NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Practice Test with NGN Questions
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 58-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit.
History and Physical
General
The client is vomiting bright red blood; medical history includes alcohol use disorder, liver cirrhosis, and hypertension; the client was admitted a year ago for alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis
Neurological
The client is oriented to person and place; the pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Yellow scleras are noted
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 18, SpO 94% on room air
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, BP 90/40; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses are 2+ in all extremities; 1+ edema is noted at the bilateral lower extremities
Gastrointestinal
The abdomen is distended and nontender to palpation; the flanks are dull to percussion; bowel sounds are hypoactive; distended veins are present around the umbilicus
Genitourinary
Client is voiding amber-colored urine
Question 1 of 5
Complete the following sentence by choosing from the lists of options. The nurse should prioritize interventions for ___ due to the risk of ___.
Correct Answer: B,E
Rationale: The client is vomiting bright red blood and has low BP (90/40) and elevated pulse (102), indicating hypovolemia (E) from bleeding esophageal varices (
B), which is confirmed later. Prioritizing interventions for esophageal varices addresses the bleeding source, and hypovolemia addresses the life-threatening volume loss.
Extract:
The nurse in an inpatient mental health unit is caring for a 43-year-old client.
History
Admission:
The client comes to the inpatient psychiatric facility for an evaluation. The client is having distressing nightmares, flashbacks, and feelings of being "on edge" since a severe motor vehicle collision 6 months ago that resulted in the death of the client's sibling. The client blames self for the sibling's death and verbalizes feelings of guilt. The client reports an inability to sleep well and being quick to anger, both of which led to job loss and the client seeking help. The client reports a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, such as working out and interacting with friends. The client has started smoking cigarettes daily since the collision and typically consumes ≥4 alcoholic beverages per day. Mental status examination reveals an irritable, guarded, and easily distracted mood. The client's appearance is well- kept, and grooming and hygiene are appropriate. The client’s speech is hyperverbal yet coherent, and thought process is organized. The client admits to feelings of hopelessness after the death of the sibling. The client reports occasionally seeing "shadows" but no visual hallucinations. The client has no homicidal ideations or history of violence toward others.
Vital signs: P 78, RR 17, BP 132/78.
Question 2 of 5
Which client finding requires immediate follow-up by the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hopelessness is a critical finding indicating a risk for suicide or severe depression, requiring immediate assessment and intervention in a client with post-traumatic stress symptoms and recent life stressors.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for an 82-year-old client in the emergency department.
Nurses' Notes
0930:
The client reports shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain for 2 days. The client fractured the right femoral neck a month ago after a fall and decided against operative management. Since then, the client has been wheelchair dependent and takes acetaminophen for fracture pain management. The client was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring.
History and physical
Body System
Neurological
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; the client appears anxious
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 22, SpOz 89% on room air; bilateral breath sounds are clear; pain increases with inhalation; the client reports shortness of breath for the past 2 days; the client smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99.8 F (37.7 C), P 110, BP 110/60; S1 and S2 are present; there are no murmurs, redness and edema of the right lower extremity are noted; sinus tachycardia is seen on the monitor, chest pain is reported as 7 on a scale of 0-10
Musculoskeletal
The client has osteoporosis, is wheelchair dependent, and is unable to bear weight on the right leg
Diagnostic Results
CT pulmonary angiography
1030: Pulmonary embolism is confirmed
Lower extremity doppler ultrasound
1100: Deep venous thrombosis is noted in the right lower extremity.
Question 3 of 5
For each potential prescription, click to specify if the prescription is anticipated or contraindicated for the care of the client.
| Potential Prescription | Anticipated | Contraindicated |
|---|---|---|
| Heparin infusion | ||
| Acetaminophen PRN for pain | ||
| Physical therapy for mobility exercises | ||
| Supplemental oxygen to maintain SpO2 ≥ 90% | ||
| Sequential compression devices to bilateral lower extremities |
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: A: Heparin infusion is anticipated to treat pulmonary embolism and DVT by preventing further clot formation. B: Acetaminophen is anticipated for pain management, as it is safe for this client. C: Physical therapy is contraindicated due to the acute PE and DVT, as mobilization could dislodge clots. D: Supplemental oxygen is anticipated to correct hypoxemia (SpO2 89%). E: Sequential compression devices are contraindicated, as DVT is already present, and they could dislodge the clot.
Extract:
The nurse in the surgical unit is caring for a 57-year-old client who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy.
Progress Notes
1 Day Postoperative
0800:
The client underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and tumor debulking 1 day ago for treatment of ovarian cancer. She has had four episodes of vomiting with bilious emesis over the past 12 hours, which have continued despite V antiemetic administration. The client has been receiving V broad-spectrum antibiotics since the procedure. The skin is warm. A low transverse abdominal incision is present; staples are clean and dry. Chest expansion is symmetric; respirations are unlabored: diminished breath sounds are auscultated in bilateral lower lobes. Radial pulses 2+ bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds in all four extremities; no peripheral edema is noted. The client reports frequent hot flashes occurring roughly every hour, starting last night. The abdomen is markedly distended and tender to palpation. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants; the client reports no flatus. Urine is clear yellow with moderate output. The client reports incontinence with coughing or during episodes of vomiting.
Prescriptions
0820:
• 5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride at 75 m/hr continuous
• 50% dextrose 25 mg IV push as needed for blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
• Ketorolac 15 mg IV push every 6 hours as needed for severe pain
• Ondansetron 8 mg PO every 8 hours as needed for nausea
• Pantoprazole 40 mg PO daily
• Potassium chloride 40 mEq/100 mL IVPB once
• Sips of clear liquids, advance diet as tolerated
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range: 1 day postoperative
WBC count:
5000-10.000/mm3 (5-10 × 10%L): 12,000/mm3 (12 × 10°/L)
Urea nitrogen (BUN)
10-20 mg/dL (3.6-7.1 mmol/L): 24 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L)
Creatinine
Male: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL(53-106 umol/L):
1.6 mg/dL (141.4 pmol/L)
Female: 0.5-1.1 mg/dL (44-97 umol/L):
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L (3.5--5.0 mmol/L): 3.3 mEq/L (3.3 mmol/L)
Sodium
135-145 mEq/L (135-145 mmol/L): 137 mEq/L (137 mmol/L)
Blood glucose level
74-106 mg/dL (4.1-5.9 mmol/L): 75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L)
Question 4 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Prescriptions and Laboratory Results. The nurse is planning care with the registered nurse. Select 2 prescriptions the nurse should anticipate initiating first.
Correct Answer: A, F
Rationale: IV fluids (
A) are critical to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance, especially with vomiting and ileus. Potassium chloride (F) addresses the low potassium level (3.3 mEq/L). Dextrose is not needed with normal glucose (75 mg/dL). Ketorolac and ondansetron are as-needed, and pantoprazole is daily but less urgent. Clear liquids may exacerbate ileus.
Extract:
Nurses' Notes
0930:
The client reports shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain for 2 days. The client fractured the right femoral neck a month ago after a fall and decided against operative management. Since then, the client has been wheelchair dependent and takes acetaminophen for fracture pain management. The client was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring.
History and physical
Body System
Neurological
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; the client appears anxious
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 22, SpOz 89% on room air; bilateral breath sounds are clear; pain increases with inhalation; the client reports shortness of breath for the past 2 days; the client smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99.8 F (37.7 C), P 110, BP 110/60; S1 and S2 are present; there are no murmurs, redness and edema of the right lower extremity are noted; sinus tachycardia is seen on the monitor, chest pain is reported as 7 on a scale of 0-10
Musculoskeletal
The client has osteoporosis, is wheelchair dependent, and is unable to bear weight on the right leg
Question 5 of 5
Based on the client's history and physical examination findings, which disease process is the most likely cause of this client's current condition?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client's recent immobility (wheelchair dependence post-femoral fracture), right lower extremity redness and edema (suggesting DVT), dyspnea, chest pain, hypoxemia (SpO2 89%), and sinus tachycardia strongly indicate venous thromboembolism, likely a pulmonary embolism secondary to DVT.