NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-RN Exam Practice Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A client is having an amniocentesis. Prior to the procedure, an ultrasound is performed. In preparing the client, the nurse explains the reason for a sonogram in this situation to be:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Prior to amniocentesis, the abdomen is scanned by ultrasound to locate the placenta, thus reducing the possibility of penetrating it with the spinal needle used to obtain amniotic fluid.
Question 2 of 5
Early in her ninth month of pregnancy, a client has been diagnosed as having mild preeclampsia. In counseling her about her diet, the nurse must emphasize the importance of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Women with pregnancy-induced hypertension have a reduced plasma volume secondary to venous vessel constriction, not hypovolemia; therefore, sodium restriction is not recommended. It is suggested that these women avoid extremely salty foods. Drinking six to eight glasses of water per day facilitates optimal fluid volume and renal perfusion, but it will not decrease the venous vessel constriction of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Carbohydrate needs increase during pregnancy, specifically during the second and third trimesters, but they have not been linked to pregnancy-induced hypertension. Loss of urinary protein (proteinuria) is associated with increased permeability of the large protein molecules with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Additional dietary protein also helps increase the plasma colloidal osmotic pressure. Diets deficient in protein have been linked to pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Question 3 of 5
A female client has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure. She is a candidate for either peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis and must make a choice between the two. Which information should the nurse give her to help her decide?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hemodialysis is faster in clearing the blood of toxins than peritoneal dialysis. However, clients must consider the time that they spend traveling to the dialysis center and the disruption in their daily lives. Peritoneal dialysis requires several exchanges with dwelling time for the dialysate and therefore takes longer than hemodialysis. Several serious complications of peritoneal dialysis include peritonitis, catheter displacement and/or plugging, or pain during dialysis. A client can be taught to self-administer peritoneal dialysis without the aid of a professional.
Question 4 of 5
A 27-year-old male client is admitted to the acute care mental health unit for observation. He has recently lost his job, and his wife told him yesterday that she wants a divorce. The client is placed on suicide precautions. In assessing suicide potential, the nurse should pay close attention to the client's:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assessing the client's level of insight is an important part of the mental status exam (MSE), but it does not reflect suicide potential. Assessing the client's thought processes is an important part of the MSE, but it does not reflect suicide potential. Assessing the client's mood and affect is an important part of the MSE, and it can be a very valuable indicator of suicide potential. Frequently a client who has decided to proceed with suicide plans will exhibit a suddenly improved mood and affect. Assessing a client's abstracting abilities is an important part of the MSE, but it does not reflect suicide potential.
Question 5 of 5
A pregnant client comes to the office for her first prenatal examination at 10 weeks. She has been pregnant twice before; the first delivery produced a viable baby girl at 39 weeks 3 years ago; the second pregnancy produced a viable baby boy at 36 weeks 2 years ago. Both children are living and well. Using the GTPAL system to record her obstetrical history, the nurse should record:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: G=3 (current pregnancy), T=1 (term birth), P=1 (preterm birth), A=0 (no abortions), L=2 (living children).