NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Test Questions with NGN Questions
Extract:
Nurses' Notes
Initial Clinic Visit
1100:
The client has experienced enuresis at night for the past 2 weeks and frequently requests to use the
bathroom while at school. The client was previously toilet trained with no nighttime bed wetting for 6 months;
the client recently relocated to a new home and school where the client lives with parents.
The parent reports that the client has recently demonstrated fatigue, irritability, and multiple behavioral
outbursts that resemble past temper tantrums. The client frequently reports feeling thirsty. No dysuria or
urinary hesitancy is reported.
Weight and height were in the 40th percentiles at the previous visit a year ago. Growth charts today show
the client's weight in the 20th percentile and height in the 40th percentile.
The client appears tired and irritable. Dry mucous membranes are noted with no increased work of
breathing. The lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally. No cardiac murmur is heard.
Question 1 of 5
For each client finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of behavior regression,diabetes mellitus, or urinary tract infection. Each finding may support more than one disease process.
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Behavior regression is the return to a previous behavior as an act of coping. This may be caused by a stressful event (eg,
new school, parental divorce, relocation). Clinical findings may include withdrawal or the return of previous behaviors that
resemble toddlerhood (eg, temper tantrums [fatigue, irritability], nocturnal enuresis).
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin deficiency (type 1 DM) or resistance (type 2 DM),
which leads to increased blood glucose levels (ie, hyperglycemia) and signs of cellular starvation (eg, fatigue, irritability,
weight loss) from decreased glucose use. Glucose increases the osmolality of blood, which pulls water into the intravascular
space and leads to excessive urination (eg, urinary frequency, nocturnal enuresis). As the kidneys excrete excess glucose,
the body loses water, resulting in hypovolemia and signs of dehydration (eg, increased thirst [polydipsial, dry mucous
membranes).
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and/or kidneys. Common manifestations include
fatigue, fever, painful urination (ie, dysuria), urinary frequency and urgency, and nocturnal enuresis. Irritability may be a
sign of illness in a child who has difficulty verbalizing or understanding the cause of the symptoms. Although increased urinary
frequency is seen (due to bladder irritation), volume is not excessive (unlike osmotic diuresis of DM); therefore, clients are not
dehydrated and would not report polydipsia.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 20-year-old female client.
Nurses' Notes
Urgent Care Clinic
0845: The parent brought the client to the clinic due to vomiting and weakness. The parent states that the client has experienced
sore throat and nasal congestion for the past week. The client has had 4 episodes of emesis during the past 24 hours and
diffuse, constant abdominal pain. The parent also reports that the client has had increased thirst and urine output over the
past 2 months.
The client's last menstrual period ended approximately 6 weeks ago with no abnormalities. Pregnancy status is unknown. The
client does not take any medications and does not use tobacco, alcohol, or recreational substances. Family history includes
hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
The client appears drowsy and is oriented to person and time only. The abdomen is soft without rigidity or rebound
tenderness, and bowel sounds are normal. No blood is present in emesis. Respirations are rapid and deep. Breath sounds
are clear.
Vital signs are T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 128, RR 30, and BP 88/60 mm Hg.
Finger-stick blood glucose level is 600 mg/dL (33.3 mmol/L).
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range, 0900
Glucose, serum (random)
≤200 mg/dL
(<11.1 mmol/L),
573 mg/dL
(31.8 mmol/L)
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
(3.5-5.0 mmol/L),
5.7 mEq/L
(5.7 mmol/L)
Question 2 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results. The client is transferred to an inpatient care facility. Which of the following orders should the nurse expect for the client? Select all that apply
Correct Answer: A,B,C,G
Rationale: Management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DK
A) initially focuses on IV fluid resuscitation to reverse hypovolemia and then correction of
hyperglycemia, electrolyte abnormalities, and acid-base imbalance. Appropriate interventions include:
• Continuous insulin IV infusion to correct hyperglycemia. IV insulin has a more rapid onset of action than subcutaneous insulin, whic
allows faster and more precise management of the blood glucose level (Option 1).
• Continuous cardiac monitoring to detect dyshythmias related to metabolic acidosis or electrolyte abnormalities (Option 2).
• Hourly finger-stick blood glucose level checks to monitor for treatment effectiveness and detect any hypoglycemia related to the
insulin infusion (Option 3).
• Isotonic IV fluid (eg, 0.9% sodium chloride) to replace fluid losses and strict intake and output monitoring to evaluate the
effectiveness of fluid resuscitation and monitor for signs of acute kidney injury (Option 6).
• Frequent monitoring of arterial blood gas levels and electrolyte levels.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 64-year-old client.
History and Physical
Body System, Findings
General ,
The client reports a 24-hour history of blurred vision and redness in the left eye with a left-sided headache.
This evening, the client developed acute, severe pain in the left eye accompanied by occasional nausea and
vomiting. The client reports no use of systemic or topical eye medications. Medical history includes
osteoarthritis and hypercholesterolemia.
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT),
The client wears eyeglasses to correct farsighted vision. Right eye: pupil 2 mm and reactive to light,
conjunctiva clear. Left eye: pupil 4 mm and nonreactive to light with red conjunctiva. Bilateral lens opacity is noted.
Pulmonary,
Vital signs are RR 20 and SpO, 96% on room air. The lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally.
Cardiovascular,
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 88, and BP 140/82.
Psychosocial,
The client reports a great deal of emotional stress following the recent death of the client's spouse that is accompanied by lack of sleep, poor appetite, and a 7.9-lb (3.6-kg) weight loss within the past month. The client takes diphenhydramine for sleep.
Question 3 of 5
Select 5 findings that require immediate follow-up.
Correct Answer: A,D,E,F,G
Rationale: This client is experiencing signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma (ACG), a medical emergency characterized by a sudden elevation in
intraocular pressure (IOP). The onset of symptoms is typically sudden; however, acute ACG requires rapid intervention to prevent permane
vision loss. Manifestations of acute ACG include:
• Blurry vision
• Unilateral headache
• Sudden, severe eye pain
• Conjunctival redness
• Middilated pupils (4-6 mm) nonreactive to light
Extract:
The nurse is performing a home health visit for an 84-year-old male.
History and Physical
Body System, Findings
General,
Client reports a 1-month-long history of fatigue and dyspnea that has worsened; he is unable to lie
flat and sleeps in a chair at night, medical history includes myocardial infarction, chronic heart
failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus; client
was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia 8 months ago; client is adherent with prescribed
medications; client reports frequent consumption of donuts, hamburgers, steak, and fried chicken;
BMI is 34 kg/m?; client reports 6-Ib (2.7-kg) weight gain in 1 week
Neurological,
Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation
Pulmonary,
Vital signs: RR 24, SpOz 88% on room air; labored breathing, crackles in bilateral lung bases; client
expectorates frothy, pink-tinged sputum; client has a 40-year history of smoking 1 pack of cigarettes
per day
Cardiovascular,
Vital signs: T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 98, BP 113/92; S1, S2, and S3 present; 3+ bilateral lower extremity
edema
Genitourinary, Concentrated yellow urine; client reports increased urinary hesitancy and urgency
Psychosocial,
Client reports being lonely and has depressed mental status
Question 4 of 5
Select 5 findings that require further investigation.
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: A client with chronic heart failure (HF) who reports worsening fatigue, dyspnea, orthopnea, and peripheral edema is likely
experiencing declining oxygenation due to fluid volume overload. Assessment findings that require further investigation
include:
• Orthopnea: Labored breathing in the supine position is a common manifestation in clients with HF due to pulmonary
edema. Clients with orthopnea often sleep on a chair or on propped-up pillows to decrease work of breathing.
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, which is waking up in the middle of the night with suffocation due to dyspnea, is another
characteristic finding in HF.
• Crackles on auscultation: Crackles are a manifestation of pulmonary edema caused by fluid in the alveoli. Pulmonary
edema is concerning for worsening HF and impaired gas exchange.
• Peripheral edema and rapid weight gain (ie, >5 Ib/week [2.3 kg/week]): These symptoms are concerning for fluid
volume overload
• Hypoxemia: Decreased capillary oxygen saturation (SpO, <95%) is a sign of inadequate gas exchange. This is most
likely related to pulmonary edema from HF exacerbation.
Extract:
Nurses' Notes
Outpatient Clinic
Initial
visit
The child recently started attending a new preschool and hit a teacher during lunch. The parent says,
"My
child has never been aggressive before but has always been particular about food."
The client was born at full term without complications and has no significant medical history. The child
started babbling at age 6 months, and the parent reports that the first words were spoken around age 12
months. The client then became quiet and "obsessed" with stacking blocks and organizing toys by color.
The child can kick a ball, draw a circle, pedal a tricycle, and now says two-word phrases. Vitals signs are
normal, and the client is tracking adequately on growth curves.
During the evaluation, the child sits in the corner of the room playing with blocks. The client does not follow
the parents gaze when the parent points to toys in the office. The child begins screaming and rocking back
and forth when the health care provider comes near.
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and
Reference Range
1030
Glucose (random)
71-200 mg/dL
(3.9-11.1 mmol/L)
110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L)
Sodium
136-145 mEq/L
(136-145 mmol/L)|
133 mEq/L (133 mmol/L)|
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
(3.5-5.0 mmol/L)
4.5 mEq/L (4.5 mmol/L)
B-type natriuretic peptide
<100 pg/mL
(<100 ng/L)
640 pg/mL (640 ng/L)
Diagnostic Results
Chest X-ray
1030:Mild cardiomegaly
Echocardiogram
1100:Mild left ventricular hypertrophy with left ventricular ejection fraction of 30%
Question 5 of 5
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the expected action of the medication carvedilol, enalapril, or furosemide. Each finding may support more than one medication.
| Finding | Carvedilol | Enalapril | Furosemide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decreases heart rate | |||
| Increases urinary output | |||
| Decreases blood pressure | |||
| Increases oxygen saturation |
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Pharmacologic management of heart failure (HF) focuses on reducing cardiac workload and improving cardiac output.
• Beta-adrenergic antagonists ("beta blockers") (eg, carvedilol) reduce cardiac workload by inhibiting the action of
catecholamines (eg, epinephrine, norepinephrine) on beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart. Beta blockers decrease
myocardial oxygen demand by decreasing blood pressure and decreasing heart rate.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril) alter the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system by
inhibiting conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, thereby preventing the release of aldosterone. Aldosterone, an
adrenal steroid hormone, retains sodium and water in addition to promoting vasoconstriction. By reducing circulating
aldosterone, ACE inhibitors promote vasodilation and as a result decrease blood pressure. ACE inhibitors also
decrease ventricular remodeling, an added benefit for clients with HF.
• Loop diuretics (eg, furosemide) prevent reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidneys, which increases urine
output and fluid excretion. Decreases in circulating fluid volume will decrease blood pressure and reduce pulmonary
edema (ie, increase oxygen saturation), as well as decrease cardiac preload.