NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Test Questions with NGN Questions
Extract:
History and Physical
Body System,Findings
General
Client has history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diverticulosis, and
osteoarthritis; Helicobacter pylori infection 2 years ago; client reports taking over-the-counter
ibuprofen every 8 hours for left knee pain for the past 2 weeks; daily medications include aspirin,
carvedilol, lisinopril, and atorvastatin
Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, time, and situation
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 20, SpO 96% on room air, lung sounds clear bilaterally; no shortness of breath;
client smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day and smokes marijuana 1 or 2 times weekly
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: P 110, BP 90/62; no chest pain; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses
2+; client states feeling lightheaded and reports passing out about 1 hour ago
Gastrointestinal
Abdominal pain rated as 4 on a scale of 0-10; one episode of hematemesis; two episodes of
large, black, liquid stools in the morning
Musculoskeletal
Examination of the knees shows crepitus that is worse on the left; no swelling, warmth, or
erythema; range of motion is normal
Psychosocial
Client reports drinking 1 or 2 glasses of wine per day
Question 1 of 5
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of acute upper gastrointestinal bleed or acute lower gastrointestinal bleed. Each finding may support more than one disease process.
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Upper gastrointestinal (Gl) bleeding can occur in the esophagus (eg, esophageal varices or in the stomach and duodenum
(eg, peptic ulcer). Findings associated with upper GI bleeding include the following:
• Melena (ie, dark, tarry stools) is due to the release of iron (heme) as blood passes through the entire GI tract and
hemoglobin becomes partially digested
• NSAID use increases the risk of peptic ulcer formation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1, an enzyme that helps protect the
stomach lining and promote platelet aggregation.
• Hematemesis (ie, vomiting blood) is due to the presence of blood in the upper GI tract (eg, esophagus, stomach,
duodenum); the blood usually has a coffee ground appearance due to digestion by gastric acid
• Helicobacter pylori infection increases gastric secretions, promoting peptic ulcer formation.
Lower Gl bleeding occurs in structures past the duodenum (eg, small and large intestine, rectum, anus) and is commonly
associated with inflammatory (eg, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis) or vascular (eg, hemorrhoids) conditions.
Diverticulosis is a condition where diverticula (ie, hollow outpouchings from the intestine) develop, usually in the large
intestine and occasionally in the small intestine. Diverticula weaken the intestinal wall and increase the risk for GI bleeding.
Extract:
History and Physical
Body System, Finding
General,
Client is brought to the emergency department due to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that began 24 hr
ago. Client has type 1 diabetes mellitus and usually takes insulin. Parents state that the client was at an
overnight camp for the past 4 days and are unsure of how much insulin the client has been taking.
Neurological,
Client is lethargic but arousable to voice. The pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation.
Integumentary,
Mucous membranes are dry, skin turgor is poor.
Pulmonary,
Vital signs are RR 36 and SpOz 95% on room air. Lung sounds are clear to auscultation. Deep respirations and a
fruity odor on the breath are noted.
Cardiovascular,
Vital signs are T 98.4 F (36.9 C), P 110, and BP 98/58. Pulses are 3+ on all extremities, and capillary refill time is
4 sec.
Gastrointestinal Normoactive bowel sounds are heard in all 4 quadrants; the abdomen is nontender.
Genitourinary,
Client voided dark yellow urine.
Endocrine,
Client is prescribed levothyroxine daily for hypothyroidism and has missed one dose of levothyroxine.
Psychosocial,
Parents state that the client has been sad and slightly withdrawn for the past 2 weeks after ending a romantic relationship.
Question 2 of 5
Select 4 clinical findings that require immediate follow-up.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,E
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder characterized by the absence of insulin production in the pancreas. Glucose requires insulin
to be transported from the extracellular space into the cell. Without insulin, glucose continues to circulate in the extracellular space, causing
serum hyperglycemia and intracellular glucose starvation that can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DK
A).
In DKA, the body breaks down fat for energy (ie, ketosis). This leads to high levels of ketones in the blood, which can cause life-threatening
metabolic acidosis. Clinical findings concerning for DKA require immediate follow-up and include:
• Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain—a common presentation of DKA (especially in children) that can be related to delayed gastric
emptying and/or ileus from electrolyte abnormalities and metabolic acidosis
• Neurologic symptoms (eg, lethargy, obtundation) due to progressive hyperglycemia and acidosis
• Signs of dehydration (eg, dry mucous membranes, prolonged P3 sec] capillary refill time) due to osmotic water loss caused by
glucose in the urine
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 3 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results. Complete the following sentence/sentences by choosing from the list/lists of options. Complete the following sentence by choosing from the lists of options . The client is most likely experiencing---------- and requires ------------- to prevent-------------
Correct Answer: B,D,F
Rationale: The client is most likely experiencing diabetes mellitus (DM) and requires blood glucose management to prevent
hyperglycemia.
A urinalysis positive for glucose and ketones are manifestations that should raise suspicion of DM. Ketones are produced
when the body cannot use glucose for energy and breaks down fat stores instead. Ketonuria is a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis
(DK
A), a life-threatening complication of DM. Clients with new-onset type 1 DM often present with DKA. Blood glucose
management in those with type 1 DM will require insulin administration.
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 4 of 5
Which of the following findings indicate that the client is improving as expected? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: Clinical improvement in a client with heart failure includes manifestations of reduced cardiac workload and improved fluid
volume status and gas exchange. A decrease in blood pressure from 170/100 mm Hg to 138/70 mm Hg and increased
urinary output indicate effectiveness of diuretics to reduce circulatory fluid volume and antihypertensive medications to
decrease cardiac workload . In addition, clear lung sounds and an increased capillary oxygen
saturation (SpO2) indicate a decrease in pulmonary congestion and an improvement in fluid volume status
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
Prescriptions
Home Medication Record
Medication, Scheduled
Pravastatin 20 mg PO once daily, 2100
Furosemide 40 mg PO once daily, 0900
Tamsulosin 0.4 mg PO once daily, 0900
Potassium chloride 20 mg PO once daily, 0900
Metformin 1000 mg PO bid, 0900, 2100
Carvedilol 6.25 mg PO bid;hold for systolic blood pressure ≤100 mm Hg and/or HR <65/min, 0900, 2100
Sacubitril 97 mg/valsartan 103 mg PO bid, 0900, 2100
Question 5 of 5
Drag words from the choices below to fill in the blank/blanks.The nurse recognizes that furosemide was effective as evidenced by------------,-----------------, and ------------------
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: Loop diuretics (eg, furosemide) block renal reabsorption of sodium, chloride, and potassium, which increases fluid excretion
in the urine (ie, diuresis). Diuresis decreases intravascular volume, resulting in decreased peripheral edema (eg, from 3+ to
2+). In addition, as fluid volume decreases, pulmonary congestion improves, thereby resulting in improved oxygen exchange
and reduced work of breathing