a woman has died as a result of a motor vehicle accident she is listed as an organ donor and her family is considering whether to comply with her wish

NCLEX-RN

NCLEX RN Practice Questions With Rationale

1. A woman has died as a result of a motor vehicle accident. She is listed as an organ donor, and her family is considering whether to comply with her wishes. Which of the following is true?

A. The woman would have had to list herself as an organ donor and notify her family before her death that she has considered donating her organs.
B. The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act requires the physician caring for the patient to inform the family who receives the donor organs.
C. Physicians can choose to go against the deceased's wishes if the family decides that organ donation is not an acceptable choice.
D. Physicians have the legal responsibility to inform patients of the risks involved in donating organs.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In cases where a deceased person is listed as an organ donor, the family may have the final say on whether to proceed with organ donation, even if the individual had expressed their wish to donate. Physicians may prioritize the emotional well-being of the family over the wishes of the deceased, especially if organ donation could cause additional distress or trauma to the grieving family members. Therefore, it is possible for physicians to respect the family's decision not to proceed with organ donation, even if the deceased had previously expressed the desire to donate. This decision-making process underscores the importance of considering and respecting the perspectives and emotions of both the deceased individual and their surviving family members in organ donation scenarios.

2. While caring for a client who has just come from surgery and is in the recovery room with an endotracheal tube in place, the nurse deflates the cuff on the tube and removes it. The client sits up in bed, grasps his throat, and begins to make wheezing sounds. Which of the following conditions is the most likely cause of this situation?

A. The client is choking on part of the tube
B. The client has anxiety
C. The client is having a laryngospasm
D. The client is having a normal response from anesthesia

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After surgery, some clients may experience a laryngospasm during emergence from anesthesia. A laryngospasm can lead to the closure of the laryngeal opening due to spasm of the vocal cords. In this scenario, the client's symptoms of wheezing and throat grasping are indicative of a laryngospasm rather than choking on the tube, anxiety, or a normal response from anesthesia. The nurse should act promptly to open the airway to aid breathing and consider administering muscle relaxants as necessary.

3. The clinic nurse teaches a patient with a 42 pack-year history of cigarette smoking about lung disease. Which information will be most important for the nurse to include?

A. Options for smoking cessation
B. Reasons for annual sputum cytology testing
C. Erlotinib (Tarceva) therapy to prevent tumor risk
D. Computed tomography (CT) screening for lung cancer

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most critical information for the nurse to provide to a patient with a significant smoking history is options for smoking cessation. Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, making smoking cessation essential in reducing the risk of developing the disease. Annual sputum cytology testing is not a standard screening test for lung cancer; instead, CT scanning is being explored for this purpose. Erlotinib therapy is used in lung cancer treatment but not for preventing tumor risk in individuals without cancer. CT screening for lung cancer is still under investigation and is not primarily aimed at prevention but rather early detection in high-risk individuals.

4. A woman presents with bruises on her face and back in various stages of healing. She states, 'sometimes he just gets so angry.' Which of the following statements is most appropriate as a response from the nurse?

A. Do you mean your boyfriend?
B. Do you mean your boyfriend?
C. No one will ever hurt you again.
D. Tell me more about what happens when he gets angry.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most appropriate response from the nurse is to gather more information by asking the client to elaborate on what occurs when the individual in question gets angry. It is essential for the nurse to understand the situation better before taking any action or making assumptions. Option A and B are repetitive and do not encourage further exploration of the situation. Option C offers a false promise and reassurance that the nurse cannot guarantee, which may not be helpful in addressing the client's needs.

5. Which of the following conditions may cause an increased respiratory rate?

A. Stooped posture
B. Narcotic analgesics
C. Injury to the brain stem
D. Anemia

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Anemia can lead to an increased respiratory rate. In anemia, there are decreased levels of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body's tissues. To compensate for the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, the body increases the respiratory rate to bring in more oxygen. Stooped posture (Choice A) is not directly related to an increased respiratory rate. Narcotic analgesics (Choice B) are more likely to cause a decreased respiratory rate due to their central nervous system depressant effects. Injury to the brain stem (Choice C) can affect respiratory function but may not necessarily lead to an increased respiratory rate.