NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Test Questions with NGN Questions
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 1 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Diagnostic Results and Nurses' Notes. For each finding, click to specify whether the finding indicates that the client's status has not changed or has declined
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Infective endocarditis (E) requires long-term antibiotic therapy (ie, 4-6 weeks). Fever (eg, T 100.4 F [38 C]) can persist for
several days despite appropriate antibiotic therapy.
In addition to the risk for systemic embolism (eg, stroke), clients with IE are at risk for heart failure if the involved valve
becomes dysfunctional. Decreased capillary oxygen saturation, shortness of breath when recumbent, and scattered
crackles on lung auscultation indicate fluid backup in the lungs. In addition, borderline low blood pressure (compared to
uncontrolled high blood pressure at admission) and decreased peripheral pulses (1+ vs 2+ on admission) indicate decreased
cardiac output and are concerning for heart failure.
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 reinforces teaching about managing diabetes mellitus during an acute illness. For each of the statements made by the client,click to specify whether the statement indicates correct understanding or incorrect understanding
| Client Statements | Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| I should not take insulin if I cannot eat due to nausea. | ||
| I should drink extra fluids to stay hydrated when I am experiencing an illness. | ||
| I will check my blood glucose levels more frequently if I am experiencing an illness | ||
| I need to check my urine for ketones if my blood glucose levels are persistently elevated | ||
| I will reduce my carbohydrate intake if I experience high blood glucose levels during an illness. |
Correct Answer:
Rationale: When a client with diabetes mellitus experiences an infection or another illness, the release of stress hormones can cause increased insulin
resistance, which increases the blood glucose level and leads the body to break down fats for energy (ketosis). This can precipitate diabeti
ketoacidosis (DK
A) as break down of fatty acids produces ketones. Interventions for managing diabetes mellitus and preventing DKA durin
an illness include:
• Increasing fluid intake to help clear ketones from the system and prevent dehydration during illness
• Checking blood glucose levels more frequently (eg, every 4 hr) to monitor for hyperglycemia
• Monitoring the urine for ketones if blood glucose levels are persistently elevated (>240 mg/dL [13.3 mmol/L]) for early detection of
impending DKA
• Consuming beverages that contain glucose and replacing electrolytes if nausea and vomiting are present
• Notifying the health care provider of persistently elevated blood glucose levels, ketones in the urine, high fever, nausea, vomiting, or
diarrhea
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
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.
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 4 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:
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 5 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).