NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Practice Test with NGN Questions
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.
Nurses' Notes
Inpatient - Mental Health Unit
2100:
Client appears anxious and withdrawn, and states, "I am afraid to sleep at night because I get nightmares about my sibling." The client would not elaborate on the content of the nightmares.
1200:
Client attended the first session of cognitive-behavioral therapy.
1300:
Client was observed yelling at peers in the day room because someone changed the television channel. The client is irritable with poor impulse control.
1700: Client appears to be having a panic attack and was found shaking in the room in tears after waking up from a nightmare. The client reports heart palpitations and appears diaphoretic.
Vital signs: P 112/min, RR 20, BP 155/98.
Question 1 of 5
For each of the statements made by the client, click to specify whether the statement indicates that the client's status has improved or not improved.
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: Statements indicating improvement include waking up less frequently (
A), journaling stressors (
D), and better emotional control (E). Wanting to talk about nightmares (
B) and avoiding driving (
C) do not clearly indicate improvement.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 25-year-old female client.
History and Physical
Body System
General
Client reports jitteriness, anxiety, and palpitations for the past 2 months. Fine hand tremor is noted. Client reports insomnia for approximately 1 week.
Integumentary
Client is diaphoretic.
Eye, Ear, Nose, andThroat (EENT)
Exophthalmos is noted. Goiter is present.
Gastrointestinal
Client reports 10 lb (4.5 kg) weight loss over the past month. Bowel sounds are normoactive. Client reports diarrhea for the past few days.
Reproductive
Last menstrual period was 3 months ago.
Vital Signs
T 99.2 F (37.3 C)
P 164
RR 22
BP 156/92
Question 2 of 5
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Each finding may support more than one disease process. Note: Each column must have at least one response option selected.
| Finding | Hyperthyroidism | Hypothyroidism |
|---|---|---|
| Weight gain | ||
| Tachycardia | ||
| Constipation | ||
| Exophthalmos | ||
| Heat intolerance | ||
| Fine hand tremor |
Correct Answer: A: Hypothyroidism, B: Hyperthyroidism, C: Hypothyroidism, D: Hyperthyroidism, E: Hyperthyroidism, F: Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism is characterized by increased metabolic rate, leading to tachycardia, exophthalmos, heat intolerance, and fine hand tremor. Hypothyroidism, with a decreased metabolic rate, is associated with weight gain and constipation.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a client at a women’s health clinic.
History & Physical
Labor and delivery unit
0800:
A 28-year-old nulliparous female comes to the clinic for confirmation of suspected pregnancy due to amenorrhea and a positive home pregnancy test. The client's current exercise regimen includes indoor cycling and outdoor running. The client reports nausea, vomiting, and breast tenderness. She has a 28-day menstrual cycle, and her last menstrual period was March 10- 17. The health care provider notes a bluish-purple vaginal mucosa and cervix during pelvic examination and confirms a 12-week intrauterine pregnancy by sonography. A fetal heart rate of 155/min is detected with handheld Doppler.
Progress Notes
Trending Maternal Weight
Prepregnancy
Height: 5 ft 5 in (165.1 cm)
Weight: 140 lb (63.5 kg)
BMI: 23.3 kg/m
12 weeks gestation
Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
16 weeks gestation
Weight: 160 lb (72.6 kg)
Nurses’ notes
0800
Client comes to the clinic for a 20-week gestation prenatal visit. Client reports no bleeding or cramping. Vital signs and physical examination are normal. Current weight is 157 lb (71.2 kg). Client states that she is feeling well overall.
Question 3 of 5
What client statement requires additional teaching reinforcement?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gymnastics poses a risk of falls and injury during pregnancy, requiring reinforcement about safe exercises like walking or prenatal yoga.
Extract:
The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 62-year-old client.
Progress Notes
Emergency Department
0900:
The client is brought to the emergency department by a family member after being found confused and lethargic. On arrival, the client is obtunded and does not respond to verbal stimuli.
Medical history includes major depressive disorder and chronic neck and back pain after a motor vehicle collision 2 years ago. The family member states that the client takes multiple medications but does not know which kind. The client was divorced a few months ago.
Physical examination shows 1-mm pupils, shallow breathing, and reduced bowel sounds. Fingerstick blood glucose is 78 mg/dL (4.3 mmol/L). ECG reveals normal sinus rhythm. Breath alcohol test is negative.
Vital signs: T 98.1 F (36.7 C), P 62, RR 8, BP 80/40, SpO2 94% on room air.
1800:
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation. The client is experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms and is admitted for supervised detoxification.
Laboratory Results
Urine Drug Screen
On admission
Cocaine- Negative
Opioids- Positive
Amphetamines- Negative
Marijuana- Positive
Phencyclidine-Negative
Benzodiazepines- Negative
Barbiturates- Negative
Laboratory Test and Reference Range
Cocaine- Negative
Opioids- Negative
Amphetamines- Negative
Marijuana- Negative
Phencyclidine- Negative
Benzodiazepines- Negative
Barbiturates- Negative
Question 4 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Progress Notes and Laboratory Results. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is expected or unexpected for the care of the client.
| Potential Intervention | Expected | Unexpected |
|---|---|---|
| Initiate seizure precautions | ||
| Monitor the client for suicidal ideation | ||
| Administer antidiarrheal and antiemetic medications as needed | ||
| Use a standardized scoring scale to assess for withdrawal symptoms |
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: B: Expected - Depression history increases suicide risk during withdrawal. C: Expected - Antidiarrheals and antiemetics manage withdrawal symptoms like nausea. D: Expected - Standardized scales (e.g., COWS) assess opioid withdrawal severity. A: Unexpected - Seizures are more associated with alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, not opioids.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a client on the medical-surgical unit.
History
Admission
0500: The client is admitted with an abscess and cellulitis of the right leg. The abscess is noted on the lateral aspect of the right calf, with redness, swelling, and warmth extending from the knee to the ankle. The abscess was incised in the emergency department, and a moderate amount of purulent, yellowish-green drainage was noted. The leg was wrapped with gauze, and the client received the first dose of IV antibiotics and opioids for pain control.
The client reports chronic lower back pain and gastrosophageal reflux disease, and he was admitted to the hospital once last year for gastrointestinal bleeding. He is currently prescribed daily pantoprazole but takes it only a few times a week.
Vital signs: T 100.9 F (38.3 C), P 82, RR 14, BP 130/80, SpO, 95% on room air
Progress Notes
Medical-Surgical Unit
2300:
The client reports nausea, headache, and insomnia. The client is trembling, diaphoretic, and restless.
The client states, "I would sleep better if those mice and cats would stop climbing up and down the walls."
The upper portion of the clients dressing is saturated with yellowish-green drainage. The peripheral V was removed by the client, and dried blood is noted at the IV site. The IV catheter is on the floor. The client yelled and pushed the nurse's hands away during inspection of the IV site.
Vital signs: T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, RR 18, BP 170/96, SpO≥ 95% on room air
Question 5 of 5
The nurse should contact the health care provider and anticipate prescriptions for.....and.....
Correct Answer: B,D
Rationale: B: Thiamine is given to prevent Wernicke encephalopathy in alcohol withdrawal. D: Lorazepam manages withdrawal symptoms and prevents seizures. Naloxone is for opioid overdose, and haloperidol is not first-line for withdrawal.