NCLEX-RN
Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions
1. Where is the Loop of Henle located in the body?
- A. Liver
- B. Kidney
- C. Heart
- D. Ear
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The Loop of Henle is a crucial structure found in the kidneys. It plays a vital role in the concentration of urine by creating a concentration gradient in the renal medulla. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the Loop of Henle is not located in the liver, heart, or ear. Understanding the anatomical location of the Loop of Henle is essential in comprehending renal physiology and the mechanism of action of diuretic medications.
2. When assessing a 75-year-old patient who has asthma, the nurse notes that the patient assumes a tripod position, leaning forward with arms braced on the chair. How would the nurse interpret these findings?
- A. Interpret that the patient is eager and interested in participating in the interview.
- B. Evaluate the patient for abdominal pain, which may be exacerbated in the sitting position.
- C. Interpret that the patient is having difficulty breathing and assist them to a supine position.
- D. Recognize that a tripod position is often used when a patient is having respiratory difficulties.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Assuming a tripod position"?leaning forward with arms braced on chair arms"?occurs with chronic pulmonary diseases like asthma. This position helps improve breathing by allowing better use of respiratory muscles. Option A is incorrect because assuming the tripod position is not related to being eager or interested in participating in an interview. Option B is incorrect as abdominal pain is not typically associated with the tripod position in this context. Option C is incorrect as assisting the patient to a supine position would not address the underlying respiratory difficulty indicated by the tripod position. Therefore, the correct interpretation is to recognize that the patient is likely experiencing respiratory difficulties when assuming the tripod position.
3. A patient's blood pressure is 118/82 mm Hg. The patient asks the nurse, "What do the numbers mean?"? Which is the best reply by the nurse?
- A. "The numbers are within the normal range and are nothing to worry about."?
- B. "The bottom number is the diastolic pressure and reflects the pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes."?
- C. "The top number is the systolic blood pressure and reflects the pressure of the blood against the arteries when the heart contracts."?
- D. "The concept of blood pressure can be complex. The primary thing to be concerned about is the top number, or the systolic blood pressure."?
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The systolic pressure is the maximum pressure felt on the artery during left ventricular contraction, or systole. The diastolic pressure is the elastic recoil, or resting, pressure that the blood constantly exerts in between each contraction. The nurse should answer the patient's question in terms they can understand and not just say it is normal and there is nothing to worry about. The diastolic pressure is the pressure in the vessels when the heart is at rest, not the stroke volume. Both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure are important. Choice A is incorrect as providing a vague reassurance does not address the patient's query. Choice B is incorrect as it inaccurately describes the diastolic pressure as reflecting stroke volume, which is incorrect. Choice D is incorrect as it oversimplifies the explanation, focusing solely on the top number without providing a complete understanding of blood pressure.
4. When providing mouth care to a patient in a coma, what should you do to provide good and safe mouth care?
- A. keep the head of the bed up to prevent aspiration
- B. brush the teeth and rinse the mouth with a cup of water
- C. use a special foam swab to brush only the tongue
- D. use a special foam swab to brush the tongue and teeth
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When providing mouth care to a patient in a coma, it is crucial to use a special foam swab to brush the tongue and teeth. This method helps maintain good oral hygiene for comatose patients. Special foam swabs are designed to effectively clean all areas of the mouth, including the cheeks and tongue, ensuring thorough care. Using water for mouth care in comatose patients can lead to aspiration, so it is important to avoid this practice. Keeping the head of the bed up alone does not prevent aspiration during mouth care for comatose patients, making choice A incorrect. Merely brushing the tongue (choice C) or using a foam swab only on the tongue (choice B) may not provide the comprehensive mouth care necessary for patients in a coma.
5. You are taking care of 7 patients today. One of your residents wants water; another needs help walking to the bathroom; another just stated that they have chest pain; and another is crying because his daughter did not visit him today. Which patient care task is the lowest in terms of priority?
- A. The water
- B. Help to the bathroom
- C. The chest pain
- D. The crying person
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The lowest priority patient care task in this scenario is addressing the emotional need of the patient who is crying because his daughter did not visit him today. While emotional support is important, the other needs - providing water, assisting to the bathroom, and addressing chest pain - are physical needs that must take priority as they directly impact the patient's well-being and health. It is crucial to acknowledge and address emotional needs but in this situation, the physical needs of the patients should be addressed first.
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