NCLEX NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Predictor Exam
1. During auscultation of a patient’s heart sounds, the nurse hears an unfamiliar sound. Which action would the nurse take?
- A. Ask the patient how he or she is feeling.
- B. Document the findings in the patient’s record.
- C. Wait 10 minutes and auscultate the sound again.
- D. Ask another nurse to double-check the finding.
Correct answer: Ask another nurse to double-check the finding.
Rationale: When encountering an unfamiliar sound during auscultation, it is crucial for the nurse to seek confirmation from another healthcare professional. Asking the patient about their feelings may not provide insight into the unfamiliar sound. Simply documenting the findings without verification may lead to errors in interpretation. Waiting and auscultating again after 10 minutes might delay necessary intervention. Consulting another nurse for a second opinion ensures accurate identification of the unfamiliar sound and appropriate follow-up actions.
2. Which of the following activities would the nurse perform during the diagnosing phase of the nursing process? Select all that apply.
- A. Collect and organize client information
- B. Analyze data
- C. Identify problems, risks, and client strengths
- D. Develop nursing diagnoses
Correct answer: B: Analyze data
Rationale: During the diagnosing phase of the nursing process, the nurse analyzes the collected data to identify problems, risks, and client strengths, which then leads to developing nursing diagnoses. Collecting and organizing client information is part of the assessment phase, where data is gathered. Developing nursing diagnoses comes after data analysis in the diagnosing phase. Goal setting is a component of the planning phase, which follows the diagnosing phase.
3. A physician's order instructs a nurse to take a temperature at the axilla. Where would the nurse place the thermometer?
- A. In the rectum
- B. In the mouth
- C. On the temples
- D. In the armpit
Correct answer: In the armpit
Rationale: When a physician's order specifies taking a temperature at the axilla, the nurse should place the thermometer in the armpit. The axilla is the anatomical area of the armpit located under the arms, proximal to the trunk. Placing the thermometer in the rectum (Choice A) is used for rectal temperature measurements, in the mouth (Choice B) for oral temperature measurements, and on the temples (Choice C) is not a common site for temperature assessment. Therefore, the correct placement based on the given instruction is in the armpit.
4. A 51-year-old woman had an incisional cholecystectomy 6 hours ago. The nurse will place the highest priority on assisting the patient to
- A. choose low-fat foods from the menu
- B. perform leg exercises hourly while awake
- C. ambulate the evening of the operative day
- D. turn, cough, and deep breathe every 2 hours
Correct answer: turn, cough, and deep breathe every 2 hours
Rationale: Postoperative nursing care after a cholecystectomy focuses on preventing respiratory complications due to the surgical incision being high in the abdomen, which impairs coughing and deep breathing. Turning, coughing, and deep breathing every 2 hours help prevent respiratory complications, such as pneumonia. While choices A, B, and C are also important aspects of postoperative care, they are not as high a priority as ensuring proper ventilation and respiratory function in the immediate postoperative period.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient admitted to the emergency room for an ischemic stroke with marked functional deficits. The physician is considering the use of fibrinolytic therapy with TPA (tissue plasminogen activator). Which history-gathering question would not be important for the nurse to ask?
- A. What time did you first notice symptoms consistently appearing?
- B. Have you been taking any blood thinners such as heparin, lovenox, or warfarin?
- C. Have you had another stroke or head trauma in the previous 3 months?
- D. Have you had any blood transfusions within the previous year?
Correct answer: Have you had any blood transfusions within the previous year?
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Have you had any blood transfusions within the previous year?' This question is not relevant in the context of considering fibrinolytic therapy with TPA for an ischemic stroke. Blood transfusions within the previous year do not directly impact the decision to use TPA in the treatment of an acute ischemic stroke. The focus should be on factors such as the time of symptom onset, current medications like blood thinners, and recent history of strokes or head trauma, as these are more directly related to the decision-making process for administering TPA in this emergency situation.
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