NCLEX-RN
Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions
1. When counting an infant's respirations, which technique is correct?
- A. Watching the chest rise and fall
- B. Observing the movement of the abdomen
- C. Placing a hand across the infant's chest
- D. Using a stethoscope to listen to the breath sounds
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique for counting an infant's respirations is to observe the movement of the abdomen. Infants typically have more diaphragmatic breathing than thoracic, so watching the abdomen provides a more accurate count. Placing a hand on the chest or listening with a stethoscope can alter the infant's breathing pattern and provide inaccurate results. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect methods for counting an infant's respirations. By observing the movement of the abdomen, healthcare providers can accurately assess an infant's respiratory rate without influencing their breathing pattern.
2. Which of the following is the most likely cause of constipation in a client?
- A. Postponing bowel movement when the urge to defecate occurs
- B. Intestinal infection
- C. Antibiotic use
- D. Food allergies
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to postpone bowel movement when the urge to defecate occurs. Clients who delay bowel movements by ignoring the urge to defecate or not evacuating promptly, such as in situations where they are not near a bathroom, are at higher risk of developing constipation. This behavior leads to a decrease in bowel movement frequency, slowed intestinal motility, and increased fecal water absorption, resulting in hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. Intestinal infection (choice B), antibiotic use (choice C), and food allergies (choice D) are less likely to be direct causes of constipation compared to postponing bowel movements.
3. While assisting a client from bed to chair, the nurse observes that the client looks pale and is beginning to perspire heavily. The nurse would then do which of the following activities as a reassessment?
- A. Help client into the chair more quickly
- B. Document client's vital signs taken just prior to moving the client
- C. Help client back to bed immediately
- D. Observe client's skin color and take another set of vital signs
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse has observed concerning signs in the client during the transfer process. The appropriate action for reassessment would be to observe the client's skin color and take another set of vital signs. This will provide essential data to evaluate the client's condition more accurately. Options A, B, and C are interventions that do not address the need for reassessment. Moving the client more quickly, documenting previous vital signs, or returning the client to bed do not directly address the need to reassess the client's current condition.
4. When considering the concepts related to blood pressure, which statement best describes the concept of mean arterial pressure (MAP)?
- A. MAP is the pressure of the arterial pulse.
- B. MAP reflects the stroke volume of the heart.
- C. MAP is the pressure forcing blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.
- D. MAP is an average of the systolic and diastolic blood pressures and reflects tissue perfusion.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) is the pressure that forces blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle. It is not the pressure of the arterial pulse (Choice A), nor does it directly reflect the stroke volume of the heart (Choice B). While MAP involves systolic and diastolic pressures, it is not simply an average of these two values as diastole lasts longer. Instead, MAP is closer to diastolic pressure plus one third of the pulse pressure. The best description of MAP is that it represents the pressure forcing blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.
5. Which of these specific measurements is the best index of a child's general health?
- A. Body mass index
- B. Height and weight
- C. Head circumference
- D. Chest circumference
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Height and weight are the most accurate measurements to assess a child's general health. These measurements reflect the physical growth and development of the child, indicating overall health status. Choices C and D, head circumference and chest circumference, are important measurements for specific assessments but do not provide as comprehensive an overview of general health as height and weight. Body mass index (BMI) is a calculation based on height and weight, making height and weight more direct and primary indicators of a child's health compared to BMI.
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