NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Test Questions with NGN Questions
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
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Question 1 of 5
The client is admitted to the inpatient mental health unit. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is appropriate or not appropriate for the care of the client.
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Appropriate interventions for the client with major depressive disorder who is experiencing suicidal ideation include the
following:
• Assigning the client to a shared room near the nurses' station to reduce social isolation and allow easier access to the
client
• Avoiding utensils on the client's meal tray that could be used for self-harm
• Checking on the client at frequent, irregular intervals (if not under 1-to-1 observation) to lessen predictability of staff
surveillance
• Performing frequent room searches for harmful objects to ensure client safety
• Performing mouth checks after medication administration to ensure the client has swallowed medication and is not
saving them for a future overdose attempt
• Encouraging the client to participate in grooming and hygiene because the client may exhibit loss of interest in daily
activities, decreased energy, and lack of motivation
Avoiding discussion of suicidal thoughts is not appropriate. Clients with suicidal ideation are often reluctant to disclose
their thoughts unless asked directly. The nurse should establish a nonjudgmental, therapeutic relationship that allows for open
communication.
It is not appropriate for the nurse to document that the client is not available for a safety check when the client is using the
restroom. The nurse must ensure that there is visual contact with the client during safety checks, even if the client is in the
restroom, to ensure safety.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 34-year-old female client in the clinic.
Nurses' Notes
Initial Clinic Visit
The client is receiving a tuberculin skin test. The client works at a long-term care facility and has never been vaccinated for
tuberculosis. Medical history includes Crohn disease, major depression, and a blood transfusion following a motor vehicle collision 5
years ago. The client takes an immunosuppressant, oral contraceptive pills, and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor daily.
The client is currently providing housing for a family member who periodically experiences homelessness. The client has a pet dog.
Clinic Visit 2 Days Later
The client returns to the clinic for inspection of the tuberculin skin test injection site. There is a palpable, raised, hardened area around
the injection site that is 16 mm in diameter.
The client reports no cough, fever, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, or nocturnal diaphoresis. Lung sounds are clear throughout all lobes
on auscultation.
Vital signs are T 98.5 F (36.9 C), P 72, RR 17, BP 118/72, and SpO 98% on room air.
Clinic Visit 6 Months Later
The client reports fatigue; intermittent fevers; decreased appetite; a 6-Ib (2.7-kg) weight loss; and a productive, chronic cough that
began 5 weeks ago. The client has not started the antibiotic regimen for latent tuberculosis.
Diagnostic Results
Chest x-ray
Lungs appear normal. There are no infiltrates, cavitation, or effusions.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is reinforcing teaching on the plan of care for active tuberculosis. For each of the statements made by the nurse, click to specify if the statement is appropriate or not appropriate to include in the teaching.
| Nurse Statement | Appropriate | Not Appropriate |
|---|---|---|
| A nurse will need to watch you take your medications | ||
| You should notify anyone that has frequently been in close contact with you | ||
| Weekly complete blood counts will track whether your antibiotics are effective | ||
| Alcohol use while taking these medications can increase your risk for liver damage |
Correct Answer:
Rationale: The duration of standard treatment of active tuberculosis (T
B) is long, typically over the course of months, which makes it difficult for many
clients to adhere to the medication regimen. Proper client teaching increases medication adherence and helps minimize transmission of the
infection to others
The nurse should reinforce the following teaching:
• Direct observational therapy, which is the process of directly handing the medications to clients and watching them swallow the
medications. This has been shown to increase medication adherence in clients with active TB.
• Notifying close contacts of clients with recent active TB infection to reduce transmission to others. The nurse should teach the client
to reduce contact with family members and keep living spaces well ventilated.
• Alcohol use increases the risk for liver damage while taking antibiotics for active TB (rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol).
Monitoring antibiotic effectiveness with weekly blood counts is not appropriate because antibiotic effectiveness is evaluated with month
sputum tests until there are two consecutive negative results.
Extract:
History and Physical
Body System
Findings
General
Client reports a 1-week history of general malaise, fever and chills, night sweats, fatigue, and
poor appetite. Client has poorly controlled hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and mitral
valve prolapse and regurgitation.
Eye, Ear, Nose, and
Throat (EENT)
Poor dental hygiene. Client reports having 2 teeth extracted 3 weeks ago.
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 18 and SpO, 96% on room air. Lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 100.4 F (38 C), P 105, and BP 140/82. Sinus tachycardia with occasional
premature ventricular contractions on cardiac monitor. S1 and S2 heard on auscultation with
loud systolic murmur at the apex. Peripheral pulses 2+; no edema noted.
Integumentary
Small, erythematous macular lesions on both palms. Thin, brown longitudinal lines on several
nail beds.
Question 3 of 5
Select below the 4 findings that are most concerning at this time.
Correct Answer: B,C,D,F
Rationale: This client has multiple findings concerning for infective endocarditis (IE), which occurs when an infectious organism enters the
innermost layer of the heart (ie, endocardium) and forms a vegetation on a heart valve. Findings concerning for IE include:
• Recent tooth extraction: Dental procedures (eg, tooth extraction) increase the risk for infectious organisms entering the
bloodstream, potentially leading to IE. Other risk factors include a history of IV drug use, presence of a distant infection
(eg, leg cellulitis), or presence of a prosthetic heart valve
• Fever: Elevated temperature is a sign of infection, which is a common finding in clients with IE.
• Nontender, erythematous, macular lesions on the palms or soles (Janeway lesions): Janeway lesions are
characteristic of IE. They occur when turbulent blood flow through the heart valves causes pieces of endocardial
vegetation to break off, forming microemboli that travel through the arteries to end-capillaries and block blood flow.
• Nonblanching, thin, red/dark longitudinal lines under the nail beds (splinter hemorrhages): Like Janeway lesions,
splinter hemorrhages are caused by microemboli that break off from vegetative lesions in the heart and travel through the
arteries to end-capillaries and block blood flow.
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 4 of 5
Select below the 5 findings that require follow-up.
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F,G
Rationale: A client with hematemesis and black stools is most likely experiencing an acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. GI bleeding is a
life-threatening condition that can lead to hemorrhagic shock without immediate intervention. The nurse should immediately
follow up on:
• Chronic NSAID use (eg, ibuprofen), a common cause of drug-induced upper GI bleeds that must be discontinued.
• Hypotension and tachycardia, manifestations of hypovolemia. Hypotension occurs with decreased cardiac output, and
tachycardia is a compensatory mechanism to promote maximum perfusion to vital organs. Because this client has a
history of hypertension, even borderline low blood pressure is considered abnormal.
• Syncope (ie, passing out), a clinical finding associated with hypovolemia caused by decreased perfusion to the brain.
• Hematemesis (ie, vomiting blood), indicative of bleeding in the upper GI tract (eg, stomach ulcers, esophageal varices).
• Dark/black and/or tarry stools, most often associated with upper GI bleeding; blood becomes partially digested as it
passes through the Gl tract, resulting in the dark color.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 16-year-old client.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.
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range, 1000, 1600
Blood Chemistry.
Glucose (random)
≤200 mg/dL
(≤11.1 mmol/L),
504 mg/dL
(28.0 mmol/L),
164 mg/dL
(9.1 mmol/L)
Sodium
136-145 mEq/L
(136-145 mmol/L),
133 mEq/L
(133 mmol/L),
135 mEq/L
(135 mmol/L)
Chloride
98-106 mEq/L
(98-106 mmol/L),
101 mEq/L
(101 mmol/L),
102 mEq/L
(102 mmol/L)
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
(3.5-5.0 mmol/L),
5.6 mEq/L
(5.6 mmol/L),
3.2 mEq/L
(3.2 mmol/L)
Arterial Blood Gases
Arterial pH
7.35-7.45
(7.35-7.45),
7.20
(7.20),
7.31
(7.31)
HCOg
21-28 mEq/L
(21-28 mmol/L),
13 mEq/L
(13 mmol/L),
18 mEq/L
(18 mmol/L)
PaCO,
35-45 mm Hg
(4.66-5.98 kPa),
30 mm Hg
(3.99 KPa),
32 mm Hg
(4.26 kPa)
PaO,
80-100 mm Hg
(10.64-13.33 KPa),
90 mm Hg
(11.97 kPa),
90 mm Hg
(11.97 kPa)
Nurses' Notes
1600:
0.9% sodium chloride and regular insulin IV are continuously infusing. Lung sounds are clear to auscultation. Urine output
is 90 mL over the past 2 hr.
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 105, RR 28, BP 110/72, and SpO, 95% on room air.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results and Nurses' Notes. Which of the following nursing actions are anticipated? Select all that apply
Correct Answer: A,B
Rationale: The goal of treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DK
A) is to normalize fluid volume, decrease blood glucose levels, balance electrolytes, and
correct metabolic acidosis. On administration of insulin, potassium and glucose shift from the extracellular space to the intracellular space.
Clients with DKA require potassium administration due to low intracellular potassium levels.
Insulin is administered to facilitate glucose transport into the intracellular space to resolve DKA and should be continued until the metabolic
acidosis resolves. When caring for clients with DKA, the nurse should anticipate:
• Adding 5% dextrose to continuous IV fluids when the serum blood glucose level reaches approximately 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) to
prevent hypoglycemia and cerebral edema resulting from levels decreasing too quickly (Option 1). This is done because insulin is still
required to resolve DKA. If the DKA is resolved, insulin can also be decreased instead of adding dextrose to the IV fluids.
• Administering potassium chloride for a client with hypokalemia and adequate urine output (ie, >30 mL/hr) to prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias