NCLEX NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Practice Questions With Rationale
1. You are caring for a patient with newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis. Discharge instructions will likely include all of the following EXCEPT:
- A. PT referral for development of a planned exercise program
- B. Avoidance of prolonged sun exposure
- C. Hot baths to promote muscle relaxation
- D. Instructions to evaluate the home environment to ensure safety
Correct answer: Hot baths to promote muscle relaxation
Rationale: Discharge instructions for a patient with newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis should focus on promoting safety and minimizing exacerbations. Hot baths should be avoided as excessive heat can trigger acute symptoms. Therefore, instructions may include PT referral for an exercise program to maintain mobility, avoidance of prolonged sun exposure to prevent symptom exacerbation, and guidance to evaluate the home environment for safety as symptoms progress. Hot baths are not recommended due to the risk of exacerbating symptoms, making it the correct answer. Choices A, B, and D are appropriate for a patient with multiple sclerosis, as they address mobility, symptom management, and safety concerns, respectively.
2. The student observes a patient with no breathing problems. Which action by the student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment skills?
- A. The student starts at the apices of the lungs and moves to the bases.
- B. The student compares breath sounds from side to side, avoiding bony areas.
- C. The student places the stethoscope over the posterior chest and listens during expiration.
- D. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and a little more deeply than normal through the mouth.
Correct answer: The student places the stethoscope over the posterior chest and listens during expiration.
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Listening only during inspiration instead of both inspiration and expiration indicates a need for a review of respiratory assessment skills. During chest auscultation, it is essential to listen to at least one cycle of inspiration and expiration at each placement of the stethoscope. Instructing the patient to breathe slowly and a little deeper than normal through the mouth is a correct practice during auscultation. The correct sequence for lung auscultation is from the apices to the bases, comparing breath sounds bilaterally, avoiding bony areas. It is crucial to place the stethoscope over lung tissue rather than bony prominences to accurately assess lung sounds.
3. A terminally ill client repeatedly talks about her son’s upcoming wedding and how much she wants to attend. Which stage of the Kübler-Ross theory of death and dying is the client displaying?
- A. Anger
- B. Denial
- C. Bargaining
- D. Acceptance
Correct answer: Bargaining
Rationale: The client is displaying the stage of bargaining in the Kübler-Ross theory of death and dying. During the bargaining stage, individuals attempt to negotiate for more time or a different outcome in the face of impending death. In this scenario, the client expressing a desire to attend her son's wedding and discussing it frequently reflects a form of bargaining for additional time to be present for the event. Anger, on the other hand, involves extreme expressions of emotion ranging from irritation to rage. Denial is characterized by an inability to accept the reality of the situation. Acceptance signifies coming to terms with the circumstances and may lead to decreased interest in people and surroundings.
4. 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.
5. After a needle stick occurs while removing the cap from a sterile needle, which action should the nurse take?
- A. Complete an incident report.
- B. Select another sterile needle.
- C. Disinfect the needle with an alcohol swab.
- D. Notify the supervisor of the department immediately.
Correct answer: Select another sterile needle.
Rationale: After a needle stick, the needle is considered contaminated and should be discarded. The nurse should select another sterile needle to use. Completing an incident report is not necessary in this situation because the needle was sterile when the nurse was stuck and not in contact with any other person's body fluids. Notifying the supervisor immediately is not required as the situation can be managed by selecting a new needle. Disinfecting the needle with an alcohol swab is not recommended as it does not meet the standards of safe practice and infection control.
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