NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Preview Answers
1. When percussing over the abdomen of an obese patient, the nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound. What would the nurse do next?
- A. Ask the patient to take deep breaths to relax the abdominal musculature.
- B. Consider this finding as normal and proceed with the abdominal assessment.
- C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen.
- D. Decrease the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When percussing an obese patient's abdomen, the thickness of their body wall can affect the sound produced. A stronger percussion stroke is needed for obese or very muscular patients. The force of the blow determines the loudness of the note. Asking the patient to take deep breaths, considering the finding as normal, or decreasing the strength used are not appropriate actions in this scenario.
2. The nurse is reviewing concepts related to one's heritage and beliefs. Which concept refers to an organized system of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe?
- A. Culture
- B. Religion
- C. Ethnicity
- D. Spirituality
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Religion refers to an organized system of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, as well as the attendance of regular services. Religion is a shared experience of spirituality or the values, beliefs, and practices into which people are either born or that they may adopt to meet their personal spiritual needs through communal actions, such as religious affiliation, attendance and participation in a religious institution, prayer, or meditation, and religious practices. Culture is a complex phenomenon that includes attitudes, beliefs, self-definitions, norms, roles, and values learned from birth through the processes of language acquisition and socialization. It does not refer to a belief in a divine or superhuman power. Ethnicity pertains to a social group within the social system that claims to possess variable traits, such as a common geographic origin, religion, race, and others. Spirituality is a broad term focused on a connection with something bigger than oneself and a belief in transcendence.
3. The nurse is planning care for a patient with a wrist restraint. How often should a restraint be removed, the area massaged, and the joints moved through their full range?
- A. Once a shift
- B. Once an hour
- C. Every 2 hours
- D. Every 4 hours
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Restraints should be removed every 2 hours to prevent complications. Moving the joints through their full range of motion helps prevent muscle shortening and contractures. Massaging the area promotes circulation and reduces the risk of pressure injuries. Removing restraints less frequently could lead to complications like decreased circulation and skin breakdown. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the standard practice of removing restraints every 2 hours to ensure patient safety and well-being.
4. Digestion, elimination, and ___________ are the three functions of the digestive system.
- A. constriction
- B. relaxation
- C. absorption
- D. peristalsis
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is 'absorption.' The three main functions of the digestive system are digestion, absorption, and elimination. Absorption refers to the process of absorbing nutrients and other substances from the digested food into the bloodstream. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: Constriction is not a primary function of the digestive system, relaxation is not a distinct function in this context, and peristalsis is a muscular movement that aids in digestion but is not one of the three main functions of the digestive system.
5. The client starting an exercise program will progress to walking a 20-minute mile in one month.
- A. Client will walk quickly three times a day
- B. Client will be able to walk a mile
- C. Client will have no alteration in breathing during the walk
- D. Client will progress to walking a 20-minute mile in one month
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Outcome statements must be written in behavioral terms and identify specific, measurable client behaviors. They are stated in terms of the client with an action verb that, under identified conditions, will achieve the desired behavior. Choice A lacks specificity and does not mention a target time or goal. Choice B is vague and does not provide a specific target for improvement. Choice C focuses on a negative outcome (no alteration) rather than a positive goal. The correct answer, Choice D, is specific, measurable, and time-bound, making it a suitable outcome statement for a client starting an exercise program.
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