NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-RN Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A 38-year-old female client with a history of chronic schizophrenia, paranoid type, is currently an outpatient at the local mental health and mental retardation clinic. The client comes in once a week for medication evaluation and/or refills. She self-administers haloperidol 5 mg twice a day and benztropine 1 mg once a day. During a recent clinic visit, she says to the nurse, 'I can't stay still at night. I toss and turn and can't fall asleep.' The nurse suspects that she may be experiencing:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Akathisia, or motor restlessness, is a reversible EPS frequently associated with the administration of antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol. Akinesia, or muscular or motor retardation, is an example of reversible EPS frequently associated with the administration of major tranquilizers such as haloperidol. Acute dystonic reactions, bizarre and severe muscle contractions usually of the tongue, face, neck or extraocular muscles, are examples of EPS. Opisthotonos, a severe type of whole-body dystonic reaction in which the head and heels are bent backward while the body is bowed forward, is an example of EPS.
Question 2 of 5
A 14-year-old boy has a head injury with laceration of his scalp over his ear. The nurse should call the physician to report:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This change in blood pressure may not be significant and does not indicate a widening pulse pressure, a late sign of increased ICP. It is important to continue to monitor for change in blood pressure. Acetaminophen may be ineffective in relieving headache after head injury. Stronger analgesics are contraindicated because they mask neurological signs and may depress the CNS. Pulse rates between 68 bpm and 76 bpm are within normal limits for a 14-year-old child. It is important to monitor for a consistent drop in pulse rate, which is a late sign of increasing ICP. An elevated temperature is abnormal and requires further assessment and medical intervention. The temperature may be unrelated to the head injury, but CNS infection is serious and difficult to control.
Question 3 of 5
A client has returned to the unit following a left femoral popliteal bypass graft. Six hours later, his dorsalis pedis pulse cannot be palpated, and his foot is cool and dusky. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The physician should be notified immediately because the client is losing blood supply to his left foot and is in danger of losing the foot and/or leg.
Question 4 of 5
The client will be more comfortable and the results more accurate when the nurse prepares the client for Leopold's maneuvers by having her:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A full bladder would cause discomfort and possible urinary incontinence during the exam. The left side-lying position would not accommodate the exam. The head of the exam table or bed can be slightly elevated to prevent supine hypotension. Arms extended over the head would cause the abdomen to be tighter and less easily palpable. Forcing fluids would encourage a full bladder, which is not desired for the exam.
Question 5 of 5
A female client has married recently. A month ago she visited her physician with complaints of burning on urination. She was given a prescription for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) DS bid for 10 days. She was admitted through the emergency room on Saturday evening complaining of flank pain. Her temperature was 104°F. A preliminary urinalysis revealed 31 bacteria along with red and white blood cells Rankings blood cells in the urine. A preliminary diagnosis of pyelonephritis was made. During a nursing admission assessment, which statement by the client demonstrates a possible cause for pyelonephritis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Although it is important that the client drink adequate fluids while treating a bladder infection with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, the failure to do so will not cause pyelonephritis. A stricture or abnormality may cause the progression of bladder infection to urinary tract infection, but this is rare. There is no indication in this situation that this has occurred. The most common cause of pyelonephritis is improper treatment of bladder infections. The client typically feels better after several days, discontinues the medication, and saves the remainder for the next occurrence of a bladder infection. For this reason, it is imperative to provide client education related to completion of the prescribed medication. There is no evidence that infection in another body system could cause pyelonephritis.