NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Exam Cram
1. A mother brings her 13-month-old child with Down Syndrome to a pediatric clinic reporting muscle weakness and poor movement. The child's reflexes are noted to be diminished. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Contact the physician immediately
- B. Have the patient go for an X-ray for a c-spine work-up
- C. Start an IV on the patient
- D. Position the child's neck in a neutral position
Correct answer: D
Rationale: In a child with Down Syndrome presenting with muscle weakness and diminished reflexes, an atlanto-axial dislocation is a concern. The priority action is to position the child's neck in a neutral c-spine posture to prevent further injury. This should be done before any movement or manipulation. Contacting the physician should follow to ensure appropriate evaluation and management. Initiating an IV is not indicated unless specifically ordered for a medical reason. Ordering an X-ray for a c-spine work-up should not be the first action as it may involve movement that could exacerbate the condition if an injury is present.
2. What is one characteristic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
- A. The presence of circulating antibodies that neutralize HIV is evidence of exposure to HIV.
- B. HIV replication occurs intracellularly.
- C. HIV integrates its genetic material into the host cell's DNA.
- D. DNA replication is irrelevant to HIV.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. HIV integrates its genetic material into the host cell's DNA. The virus uses the enzyme reverse transcriptase to make a DNA copy of its RNA, which is then inserted into the genetic material of the infected cell. Choice A is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not indicate immunity to HIV but rather exposure to the virus. Choice B is incorrect as HIV replication occurs intracellularly, inside the host cell. Choice D is irrelevant to the characteristics of HIV.
3. A 46-year-old has returned from a heart catheterization and wants to get up to start walking 3 hours after the procedure. The nurse should:
- A. Tell the patient to remain with the leg straight for at least another hour and check the chart for activity orders.
- B. Allow the patient to begin limited ambulation with assistance.
- C. Recommend a physical therapy consultation for ambulation.
- D. Tell the patient to remain with the leg straight for another 6 hours and check the chart for activity orders.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to tell the patient to remain with the leg straight for at least another hour after a heart catheterization before starting ambulation. This period allows for proper healing and reduces the risk of complications such as bleeding or hematoma formation at the catheter insertion site. Starting ambulation too soon can disrupt the healing process and lead to adverse events. Choice B is incorrect because limited ambulation should not be initiated shortly after the procedure as it may increase the risk of complications. Choice C is incorrect as physical therapy consultation is not typically necessary for initial ambulation post-heart catheterization; this can be managed by nursing staff. Choice D is incorrect as keeping the leg straight for 6 hours is excessive and unnecessary, potentially leading to complications such as deep vein thrombosis due to prolonged immobility.
4. A client receiving drug therapy with furosemide and digitalis requires careful observation and care. In planning care for this client, the nurse should recognize that which of the following electrolyte imbalances is most likely to occur?
- A. hyperkalemia
- B. hypernatremia
- C. hypokalemia
- D. hypomagnesemia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: When a client is receiving drug therapy with furosemide and digitalis, the nurse should anticipate the development of hypokalemia due to the potassium-wasting effects of furosemide. Hypokalemia can potentiate digitalis toxicity. While hyperkalemia is a concern with some medications, it is not typically associated with furosemide and digitalis. Furosemide can lead to hyponatremia, not hypernatremia, due to its diuretic effect. Hypomagnesemia, though a possible imbalance, is not the most likely to occur in this scenario as furosemide and digitalis are more commonly associated with hypokalemia.
5. A patient had a pneumonectomy to the right lung performed 48 hours ago. Which of the following conditions most likely exists?
- A. Decreased breath sound volume
- B. Elevated tidal volume
- C. Elevated respiratory capacity
- D. Wheezing
Correct answer: A
Rationale: After a pneumonectomy, where a lung is surgically removed, there will be a decrease in breath sound volume on the affected side due to reduced airflow. This reduction in breath sound volume is expected as there is less lung tissue to produce sound. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Elevated tidal volume and respiratory capacity are not expected after a pneumonectomy, and wheezing is more commonly associated with conditions like asthma or bronchitis, not a recent pneumonectomy.
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