NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Review Answers
1. A 4-year-old child with acute glomerulonephritis is admitted to the hospital. The nurse identifies which client problem in the plan of care as the priority?
- A. Infection related to hypertension
- B. Injury related to loss of blood in urine
- C. Excessive fluid volume related to decreased plasma filtration
- D. Retarded growth and development related to a chronic disease
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In acute glomerulonephritis, the child experiences excessive accumulation of water and retention of sodium, leading to circulatory congestion and edema. Excessive fluid volume is a primary concern due to the disease process. Hypertension and infection are not directly related to acute glomerulonephritis; therefore, they are not the priority client problems. While hematuria (blood in urine) may occur, it typically does not lead to significant injury that takes precedence over excessive fluid volume. Acute glomerulonephritis is an acute condition, not chronic; therefore, retarded growth and development related to a chronic disease is not the priority issue. With proper management, most children recover completely without long-term growth and development issues.
2. An 85-year-old male has been losing mobility and gaining weight over the last two months. The patient also has the heater running in his house 24 hours a day, even on warm days. Which of the following tests is most likely to be performed?
- A. CBC (complete blood count)
- B. ECG (electrocardiogram)
- C. Thyroid function tests
- D. CT scan
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The symptoms of weight gain and poor temperature tolerance in an elderly male suggest a potential thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid function tests are crucial in differentiating between hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and a euthyroid state. These tests involve measuring the serum levels of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, also known as thyroxine, to evaluate thyroid function accurately. A complete blood count (Choice A) would not directly address the symptoms presented. An electrocardiogram (Choice B) assesses heart activity and would not be the primary test for these symptoms. A CT scan (Choice D) provides detailed images of internal organs and structures, which would not be the initial investigation for the described symptoms.
3. The nurse is caring for a 27-year-old female client with a venous stasis ulcer. Which nursing intervention would be most effective in promoting healing?
- A. Apply dressing using sterile technique
- B. Improve the client's nutrition status
- C. Initiate limb compression therapy
- D. Begin proteolytic debridement
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Venous stasis occurs when venous blood collects and stagnates in the lower leg due to incompetent venous valves. This leads to inadequate oxygen and nutrient supply to the cells in the lower extremities, resulting in cell death or necrosis. Venous stasis ulcers, characterized by shallow brown wounds with irregular margins, typically develop on the lower leg or ankle. The primary goal in managing clients with venous stasis ulcers is to promote healing. Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in wound healing. Nutritional deficiencies are common causes of venous ulcers, and a diet rich in protein, iron, zinc, and vitamins C and A is recommended to enhance wound healing. Applying dressings with sterile technique, initiating limb compression therapy, and beginning proteolytic debridement are important interventions in wound care but may not directly address the underlying issue of poor nutrition that is essential for healing venous stasis ulcers.
4. A client with a new colostomy is being taught how to care for the colostomy bag. Which statement from the client indicates the need for more education?
- A. I can clean the skin around the ostomy site with soap and water when I change the bag.
- B. I should irrigate the stoma regularly to avoid buildup of gas and odor.
- C. I need to wait 30 minutes after I irrigate to replace the colostomy bag.
- D. I should change the bag when it is one-third to one-fourth full.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A client with a new colostomy requires education on proper colostomy care. Waiting 30 minutes after irrigating to replace the colostomy bag is unnecessary. The client may reapply the bag once the skin is dry. Cleaning the skin around the ostomy site with soap and water, irrigating the stoma regularly to prevent gas and odor buildup, and changing the bag when it is one-third to one-fourth full are appropriate actions. Therefore, the statement indicating the need for more education is the one suggesting a specific time interval for bag replacement after irrigation.
5. The laboratory has just called with the arterial blood gas (ABG) results on four patients. Which result is most important for the nurse to report immediately to the health care provider?
- A. pH 7.34, PaO2 82 mm Hg, PaCO2 40 mm Hg, and O2 sat 97%
- B. pH 7.35, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 45 mm Hg, and O2 sat 95%
- C. pH 7.46, PaO2 90 mm Hg, PaCO2 32 mm Hg, and O2 sat 98%
- D. pH 7.31, PaO2 91 mm Hg, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, and O2 sat 96%
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: pH 7.31, PaO2 91 mm Hg, PaCO2 50 mm Hg, and O2 sat 96%. These ABG results indicate uncompensated respiratory acidosis, a critical condition that requires immediate attention. In respiratory acidosis, there is an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, leading to a decrease in pH. The other options present normal or near-normal ABG values, indicating adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Therefore, these values would not be as urgent to report compared to the patient with respiratory acidosis in option D.
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