you are caring for a hispanic patient who is scheduled for surgery in the morning a member of the surgery staff is in a hurry when she visits the pati

NCLEX-RN

NCLEX RN Practice Questions With Rationale

1. You are caring for a Hispanic patient who is scheduled for surgery in the morning. A member of the surgery staff is in a hurry when she visits the patient to obtain surgical consent. You know that the patient speaks limited English and can see that he does not really understand what's being said. What is the most appropriate next action?

A. Call a family member to interpret
B. Consult the hospital translator to assist
C. Allow the consent to be signed
D. Ask the staff member to come back later

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Consulting the hospital translator is the most reliable means of ensuring accuracy in the information that the patient is receiving. Family members can be helpful, but they may have difficulty understanding the medical procedures well enough to explain them accurately and may misinterpret the message. Relying on family members could lead to misunderstandings or miscommunication. Allowing the consent to be signed without ensuring the patient's full understanding could pose risks to the patient's well-being. Asking the staff member to come back later delays the essential communication process needed before surgery. Therefore, consulting the hospital translator is the best course of action to ensure clear and accurate communication, especially in critical healthcare decisions like surgical consent.

2. The client is receiving an MAOI. Which foods should the nurse caution the client to avoid?

A. Pork, spinach, and fresh oysters
B. Milk, grapes, and meat tenderizers
C. Cheese, beer, and products with chocolate
D. Leafy green vegetables, fresh apples, and ice cream

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. When a client is receiving a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), they should avoid foods high in tyramine to prevent a hypertensive crisis. Cheese, beer, and products with chocolate are rich in tyramine and can interact with MAOIs, leading to a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Choices A, B, and D do not contain high levels of tyramine and are not typically restricted when taking MAOIs.

3. A nurse is caring for a dying client whose family wants to be with him in the operating suite. The surgeon, however, does not allow families to be present during surgery. The nurse recognizes this as an ethical dilemma. What is the initial step of the nurse when managing this situation?

A. Contact the physician to amend the order for the client
B. Document an account of the situation to ensure adequate coverage of details
C. Consult with the medical ethics committee to determine a safe and workable solution
D. Speak with the chief nursing officer to change the policy governing this situation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this type of situation, the first action of the nurse should be to address the immediate needs of the client by requesting the physician to make a change based on the circumstances. The primary concern is to ensure the client's well-being and honor the family's wishes, even if it means deviating from standard protocols. While documentation (Choice B) and consulting with higher authorities like the medical ethics committee (Choice C) may be necessary at a later stage, the initial step is to take action to meet the client's needs promptly. Speaking with the chief nursing officer to change the policy (Choice D) is not the most immediate or practical step in this situation, as the focus should be on the client's current care needs.

4. A client diagnosed with schizophrenia is slow to respond and appears to be listening to unseen others. Which medication should a nurse expect a physician to order to address this type of symptom?

A. Haloperidol (Haldol) to address the negative symptom
B. Clonazepam (Klonopin) to address the positive symptom
C. Risperidone (Risperdal) to address the positive symptom
D. Clozapine (Clozaril) to address the negative symptom

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct medication to address the symptom described, where the client is slow to respond and appears to be listening to unseen others, is Risperidone (Risperdal). Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that is commonly used to manage positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Haloperidol (Haldol) and Clozapine (Clozaril) are typically used for addressing negative symptoms, such as lack of motivation or social withdrawal. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine primarily used for anxiety disorders and seizures, not for addressing symptoms of schizophrenia.

5. Which of the following clients have barriers to accessing healthcare?

A. A 36-year-old client who must use a wheelchair for mobility
B. A 44-year-old client who is visiting the United States on a visa from India
C. An 81-year-old client who is unable to drive
D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: All of the provided clients have barriers to accessing healthcare. Clients with physical limitations, such as the 36-year-old client using a wheelchair, may face challenges in mobility and accessing healthcare facilities. The 44-year-old client from India visiting the United States on a visa may encounter barriers related to language, cultural differences, or insurance coverage. The 81-year-old client who is unable to drive may struggle with transportation to healthcare appointments. Therefore, all three clients face different barriers to accessing healthcare, making 'All of the above' the correct answer.