NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Preview Answers
1. During a heritage assessment, which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask?
- A. "Do you smoke?"?
- B. "What is your religion?"?
- C. "Do you have a history of heart disease?"?
- D. "How many years have you lived in the United States?"?
Correct answer: D
Rationale: During a heritage assessment, it is crucial for the nurse to ask questions related to a person's country of ancestry, years in the United States, cultural practices, beliefs, and values. By asking about the number of years lived in the United States, the nurse can gain insights into the individual's cultural background and heritage. Options B, C, and A are not directly related to assessing heritage. Asking about religion only addresses one aspect of heritage, while smoking history and health history do not provide a comprehensive view of a person's heritage.
2. A patient with Parkinson's disease is experiencing difficulty swallowing. What potential problem associated with dysphagia has the greatest influence on the plan of care?
- A. Anorexia
- B. Aspiration
- C. Self-care deficit
- D. Inadequate intake
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When a person experiences dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), the greatest concern is aspiration. Aspiration occurs when food or fluids enter the trachea and lungs instead of going down the esophagus. This can lead to serious complications such as choking, airway obstruction, and aspiration pneumonia. Anorexia (Choice A) refers to a loss of appetite, which is not the primary concern with dysphagia. Self-care deficit (Choice C) and inadequate intake (Choice D) are important considerations but do not have as direct an impact on the immediate safety and health risks associated with aspiration in dysphagia.
3. The nurse is assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old patient who appears to have an irregular respiratory pattern. How would the nurse assess this child's respirations?
- A. Respirations should be counted for 1 full minute.
- B. Child's pulse and respirations should be simultaneously checked for 30 seconds and then multiplied by 2.
- C. Child's respirations should be checked for a minimum of 5 minutes to identify any variations in his or her respiratory pattern.
- D. Patient's respirations should be counted for 15 seconds and then multiplied by 4.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: To accurately assess a child's respiratory pattern, the nurse should count respirations for a full minute. This duration provides a comprehensive view of the child's breathing pattern, ensuring abnormalities are not missed. Counting for only 30 seconds may not capture irregularities effectively. Checking respirations for 5 minutes is excessive and unnecessary for a routine assessment. Counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 is not as precise as a full-minute count. Pulse and respirations should not be checked simultaneously; instead, the nurse should count respirations unobtrusively while appearing to take the child's pulse. Therefore, the correct approach is to count the child's respirations for 1 full minute to obtain an accurate assessment.
4. Which of the following is classified as a prerenal condition that affects urinary elimination?
- A. Nephrotoxic medications
- B. Pericardial tamponade
- C. Neurogenic bladder
- D. Polycystic kidney disease
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A prerenal condition is one that causes reduced urinary elimination by affecting the blood flow to the kidneys. Pericardial tamponade is a condition that impacts the heart's ability to pump sufficient blood, leading to decreased blood flow to vital organs such as the kidneys. This reduction in blood flow to the kidneys can result in decreased urine production. The other choices, such as nephrotoxic medications, neurogenic bladder, and polycystic kidney disease, do not primarily affect the blood flow to the kidneys and are not classified as prerenal conditions that impact urinary elimination.
5. A parent calls the pediatric clinic and is frantic about the bottle of cleaning fluid her child drank for 20 minutes. Which of the following is the most important instruction the nurse can give the parent?
- A. This too shall pass.
- B. Take the child immediately to the ER
- C. Contact the Poison Control Center quickly
- D. Give the child syrup of ipecac
Correct answer: C
Rationale: In situations where a child has ingested a potentially harmful substance, contacting the Poison Control Center quickly is crucial. The Poison Control Center can provide specific guidance tailored to the child's situation, which can include whether immediate medical attention is necessary or if any actions need to be taken at home. Option A, 'This too shall pass,' is not appropriate as it dismisses the seriousness of the situation. Option B, 'Take the child immediately to the ER,' may not always be the best course of action without guidance from experts. Option D, 'Give the child syrup of ipecac,' is outdated advice and not recommended as a first response to poisoning incidents.
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