use of deep breathing exercises for pain control.
Correct answer: Ask him to rate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
Rationale: Obtaining a subjective estimate of the pain experience by asking the client to rate his pain helps the nurse determine which pain medication should be administered and also provides a baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of the medication. Medicating for pain should not be delayed to use it as a sleep medication, so encouraging him to wait until bedtime is incorrect. Option C is judgmental and inappropriate as all clients deserve prompt attention. Option D should be used as an adjunct to pain medication, not instead of medication, so instructing him in deep breathing exercises alone is not the priority in this situation.
5. A 17-year-old Asian client is being seen for lower abdominal pain in the right quadrant. The client is accompanied by his parents. The nurse notes that the client's father does not make eye contact and shows little response when told that the client will need surgery. Which of the following is the most appropriate action of the nurse?
- A. Contact an interpreter to give the information again in the father's native language
- B. Continue to provide information about surgery to both the client and his parents
- C. Call social services to evaluate the parent's standard of care
- D. Contact the physician about postponing the surgery
Correct answer: Continue to provide information about surgery to both the client and his parents
Rationale: Nurses may work with clients who have varying cultural beliefs. Because of this, nurses must remain aware of the cultural practices associated with certain ethnic groups. Asian Americans may avoid eye contact as a sign of respect; additionally, emotional responses may be avoided except for in private situations. If this family did not have a language barrier, the nurse should continue to provide appropriate information about the surgery and recognize the cultural differences that exist. Contacting an interpreter is not necessary as there was no mention of a language barrier. Calling social services to evaluate the parent's standard of care is premature and not within the nurse's immediate scope of practice. Contacting the physician about postponing the surgery is not warranted based on the information provided.
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