NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Preview Answers
1. The healthcare professional is preparing to auscultate the abdomen. How should they proceed?
- A. Warm the endpiece of the stethoscope by rubbing it between their hands.
- B. Ensure the patient is adequately covered and comfortable during the examination.
- C. Ensure that the diaphragm side of the stethoscope is in use.
- D. Check the room temperature and offer blankets to the patient if needed.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: When preparing to auscultate the abdomen, it is important to ensure the patient's comfort. The room should be warm to prevent shivering, which can interfere with sound clarity. Offering blankets to the patient if they feel cold helps maintain their comfort during the examination. The endpiece of the stethoscope should be warmed by rubbing it between the examiner's hands, not by placing it in warm water. It is important to use the diaphragm, not the bell, of the stethoscope to auscultate for bowel sounds. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer, as it addresses the patient's comfort and the room temperature, which are essential for a successful abdominal auscultation.
2. A urine pregnancy test:
- A. May be negative even if a blood pregnancy test is positive.
- B. Is positive only during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- C. Will be negative if the amount of LH isn't enough to meet or exceed the sensitivity of the testing device.
- D. All of the above.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A urine pregnancy test detects HCG in a pregnant woman's urine. Blood levels of HCG are usually higher and register earlier than HCG levels in the urine. Choice A is correct because urine pregnancy tests may be negative even if a blood pregnancy test is positive due to the differences in HCG levels in blood and urine. Choice B is incorrect because a urine pregnancy test can be positive throughout pregnancy, not just in the first trimester. Choice C is incorrect because LH (luteinizing hormone) is not the hormone detected in a pregnancy test; it is HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Choice D is incorrect because not all the statements provided are true.
3. Which statement best describes evidence-based practice?
- A. Reading and analyzing research reports to determine their implementation in nursing practice
- B. Collecting data to evaluate the efficiency of nursing practice in delivering quality care
- C. Monitoring unit practices to ensure adherence to Joint Commission standards
- D. Using the most effective, current, and applicable information to guide nursing care for the best outcomes
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves utilizing the most effective, current, and relevant information to inform nursing care decisions for optimal client outcomes. While research reports and data collection are important components of evidence-based practice, the essence lies in integrating all available information to determine the best course of action. Monitoring compliance with standards, as described in choices A and C, is essential for quality assurance but does not capture the comprehensive nature of evidence-based practice.
4. During an assessment, the nurse notices that a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to a leather strip around their neck. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?
- A. Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
- B. Ask the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe.
- C. Tell the patient that a family member should take valuables home.
- D. No action is necessary.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The small charm tied to a leather strip is likely an amulet, which many cultures consider an important means of protection from 'evil spirits.' When a patient appears to have a health practice the nurse is unfamiliar with, the nurse should ask for clarification in a non-judgmental way that communicates acceptance of their beliefs and allows for open communication. Thus, the nurse in this situation should inquire about the amulet's meaning to the patient. Asking the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe, telling the patient that a family member should take valuables home, or doing nothing does not address the importance or meaning of a cultural health practice to the patient and does not allow the nurse to gain an understanding of the patient's cultural health practices.
5. The nurse is preparing to examine a 6-year-old child. Which action is most appropriate?
- A. The child is asked to undress from the waist up.
- B. The head is examined before the thorax, abdomen, and genitalia.
- C. The nurse should keep in mind that a child at this age will have a sense of modesty.
- D. Talking about the equipment being used is avoided to prevent increasing the child's anxiety.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When examining a 6-year-old child, it is important to consider their sense of modesty. The child should undress themselves, leaving underpants on and using a gown or drape to maintain privacy. Additionally, a school-age child like a 6-year-old is curious about how equipment works, so it is beneficial to explain the purpose and function of the tools being used. The examination sequence should typically progress from the child's head to the toes to ensure a thorough assessment. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the appropriate approach to examining a 6-year-old child.
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