NCLEX-RN
Exam Cram NCLEX RN Practice Questions
1. The healthcare provider is examining a patient who is reporting "feeling cold."? Which is a mechanism of heat loss in the body?
- A. Exercise
- B. Radiation
- C. Metabolism
- D. Food digestion
Correct answer: B
Rationale: When the body needs to lose heat, one of the mechanisms it employs is radiation. Radiation involves the transfer of heat from the body to the environment in the form of infrared waves. While metabolism, exercise, and food digestion contribute to heat production, they are not mechanisms for heat loss. Metabolism generates heat as a byproduct, exercise increases metabolic rate leading to heat production, and food digestion involves some heat generation, but these processes do not directly facilitate heat loss. Therefore, in the scenario where the patient is feeling cold, radiation is the primary mechanism for the body to lose excess heat and maintain a stable internal temperature.
2. Your elderly patient has a temperature of 98.5 degrees. Is there anything else that a nurse should do, in addition to documenting this temperature?
- A. No, this temperature is within normal limits.
- B. No, this temperature is normally hyperthermic.
- C. Yes, this temperature is highly hyperthermic.
- D. Yes, this temperature is highly hypothermic.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: No, there is nothing else that a nurse should do. A temperature of 98.5 degrees for an elderly patient falls within normal limits. Other choices are incorrect because the temperature is not hyperthermic (abnormally high) or hypothermic (abnormally low), making choices B, C, and D inaccurate responses in this scenario.
3. To accurately assess a patient's respiration rate, which of the following methods would be BEST?
- A. Tell the patient, 'Please remain silent while I count your number of breaths.'
- B. Count respirations at the same time you are counting the pulse rate
- C. Count the pulse rate for one minute, then, while keeping your index fingers on the patient's radial artery, count the respirations for an additional minute.
- D. Count the patient's respiration rate, then take the patient's temperature, and then take the pulse rate.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The most accurate method to assess a patient's respiration rate is to count the breaths simultaneously while counting the pulse rate. This approach ensures that the patient is unaware of the specific focus on their breathing, preventing any conscious alteration in breathing patterns. Choice A is incorrect because informing the patient may lead to altered breathing as the patient may consciously change their breathing pattern. Choice C involves counting the pulse rate first, which is not necessary for assessing respiration rate. Choice D is incorrect as it includes unnecessary steps such as taking the patient's temperature before counting respiration rate, which adds no value to accurately assessing the respiration rate.
4. Where is the duodenum located in the digestive system?
- A. It is the first part of the small intestine, located immediately after the stomach.
- B. It is the section of the digestive system where the gall bladder delivers bile.
- C. It is the section of the small intestine where the pancreas delivers digestive juices.
- D. None of the above.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine, located immediately after the stomach. It is where the majority of digestion takes place in the gut. The pancreas delivers digestive juices containing amylase and lipase, while the gall bladder delivers bile to aid in the digestion of fats. Choice A incorrectly states that the duodenum is the third section of the small intestine, which is inaccurate. Choice B incorrectly associates the duodenum with the gall bladder, which is not where the duodenum is located. Choice C incorrectly states that the duodenum is where the pancreas delivers digestive juices, which is partly correct but not the main function of the duodenum. Therefore, the correct answer is 'None of the above' as none of the choices accurately describe the location or functions of the duodenum.
5. During the examination, it is often appropriate to offer some brief teaching about the patient's body or the examiner's findings. Which one of these statements by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. "Your atrial dysrhythmias are under control."?
- B. "You have pitting edema and mild varicosities."?
- C. "Your pulse is 80 beats per minute, which is within the normal range."?
- D. "I'm using my stethoscope to listen for any crackles, wheezes, or rubs in your lungs."?
Correct answer: C
Rationale: During an examination, providing brief educational information to the patient can enhance rapport, as long as the patient can comprehend the terminology. The most appropriate statement from the nurse is "Your pulse is 80 beats per minute, which is within the normal range." This statement conveys a vital sign in a way that is likely understandable to the patient. Choices A, B, and D use terminology that may be unfamiliar or confusing to the patient. Option A mentions 'atrial dysrhythmias,' which might not be clear to the patient. Option B involves terms like 'pitting edema' and 'varicosities,' which could be unfamiliar to the patient. Option D references 'crackles,' 'wheezes,' and 'rubs,' which might not be easily understood by the patient.
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