NCLEX-RN
Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions
1. The healthcare provider is examining a patient who is reporting "feeling cold."? Which is a mechanism of heat loss in the body?
- A. Exercise
- B. Radiation
- C. Metabolism
- D. Food digestion
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When the body needs to lose heat, one of the mechanisms it employs is radiation. Radiation involves the transfer of heat from the body to the environment in the form of infrared waves. While metabolism, exercise, and food digestion contribute to heat production, they are not mechanisms for heat loss. Metabolism generates heat as a byproduct, exercise increases metabolic rate leading to heat production, and food digestion involves some heat generation, but these processes do not directly facilitate heat loss. Therefore, in the scenario where the patient is feeling cold, radiation is the primary mechanism for the body to lose excess heat and maintain a stable internal temperature.
2. The Sims' position is MOST similar to the ________ position.
- A. prone
- B. lateral
- C. supine
- D. Fowler's
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'lateral.' The Sims' position is characterized by the patient lying on their side with the upper knee flexed and the upper arm positioned in front of the body. This is similar to the lateral position where the patient is also lying on their side. The prone position (choice A) is when the patient lies face down, the supine position (choice C) is when the patient lies face up, and Fowler's position (choice D) is a seated position with the head of the bed elevated at a 45-90 degree angle. Therefore, the lateral position is the most similar to the Sims' position as both involve the patient lying on their side.
3. Which of these actions illustrates the correct technique for a nurse when assessing oral temperature with a glass thermometer?
- A. Wait 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids.
- B. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile.
- C. Shake the glass thermometer down to 35.5�C before taking the patient's temperature.
- D. Place the thermometer at the base of the tongue and ask the patient to close his or her lips.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique for assessing oral temperature with a glass thermometer involves leaving the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile and up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile. Waiting 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids is incorrect; instead, the nurse should wait 15 minutes in such cases. Shaking the glass thermometer down to 35.5�C, not 37.5�C, is the correct procedure before taking the patient's temperature. Placing the thermometer at the base of the tongue, not the front, and asking the patient to close their lips is the proper way to position the thermometer. Therefore, the correct answer is to leave the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile and up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile.
4. The healthcare provider is preparing to use an otoscope for an examination. Which statement is true regarding the otoscope?
- A. Often used to direct light into the sinuses
- B. Used to examine the structures of the internal ear
- C. Uses a short, broad speculum to help visualize the ear
- D. Directs light into the ear canal and onto the tympanic membrane
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The otoscope is a tool used to examine the ear canal and tympanic membrane, which separates the external and middle ear. It is not intended to direct light into the sinuses or examine the internal structures of the ear. The otoscope typically uses a short, narrow speculum to aid in visualizing the ear canal and tympanic membrane, not a short, broad speculum as mentioned in choice C.
5. A patient with Parkinson's disease is experiencing difficulty swallowing. What potential problem associated with dysphagia has the greatest influence on the plan of care?
- A. Anorexia
- B. Aspiration
- C. Self-care deficit
- D. Inadequate intake
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When a person experiences dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), the greatest concern is aspiration. Aspiration occurs when food or fluids enter the trachea and lungs instead of going down the esophagus. This can lead to serious complications such as choking, airway obstruction, and aspiration pneumonia. Anorexia (Choice A) refers to a loss of appetite, which is not the primary concern with dysphagia. Self-care deficit (Choice C) and inadequate intake (Choice D) are important considerations but do not have as direct an impact on the immediate safety and health risks associated with aspiration in dysphagia.
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