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A comprehensive test bank for the nclex rn exam, covering the latest versions from 2022 to 2024. It includes 2500 questions with detailed answers and rationales, designed to help nursing students prepare for the exam. The questions cover a wide range of nursing topics, including medication administration, patient care, and critical thinking skills.
Typology: Exams
1 / 748
Which of the following statements made by a client during an individual therapy session would the nurse most identify as reflecting schizoaffective disorder?
Incorrect - This is a suicidal ideation, but not a classic symptom of schizoaffective disorder
Incorrect - This is a verbalization of hopelessness, which can manifest in depression, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder.
Correct - Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by the mania and depression of bipolar disorder with the delusions/disturbed thought process of schizophrenia. Racing thought are a classic symptom of a manic episode, while conspiracies indicate paranoia.
Incorrect - While visual and auditory hallucinations can manifest in schizoaffective disorder, there is no indication of bipolar symptoms (mania or depression)
Which of these clients is likely to receive sublingual morphine?
Correct - Sublingual morphine is often used in hospice because the patients are unable to swallow, and intravenous access can be painful and not conducive to palliative care.
Incorrect - Patients who have surgery most likely have an Intravenous line
Incorrect - Morphine would not be the first choice for nerve pain
Incorrect - Although Morphine would be an appropriate medications, there is no indication that it should be administered sublingually
Which of these patients would the nurse suspect as having the greatest risk of contracting Hepatitis B?
Incorrect - This person is sexually active, but it is not specified with how many partners. Having Type 1 Diabetes is not a risk factor for Hepatitis.
Incorrect - Age is not a risk factor for Hepatitis B, and close living accommodations is a stronger risk factor for Hepatitis A and E, which are oral-fecal transmissions.
Incorrect - This is a relevant risk factor for Hepatitis A and E
Correct - This person is both sexually active and works in a healthcare environment.
While receiving normal saline infusions to treat a GI bleed, the nurse notes that the patient's lower legs have become edematous and auscultates crackles in the lungs. What should the nurse do first?
CORRECT - the patient has a fluid volume overload as a result of overly rapid fluid replacement. The nurse should stop the infusion and notify the physician.
This is not the first action the nurse should take.
This would help with the edema, but is not a priority
This is not a normal findingv
A 23-year-old woman is admitted to the infusion clinic after a Multiple Sclerosis Exacerbation. The physician orders methylprednisolone infusions (Solu-Medrol). The nurse would expect which of the following outcomes after administration of this medication?
Incorrect - While muscle spasticity and involuntary movements can be symptoms of MS, a corticosteroid infusion is not meant to directly treat these symptoms.
Incorrect - Special drugs like Interferon Beta, Natalizumab, or Glatiramir acetate are used as first-line treatments to slow the progression of MS. While corticosteroids can be used in conjunction with these drugs on a long-term basis, they would not be infused. They would be taken orally.
Correct - A methylprednisolone infusion is the first line of treatment during an acute exacerbation and is used to decrease the length and severity of a relapse.
Incorrect - Some of the frequent side effects of a Methylprednisolone infusion are anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings.
A 30-year old Caucasian woman who works the night shift has been found to have early bone loss and has a high risk for osteomalacia and bone degradation. She asks the nurse exactly why she should take Vitamin D supplements. What is the nurse's best response?
Incorrect - While this is true, it doesn't answer the woman's question.
Correct - This is the correct mechanism of action for Vitamin D
Incorrect- This is not the correct mechanism of action for Vitamin D
Incorrect - Vitamin D supplements should be taken for patients who are homebound, institutionalized, or by some other limitations, unable to meet daily requirements. This woman works the night shift, which may limit her ability to absorb Vitamin D naturally.
A 45-year old woman is prescribed ropinirole (Requip) for Parkinson's Disease. The patient is living at home with her daughter. The nurse is most concerned about which side effect of ropinirole?
Incorrect - Slurred speech is a common symptom of PD, not a side effect of this drug.
Correct - Dizziness and orthostatic hypotension are serious adverse effects of this drug that can lead to an increased risk of falls. Ropinirole's drug class is a dopamine agonist, which mimic dopamine in the brain (PD is characterized by a lack of dopamine).
Incorrect - Masklike facial expression is a common symptom of PD, not a side effect of this drug.
Incorrect - Stooped Posture is a common symptom of PD, not a side effect of this drug.
A 65 year old man is prescribed Flomax (Tamsulosin) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The patient lives in an upstairs apartment. The nurse is most concerned about which side effect of Flomax?
Correct - Hypotension can lead to dizziness and a risk for injury to the patient.
Tachycardia can be a side effect of Flomax, but is not an immediate safety risk, nor is it a common side effect.
Back Pain can be a side effect of Floma, but is not a safety risk
Dysuria is a symptom of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, not a side effect of Flomax
A client with Multiple Sclerosis reports a constant, burning, tingling pain in the shoulders. The nurse anticipates that the physician will order which medication for this type of pain?
Incorrect - alprazolam is used to reduce anxiety
Incorrect - Corticosteroid injections are used to reduce inflammation in a localized area, often due to joint breakdown. In MS patients it is used to treat acute exacerbations ("flare-ups"), but the symptoms described do not constitute an acute exacerbation.
Correct - Anticonvulsants like gabapentin are often the first line of treatment for nerve pain
Incorrect - Opioids would not be the appropriate medication to treat nerve pain.
A female patient is prescribed metformin for glucose control. The patient is on NPO status pending a diagnostic test. The nurse is most concerned about which side effect of metformin?
Incorrect - While these may occur, the patient is at higher risk for another adverse effect.
Incorrect - While these may occur, the patient is at higher risk for another adverse effect.
Incorrect - While this may occur, the patient is at higher risk for another adverse effect.
Correct - The patient is at risk because she is on NPO status and continuing to take an anti-glycemic drug.
A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following lab results: Hemoglobin of 11 g/dl, a platelet count of 150,000, an INR of 2.5, and potassium of 2.7 mEq/L. Which result is critical and should be reported to the physician immediately?
This is below normal, but a normal female hemoglobin is 12-14. There is a more critical lab result.
This is also below the normal values, but is not the most critical lab result.
This is a therapeutic range for a patient who is taking an anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation
CORRECT - A potassium imbalance for a patient with a history of dysrhythmia can be life-threatening and can lead to cardiac distress.
A man is has been taking lisinopril for CHF. The patient is seen in the emergency room for persistent diarrhea. The nurse is concerned about which side effect of lisinopril?
Incorrect - While this may occur, the patient is at higher risk due to another adverse effect.
Correct - The patient is particularly at risk for hypotension due to possible dehydration from fluid loss.
Incorrect - While this may occur, the patient is at higher risk for another adverse effect.
Incorrect - While this is a common side effect, the patient is at higher risk for another adverse effect..
A man is prescribed lithium to treat bipolar disorder. The nurse is most concerned about lithium toxicity when he notices which of these assessment findings?
Incorrect - Having a manic episode is not an indication of lithium toxicity. This finding indicates that the lithium is not effective or is not at a therapeutic level.
Correct - Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can increase the risk of lithium toxicity.
Incorrect - This is not a symptom of lithium toxicity
Incorrect - Having a depressive episode is not an indication of lithium toxicity. This finding indicates that the lithium is not effective or is not at a therapeutic level.
This is within the therapeutic range of lithium
A man is receiving heparin subcutaneously. The patient has dementia and lives at home with a part-time caretaker. The nurse is most concerned about which side effect of heparin?
Incorrect - Back pain, while it can occur, is not an immediate concern
Incorrect - Fever and Chills, while it can occur, is not an immediate concern
Correct - A confused patient is at risk for injuring themselves and at risk for hemorrhage should an injury occur
Incorrect - Dizziness is not a side effect of Heparin
A nurse cares for a child that is diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Which of these following precautions would be most important to take to prevent transmission of this infectious disease?
Incorrect - Although this is a valuable point for patient education, this does not take the priority, since the patient is still at risk of transmitting Hepatitis A to others right now.
Incorrect - Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route.
Correct - Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent transmission of Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a virus transmitted via the oral-fecal route and lives on human hands.
Incorrect - Although this is a valuable teaching point, it is not the priority intervention.
A nurse enters a patient's room and finds them unconscious with a rhythmic jerking of all four extremities. The patient is foaming heavily at the mouth. The patient was on seizure precautions and the bedrails are up and padded. What is the nurse's priority action?
Incorrect - If a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, it is called Status epilepticus and can be life- threatening. Physicians will often order anxiolytics or sedatives to treat this condition. However, at this point it would not be appropriate for the nurse to administer this drug.
Correct - Turning the patient to the side will keep the airway open, which is the first priority
Incorrect - This would be a priority action after ensuring the patient's safety, or in the case of Status epilepticus
Incorrect - This intervention is warranted, but after an assessment of the patient's airway, since forcing a suction catheter into a patient's mouth is a last resort.
A nurse finds a 30-year-old woman experiencing anaphylaxis from a bee sting. Emergency personnel have been called. The nurse notes the woman is breathing but short of breath. Which of the following interventions should the nurse do first?
Incorrect - CPR is premature at this point, and there is another action that can be taken first.
This is the first step when assessing for initiation of CPR, but CPR is not the best and first course of action for this situation. The woman is still breathing, which means CPR is not necessary at this time.
CORRECT - Many patients who have a known history of anaphylaxis carry epi-pens in their pockets or belongings. This is the best way to stop a hypersensitivity reaction before it becomes life-threatening.
Incorrect - While this should be done, it's not the best and first course of action.
A nurse frequently treats patients in the 72-hour period after a stroke has occurred. The nurse would be most concerned about which of these assessment findings?
Incorrect - This is actually within a therapeutic range for clotting times for patients with coagulation risks. A normal INR is .9-1.2 seconds, while a therapeutic INR can be as high as 3.5 seconds.
Incorrect - While tachycardia is a concern, general tachycardia without other associated symptoms would not pose an immediate danger, and is not of greater priority than the next answer.
Correct - The patient is at greatest risk for an increased ICP resulting from edema 72 hours after a stroke. A target ICP should be less than or equal to 15-20 mm/Hg
Incorrect - Blood pressure is often kept higher than usual following a stroke to maintain perfusion. Systolic BP higher than 180, or diastolic BP higher than 105, would be the upper limit and required intervention. 140/80 would not pose an immediate danger to the patient's health.
A nurse in the emergency room receives a patient who had his left elbow fractured in a fight. He had waited 5 hours before coming to the emergency room. His left hand has an unequal radial pulse, is swollen, and is numb and tingling. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
Incorrect - While this may be a beneficial intervention if the arm is also elevated to prevent swelling, this is not a priority intervention.
Incorrect - While assessing pain is a part of the 6 P's of neurovascular assessment, the question asks for an intervention based on already alarming assessment findings.
Incorrect - The assessment findings indicate the patient may have Acute Compartment Syndrome. Causing more external pressure with a dressing will only exacerbate the condition.
Correct - Starting an IV is a nursing priority prior to emergency surgery. The patient may be in the late stages of Acute Compartment Syndrome and may need a fasciotomy, in which the surgeon relieves pressure by making an incision into the affected area.
A nurse is asked by a patient to describe in layman's terms an overview of the condition called osteomyelitis. What would be the nurse's best response?
Incorrect - This sentence describes osteoporosis
Incorrect - This sentence describes osteomalacia
Correct - This appropriately explains osteomyelitis
Incorrect - A nurse is qualified to educate the patient on this subject matter
A nurse is caring for a female patient 24 hours after a hip fracture. The patient is on bedrest. The nurse knows that which regular assessment or intervention is essential for detecting or preventing the complication of Fat Embolism Syndrome?
Incorrect - Immobilization and prevention of motion is the best way to reduce risk for fat embolism.
Correct - A decreased Level of Consciousness is the earliest sign of FES, caused by decreased oxygen level.
Incorrect - While assessing pedal pulse is important during a neurovascular assessment, it is not relevant to FES. Capillary refill is the least reliable indicator of poor perfusion
Incorrect - While this is an important intervention for patients on bedrest, it is not an intervention relevant to FES
A nurse is caring for a patient after a coronary angiogram. Which of these actions taken by the nursing assistant would most require the nurse's immediate intervention?
Incorrect - It is recommended to generously hydrate after a coronary angiogram to excrete contrast medium, reducing kidney toxicity
Correct - For 3-6 hours after a coronary angiogram (depending on the insertion site), the patient should have their bed no higher than 30 degrees and be on bedrest.
Incorrect - An ice pack or dressing is recommended to be placed on the insertion site to minimize risk of bleeding.
Incorrect - An extra pillow will not violate any post-procedural protocols for coronary angiogram.
A nurse is caring for a patient in the cardiac care unit who is taking bumetanide (Bumex) and is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. An unlicensed assistive personnel is assisting with feeding the patient. Which of these foods would the nurse stress for the patient to eat most?
Incorrect - While this is a good practice, in light of the information given, this is not the greatest priority.
Correct - Bumex is a loop diuretic and can cause hypokalemia. Ensuring potassium is included in the diet is a priority and can directly avoid a hypokalemic crisis.
Incorrect - While this is a good practice, in light of the information given, this is not the greatest priority.
Incorrect - While this is a good practice, in light of the information given, this is not the greatest priority.
A nurse is caring for a patient scheduled to have cataract surgery. The patient asks why they developed cataracts and how they can prevent it from happening again. What is the nurse's best response?
Incorrect - While true, this answer leaves out many other contributing factors to cataracts and does not address prevention.
Incorrect - While true, this answer is not complete
Correct - This answer covers the most common contributing factors for cataracts and includes preventable risk factors.
Incorrect - While most cataracts are age-related cataracts, there are still ways to prevent eye damage and cataract development.
A nurse is caring for a patient undergoing a stress test on a treadmill. The patient turns to talk to the nurse. Which of these statements would require the most immediate intervention?
Incorrect - This does not require immediate intervention. This is a common response to exercise and activity.
Incorrect - This does not require immediate intervention. This is a common response to exercise and activity.
Correct - Unilateral arm and shoulder pain is one of the classic symptoms of myocardial ischemia. The stress test should be halted.
Incorrect - This does not require immediate intervention. Moderate elevation in blood pressure is a common response to exercise and activity.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is suspected to have sustained a spinal cord injury. What best describes the overarching principles used to guide the care for this type of condition?
Incorrect - While this is an essential part of caring for a spinal cord injury, it does not adequately describe guiding principles for a complete plan of care
Incorrect - While this is an essential part of caring for a spinal cord injury, it does not adequately describe guiding principles for a complete plan of care
Incorrect - These are important in the later stages of a spinal cord injury after the patient has been stabilized, but at this point would be premature.
Correct - Maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation is both essential and guides the overall plan of care for a patient with a spinal cord injury.
A nurse is caring for a patient with a cast on the right leg. Which of these assessment findings would most concern the nurse?
Incorrect - A capillary refill time of 2 seconds is within normal limits. Capillary refill is the least reliable method of assessing neurovascular integrity.
Incorrect - This is a common effect of a cast
Correct - A foul-smelling odor is a sign of infection or a pressure ulcer within the cast. Other symptoms include a feeling of warmth, tightness and pain.
Incorrect - This is not an assessment finding and is not relevant to this situation.
A nurse is educating a patient about bimatoprost (Lumigan) eyedrops for the treatment of Glaucoma. Which of the following indicates that the patient has a correct understanding of the expected outcomes following treatment?
Incorrect - Cataracts cause blurriness in the central field of vision, while Glaucoma presents as loss of the field of vision peripherally.
Correct - Glaucoma cannot be cured, just treated. Treatment revolves around preventing further deterioration.
Incorrect - Glaucoma treatment does not result in restoration of vision already lost.
Glaucoma is caused by an increase in intraocular fluid. Eyedrops work in various ways to decrease Intraocular Pressure, not increase it.
A nurse is giving a discharge education to a patient who has been diagnosed with epilepsy. Which of these teachings would she stress the most?
Incorrect - Although this is a general teaching that would be applied to any hospital discharge situation, it is not the priority to be stressed.
Incorrect - Although this is correct to include in discharge education, following this instruction is not directly contributing to their safety, so is not the priority.
Correct - Following this instruction is essential for their safety, since stopping anti-epileptic drugs suddenly can cause seizures and an increased chance of status epilecticus
Incorrect - Although this is correct to include in discharge education, following this instruction is not directly contributing to their safety, so is not the priority.
A nurse is meeting a patient in their home. The patient has been taking Naproxen for back pain. Which statement made by the patient most indicates that the nurse needs to contact the physician?
Incorrect - This is a common and less severe side effect of Naproxen
Incorrect - Although a 3/10 is bordering on the acceptable amount of pain, this would not be the most pressing issue at hand.
Incorrect - This is a common and less severe side effect of Naproxen
Correct - This is a severe adverse effect of Naproxen and should be reported immediately since it may indicate toxicity.
A nurse is orally administering alendronate (Fosamax), a bisphosphonate drug. The patient is largely bed-bound and being treated for osteoporosis. What nursing consideration is most important with administration of this drug?
Correct - Bisphosphonates are associated with esophageal irritation that can lead to esophagitis. Sitting upright decreases the time the medication spends in the esophagus.
Incorrect - Another important intervention with the administration of bisphosphonates is to give the medication with at least 6-8 ounces of plain water.
Incorrect - Food and any drink other than plain water should be held 30 minutes after administration so the medication can be absorbed properly
Incorrect - Although these are possible side effects of this medication, they are not the priority nursing consideration.
A nurse is preparing to palpate and percuss a patient's abdomen as part of the assessment process. Which of these findings would cause the nurse to immediately discontinue this part of the assessment?
Incorrect - While the nurse should address this concern with the patient, this does not necessarily mean the assessment should be stopped.
Correct - This is an indication of a life-threatening aortic aneurysm. Palpating or percussing is dangerous to the patient's life.
Incorrect - These are common symptoms of GI bleed, and don't contraindicate percussion and palpation.
Incorrect - An endoscopic procedure two days prior does not contraindicate percussion and palpation.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. Which of these statements by the patient indicates a need for more teaching?
CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the stomach and delay gastric emptying. It's recommended instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
A nurse is treating a patient suspected to have Hepatitis. The nurse notes on assessment that the patient's eyes are yellow-tinged. Which of these diagnostic results would further assist in confirming this diagnosis?
Incorrect - Bilirubin levels correlate with the appearance of Jaundice. An increased serum bilirubin would be the expected finding for this patient.
Correct - ALT is a liver enzyme, and hepatitis is a liver disease. Elevated liver enzymes will often signal liver damage.
Incorrect - This is not a common finding for Hepatitis patients
Incorrect - BUN is an indicator of renal (kidney) health, not hepatic (liver) function.
A nurse knows that which of these patients are at greatest risk for a developing osteoporosis?
Incorrect - Age and thin build are two primary risk factors, but another patient has more.
Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are both primary risk factors, but being African American actually decreases the risk for osteoporosis