NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-RN Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A client with a T6 injury six months ago develops facial flushing and a BP of 210/106. After elevating the head of the bed, which is the most appropriate nursing action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facial flushing and severe hypertension suggest autonomic dysreflexia, often triggered by a distended bladder in spinal cord injury. Assessing and relieving the trigger (
B) is priority. Notifying the physician (
A), oxygen (
C), or fluids (
D) is secondary.
Question 2 of 5
A 23-year-old borderline client is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit following an impulsive act of self-mutilation. A few hours after admission, she requests special privileges, and when these are not granted, she stands up and angrily shouts that the people on the unit do not care, and she storms across the room. The nurse should respond to this behavior by:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Threatening a client with punitive action is violating a client's rights and could escalate the client's anger. Angry clients need respect for personal space, and physical contact may be perceived as a threatening gesture escalating anger. Client lacks sufficient self-control to limit own maladaptive behavior; she may need assistance from staff. Confronting an angry client may escalate her anger to further acting out, and consequences are for acting out anger aggressively, not for getting angry or feeling angry.
Question 3 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 4 of 5
A six-month-old is receiving Lanoxin elixir (digoxin) following the repair of a VSD. Which finding should be reported to the physician?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A heart rate of 80 beats per minute in a six-month-old is low (normal range: 100-160 bpm) and may indicate digoxin toxicity or worsening cardiac function post-VSD repair. The other findings are within normal limits for an infant.
Question 5 of 5
During a change of shift, the oncoming nurse notes a discrepancy in the narcotic count. The nurse’s first action should be to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A discrepancy in the narcotic count requires immediate investigation to ensure patient safety and compliance. Notifying the nursing supervisor is the first step, as they can initiate an internal review. The pharmacist, board, or director are notified later if needed.