NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Test Questions with NGN Questions
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 1 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results. The client is transferred to an inpatient care facility. Which of the following orders should the nurse expect for the client? Select all that apply
Correct Answer: A,B,C,G
Rationale: Management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DK
A) initially focuses on IV fluid resuscitation to reverse hypovolemia and then correction of
hyperglycemia, electrolyte abnormalities, and acid-base imbalance. Appropriate interventions include:
• Continuous insulin IV infusion to correct hyperglycemia. IV insulin has a more rapid onset of action than subcutaneous insulin, whic
allows faster and more precise management of the blood glucose level (Option 1).
• Continuous cardiac monitoring to detect dyshythmias related to metabolic acidosis or electrolyte abnormalities (Option 2).
• Hourly finger-stick blood glucose level checks to monitor for treatment effectiveness and detect any hypoglycemia related to the
insulin infusion (Option 3).
• Isotonic IV fluid (eg, 0.9% sodium chloride) to replace fluid losses and strict intake and output monitoring to evaluate the
effectiveness of fluid resuscitation and monitor for signs of acute kidney injury (Option 6).
• Frequent monitoring of arterial blood gas levels and electrolyte levels.
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 2 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.
| Finding | Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma | Cataracts | Macular Degeneration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blind spots | |||
| Opaque lens | |||
| Blurred vision | |||
| Unilateral headache | |||
| Conjunctival redness | |||
| Nausea and vomiting | |||
| Increased intraocular pressure |
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:
The nurse is caring for a 58-year-old client.
Admission Note
Emergency Department
A client with colorectal cancer reports intractable bilious vomiting for the past day; it is accompanied by severe, colicky
abdominal pain. The client cannot tolerate oral intake and has not passed gas or had a bowel movement since the
symptoms began. The abdomen is distended, and bowel sounds are hyperactive.
Vital Signs
Emergency Department
T, 97.3 F (36.3 C)
P, 98
RR, 18
BP, 110/70
SpO2, 98% on room air
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is contributing to the client's plan of care. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is indicated or not indicated for the care of the client.
| Potential Intervention | Indicated | Not Indicated |
|---|---|---|
| Administer antiemetic | ||
| Insert a nasogastric tube | ||
| Place the client on a soft diet | ||
| Obtain an abdominal CT scan | ||
| Administer a stimulant laxative |
Correct Answer:
Rationale: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is an intestinal blockage that obstructs the flow of intestinal contents (eg, fluid, gas, fecal
material). The blockage may be due to mechanical (eg, surgical adhesions, hernias, tumors) or nonmechanical/functional (eg,
paralytic ileus) causes. As intestinal contents accumulate, clients develop abdominal distension, colicky abdominal pain,
bilious vomiting, and inability to pass flatus or stool.
Clients with SBO are at risk for fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional imbalances due to decreased intestinal absorption. Clients may
develop bowel necrosis and perforation due to impaired intestinal blood flow, which can lead to peritonitis and sepsis.
The practical nurse should anticipate assisting the registered nurse with the following interventions for a client with SBO:
• Inserting a nasogastric tube for gastrointestinal decompression to reduce abdominal distension and improve intestinal
blood flow
• Administering antiemetics (eg, ondansetron) to prevent further fluid and electrolyte imbalance from vomiting
• Preparing the client for abdominal CT scan to determine the size and location of intestinal obstruction
• Administering IV fluids to improve fluid volume status
In clients with SBO, bowel rest (ie, NPO status) with gastric decompression is prescribed; therefore, a soft diet is not
indicated. Stimulant laxatives increase intestinal motility and are not indicated for clients with intestinal obstruction due to
the risk for bowel perforation.
Extract:
History
Labor and Delivery Unit
Admission: The client, gravida 1 para 0, at 16 weeks gestation with a twin pregnancy reports nausea and vomiting for the past
several weeks. The client also reports dry heaving, increasing weakness, light-headedness, and an inability to tolerate
oral intake for the past 24 hours. In addition, the client has had occasional right-sided, shooting pain from the abdomen
to the groin that occurs with sudden position changes. The pain quickly resolves without intervention per the client's
report. She has had no contractions or vaginal bleeding and has felt no fetal movement during this pregnancy. The
client has a history of childhood asthma and is currently taking no asthma medications. The client reports no other
pregnancy complications.
Physical
Prepregnancy,12 Weeks Gestation 16 Weeks Gestation(Prenatal Visit),(Labor and Delivery Admission)
Height ,5 ft 5 in (165.1 cm),5 ft 5 in (165.1 cm)|, 5 ft 5 in (165.1 cm)
Weight, 145 lb (65.8 kg),148 lb (67.1 kg),138 lb (62.6 kg)
BMI, 24.1 kg/m2, 24.6 kg/m2,23.0 kg/m2
Vital Signs
12 Weeks Gestation(Prenatal Visit),16 Weeks Gestation(Labor and Delivery Admission)
T,98.7 F (37.1 C),99.8 F (37.7 C)
P,70,101
RR,14,18
BP,122/78,90/55
SpO2,99% on room air,96% on room air
Laboratory Results
Laboratory Test and Reference Range, 16 Weeks Gestation
Blood Chemistry.
Sodium
136-145 mEq/L
(136-145 mmol/L)|,
136 mEq/L
(136 mmol/L)
Potassium
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
(3.5-5.0 mmol/L),
2.7 mEq/L
(2.7 mmol/L)
TSH
0.3-5.0 uU/mL
(0.3-5.0 mU/L),
0.4 pu/mL
(0.4 mU/L)
Hematology.
Hemoglobin (pregnant)
>11 g/dL
(>110 g/L),
16 g/dL
(160 g/L)
Hematocrit (pregnant)
>33%
(>0.33),
49%
(0.49)
Urinalysis
Specific gravity
1.005-1.030
1.030,
Ketones
Not present,
Present
Giucose
Not present,
Not present
Nitrites
Not present,
Not present
Question 4 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Laboratory Results. The nurse suspects that the client may have hyperemesis gravidarum. Which of the following findings support this diagnosis? Select a that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is characterized by severe, persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and weight loss of 25% of
prepregnancy weight. The exact cause of HG is unknown, but it is believed that pregnancy-related increases in hormone levels (eg, human
chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]) contribute to the condition. Laboratory findings that assist with the diagnosis of HG include:
• Elevated hematocrit level reflects hemoconcentration, which occurs due to dehydration from excessive vomiting and decreased fluid
intake (Option 1).
• Hypokalemia occurs due to excessive loss of potassium via vomiting and/or insufficient intake of potassium (Option 2).
• Ketonuria (ie, the presence of ketones in urine) results from the metabolism of fat for energy due to a lack of nutritional intake (Option
4).
• High urine specific gravity reflects the concentration of urine; concentrated urine may indicate that the client's volume is depleted,
which is common in HG (Option 5).
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
Select 5 findings that require immediate follow-up.
Correct Answer: A,D,E,F,G
Rationale: This client is experiencing signs of acute angle-closure glaucoma (ACG), a medical emergency characterized by a sudden elevation in
intraocular pressure (IOP). The onset of symptoms is typically sudden; however, acute ACG requires rapid intervention to prevent permane
vision loss. Manifestations of acute ACG include:
• Blurry vision
• Unilateral headache
• Sudden, severe eye pain
• Conjunctival redness
• Middilated pupils (4-6 mm) nonreactive to light