each small square on the ekg paper is

NCLEX-RN

NCLEX RN Predictor Exam

1. 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.

2. Which complication of cardiac catheterization should the nurse monitor for in the initial 24 hours after the procedure?

A. Angina at rest
B. Thrombus formation
C. Dizziness
D. Falling blood pressure

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Thrombus formation is a critical complication of cardiac catheterization that the nurse should monitor for in the initial 24 hours after the procedure. A thrombus can form in the blood vessels, obstructing blood flow and potentially leading to serious consequences such as embolism or organ ischemia. While angina at rest, dizziness, and falling blood pressure are potential complications following cardiac catheterization, they are not typically associated with the immediate post-procedural period. Monitoring for thrombus formation is essential to ensure early detection and intervention, which can prevent serious complications.

3. A patient's body temperature has varied over the last 24 hours from 97.6 degrees F in the morning to 99 degrees F in the evening. The patient is worried that this change in temperature may indicate the beginning of a fever. Which of the following BEST explains this phenomenon?

A. The patient definitely has a fever in the evening and should be seen by a doctor.
B. The patient is experiencing changes related to a diurnal rhythm.
C. The patient is more than likely taking their temperature incorrectly.
D. The patient is experiencing changes related to fluctuating daily hormones.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The patient is experiencing changes related to a diurnal rhythm. Diurnal rhythm is the phenomenon of body temperature fluctuating depending on the time of day. Temperatures taken in the morning are typically lower than those taken throughout the rest of the day. Choice A is incorrect because a single elevated temperature reading in the evening does not definitively indicate a fever. Choice C is incorrect as there is no indication of incorrect temperature measurement. Choice D is incorrect as the temperature changes are not related to monthly hormones but rather to the body's natural daily rhythm.

4. Which of the following questions is considered open-ended?

A. What time did you last take your medications?
B. Are you feeling okay right now?
C. Please describe your symptoms.
D. What day are you available for a follow-up appointment?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Please describe your symptoms.' This question is considered open-ended because it encourages the respondent to provide a detailed and descriptive answer, fostering a more elaborate response. Open-ended questions are designed to prompt thoughtful and detailed responses. Choice A is a closed-ended question since it seeks a specific time for the medication intake. Choice B is also closed-ended as it can be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no,' limiting the response. Choice D is closed-ended as it requests a specific day for the follow-up appointment, restricting the range of possible responses.

5. A healthcare professional is considering which patient to admit to the same room as a patient who had a liver transplant 3 weeks ago and is now hospitalized with acute rejection. Which patient would be the best choice?

A. Patient who is receiving chemotherapy for liver cancer
B. Patient who is receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer
C. Patient who has a wound infection after cholecystectomy
D. Patient who requires pain management for chronic pancreatitis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The patient with chronic pancreatitis is the best choice to admit to the same room as a patient who had a liver transplant and is experiencing acute rejection. This is because the patient with chronic pancreatitis does not pose an infection risk to the immunosuppressed patient who had a liver transplant. On the other hand, patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer or those with wound infections are at risk for infections, which could endanger the immunosuppressed patient with acute rejection.