NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Practice Test with NGN Questions
Extract:
The nurse in the surgical unit is caring for a 57-year-old client who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy.
Progress Notes
1 Day Postoperative
0800:
The client underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and tumor debulking 1 day ago for treatment of ovarian cancer. She has had four episodes of vomiting with bilious emesis over the past 12 hours, which have continued despite V antiemetic administration. The client has been receiving V broad-spectrum antibiotics since the procedure. The skin is warm. A low transverse abdominal incision is present; staples are clean and dry. Chest expansion is symmetric; respirations are unlabored: diminished breath sounds are auscultated in bilateral lower lobes. Radial pulses 2+ bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds in all four extremities; no peripheral edema is noted. The client reports frequent hot flashes occurring roughly every hour, starting last night. The abdomen is markedly distended and tender to palpation. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants; the client reports no flatus. Urine is clear yellow with moderate output. The client reports incontinence with coughing or during episodes of vomiting.
Prescriptions
0820:
• 5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride at 75 m/hr continuous
• 50% dextrose 25 mg IV push as needed for blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
• Ketorolac 15 mg IV push every 6 hours as needed for severe pain
• Ondansetron 8 mg PO every 8 hours as needed for nausea
• Pantoprazole 40 mg PO daily
• Potassium chloride 40 mEq/100 mL IVPB once
• Sips of clear liquids, advance diet as tolerated
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range: 1 day postoperative
WBC count:
5000-10.000/mm3 (5-10 × 10%L): 12,000/mm3 (12 × 10°/L)
Urea nitrogen (BUN)
10-20 mg/dL (3.6-7.1 mmol/L): 24 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L)
Creatinine
Male: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL(53-106 umol/L):
1.6 mg/dL (141.4 pmol/L)
Female: 0.5-1.1 mg/dL (44-97 umol/L):
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L (3.5--5.0 mmol/L): 3.3 mEq/L (3.3 mmol/L)
Sodium
135-145 mEq/L (135-145 mmol/L): 137 mEq/L (137 mmol/L)
Blood glucose level
74-106 mg/dL (4.1-5.9 mmol/L): 75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L)
Nurses’ Notes
0900:
Continuous IV fluids and potassium chloride infusion initiated; opioids discontinued per health care provider prescription. Ondansetron administered once for nausea. Assisted client to ambulate in hallway once; client currently sitting up in chair.
2100:
No emesis since 0800. Client has ambulated two more times and has remained out of bed. Ketorolac administered for abdominal pain rated as 7 on a scale of 0-10. Tolerating small sips of clear liquids. Bowel sounds absent.
Surgical Unit: 1 Day Postoperative
0700:
Client reports no nausea. Client ambulated 50 ft (15 m) this morning. After ambulation, client reports one small, loose bowel movement. Pain remains at 7 on a scale of 0-10. Tolerating clear liquids. Bowel sounds hypoactive.
Question 1 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results and Nurses' Notes. Which of the following findings indicate that the client condition is improving following treatment of postoperative ileus? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: B, C, D, E
Rationale: Hypoactive bowel sounds (
B), a loose stool (
C), and passing flatus (
D) indicate returning bowel function, a sign of resolving ileus. Normalized potassium (E) from 3.3 to 3.5 mEq/L shows effective treatment. Elevated glucose (
A) is not relevant to ileus and indicates a new issue.
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
The nurse is reinforcing client teaching about home precautions following the first dose of RAI. For each nurse statement, click to specify whether the statement is appropriate or not appropriate to include in the teaching.
| Nurse Statement | Appropriate | Not Appropriate |
|---|---|---|
| Avoid sharing utensils with your spouse. | ||
| It is safe to hold your child 2 hours after treatment. | ||
| Delay pregnancy attempts for the next 4-6 months. | ||
| Wash your clothes separately from those of others. | ||
| You should sleep in a separate bedroom for 1-2 weeks. |
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: A: Appropriate, as RAI can contaminate utensils, posing a radiation risk to others. B: Not appropriate, as close contact with children should be limited for several days post-RAI to minimize radiation exposure. C: Appropriate, as RAI can affect fertility and fetal health, requiring a delay in pregnancy. D: Appropriate, as washing clothes separately reduces the risk of radiation exposure to others. E: Appropriate, as sleeping separately minimizes radiation exposure to household members.
Extract:
Nurses' Notes
0930:
The client reports shortness of breath and left-sided chest pain for 2 days. The client fractured the right femoral neck a month ago after a fall and decided against operative management. Since then, the client has been wheelchair dependent and takes acetaminophen for fracture pain management. The client was placed on continuous cardiac monitoring.
History and physical
Body System
Neurological
The client is awake, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and situation; the client appears anxious
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 22, SpOz 89% on room air; bilateral breath sounds are clear; pain increases with inhalation; the client reports shortness of breath for the past 2 days; the client smoked 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99.8 F (37.7 C), P 110, BP 110/60; S1 and S2 are present; there are no murmurs, redness and edema of the right lower extremity are noted; sinus tachycardia is seen on the monitor, chest pain is reported as 7 on a scale of 0-10
Musculoskeletal
The client has osteoporosis, is wheelchair dependent, and is unable to bear weight on the right leg
Question 3 of 5
Based on the client's history and physical examination findings, which disease process is the most likely cause of this client's current condition?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The client's recent immobility (wheelchair dependence post-femoral fracture), right lower extremity redness and edema (suggesting DVT), dyspnea, chest pain, hypoxemia (SpO2 89%), and sinus tachycardia strongly indicate venous thromboembolism, likely a pulmonary embolism secondary to DVT.
Extract:
The nurse in the surgical unit is caring for a 57-year-old client who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy.
Progress Notes
1 Day Postoperative
0800:
The client underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and tumor debulking 1 day ago for treatment of ovarian cancer. She has had four episodes of vomiting with bilious emesis over the past 12 hours, which have continued despite V antiemetic administration. The client has been receiving V broad-spectrum antibiotics since the procedure. The skin is warm. A low transverse abdominal incision is present; staples are clean and dry. Chest expansion is symmetric; respirations are unlabored: diminished breath sounds are auscultated in bilateral lower lobes. Radial pulses 2+ bilaterally, capillary refill <3 seconds in all four extremities; no peripheral edema is noted. The client reports frequent hot flashes occurring roughly every hour, starting last night. The abdomen is markedly distended and tender to palpation. Bowel sounds are absent in all four quadrants; the client reports no flatus. Urine is clear yellow with moderate output. The client reports incontinence with coughing or during episodes of vomiting.
Question 4 of 5
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of postoperative ileus or small bowel obstruction.
| Finding | Postoperative Ileus | Small Bowel Obstruction |
|---|---|---|
| Vomiting | ||
| Abdominal pain | ||
| Abdominal distension | ||
| Hypoactive bowel sounds |
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: A: Consistent with both - Vomiting occurs in both postoperative ileus and small bowel obstruction due to impaired gut motility or blockage. B: Consistent with both - Abdominal pain is common in both conditions due to distension or obstruction. C: Consistent with both - Abdominal distension results from gas/fluid accumulation in both. D: Consistent with both - Hypoactive bowel sounds reflect reduced peristalsis in ileus or obstruction.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for an 8-year-old client who was brought to the emergency department after
becoming short of breath at school.
History and Physical
General
Well-nourished child; currently sitting in the tripod position; patches of dry, scaly, reddened skin are present in the creases of bilateral elbows and behind both knees; client reports that these areas itch
Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, and time
Eye, Ear, Nose, andThroat (EENT)
Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation; client reports no nasal congestion
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 34, SpO 92% on room air, airway patent, intercostal retractions noted during inspiration; expiratory wheezes auscultated bilaterally; dry, spasmodic cough is noted; no stridor; difficulty speaking in complete sentences
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 110, BP 94/60; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; nom murmurs noted; peripheral pulses 2+; capillary refill 3 seconds; no edema
Gastrointestinal
Abdomen soft; bowel sounds normal
Psychosocial
Client appears anxious and is crying, client speaks in short phrases, stating, "left my medicine at a friend's house" and "feels like I can't breathe"; client cannot remember the name of the prescribed home medication; client's parents were notified and are en route to hospital
Question 5 of 5
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of anaphylaxis or asthma exacerbation.
| Finding | Anaphylaxis | Asthma Exacerbation |
|---|---|---|
| Stridor | ||
| Wheezing | ||
| Tachycardia | ||
| Hypotension | ||
| Generalized flushing and itching |
Correct Answer: B,C: Asthma; C,D,E: Anaphylaxis
Rationale: B: Wheezing is characteristic of asthma exacerbation due to bronchoconstriction. C: Tachycardia can occur in both asthma (from hypoxia or stress) and anaphylaxis (from systemic reaction). D: Hypotension is typical in anaphylaxis due to vasodilation and fluid shifts. E: Generalized flushing and itching are hallmarks of anaphylaxis due to histamine release.