you must wear gloves when you are

NCLEX-RN

Safe and Effective Care Environment NCLEX RN Questions

1. When should you wear gloves?

A. preparing infant formula for a newborn baby
B. transferring breast milk into a baby bottle
C. knocking on a patient's door
D. opening a patient's door

Correct answer: B

Rationale: You must wear gloves when transferring breast milk into a baby bottle because breast milk is considered a bodily fluid. It is essential to avoid direct contact to prevent contamination. When preparing infant formula, gloves are not required as formula is not a bodily fluid. Knocking on or opening a patient's door does not involve direct contact with bodily fluids, so gloves are unnecessary in those situations.

2. During an assessment, the nurse notices that a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to a leather strip around their neck. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A. Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
B. Ask the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe.
C. Tell the patient that a family member should take valuables home.
D. No action is necessary.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The small charm tied to a leather strip is likely an amulet, which many cultures consider an important means of protection from 'evil spirits.' When a patient appears to have a health practice the nurse is unfamiliar with, the nurse should ask for clarification in a non-judgmental way that communicates acceptance of their beliefs and allows for open communication. Thus, the nurse in this situation should inquire about the amulet's meaning to the patient. Asking the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe, telling the patient that a family member should take valuables home, or doing nothing does not address the importance or meaning of a cultural health practice to the patient and does not allow the nurse to gain an understanding of the patient's cultural health practices.

3. The supervising RN asks you to bring the unit's collected lab specimens to the lab 'stat'. You should ______________.

A. not decline this task because nurses do not handle 'stats'.
B. run this errand as promptly as possible
C. run this errand immediately and without delay
D. Complete this task before the end of your shift or after your lunch.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In healthcare settings, 'stat' is commonly used to indicate that something should be done immediately and without any delay. It is a critical term used to prioritize urgent tasks. Nurses are responsible for various tasks, including handling urgent requests such as transporting lab specimens promptly. Option A is incorrect as nurses can handle urgent tasks like 'stats'. Option B is not as specific as option C, which clearly emphasizes the need for immediate action. Option D is incorrect as it suggests delaying the task until later, which goes against the urgency implied by the term 'stat'.

4. During the general survey, what action is a component of the assessment?

A. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
B. Interpreting the subjective information reported by the patient
C. Measuring the patient's temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
D. Observing specific body systems during the physical assessment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: During the general survey, the nurse assesses the patient's overall appearance, body structure, mobility, and behavior, which includes observing body stature and nutritional status. Interpreting subjective information reported by the patient is part of the subjective data collection process and not the general survey. Measuring vital signs like temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure is part of a focused physical examination, not the general survey. Additionally, observing specific body systems while performing a physical assessment is more specific and focused than the general survey.

5. After receiving change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first?

A. A patient with pneumonia who has crackles in the right lung base
B. A patient with possible lung cancer who has just returned after bronchoscopy
C. A patient with hemoptysis and a 16-mm induration with tuberculin skin testing
D. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary function testing (PFT) that indicates low forced vital capacity

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the patient with possible lung cancer who has just returned after bronchoscopy. After bronchoscopy, the patient may have decreased cough and gag reflexes, necessitating immediate assessment for airway patency to prevent potential complications. The other patients do not exhibit urgent clinical manifestations or have undergone recent procedures that require immediate attention. Therefore, they can be assessed after ensuring the safety and stability of the patient who has just returned after bronchoscopy.