NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Practice Questions With Rationale
1. When teaching a client with coronary artery disease about nutrition, what should the nurse emphasize?
- A. Eating three balanced meals a day
- B. Adding complex carbohydrates
- C. Avoiding very heavy meals
- D. Limiting sodium intake to 7 g per day
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to emphasize avoiding very heavy meals. Eating large, heavy meals can divert blood away from the heart for digestion, potentially endangering clients with coronary artery disease. This practice may lead to an increased risk of plaque accumulation in the arteries, potentially obstructing the delivery of blood and oxygen to vital organs. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. While eating three balanced meals a day, adding complex carbohydrates, and limiting sodium intake are generally good dietary practices, they are not the primary focus when teaching a client with coronary artery disease about nutrition. The emphasis should be on avoiding heavy meals that can strain the cardiovascular system.
2. Mrs. O is seen for follow-up after an episode of acute pancreatitis. Her physician orders a serum amylase level and the result is 200 U/L. Which of the following is a potential cause of this result?
- A. The client is pregnant
- B. The client has hypertension
- C. The client is in renal failure
- D. The client has pancreatitis
Correct answer: D
Rationale: An elevated serum amylase level after pancreatitis may indicate another attack of the condition. It is common to order serum amylase as part of routine follow-up after pancreatitis. Elevated levels can also be seen in related gastrointestinal conditions like cholecystitis or an intestinal blockage. Therefore, in this case, the most likely cause of the elevated serum amylase level is a recurrence or ongoing pancreatitis. The other options, including pregnancy, hypertension, and renal failure, are not typically associated with an elevated serum amylase level in the context of follow-up after acute pancreatitis.
3. Which of the following may be a cultural barrier that impacts a healthcare provider's ability to provide care or education to the client?
- A. A healthcare provider offers educational materials to a client that are written at an 8th-grade reading level
- B. A Vietnamese woman wants to use steaming in addition to her prescription antibiotics
- C. A healthcare provider uses pantomime to explain a procedure to a deaf client
- D. A Native American client requests a healing ritual before considering surgery
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Cultural barriers can impede communication, hindering a healthcare provider's ability to provide education or instructions about a client's care. In the context of cultural sensitivity, using pantomime to explain a procedure to a deaf client can be ineffective and inappropriate. This approach implies a lack of recognition of the importance of proper communication methods, such as sign language interpreters, which are crucial for effective communication with individuals who are deaf. Miscommunication is likely to occur if the client does not understand the gestures and actions of the healthcare provider. This scenario highlights the significance of understanding and respecting different cultural practices and communication needs to deliver optimal care and education. Choice A is incorrect because offering educational materials at an appropriate reading level demonstrates consideration for the client's literacy level, which can enhance understanding and compliance with medical instructions. Choice B is incorrect as incorporating a client's cultural practices, such as steaming, alongside prescribed treatments can be a part of culturally competent care. Choice D is incorrect as respecting a client's request for a healing ritual aligns with providing patient-centered care that acknowledges and integrates cultural beliefs and preferences.
4. Which of the following tasks may be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel?
- A. Cleansing a wound with peroxide
- B. Irrigating a colostomy
- C. Assisting with performing incentive spirometry
- D. Removing a saline-lock IV
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Certain tasks can be safely delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel to assist nurses in their workload. Tasks that involve routine activities like incentive spirometry can be delegated. Unlicensed assistive personnel can assist clients with incentive spirometry, helping in promoting lung expansion and preventing respiratory complications. Cleansing a wound with peroxide (Choice A) and irrigating a colostomy (Choice B) involve more complex procedures that should be performed by licensed healthcare providers due to the risk of infection and potential complications. Removing a saline-lock IV (Choice D) requires specialized training and should only be performed by licensed personnel to prevent complications and ensure patient safety. The nurse remains responsible for delegating tasks appropriately and overseeing the care provided by unlicensed assistive personnel.
5. Albert is a patient in the hospital who is scheduled for surgery the following morning. After the pre-operative visit from the anesthesia staff member who has obtained surgical consent, Albert asks for an explanation of what type of surgery he is going to have. He states that he's not sure what he just signed. What is your best response?
- A. Don't worry, they'll explain it in the operating room.
- B. It's standard procedure to get the consent; you don't need to worry.
- C. Let me ask the nurse anesthetist to come back and explain it further.
- D. Someone will review it with you prior to surgery.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The correct response is to ensure that the patient fully understands the nature of the surgery they are about to undergo. If the patient expresses uncertainty about the procedure they signed consent for, it indicates a lack of informed consent, which is essential before any surgery. By requesting the nurse anesthetist to return and provide a more detailed explanation, the patient can make an informed decision. Choices A, B, and D do not address the issue of the patient's lack of understanding and the need for informed consent, making them incorrect. Option C is the best course of action to rectify the situation and ensure the patient's understanding and consent are properly obtained.
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