NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Preview Answers
1. Which of these statements is true regarding the use of Standard Precautions in the healthcare setting?
- A. Standard Precautions apply to all body fluids, except sweat.
- B. Alcohol-based hand rub should be used if hands are not visibly dirty.
- C. Standard Precautions are intended for use with all patients, regardless of their risk or presumed infection status.
- D. Standard Precautions are to be used only when non-intact skin, excretions containing visible blood, or expected contact with mucous membranes are present.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Standard Precautions are designed to reduce the risk for transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources. They are intended for use with all patients, regardless of their risk or presumed infection status. Standard Precautions apply to all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat - whether or not they contain visible blood, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes. Hands should be washed with soap and water if visibly soiled with blood or body fluids. Alcohol-based hand rubs can be used if hands are not visibly soiled. Choice A is incorrect because Standard Precautions apply to all body fluids, secretions, and excretions except sweat. Choice B is incorrect because alcohol-based hand rub should be used when hands are not visibly dirty. Choice D is incorrect because Standard Precautions are not limited to situations involving non-intact skin, excretions with visible blood, or expected mucous membrane contact.
2. To collect timely, specific information, the nurse is most likely to ask which of the following questions?
- A. Would you describe what you are feeling?
- B. How are you today?
- C. What would you like to talk about?
- D. Where does it hurt?
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is, 'Would you describe what you are feeling?' This open-ended question prompts the patient to provide subjective data, offering specific information about their current health status and human responses. This information can help identify actual or potential health issues. Choices B and C are more likely to yield general, nonspecific information. Choice D may lead to a brief response or nonverbal indication of pain location. A more effective approach to gather specific information about pain would be to ask, 'Can you describe any pain you are experiencing?'
3. The abbreviation pc is defined as ________________.
- A. before the meal
- B. with the meal
- C. after the meal
- D. post corpi
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'after the meal.' In medical terminology, 'pc' is an abbreviation for 'post cibum,' which means 'after eating' or 'after the meal.' This term is used to indicate when a medication should be taken concerning meals. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. 'Before the meal' (A) is typically abbreviated as 'ac,' 'with the meal' (B) is abbreviated as 'pc,' and 'post corpi' (D) is not a valid medical abbreviation or term.
4. The nurse is assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old patient who appears to have an irregular respiratory pattern. How would the nurse assess this child's respirations?
- A. Respirations should be counted for 1 full minute.
- B. Child's pulse and respirations should be simultaneously checked for 30 seconds and then multiplied by 2.
- C. Child's respirations should be checked for a minimum of 5 minutes to identify any variations in his or her respiratory pattern.
- D. Patient's respirations should be counted for 15 seconds and then multiplied by 4.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: To accurately assess a child's respiratory pattern, the nurse should count respirations for a full minute. This duration provides a comprehensive view of the child's breathing pattern, ensuring abnormalities are not missed. Counting for only 30 seconds may not capture irregularities effectively. Checking respirations for 5 minutes is excessive and unnecessary for a routine assessment. Counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 is not as precise as a full-minute count. Pulse and respirations should not be checked simultaneously; instead, the nurse should count respirations unobtrusively while appearing to take the child's pulse. Therefore, the correct approach is to count the child's respirations for 1 full minute to obtain an accurate assessment.
5. When percussing over the lungs of a 4-year-old child, the nurse hears bilateral loud, long, and low tones. How should the nurse proceed?
- A. Palpate over the area for increased pain and tenderness.
- B. Ask the child to take shallow breaths and percuss over the area again.
- C. Refer the child to a specialist because of an increased amount of air in the lungs.
- D. Consider this finding as normal for a child this age and proceed with the examination.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In pediatric patients, loud, long, and low tones heard when percussing over the lungs are normal findings. These percussion notes are characteristic of a child's lung due to its thin chest wall and increased air content. It is unnecessary to palpate for pain and tenderness, ask the child to take shallow breaths and repeat the percussion, or refer the child to a specialist. Therefore, the correct action is to consider these findings as normal for the child's age and continue with the examination.
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