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: UAP lower the head of the patient's bed to 15 degrees.
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. An adult's blood pressure reads 40/20. You place the patient in a Trendelenberg position before rechecking the blood pressure. What actions will you take to position the patient correctly?
- A. lower the head of the bed and raise the foot of the bed
- B. raise the head of the bed up to about 60 to 75 degrees
- C. raise the head of the bed up to about 75 to 90 degrees
- D. raise the siderails and place the bed in the high position
Correct answer: lower the head of the bed and raise the foot of the bed
Rationale: In a Trendelenberg position, used for low blood pressure, the correct action is to lower the head of the bed and raise the foot of the bed. This positioning facilitates the return of blood to the heart and helps increase blood pressure. Option B, raising the head of the bed to 60 to 75 degrees, is incorrect as it is not the Trendelenberg position. Option C, raising the head of the bed to 75 to 90 degrees, is incorrect as it does not align with the Trendelenberg position. Option D, raising the siderails and placing the bed in the high position, is incorrect as it does not address the specific positioning required for the Trendelenberg position.
3. A patient who is displaying the defense mechanism of Compensation would:
- A. Refuse to hear unwanted information.
- B. Transfer feelings of negativity to someone else.
- C. Overemphasize behaviors which accommodate for perceived weaknesses.
- D. Place blame on others for personal actions or mistakes.
Correct answer: Overemphasize behaviors which accommodate for perceived weaknesses.
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Overemphasize behaviors which accommodate for perceived weaknesses.' Compensation involves overemphasizing or exaggerating a particular behavior or trait to make up for or cover up perceived weaknesses in oneself. This defense mechanism allows individuals to focus on their strengths rather than acknowledging their shortcomings. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Refusing to hear unwanted information relates more to denial, transferring feelings of negativity to someone else is projection, and placing blame on others is an example of the defense mechanism known as externalization.
4. Who is legally able to make decisions for the patient or resident during a patient care conference when the patient is not mentally able to make decisions on their own?
- A. The patient or their healthcare proxy
- B. Only the patient
- C. Only the healthcare proxy
- D. The doctor
Correct answer: Only the healthcare proxy
Rationale: When a patient is unable to make decisions due to mental incapacity, the healthcare proxy, designated by the patient in advance, has the legal authority to make decisions on the patient's behalf. In this situation, the patient lacks the capacity to make decisions independently. The healthcare proxy's role is to represent the patient's wishes and best interests. The doctor's role in a patient care conference is to provide medical expertise, offer recommendations, and assist in the decision-making process, but the final decision-making authority lies with the healthcare proxy, not the doctor.
5. Which of the following situations indicates the need to file an incident report?
- A. The neon sign directing parking for visitors has burned out
- B. A nurse must send a syringe pump to maintenance for annual service
- C. A client's blood pressure dropped to 90/55 after receiving a dose of morphine
- D. A client's spouse becomes angry and is asked to leave the premises
Correct answer: A client's spouse becomes angry and is asked to leave the premises
Rationale: An incident report is necessary for documenting unexpected events that occur in a healthcare setting. Situations that warrant filing an incident report include client accidents, medication errors, security problems, or disruptive behaviors that involve clients, families, or visitors. In this scenario, when a client's spouse displays disruptive behavior and is asked to leave the premises, it is essential to document this incident to ensure a record of the event and its resolution. Choices A, B, and C do not involve disruptive behavior or safety concerns that would require an incident report to be filed.
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