NCLEX NCLEX-RN
Safe and Effective Care Environment NCLEX RN Questions
1. Which of the following is an example of an environmental hazard that may put the healthcare professional at risk of injury?
- A. Loud noise from the hospital maintenance system
- B. Airborne powder containing latex
- C. Chemicals containing ethylene oxide
- D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Healthcare professionals, including nurses, are exposed to various environmental hazards that may negatively impact their physical or mental health. Hazards come in several forms, such as loud noise from hospital systems, which can damage hearing; airborne latex powder, leading to allergic reactions; and chemicals like ethylene oxide, a sterilizing agent that can cause cancer. Therefore, all the options listed pose risks to healthcare professionals, making 'All of the above' the correct answer. Choice A, loud noise, is a hazard that can affect hearing health. Choice B, airborne latex powder, can trigger allergic responses. Choice C, chemicals containing ethylene oxide, are hazardous and can lead to serious health issues. Each option represents a distinct environmental risk that healthcare professionals should be aware of and take precautions against.
2. A 23-year-old patient in the 27th week of pregnancy has been hospitalized on complete bed rest for 6 days. She experiences sudden shortness of breath, accompanied by chest pain. Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause of her symptoms?
- A. Myocardial infarction due to a history of atherosclerosis.
- B. Pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- C. Anxiety attacks due to worries about her baby’s health.
- D. Congestive heart failure due to fluid overload.
Correct answer: Pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Rationale: In a hospitalized patient on prolonged bed rest, the most likely cause of sudden onset shortness of breath and chest pain is pulmonary embolism. Pregnancy and prolonged inactivity both increase the risk of clot formation in the deep veins of the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These clots can dislodge and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Myocardial infarction (Choice A) is less likely in a young patient without a significant history of atherosclerosis. Anxiety attacks (Choice C) may present with similar symptoms but are less likely in this context. Congestive heart failure (Choice D) is less probable given the acute onset of symptoms and absence of typical signs like peripheral edema in this case.
3. What nonverbal action should the nurse implement to demonstrate active listening?
- A. Sit facing the client.
- B. Cross arms and legs.
- C. Avoid eye contact.
- D. Lean back in the chair.
Correct answer: Sit facing the client.
Rationale: Active listening is effectively demonstrated through attentive verbal and nonverbal communication strategies. To convey active listening and show the client that the nurse is engaged and attentive, it is essential for the nurse to sit facing the client. This posture communicates openness and willingness to listen. Option B, crossing arms and legs, creates a barrier and can signal defensiveness or disinterest, making it an incorrect choice. Option C, avoiding eye contact, hinders the establishment of a connection and can convey disengagement. Option D, leaning back in the chair, may give the impression of disinterest or lack of engagement. Therefore, maintaining eye contact and sitting facing the client are crucial nonverbal actions to exhibit active listening and promote effective therapeutic communication.
4. The nurse is conducting a health fair for older adults. Which statement is true regarding vital sign measurements in aging adults?
- A. The pulse is easier to palpate due to the rigidity of the blood vessels.
- B. An increased respiratory rate and a shallower inspiratory phase are expected findings.
- C. A widened pulse pressure occurs from changes in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
- D. Changes in the body’s temperature regulatory mechanism decrease the older adult’s likelihood of developing a fever.
Correct answer: An increased respiratory rate and a shallower inspiratory phase are expected findings.
Rationale: Aging causes a decrease in vital capacity and decreased inspiratory reserve volume. As a result, the examiner may observe a shallower inspiratory phase and an increased respiratory rate in older adults. Contrary to common belief, the increased rigidity of arterial walls actually makes the pulse easier to palpate in aging adults. Pulse pressure is widened, not decreased, due to changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Furthermore, changes in the body's temperature regulatory mechanism make older individuals less likely to develop a fever but more susceptible to hypothermia.
5. A client is receiving education on cholesterol. Which of the following statements from the client indicates the need for further teaching?
- A. I would like my HDL levels to be over 50.
- B. It is better for me to have high HDL levels and low LDL levels.
- C. It is better for me to have high LDL levels and low HDL levels.
- D. My goal is to get my total cholesterol below 200.
Correct answer: It is better for me to have high LDL levels and low HDL levels.
Rationale: The correct answer is, 'It is better for me to have high LDL levels and low HDL levels.' This statement indicates a need for further teaching because high LDL levels contribute to atherosclerosis, while high HDL levels can protect against heart disease. The client should understand the importance of lowering LDL levels and increasing HDL levels to maintain good heart health. Choice A is correct as desiring HDL levels over 50 is a positive goal. Choice B is correct as it reflects the ideal scenario of high HDL and low LDL levels. Choice D is correct as a total cholesterol below 200 is a common goal for heart health. Therefore, Choice C is incorrect as it suggests an opposite and unhealthy relationship between LDL and HDL levels.
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