NCLEX NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Practice Questions With Rationale
1. Ruth is a 72-year-old patient who has been upset and crying all morning. When asked why she is upset, she turns toward the wall in silence. What collaborative process may be helpful in caring for this patient?
- A. Speak with the patient care technician
- B. Call the chaplain
- C. Call the social worker
- D. Call the patient's husband
Correct answer: Speak with the patient care technician
Rationale: Collaborating with the patient care technician is an appropriate approach in this scenario. Patient care technicians and nurses' aides often provide direct care to patients, developing a closer relationship with them. Patients may feel more comfortable sharing their feelings with these caregivers compared to other healthcare professionals. In this situation, Ruth's distress appears more emotional than spiritual, making it more suitable to speak with someone directly involved in her care. Calling the chaplain (Choice B) might not directly address Ruth's immediate emotional needs as it could focus more on spiritual support. Involving the social worker (Choice C) could help address underlying emotional or social issues, but speaking with the patient care technician is a more direct and immediate step to assess and provide initial support. Calling the patient's husband (Choice D) may not address Ruth's immediate emotional distress and may not be appropriate without understanding the root cause of her upset.
2. A 4-month-old child is at the clinic for a well-baby checkup and immunizations. Which of these actions is most appropriate when the nurse is assessing an infant’s vital signs?
- A. The infant’s radial pulse should be palpated, and the nurse should notice any fluctuations resulting from activity or exercise.
- B. The nurse should auscultate an apical rate for 1 minute and then assess for any normal irregularities, such as sinus dysrhythmia.
- C. The infant’s blood pressure should be assessed by using a stethoscope with a large diaphragm piece to hear the soft muffled Korotkoff sounds.
- D. The infant’s chest should be observed and the respiratory rate counted for 1 minute; the respiratory pattern may vary significantly.
Correct answer: The nurse should auscultate an apical rate for 1 minute and then assess for any normal irregularities, such as sinus dysrhythmia.
Rationale: The nurse auscultates an apical rate, not a radial pulse, with infants and toddlers. The pulse should be counted by listening to the heart for 1 full minute to account for normal irregularities, such as sinus dysrhythmia. Children younger than 3 years of age have such small arm vessels; consequently, hearing Korotkoff sounds with a stethoscope is difficult. The nurse should use either an electronic blood pressure device that uses oscillometry or a Doppler ultrasound device to amplify the sounds. An infant’s respiratory rate should be assessed by observing the infant’s abdomen, not chest, because an infant’s respirations are normally more diaphragmatic than thoracic. The nurse should auscultate an apical heart rate, not palpate a radial pulse, with infants and toddlers.
3. During which part of the client interview would it be best for the nurse to ask, 'What's the weather forecast for today?'
- A. Introduction
- B. Body
- C. Closing
- D. Orientation
Correct answer: Introduction
Rationale: Asking about the weather initiates the social or introductory phase of the interview, allowing the nurse to establish rapport with the client at the beginning. This question can help assess the client's mental status and set a friendly tone. In the body phase, the client responds to the nurse's inquiries, while during the closing phase, either the nurse or the client concludes the interview. Therefore, the best time to ask about the weather forecast is during the introduction phase to facilitate a positive start to the interaction.
4. You are caring for an infant who is just about 12 months old. Which assessment data is normal for the infant at this age?
- A. The infant had doubled their birth weight at twelve months.
- B. The infant had tripled their birth weight at twelve months.
- C. The mother reports that the infant is drinking 60 mLs per kilogram of its body weight.
- D. The infant had grown ¼ inch since last month.
Correct answer: The infant had doubled their birth weight at twelve months.
Rationale: The normal assessment data for the infant at 12 months of age is that the infant has doubled their birth weight at 12 months of age. The mother’s reports that the infant is drinking 60 mLs per kilogram of its body weight and the fact that the infant had grown ¼ inch since last month are not normal assessment data. Infants are fed breast milk or formula every two to four hours with a total daily intake of 80 to 100 mLs per kilogram of body weight. As the neonate grows, they gain five to seven ounces during the first six months and then they double their birth weight during the first year; the head circumference increases a half inch each month for six months and then two tenths of an inch until the infant is one year of age. Similarly, the height or length of the newborn increases an inch a month for the first 6 months and then 1/2 inch a month until the infant is 1 year of age.
5. A 3-year-old had a hip spica cast applied 2 hours ago. In order to facilitate drying, the nurse should:
- A. Expose the cast to air and turn the child frequently.
- B. Use a heat lamp to reduce the drying time.
- C. Handle the cast with the abductor bar.
- D. Turn the child as little as possible.
Correct answer: Expose the cast to air and turn the child frequently.
Rationale: After a hip spica cast is applied, it is important to facilitate drying by exposing the cast to air and turning the child frequently, approximately every 2 hours. This helps ensure even drying and prevents skin breakdown. Using a heat lamp can cause burns and should be avoided. Handling the cast with the abductor bar is not necessary for the drying process and may cause discomfort to the child. Turning the child as little as possible is not recommended as regular turning helps prevent complications like pressure ulcers and stiffness.
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