NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Psychosocial Questions
1. The nurse is caring for a Native American patient who has traditional beliefs about health and illness. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. Avoid asking questions unless the patient initiates the conversation.
- B. Ask the patient whether it is important that cultural healers are contacted.
- C. Explain the usual hospital routines for meal times, care, and family visits.
- D. Obtain further information about the patient's cultural beliefs from a family member.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When caring for a patient with traditional health beliefs, it is essential to respect and address their cultural practices. Asking the patient whether it is important to involve cultural healers, such as a shaman, aligns with providing culturally sensitive care. Avoiding asking questions unless initiated by the patient may hinder effective communication and understanding of the patient's needs. Consulting a family member for cultural beliefs assumes that all family members share the same beliefs, which may not be accurate. Additionally, the patient's personal beliefs should be prioritized over family input. Explaining hospital routines without considering the patient's cultural preferences may lead to a lack of patient-centered care. Therefore, the most appropriate action is to inquire about the patient's preference regarding cultural healers.
2. After a needle stick occurs while removing the cap from a sterile needle, which action should the nurse take?
- A. Complete an incident report.
- B. Select another sterile needle.
- C. Disinfect the needle with an alcohol swab.
- D. Notify the supervisor of the department immediately.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: After a needle stick, the needle is considered contaminated and should be discarded. The nurse should select another sterile needle to use. Completing an incident report is not necessary in this situation because the needle was sterile when the nurse was stuck and not in contact with any other person's body fluids. Notifying the supervisor immediately is not required as the situation can be managed by selecting a new needle. Disinfecting the needle with an alcohol swab is not recommended as it does not meet the standards of safe practice and infection control.
3. A teenager begins to cry while talking with the nurse about the problem of not being able to make friends. Which is the correct therapeutic nursing intervention?
- A. Sitting quietly with the client
- B. Telling the client that crying is not helpful
- C. Suggesting that the client play a board game
- D. Recommending how the client can change this situation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct therapeutic nursing intervention in this situation is sitting quietly with the client. This approach conveys empathy, acceptance, and a willingness to listen, which can help the teenager feel supported and understood. It is important for the nurse to create a safe space for the client to express their emotions without judgment. Telling the client that crying is not helpful dismisses their feelings and can hinder the therapeutic relationship. Suggesting a board game as a distraction may prevent the client from fully exploring and addressing their emotions about the issue. Recommending how the client can change the situation may be premature at this stage, as the priority is to provide emotional support and establish trust before delving into problem-solving.
4. Which statement by an 8-year-old girl, who was just admitted to the hospital, needs to be explored?
- A. ''Wow! This hospital has bright colors.''
- B. ''Is my mother allowed to visit me tonight?'
- C. ''Those boys are so cute. I hope their room is next to mine!'
- D. ''I'm scared about being here. Can you stay with me awhile?'
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. An 8-year-old child showing a strong attraction to boys at this age may raise concerns about precocious sexual behavior or exposure to inappropriate sexual content, potentially signaling the need to investigate for possible sexual abuse. It is important to explore this statement further. Choice A, expressing admiration for bright colors, is a common behavior for children of this age and does not raise immediate concerns. Choice B, inquiring about the mother's visit, is a typical concern for a hospitalized child seeking comfort and support. Choice D, expressing fear and seeking reassurance from the nurse, is also a normal reaction for an 8-year-old in a new and possibly intimidating environment. However, the statement in Choice C stands out as it deviates from age-appropriate behavior and warrants further exploration to ensure the child's safety and well-being.
5. The nurse assesses a 2-year-old who is admitted for dehydration and finds that the peripheral IV rate by gravity has slowed, even though the venous access site is healthy. What should the nurse do next?
- A. Apply a warm compress proximal to the site.
- B. Check for kinks in the tubing and raise the IV pole.
- C. Adjust the tape that stabilizes the needle.
- D. Change the IV solution bag.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse assesses a slowed IV rate by gravity with a healthy venous access site in a 2-year-old admitted for dehydration, the next step would be to check for kinks in the tubing and raise the IV pole. This action ensures that the IV fluid can flow freely and reach the patient at the correct rate. Applying a warm compress proximal to the site (Choice A) is not indicated in this situation as it does not address the underlying issue of a slowed IV rate due to mechanical factors. Adjusting the tape that stabilizes the needle (Choice C) or changing the IV solution bag (Choice D) are not the priority actions in this case. These choices do not address the issue of a slowed IV rate caused by kinks in the tubing or the height of the IV pole, which are more likely reasons for the problem observed.
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