NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Preview Answers
1. The nurse supervises unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who are providing care for a patient with right lower lobe pneumonia. The nurse should intervene if which action by UAP is observed?
- A. UAP splint the patient's chest during coughing.
- B. UAP assist the patient to ambulate to the bathroom.
- C. UAP help the patient to a bedside chair for meals.
- D. UAP lower the head of the patient's bed to 15 degrees.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to intervene in is when the UAP lowers the head of the patient's bed to 15 degrees. This position can decrease ventilation in a patient with pneumonia, potentially worsening their condition. Choices B and C involve assisting the patient with activities of daily living and promoting mobility, which are appropriate for the patient's care. Choice A, splinting the patient's chest during coughing, can help the patient manage coughing effectively, which is also appropriate for a patient with pneumonia.
2. Which of the following is a negative outcome associated with impaired mobility?
- A. Increased amounts of calcium are absorbed from circulation
- B. A drop in blood pressure occurs when rising from a sitting to a standing position
- C. The amount of mucus in the bronchi and lungs decreases
- D. The vessel walls of the circulatory system thicken
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A client with impaired mobility may develop changes in body systems that put them at risk of further illness or injury. One negative outcome associated with impaired mobility is orthostatic hypotension, where blood pressure drops significantly when moving from a sitting or lying position to a standing position. This drop in blood pressure can lead to symptoms such as dizziness or fainting. This occurs because blood circulates more slowly or pools in the distal extremities due to impaired mobility. Choice A is incorrect because increased calcium absorption is not a typical negative outcome associated with impaired mobility. Choice C is incorrect because a decrease in mucus in the bronchi and lungs is not a common negative outcome of impaired mobility. Choice D is incorrect because thickening of vessel walls in the circulatory system is not directly associated with impaired mobility.
3. The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old male patient. Which assessment finding would be considered normal?
- A. Decrease in body weight from his younger years
- B. Decrease in deposits of fat in the cheeks and forearms
- C. Presence of kyphosis and flexion in bilateral knees and hips
- D. Change in overall body proportion, including a longer trunk and shorter extremities
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In an 80-year-old male patient, the presence of kyphosis (rounded upper back) and flexion in bilateral knees and hips are considered normal age-related changes. These postural changes are commonly seen in older adults due to structural changes in the spine and joints. Option A is incorrect as aging individuals typically experience a decrease in body weight, not an increase. Option B is also incorrect as there is usually a decrease in subcutaneous fat from the face and periphery, rather than an increase in fat deposits in specific areas. Option D is incorrect because the change in overall body proportion with aging usually involves a shorter trunk and relatively longer extremities, not the other way around. This is because long bones do not shorten with age, leading to this characteristic change in body proportions.
4. You see a sign over Mary Jones' bed when you arrive at 7 am to begin your day shift. The sign says, 'NPO'. Ms. Jones is on a regular diet. The patient asks for milk and some crackers. You _____________.
- A. can give her the milk but not the crackers
- B. can give her both the milk and the crackers
- C. can give her the crackers but not the milk
- D. cannot give her anything to eat or drink
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is that you cannot give her anything to eat or drink. 'NPO' is the standard abbreviation for 'nothing by mouth,' indicating that the patient should not consume any food or liquids. It is crucial to adhere to this restriction to prevent any potential harm or complications in the patient's condition. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because 'NPO' clearly specifies that the patient should not have anything to eat or drink, including milk and crackers. Providing these items could lead to adverse effects, so it is essential to follow the 'NPO' directive strictly.
5. When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, which action by the nurse best ensures client safety?
- A. Securely grasp the client's arm and leg.
- B. Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the nurse.
- C. Correctly position and use a turn sheet.
- D. Lower the head of the client's bed slowly
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, the best action to ensure client safety is to put bed rails up on the side of the bed opposite from the nurse. This is important because the nurse can only stand on one side of the bed, so having bed rails on the opposite side prevents the client from falling out of bed. Option A, which suggests securely grasping the client's arm and leg, can potentially cause client injury to the skin or joints. Options C and D, correctly positioning and using a turn sheet, and lowering the head of the client's bed slowly, respectively, are useful techniques during client turning but are of lower priority in terms of safety compared to the use of bed rails.
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