NCLEX-RN
NCLEX Practice Test RN Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A patient with a PCA pump (patient controlled analgesia) asks the nurse if he can become overdosed with pain medication using this machine. Which statement made by the nurse is correct?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PCA pumps have a lockout interval and dose limits programmed to prevent overdose, ensuring safe administration of pain medication. The other statements are inaccurate: PCA requires patient action, does not deliver large doses every four hours, and is not based on ‘need’ detection.
Question 2 of 5
A client with an abdominal aortic aneurysm is admitted in preparation for surgery. Which finding should be reported to the doctor?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A WBC of 14,000 cu.mm indicates possible infection or inflammation, which is concerning pre-surgery and should be reported. Abdominal bruit and lower back pain are expected with an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and a platelet count of 175,000 is normal.
Question 3 of 5
The physician has scheduled a Whipple procedure for a client with pancreatic cancer. The nurse recognizes that the client's cancer is located in:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) is performed for cancer in the head of the pancreas, removing the head, duodenum, and other structures. Tail or body cancers require different surgeries.
Question 4 of 5
A 42-year-old client with bipolar disorder has been hospitalized on the inpatient psychiatric unit. She is dancing around, talking incessantly, and singing. Much of the time the client is anorexic and eats very little from her tray before she is up and about again. The nurse's intervention would be to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The manic client's mood may easily change from euphoric to irritable. The nurse should avoid confrontation and let the client know what she can do, rather than what she cannot. Although helpful to refocus or redirect the manic client to discuss only one topic at a time, distractibility is very high and it's best to avoid long discussions. Manic clients have a tendency to manipulate persons in their environment. Staff should monitor intake, including at mealtime and snacks, and be consistent in their approach to meeting nutritional needs. Manic clients may not sit and eat complete meals, but they can carry foods and liquids from regular meals with them. Staff can monitor and give high-caloric and high-energy snacks and liquids.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse would need to monitor the serum glucose levels of a client receiving which of the following medications, owing to its effects on glycogenolysis and insulin release?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Norepinephrine's side effects are primarily related to safe, effective care environment and include decreased peripheral perfusion and bradycardia. Dobutamine's side effects include increased heart rate and blood pressure, ventricular ectopy, nausea, and headache. Propranolol's side effects include elevated blood urea nitrogen, serum transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactic dehydrogenase. Epinephrine increases serum glucose levels by increasing glycogenolysis and inhibiting insulin release. Prolonged use can elevate serum lactate levels, leading to metabolic acidosis, increased urinary catecholamines, false elevation of blood urea nitrogen, and decreased coagulation time.