NCLEX NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Predictor Exam
1. When printing out an EKG, a nurse notices that the QRS complexes are extremely small. What should be the next step?
- A. Alert the physician immediately as this is a sign of impending cardiac arrest.
- B. Check to see that all leads are attached and rerun the EKG.
- C. Increase the sensitivity control to 20 mm deflection.
- D. Decrease the run speed to 50.
Correct answer: Increase the sensitivity control to 20 mm deflection.
Rationale: Increasing the sensitivity control to 20 mm deflection will double the sensitivity, allowing for better observation of the small QRS complexes. This step is crucial in obtaining a clearer EKG reading. Choice A is incorrect because small QRS complexes do not necessarily indicate impending cardiac arrest; it's more likely a technical issue. Choice B is not the first step to take when small QRS complexes are observed; it's important to adjust the settings first. Choice D is incorrect because decreasing the run speed to 50 is not the appropriate action for this situation; adjusting the sensitivity control is more relevant to improve the visualization of the complexes.
2. Which assessment information will be most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider about a patient with acute cholecystitis?
- A. The patient's urine is bright yellow
- B. The patient's stools are tan colored
- C. The patient has increased pain after eating
- D. The patient complains of chronic heartburn
Correct answer: The patient's stools are tan colored
Rationale: The correct answer is that the patient's stools are tan colored. Tan or grey stools indicate biliary obstruction, which requires rapid intervention to resolve in a patient with acute cholecystitis. This change in stool color is a critical sign that the healthcare provider needs to be informed about promptly. The other choices are less concerning and may be common symptoms in patients with acute cholecystitis, but tan-colored stools specifically indicate a potential serious complication that warrants immediate attention.
3. At the beginning of her shift in a long-term care facility, which of the following clients should a nurse check on first?
- A. A 91-year-old man who needs help eating breakfast
- B. An 86-year-old man who has been incontinent in his bed
- C. An 82-year-old woman who needs IV antibiotics
- D. A 75-year-old man who is recovering from an injury and needs an ice pack
Correct answer: An 82-year-old woman who needs IV antibiotics
Rationale: When prioritizing care in a long-term care facility, the nurse must consider tasks that require their immediate attention and cannot be delegated. Administering IV antibiotics is a critical nursing task that only the nurse can perform, ensuring the timely and correct delivery of medication to the patient. While assisting with breakfast, managing incontinence, and providing an ice pack are important, these tasks can be delegated to other healthcare team members, allowing the nurse to address the client needing IV antibiotics first to ensure effective treatment and patient safety.
4. A registered nurse who usually works in a spinal rehabilitation unit is floated to the emergency department. Which of these clients should the charge nurse assign to this RN?
- A. A middle-aged client who says, “I took too many diet pills” and “my heart feels like it is racing out of my chest.”
- B. A young adult who says, “I hear songs from heaven. I need money for beer. I quit drinking two (2) days ago for my family. Why are my arms and legs jerking?”
- C. An adolescent who has been on pain medications for terminal cancer with an initial assessment finding of pinpoint pupils and a relaxed respiratory rate of 11.
- D. An elderly client who reports having taken a “large crack hit” 10 minutes prior to walking into the emergency room.
Correct answer: An adolescent who has been on pain medications for terminal cancer with an initial assessment finding of pinpoint pupils and a relaxed respiratory rate of 11.
Rationale: When assigning a floated nurse from another unit to a client in the emergency department, the goal is to choose a patient with minimal anticipated immediate complications. In this scenario, the adolescent with terminal cancer who has been on pain medications and presents with pinpoint pupils and a relaxed respiratory rate of 11 is the most stable option. These assessment findings indicate opioid toxicity, which, while serious, has the least risk of immediate complications compared to the other clients. Choice A involves a middle-aged client experiencing symptoms of possible cardiac issues due to diet pill overdose, which requires urgent intervention. Choice B presents a young adult with concerning symptoms of potential psychosis or substance withdrawal, requiring immediate attention. Choice D involves an elderly client who recently used crack, posing a high-risk situation that requires prompt evaluation and intervention. Therefore, the correct choice is the adolescent with opioid toxicity, as this client has the least immediate risk of complications among the options provided.
5. During which part of the client interview would it be best for the nurse to ask, 'What's the weather forecast for today?'
- A. Introduction
- B. Body
- C. Closing
- D. Orientation
Correct answer: Introduction
Rationale: Asking about the weather initiates the social or introductory phase of the interview, allowing the nurse to establish rapport with the client at the beginning. This question can help assess the client's mental status and set a friendly tone. In the body phase, the client responds to the nurse's inquiries, while during the closing phase, either the nurse or the client concludes the interview. Therefore, the best time to ask about the weather forecast is during the introduction phase to facilitate a positive start to the interaction.
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