NCLEX NCLEX-RN
Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions
1. When assessing the pulse of a 6-year-old patient, the nurse notices that the heart rate varies with the respiratory cycle, speeding up at the peak of inspiration and slowing to normal with expiration. What action would the nurse take next?
- A. Notify the physician.
- B. Record this finding as normal.
- C. Check the child’s blood pressure and note any variation with respiration.
- D. Document that this child has bradycardia and continue with the assessment.
Correct answer: Record this finding as normal.
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take next is to record this finding as normal. Sinus dysrhythmia, characterized by heart rate variation with the respiratory cycle, is commonly found in children and young adults. The heart rate speeds up at the peak of inspiration and slows to normal with expiration. This phenomenon is a normal variant and does not require any intervention. There is no need to notify the physician as this finding is within the expected range for this age group. Checking the child’s blood pressure for variations with respiration or documenting the child as having bradycardia would not be appropriate in this case, as sinus dysrhythmia is a normal physiological response.
2. The parents of a child often try to persuade their preschooler to touch their pet dog to reduce the child’s fear of dogs. Instead, the child’s fears and anxiety increase. Which advice would the nurse suggest to help overcome their child’s fear?
- A. Ask the child to touch the dog’s back gently.
- B. Keep the child away from dogs for a few years.
- C. Let the child watch other children playing with dogs.
- D. Bring in a pet cat to familiarize the child with animals.
Correct answer: Let the child watch other children playing with dogs.
Rationale: To help the child overcome their fear of dogs, the nurse should recommend letting the child watch other children playing with dogs. This approach allows the child to observe interactions with dogs in a safe environment, gradually building comfort and familiarity. Encouraging the child to touch the dog’s back gently may increase fear and anxiety, as it could be overwhelming for the child. Keeping the child away from dogs for a few years does not address the fear directly and may not help the child overcome it. Bringing in a pet cat, while introducing the child to animals, does not specifically target the fear of dogs and may not effectively reduce the fear and anxiety associated with dogs.
3. When assessing a child admitted to the hospital with pyloric stenosis, which symptom would the nurse likely find when asking the parent about the child's symptoms?
- A. Watery diarrhea
- B. Projectile vomiting
- C. Increased urine output
- D. Vomiting large amounts of bile
Correct answer: Projectile vomiting
Rationale: In pyloric stenosis, hypertrophy of the circular muscles of the pylorus causes narrowing of the pyloric canal between the stomach and the duodenum. The hallmark symptom of pyloric stenosis is projectile vomiting, which is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents. Other common symptoms include irritability, hunger and crying, constipation, and signs of dehydration. Watery diarrhea (Choice A) is not a typical symptom of pyloric stenosis. Increased urine output (Choice C) is not directly associated with this condition. Vomiting large amounts of bile (Choice D) is not a characteristic symptom of pyloric stenosis; instead, the vomitus in pyloric stenosis is non-bilious.
4. Which of the following statements best describes footdrop?
- A. The foot is permanently fixed in the dorsiflexion position
- B. The foot is permanently fixed in the plantar flexion position
- C. The toes of the foot are permanently fanned
- D. The heel of the foot is permanently rotated outward
Correct answer: The foot is permanently fixed in the plantar flexion position
Rationale: Footdrop results in the foot becoming permanently fixed in a plantar flexion position, not dorsiflexion. This position points the toes downward. The client may be unable to put weight on the foot, making ambulation difficult. Footdrop can be caused by immobility or chronic illnesses that cause muscle changes, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease. Choice A is incorrect because footdrop leads to plantar flexion, not dorsiflexion. Choice C is incorrect as it describes a different condition known as 'toe fanning.' Choice D is incorrect as it describes an external rotation of the heel, which is not a characteristic of footdrop.
5. The nurse has provided dietary instructions to the mother of a child with celiac disease. The nurse determines that further instruction is needed if the mother states that she will include which food item in the child's nutritional plan?
- A. Corn
- B. Chicken
- C. Oatmeal
- D. Vitamin supplements
Correct answer: C: Oatmeal
Rationale: In celiac disease, individuals need to avoid gluten-containing foods like wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Oatmeal contains gluten unless it is specifically labeled as gluten-free. Corn and rice are safe alternatives for individuals with celiac disease as they do not contain gluten. Chicken is a naturally gluten-free protein source. While vitamin supplements may be necessary to address deficiencies due to malabsorption, oatmeal poses a risk of gluten exposure, making it an incorrect choice for a child with celiac disease.
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