NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Test Questions with NGN Questions
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 1 of 5
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of acute angle-closure glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration. Each finding may support more than one disease process.
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Acute angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) is the sudden onset of increased intraocular pressure (IOP) due to impaired aqueous humor drainag
through the angle of the anterior chamber. Acute ACG typically occurs spontaneously but may be triggered by impaired aqueous outflow frol
pupillary dilation (eg, emotional excitement, medications (decongestants, anticholinergics, antihistamines], darkness). As IOP increases,
clients report seeing halos around lights and/or develop blurry vision, unilateral headache, conjunctival redness, and nausea and
vomiting. Increased IOP damages the optic nerve, and the cornea becomes edematous; therefore, light cannot travel effectively from the
cornea to the optic nerve, causing halos to be seen.
Cataracts are a slowly progressive pacification of the lens that results from oxidative damage. Refractive changes in the lens cause clients
to initially develop difficulty reading fine print because of the opaque lens. As the cataract progresses, clients develop painless, blurry visio
and have difficulty with nighttime driving because they see a glare and halos around lights. Halos and glare occur because light cannot
travel through the opacified lens effectively and instead disperses in various angles.
Age-related macular degeneration (AM
D) is a progressive, incurable disease of the eye characterized by deterioration of the macula, the
central portion of the retina. This deterioration causes visual disturbances (wavy or blurred vision), blind spots, or loss of the central field
vision; peripheral vision remains intact. AMD has a vascular pathogenesis that is unrelated to increased IOP. Clients with AMD have a norm
cornea, lens, and optic nerve; therefore, halos are not seen.
Extract:
History
Emergency Department
Admission: The client is brought to the emergency department for psychiatric evaluation after being found on the
roof of a seven-floor office tower screaming, "I am going to jump! Life is not worth living anymore!" The
client admits having attempted to jump off the building and wishes the police had not intervened. The
client reports that thoughts of self-harm have increased in intensity since a divorce 2 months ago. The
client's thoughts of self-harm are intermittent, with no reports of suicidal thoughts at the present time.
The client reports losing 10 pounds in the past month without trying, difficulty concentrating on tasks,
and feeling tired most of the day. No history of violence or trauma. The client reports recurring feelings
of worthlessness but no auditory/visual hallucinations or homicidal ideations.
Medical history includes seizures, but the client has not been taking prescribed levetiracetam. The client
reports smoking 1 pack of cigarettes per day for the past 3 years.
Vital signs: T 97.2 F (36.2 C), P 100, BP 153/70, RR 19
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range,Admission
Urine drug screen
Cocaine
Negative
Positive,
Opioid
Negative
Negative,
Amphetamines
Negative
Negative,
Marijuana
Negative
Positive,
Phencyclidine
Negative
Negative,
Benzodiazepines
Negative
Negative,
Barbiturates
Negative
Negative,
Breathalyzer
No alcoho detected
0.00
Question 2 of 5
Complete the following sentence/sentences by choosing from the list/lists of options. he nurse should prioritize interventions for------- due to the client's -----
Correct Answer: B,E
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize interventions for suicidal behavior due to the client's thoughts of self-harm.
This client has several predisposing factors that increase the risk of suicide, including a psychiatric disorder, previous suicide
attempt, stressful life events (eg, divorce), and substance use. However, the strongest single factor predictive of suicide is the
history of a prior suicide attempt (eg, jumping off a building). The nurse should anticipate implementation of suicide
precautions (eg, 1-to-1 observation).
Extract:
Nurses Notes
Emergency Department
0900:
The client has new-onset tremors, extreme restlessness, nausea, and anxiety. The client recently had a back
injury and was prescribed tramadol. The client also takes sertraline for major depression. On examination,
the client is flushed and diaphoretic. The client's voice is tremulous. Mild rigidity and tremors are noted in the
lower extremities. Deep tendon reflexes are 3+. Pupillary dilation and ocular clonus are present.
Vital Signs
0900
T
100.9 F (38.3 C)
P
125
RR
20
BP
160/100
Sp02
99% on room air
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range
0900
TSH
0.3-5 uU/mL
(0.3-5 mU/L)
2 pU/mL
(2 mU/L)
WBC
5000-10,000/mm3
(5.0-10.0 × 10%/L)
7800/mm3
(7.8 × 10%L)
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is caring for a 42-year-old client in the emergency department. The nurse is reviewing the collected client data to assist with preparing the client's plan of care. Complete the diagram by dragging from the choices below to specify what condition the client is most likely experiencing, 2 actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and 2 parameters the nurse should monitor to measure the client's progress.
Action to Take
Potential Condition
Parameter to Monitor
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome (ie, serotonin toxicity) is a life-threatening condition caused by excess serotonin in the central nervous
system. Tramadol is an analgesic medication with serotonergic activity that can lead to serotonin syndrome when taken with a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (eg, sertraline).
Clinical manifestations include mental status changes (eg, anxiety, restlessness, agitation), autonomic dysregulation (eg,
diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia), and neuromuscular hyperactivity. Treatment involves discontinuing all
serotonergic medications (eg, sertraline, tramadol) and administering a benzodiazepine to improve agitation and
decrease muscle contraction (eg, clonus), which reduces temperature.
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
For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is expected or not expected for the care of the client.
Potential Intervention | Expected | Not Expected |
---|---|---|
Daily weights | ||
IV furosemide | ||
Fluid restriction | ||
Supplemental oxygen | ||
Antihypertensive medications | ||
Nebulized albuterol breathing treatments |
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Expected interventions for acute decompensated heart failure (HF) focus on reducing cardiac workload and improving
oxygenation. These include:
• Daily weights should be performed to monitor fluid volume status and guide treatment. Ideally, daily weights should be
performed at the same time of day, on the same scale, and with the client wearing the same amount of clothing.
• Diuretics (eg, furosemide) prevent reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidneys, which increases fluid excretion in
urine and decreases preload. Diuretics provide symptomatic relief by reducing pulmonary congestion and peripheral
edema. These are the cornerstone of therapy and often a priority after oxygen therapy.
• Fluid restriction is indicated to decrease circulating fluid volume and prevent excess strain on the heart.
• Supplemental oxygen should be administered to improve oxygen delivery in clients with HF due to impaired gas
exchange from pulmonary edema.
• Antihypertensive medications reduce cardiac workload and improve contractility by lowering blood pressure (ie,
afterload).
Nebulized albuterol is a bronchodilator administered to improve oxygenation in clients with reactive airway disease (eg.
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Bronchodilators will not improve oxygenation in clients with pulmonary
edema and are not expected for treatment of HF.
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 5 of 5
Complete the following sentence by choosing from the lists of options. The nurse suspects that the client's current symptoms are due to ------------------------- and that the client is at increased risk for permanent vision loss due to--------------------------
Correct Answer: E,F
Rationale: Acute angle-closure glaucoma results from a significant increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) (>50 mm Hg) due to impaired aqueous
humor drainage. In susceptible individuals (eg, those with a narrow anterior chamber angle), dilation of the pupil causes the iris to press
against the lens, preventing flow of aqueous humor through the pupil. This causes the iris to bulge forward, closing the anterior chamber
angle and blocking drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork. The rise in IOP leads to immediate optic nerve ischem
potentially resulting in permanent vision loss.