the previous charge nurse fell during her shift and was taken to the emergency room you have been assigned to take over as charge nurse without any re

NCLEX-RN

Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions

1. As a nurse, you have been assigned to take over as charge nurse without any report after the previous charge nurse fell during her shift and was taken to the emergency room. At the end of the shift, you have made the assignments for the next shift's nurses and posted them. As the nurses come in, they begin to complain that the assignments make no sense based on patient acuity. One refuses to take her assignment and threatens to go home. What could you have done to prevent their dissatisfaction?

A. Reviewed the notes of the previous charge nurse
B. Tried to contact the previous charge nurse in the emergency room
C. Collaborated with the nurse manager
D. Collaborated with the other nurses on your shift

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Collaborating with the other nurses on your shift would have permitted them to provide the most updated information regarding patient status and acuity. Requesting their input into creating assignments would have provided shared governance and assurance that the unit staffing was arranged appropriately. Reviewing the notes of the previous charge nurse might not capture the real-time changes in patient conditions. Trying to contact the previous charge nurse in the emergency room may not be feasible or timely. Collaborating with the nurse manager could be helpful, but involving the nurses directly impacted by the assignments would have been more effective in addressing their concerns and ensuring appropriate patient care.

2. You are on the unit and overhear another nurse talking on the phone to a patient's friend who wants to see her patient who is comatose and on a ventilator. Since you cared for that patient yesterday, you know that the patient's significant other, who is also the designated healthcare surrogate (HCS) and has power of attorney (POA), has expressly stated that he wants this person on the list for restricted visitors. The nurse whispers that she'll call him to visit as soon as the significant other has gone home. What should your first response be?

A. Inform the significant other
B. Report the nurse to the nurse manager
C. Speak with the nurse directly in private
D. Call the visitor and tell him he can't visit

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Speaking with the nurse directly and privately is the most constructive manner in which to handle this situation and advocate for the significant other's wishes. Doing so will open communication with a peer and build the relationship, instead of alienating the other nurse by taking action that does not involve her and will cast her in a negative light with others. It is essential to express your concerns regarding honoring the significant other's requests and rights regarding the limitation of visitors. Option A is incorrect because the significant other is not the one trying to visit, and it is more appropriate to address the nurse directly first. Option B is not the best initial response as it may escalate the situation without giving the nurse a chance to correct the issue. Option D is incorrect as it does not address the issue at its source and may create further conflict without resolving the underlying problem.

3. The mother of a 2-month-old infant brings the child to the clinic for a well-baby check. She is concerned because she feels only one testis in the scrotal sac. Which of the following statements about the undescended testis is the most accurate?

A. Normally, the testes descend by one year of age.
B. The infant will likely require surgical intervention.
C. The infant likely has only one testis.
D. Normally, the testes are descended by birth.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is that normally, the testes descend by one year of age. In young infants, it is common for the testes to retract into the inguinal canal when the environment is cold or the cremasteric reflex is stimulated. The exam should be done in a warm room with warm hands. It is most likely that both testes are present and will descend by a year. Option B is incorrect as not all cases of undescended testes require surgical intervention. Option C is incorrect because feeling only one testis does not necessarily mean the infant only has one testis. Option D is inaccurate as the testes do not normally descend by birth, but rather by one year of age. If the testes do not descend by one year, a full assessment will be needed to determine the appropriate treatment.

4. Which of the following is an example of a breach of a client's right to privacy?

A. A nurse who is not caring for the client reads the client's personal information in the chart
B. A client is not allowed to keep a copy of their original medical record
C. A nurse files an incident report about a client that is reviewed with all staff at a meeting
D. A client's photograph is used without permission for the hospital newsletter

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A breach of a client's right to privacy can occur when their personal information is used or disclosed without their consent. In this scenario, using a client's photograph without permission for the hospital newsletter violates their privacy rights. It is important to respect a client's confidentiality and seek their consent before using their personal information. Choices A, B, and C do not directly relate to breaching a client's right to privacy. Reading a client's personal information in their chart, not allowing a client to keep a copy of their medical record, and filing an incident report about a client do not necessarily violate their privacy rights as long as the information is handled appropriately and within legal and ethical boundaries.

5. What is the highest priority for post ECT care?

A. Observe for confusion
B. Monitor respiratory status
C. Reorient to time, place, and person
D. Document the client's response to the treatment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The highest priority for post ECT care is to monitor respiratory status. This is crucial because a life-threatening side effect of ECT is respiratory arrest. While observing for confusion and reorienting the client are important aspects of post ECT care, they are not as critical as ensuring the client's respiratory status is stable. Documenting the client's response to treatment is also important for maintaining accurate medical records, but it is not the highest priority immediately post ECT.