NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Questions
1. The nurse recognizes that teaching a 44-year-old woman following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been effective when the patient states which of the following?
- A. I can expect yellow-green drainage from the incision for a few days.
- B. I can remove the bandages on my incisions tomorrow and take a shower.
- C. I should plan to limit my activities and not return to work for 4 to 6 weeks.
- D. I will always need to maintain a low-fat diet since I no longer have a gallbladder.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is, 'I can remove the bandages on my incisions tomorrow and take a shower.' After a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, patients have Band-Aids over the incisions and can typically remove the bandages the next day. Patients are usually discharged the same or next day and have minimal restrictions on their daily activities. Yellow-green drainage from the incision would be abnormal, requiring the patient to contact their healthcare provider. While a low-fat diet may be recommended initially after surgery, it is not a lifelong requirement, as the body can adjust to the absence of the gallbladder over time. Choice A is incorrect as abnormal drainage should be reported. Choice C is incorrect as most patients can resume normal activities within a few days to a week. Choice D is incorrect as maintaining a low-fat diet is not a lifelong necessity after a cholecystectomy.
2. A 53-year-old patient is being treated for bleeding esophageal varices with balloon tamponade. Which nursing action will be included in the plan of care?
- A. Instruct the patient to cough every hour
- B. Monitor the patient for shortness of breath
- C. Verify the position of the balloon every 4 hours
- D. Deflate the gastric balloon if the patient reports nausea
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct nursing action for a patient with balloon tamponade for bleeding esophageal varices is to monitor the patient for shortness of breath. The most common complication of balloon tamponade is aspiration pneumonia. Additionally, if the gastric balloon ruptures, the esophageal balloon may slip upward and occlude the airway. Instructing the patient to cough every hour is incorrect as coughing increases the pressure on the varices and raises the risk of bleeding. Verifying the position of the balloon every 4 hours is unnecessary as it is typically done after insertion. Deflating the gastric balloon if the patient reports nausea is incorrect because deflating it may cause the esophageal balloon to occlude the airway, leading to complications. Therefore, monitoring for signs of respiratory distress is crucial in this situation.
3. The nurse assesses the chest of a patient with pneumococcal pneumonia. Which finding would the nurse expect?
- A. Increased tactile fremitus
- B. Dry, nonproductive cough
- C. Hyperresonance to percussion
- D. A grating sound on auscultation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Increased tactile fremitus over the area of pulmonary consolidation is expected with bacterial pneumonias, such as pneumococcal pneumonia. Dullness to percussion would be expected due to consolidation. Pneumococcal pneumonia typically presents with a loose, productive cough rather than a dry, nonproductive cough. Hyperresonance to percussion is not a typical finding in pneumonia and may suggest conditions like emphysema. Adventitious breath sounds such as crackles and wheezes are typical in pneumonia, but a grating sound on auscultation is more representative of a pleural friction rub rather than pneumonia.
4. The nurse caring for Mrs. J is prepared to suction her endotracheal tube. Which of the following interventions will reduce hypoxia during this procedure?
- A. Hyperoxygenate Mrs. J for up to 60 seconds prior to starting
- B. Administer 15 mL of sterile fluid into the tube prior to suctioning
- C. Suction for no longer than 30 seconds at a time
- D. Wait 30 seconds after suctioning before attempting again
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Before suctioning a client's endotracheal tube, it is essential to hyperoxygenate the client for approximately 30 to 60 seconds. Hyperoxygenation helps increase oxygen delivery to the tissues, reducing the risk of hypoxia during and after the suctioning procedure. Administering fluid into the tube before suctioning (Choice B) is unnecessary and can lead to complications. Suctioning for no longer than 30 seconds at a time (Choice C) is a general guideline but does not specifically address reducing hypoxia. Waiting 30 seconds after suctioning before attempting again (Choice D) may lead to inadequate oxygenation and potential hypoxia, making it less effective in preventing this complication compared to hyperoxygenation prior to suctioning.
5. Diabetic patients are more prone to ____________ than other people without this chronic disorder.
- A. infection
- B. increased oxygen saturation
- C. low fibrinogen
- D. constipation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Diabetic patients are more prone to infection than other people without this chronic disorder. Diabetes weakens the immune system and impairs the body's ability to fight off infections, making individuals with diabetes more susceptible to various types of infections. Increased oxygen saturation, low fibrinogen, and constipation are not directly related to diabetes or the increased infection risk associated with the condition. Increased oxygen saturation is actually a positive health indicator, low fibrinogen levels are not a common issue in diabetes, and constipation is not a primary concern when comparing diabetic patients to others without the condition.
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