which of these clients should the lpnlvn see first

NCLEX-PN

NCLEX PN Test Bank

1. Which of these clients should the LPN/LVN see first?

A. a client with a newly placed NG tube who is complaining of pain around the face and a plugged nose
B. a post-op prostatectomy client who complains of bladder spasms and blood in his foley bag
C. a client in an arm cast who is 2 days post-op and reports feelings of numbness and tingling in her affected arm
D. a client newly diagnosed with Hepatitis A who reports stomach pain and itchy skin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Numbness and tingling hours or days after a cast is applied may indicate compartment syndrome and should be reported to a medical provider right away. This is a potential emergency situation that requires immediate attention to prevent complications. The other options present expected or typical symptoms related to their diagnosis, which do not require immediate intervention. Complaints related to a newly placed NG tube such as pain around the face and a plugged nose may require assessment and intervention but are not as urgent as potential compartment syndrome. Bladder spasms and blood in the foley bag post-prostatectomy are common postoperative issues that can be addressed after the client in the arm cast with potential compartment syndrome is seen. Stomach pain and itchy skin in a client with Hepatitis A are common symptoms of the condition and do not indicate an emergency situation.

2. A client being treated for sickle cell disease has an order for pain medication. Morphine was ordered, but the nurse is having difficulty deciphering the dose. The nurse should ____.

A. ask the attending physician to clarify the order, including the correct medication, dose, route, and frequency
B. call the charge nurse to inform the attending physician and verify the order, including the correct medication, dose, route, and frequency
C. call the attending physician to verbally verify the order, including the correct medication, dose, route, and frequency
D. refrain from administering the medication until the charge nurse can assist in determining the correct dosage

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, when a nurse encounters difficulties in deciphering an order, the appropriate action is to contact the attending physician directly to clarify and verify the medication, dose, route, and frequency. It is crucial for the nurse to have a clear understanding of the order before administering any medication to ensure patient safety and proper treatment. Option A is incorrect as it suggests asking the attending physician to clarify without specifying the urgency of the situation. Option B involves an unnecessary additional step by first contacting the charge nurse before reaching out to the attending physician, potentially delaying the clarification process. Option D is incorrect as it advises refraining from administering the medication, which may not be necessary if the correct dosage can be promptly verified by contacting the attending physician.

3. An LPN is having a conflict with another nurse during her shift. She has tried to discuss the issues with the nurse with no resolution. What is the most appropriate way for the LPN to proceed?

A. Report the conflict to the director of nursing over the unit.
B. Report the conflict to the assigned charge nurse of the unit.
C. Report the conflict to the nurse manager of the unit.
D. Discuss the conflict with the other nurse to attempt resolution of the issue.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate way for the LPN to proceed is to report the conflict to the assigned charge nurse of the unit. Following the chain of command is crucial in a professional setting to address conflicts effectively. Reporting the issue to the charge nurse, who is the immediate supervisor, allows for a structured approach to resolving the conflict. Reporting directly to higher levels such as the director of nursing or nurse manager may bypass the appropriate hierarchy and could create unnecessary tension. Attempting to resolve the issue independently with the other nurse may not be effective if previous attempts have failed, making it essential to involve the immediate supervisor.

4. A client with a pleural drainage system to suction has gentle bubbling of the water seal. What should the nurse do?

A. Notify the physician.
B. Clamp the chest tube.
C. Replace the system.
D. Document the finding

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Gentle bubbling is a normal finding for a client with a pleural drainage system to suction, so it simply needs to be documented for monitoring purposes. If the bubbling becomes vigorous, it could indicate a leak, which would then require further investigation by the nurse. Therefore, the correct action at this point is to document the finding. Notifying the physician is not necessary for gentle bubbling as it is expected. Clamping the chest tube or replacing the system is inappropriate and could potentially harm the client as there is no indication for such actions based on the scenario provided.

5. What should be the first action upon the discovery of an electrical fire?

A. Disconnect the electrical power if it can be done safely
B. Smother the source with an object like a blanket
C. Saturate the source with water or another liquid
D. Immediately activate the fire alarm

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct initial action upon discovering an electrical fire is to disconnect the electrical power if it can be done safely. This helps prevent the fire from spreading through the electrical system. Smothering the fire with a blanket is not recommended for electrical fires as it can fuel the fire. Saturating the source with water or other liquids is also not advised as it can lead to electric shock or spread the fire. Activating the fire alarm is important, but it should be done after disconnecting the power to prevent further escalation of the fire.