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Nclex Practice Questions 2024
1. The nurse is developing a care plan for a client with severe anxiety. An appropriate outcome for the client is that within 4 days the client should:
- A. Have decreased anxiety.
- B. Talk to the nurse for 10 minutes.
- C. Sit quietly for 30 minutes.
- D. Develop an adaptive coping mechanism.
Correct answer: Talk to the nurse for 10 minutes.
Rationale: When developing outcome criteria for a client with severe anxiety, it is crucial for the goals to be specific, measurable, and realistic. In this scenario, the most appropriate outcome is for the client to talk to the nurse for 10 minutes within 4 days. This goal is specific (talking for a defined duration), measurable (10 minutes), and realistic given the client's condition. Expecting a severely anxious client to sit quietly for 30 minutes is not realistic and may even exacerbate their anxiety. While developing an adaptive coping mechanism is important, it is a broader long-term goal and may not be achievable within the specified timeframe. Having decreased anxiety is a desirable outcome, but it lacks specificity and measurability, making it less suitable as an immediate goal.
2. Ashley and her boyfriend Chris, both 19 years old, are transported to the Emergency Department after being involved in a motorcycle accident. Chris is badly hurt, but Ashley has no apparent injuries, though she appears confused and has trouble focusing on what is going on around her. She complains of dizziness and nausea. Her pulse is rapid, and she is hyperventilating. The nurse should assess Ashley’s level of anxiety as:
- A. mild.
- B. moderate.
- C. severe.
- D. panic.
Correct answer: C: severe.
Rationale: Based on the symptoms described, Ashley's level of anxiety should be assessed as severe. In severe anxiety, individuals have difficulty solving problems and understanding their environment. They often exhibit somatic symptoms like dizziness, nausea, rapid pulse, and hyperventilation. In contrast, mild anxiety may lead to mild discomfort or even enhanced performance. Moderate anxiety involves grasping less information, mild difficulty in problem-solving, and slight changes in vital signs. Panic, on the other hand, is characterized by markedly disturbed behavior and a potential loss of touch with reality. Therefore, in Ashley's case, the presence of somatic symptoms and vital sign changes indicates severe anxiety.
3. While performing a physical assessment on a 6-month-old infant, the nurse observes head lag. Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse perform first?
- A. Ask the parents to allow the infant to lie on his stomach to promote muscle development.
- B. Notify the physician because a developmental or neurological evaluation is indicated.
- C. Document the findings as abnormal in the nurse’s notes.
- D. Explain to the parents that their child is likely to have developmental delays.
Correct answer: Notify the physician because a developmental or neurological evaluation is indicated.
Rationale: Head lag should be completely resolved by 4 months of age. Continuing head lag at 6 months of age indicates the need for further developmental or neurological evaluation. Laying the infant on his stomach promotes muscle development of the neck and shoulder muscles, but because of the age of this child, a referral should be the first action. The findings are abnormal for a 6-month-old infant. Significant head lag can be seen in infants with Down syndrome and hypoxia, as well as neurological and other metabolic disorders. While some of these disorders might include developmental delays, stating this to the parents without a proper evaluation can cause unnecessary distress. The priority is to identify the cause of the head lag through a medical evaluation before discussing potential outcomes with the parents.
4. When assessing a client's mobility status, the physical examination should start with:
- A. examining their gait.
- B. orienting to time, place, and person.
- C. performing the Romberg test.
- D. conducting the Tandem Walk test.
Correct answer: examining their gait.
Rationale: When assessing a client's mobility status, it is crucial to start by examining their gait. Gait assessment is usually conducted as the client walks into the room. Normal gait is described as smooth, flowing, and rhythmic without the need for assistive devices. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent the standard practice of beginning the assessment of mobility status with gait examination.
5. A case manager is serving on a community task force on violence in schools. The members of the task force are planning to develop interventions to help prevent violence. According to the nursing process, which is the first activity that the case manager would suggest to the task force?
- A. Teaching schoolchildren about the dangers of school violence
- B. Conducting a community survey to assess community perceptions regarding school violence
- C. Looking at what other communities are doing about school violence
- D. Distributing flyers that identify the causes of school violence to families in the community
Correct answer: Conducting a community survey to assess community perceptions regarding school violence
Rationale: The correct answer is to conduct a community survey to assess community perceptions regarding school violence. In the nursing process, assessment is always the first step. By conducting a survey, the task force can gather important data about how the community perceives school violence, which is essential for developing effective interventions. Choices A, C, and D involve actions that come after the assessment phase. Teaching schoolchildren about the dangers of violence and distributing flyers are important activities but should come after understanding the community's perceptions and needs. Looking at what other communities are doing is valuable but should also follow a thorough assessment of the specific community's needs and perceptions.
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