NCLEX-RN
Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions
1. The patient in the emergency room has a history of alprazolam (Xanax) abuse and abruptly stopped taking Xanax about 24 hours ago. He presents with visible tremors, pacing, fear, impaired concentration, and memory. Which intervention takes priority?
- A. Have the patient lie down on a stretcher with bed rails raised
- B. Offer the patient a cup of water and a small amount of food
- C. Reassure the patient about his well-being
- D. Inform the physician about the patient's Xanax withdrawal
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The 1-4 day period after Xanax withdrawal is critical as it poses the highest risk of life-threatening seizures. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, and sudden cessation can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. The patient's visible tremors, fear, pacing, and cognitive impairment indicate a state of heightened distress and potential seizure risk. Placing the patient on a stretcher with raised bed rails is essential for seizure precautions, ensuring safety and preventing injury during a potential seizure. Offering water and food, reassuring the patient, or informing the physician about Xanax withdrawal are not immediate priorities compared to managing the risk of seizures in this high-risk situation.
2. A client with a new colostomy is being taught how to care for the colostomy bag. Which statement from the client indicates the need for more education?
- A. I can clean the skin around the ostomy site with soap and water when I change the bag.
- B. I should irrigate the stoma regularly to avoid buildup of gas and odor.
- C. I need to wait 30 minutes after I irrigate to replace the colostomy bag.
- D. I should change the bag when it is one-third to one-fourth full.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A client with a new colostomy requires education on proper colostomy care. Waiting 30 minutes after irrigating to replace the colostomy bag is unnecessary. The client may reapply the bag once the skin is dry. Cleaning the skin around the ostomy site with soap and water, irrigating the stoma regularly to prevent gas and odor buildup, and changing the bag when it is one-third to one-fourth full are appropriate actions. Therefore, the statement indicating the need for more education is the one suggesting a specific time interval for bag replacement after irrigation.
3. Which fact about diabetes is true?
- A. Only children get type 1 diabetes.
- B. Only adults get type 2 diabetes.
- C. Children and adults can have type 1 diabetes.
- D. Both A and B
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is that children and adults can have type 1 diabetes. Although type 1 diabetes is sometimes known as 'childhood diabetes,' it can affect individuals of any age. Type 1 diabetes is not limited to children. While type 2 diabetes is often associated with adults, children can also develop it, especially due to factors like obesity. Choices A and B are incorrect because diabetes is not exclusive to either children or adults; both types of diabetes can affect individuals across different age groups.
4. In a pediatric clinic, a nurse is assessing a child recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Which of the following later findings of this disease would the nurse not expect to see at this time?
- A. Positive sweat test
- B. Bulky greasy stools
- C. Moist, productive cough
- D. Meconium ileus
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In a child newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), noisy respirations and a dry, non-productive cough are typically the first respiratory signs to appear. The other options, including a positive sweat test, bulky greasy stools, and meconium ileus, are among the earliest findings of CF. CF is a genetic condition that affects the production of mucus, sweat, saliva, and digestive juices. Due to a defective gene, these secretions become thick and sticky instead of thin and slippery, leading to blockages in various passageways, especially in the pancreas and lungs. Respiratory failure is a severe consequence of CF, making it crucial to monitor respiratory symptoms closely in affected individuals. Therefore, a moist, productive cough would not be an expected finding in a newly diagnosed child with CF.
5. Which of the following diseases or disorders is acute?
- A. Pneumonia
- B. Paralysis
- C. Alzheimer's disease
- D. Diabetes
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is Pneumonia. Pneumonia is an acute illness characterized by inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. It comes on suddenly and typically lasts for a short duration. Treatment can help cure pneumonia. Paralysis, Alzheimer's disease, and Diabetes are chronic conditions. Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in part of the body, usually permanent. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder leading to memory loss and cognitive decline, and it is incurable. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy, and it requires lifelong management. Therefore, Pneumonia is the only acute condition among the options provided.
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