NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Preview Answers
1. The nurse is comparing the concepts of religion and spirituality. Which statement describes an appropriate component of one's spirituality?
- A. Belief in and worship of God or gods
- B. Being closely tied to one's ethnic background
- C. Attendance at a specific church or place of worship
- D. A connection with something larger than oneself and belief in transcendence
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Spirituality refers to a connection with something larger than oneself and a belief in transcendence. The other responses do not apply to spirituality. Choice A, 'Belief in and worship of God or gods,' and choice C, 'Attendance at a specific church or place of worship,' are more aligned with religious practices. Choice B, 'Being closely tied to one's ethnic background,' is not a defining aspect of spirituality or religion as it pertains more to cultural identity rather than spiritual beliefs.
2. What technique would the nurse use to accurately assess a rectal temperature in an adult?
- A. Use a lubricated blunt tip thermometer.
- B. Insert the thermometer 2 to 3 inches into the rectum.
- C. Leave the thermometer in place for up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile.
- D. Wait 2 to 3 minutes if the patient has recently smoked a cigarette.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: To accurately assess a rectal temperature in an adult, a nurse should use a lubricated rectal thermometer with a short, blunt tip. The thermometer is inserted only 2 to 3 cm (1 inch) into the rectum and left in place for 2 minutes. Choice B is incorrect as inserting the thermometer 2 to 3 inches would be too deep and inaccurate. Choice C is incorrect as leaving the thermometer in place for up to 8 minutes is unnecessary and can cause discomfort. Choice D is incorrect as smoking a cigarette does not impact rectal temperatures.
3. A patient is asked to abduct her arms. Which of the following accurately describes her arm movement?
- A. She moves her arms away from her trunk
- B. She moves her arms toward her trunk
- C. She rotates her arms at the wrists while holding them away from her body
- D. She crosses her arms over her abdomen
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Abduction refers to moving a body part away from the midline of the body. In this case, when the patient abducts her arms, she is moving them away from her trunk. Choice A is correct. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choice B describes adduction, which is the movement of a body part toward the midline. Choice C describes wrist rotation, not arm abduction. Choice D describes crossing the arms over the abdomen, which is not the movement associated with abduction.
4. What does the medical term 'basophilia' refer to?
- A. An attachment of the epithelial cells of the skin to a basement membrane
- B. An overabundance of a particular white blood cell in the peripheral blood
- C. An underrepresentation of basophils on a blood smear
- D. None of the above
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'An overabundance of a particular white blood cell in the peripheral blood.' Basophilia specifically indicates an increased number of basophils in the peripheral blood. It can be observed in conditions like leukemia and certain allergic reactions. Choice A is incorrect as it describes something unrelated to basophilia. Choice C is incorrect as it suggests a decrease in basophils, which is opposite to the actual meaning of basophilia. Choice D is also incorrect as basophilia does have a defined medical significance.
5. The client starting an exercise program will progress to walking a 20-minute mile in one month.
- A. Client will walk quickly three times a day
- B. Client will be able to walk a mile
- C. Client will have no alteration in breathing during the walk
- D. Client will progress to walking a 20-minute mile in one month
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Outcome statements must be written in behavioral terms and identify specific, measurable client behaviors. They are stated in terms of the client with an action verb that, under identified conditions, will achieve the desired behavior. Choice A lacks specificity and does not mention a target time or goal. Choice B is vague and does not provide a specific target for improvement. Choice C focuses on a negative outcome (no alteration) rather than a positive goal. The correct answer, Choice D, is specific, measurable, and time-bound, making it a suitable outcome statement for a client starting an exercise program.
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