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NCLEX RN Actual Exam Test Bank
1. Which gland of the endocrine system secretes a hormone that assists with the sleep/wake cycle?
- A. Pituitary
- B. Pineal
- C. Pancreas
- D. Hypothalamus
Correct answer: Pineal
Rationale: The correct answer is the Pineal gland. The Pineal gland, located in the brain, secretes melatonin, which plays a crucial role in regulating the sleep/wake cycle in response to exposure to light. The Pituitary gland (Choice A) secretes various hormones but not specifically related to the sleep/wake cycle. The Pancreas (Choice C) secretes insulin and digestive enzymes, not hormones related to the sleep/wake cycle. The Hypothalamus (Choice D) is involved in regulating many bodily functions, including hormone secretion, but it does not directly secrete the hormone that regulates the sleep/wake cycle.
2. What action by the nurse will be most effective in decreasing the spread of pertussis in a community setting?
- A. Providing supportive care to patients diagnosed with pertussis
- B. Teaching family members about the importance of careful handwashing
- C. Teaching patients about the necessity of adult pertussis immunizations
- D. Encouraging patients to complete the prescribed course of antibiotics
Correct answer: Teaching patients about the necessity of adult pertussis immunizations
Rationale: The most effective action by the nurse to decrease the spread of pertussis in a community setting is to teach patients about the necessity of adult pertussis immunizations. The increased rate of pertussis in adults is often attributed to waning immunity after childhood immunization. Immunization is highly effective in protecting communities from infectious diseases. While teaching about handwashing is important for overall infection control, pertussis is primarily spread through respiratory droplets and contact with secretions. Providing supportive care does not significantly impact the disease course or transmission risk. Encouraging completion of antibiotics may help reduce transmission, but patients likely have already spread the disease by the time the diagnosis is made. Therefore, the emphasis should be on prevention through immunization to reduce the spread of pertussis.
3. Which assessment finding is of most concern for a 46-year-old woman with acute pancreatitis?
- A. Absent bowel sounds
- B. Abdominal tenderness
- C. Left upper quadrant pain
- D. Palpable abdominal mass
Correct answer: Palpable abdominal mass
Rationale: The correct answer is a palpable abdominal mass. In a 46-year-old woman with acute pancreatitis, a palpable abdominal mass may indicate the presence of a pancreatic abscess, which requires rapid surgical drainage to prevent sepsis. Absent bowel sounds, abdominal tenderness, and left upper quadrant pain are common symptoms in acute pancreatitis but do not necessarily indicate an immediate need for surgical intervention. Therefore, the presence of a palpable abdominal mass is the most concerning finding in this scenario.
4. In which of the following ways can a nurse promote sleep for a client experiencing insomnia?
- A. Assist the client in using the bathroom one hour after going to bed
- B. Give the client a massage before bedtime
- C. Tuck bed sheets and blankets tightly around the client once settled in bed
- D. Give the client a pair of socks to wear if their feet become cold
Correct answer: Give the client a pair of socks to wear if their feet become cold
Rationale: A nurse can promote sleep for a client experiencing insomnia by addressing factors that may hinder sleep. Cold feet can disrupt sleep, so providing the client with socks to keep their feet warm can enhance comfort and aid in promoting sleep. The correct answer focuses on a direct intervention to address a specific issue that can impact sleep quality. Choices A, B, and C do not directly address the issue of cold feet, which is a common problem that can interfere with sleep in individuals with insomnia. Assisting the client to use the bathroom, giving a massage in the morning, or tucking in bed sheets tightly do not target the discomfort caused by cold feet, making them less effective interventions for promoting sleep in this scenario.
5. The nurse is taking an initial blood pressure reading on a 72-year-old patient with documented hypertension. How should the nurse proceed?
- A. Cuff should be placed on the patient’s arm and inflated 30 mm Hg above the point at which the palpated pulse disappears.
- B. Cuff should be inflated to 200 mm Hg in an attempt to obtain the most accurate systolic reading.
- C. Cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the patient’s pulse rate.
- D. After confirming the patient’s previous blood pressure readings, the cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the highest systolic reading recorded.
Correct answer: Cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the point at which the palpated pulse disappears.
Rationale: When measuring blood pressure, it's important to account for the possibility of an auscultatory gap, which occurs in about 5% of individuals, particularly those with hypertension due to a noncompliant arterial system. To detect an auscultatory gap, the cuff should be inflated 20 to 30 mm Hg beyond the point at which the palpated pulse disappears. This ensures an accurate measurement of blood pressure by overcoming the potential gap in sounds. Choice A is correct as it follows this guideline. Choices B and C are incorrect because inflating the cuff to 200 mm Hg or above the patient's pulse rate does not address the specific issue of an auscultatory gap. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on the patient's previous readings rather than the current measurement technique needed to detect an auscultatory gap.
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