NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Practice Test with NGN Questions
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 6-hour-old newborn.
Nurses' Notes
Emergency Department
A newborn is brought to the emergency department due to coughing and difficulty feeding. The client was born at home 6 hours ago via spontaneous vaginal birth. With each attempt to breastfeed, the client coughs, vomits, and "turns blue." The mother did not receive prenatal care. She reports a history of opioid use disorder but reports no opioid use during pregnancy.
Vital signs: T 98.6 F (37 C), P 120, RR 50, and SpO, 95% on room air. Abdominal distension is present. Ballard scoring estimates the client at 37 weeks gestation. Weight and length are consistent with the 25th and 50th percentiles for estimated age, respectively.
1 Hour Later
After attempting a bottle feed with 10 mL of formula, the client has a coughing episode, and there is formula mixed with saliva in the mouth. Coarse breath sounds are noted bilaterally with intercostal retractions. S1 and S2 are present with no murmurs. Neurologic examination shows normal neuromuscular findings.
A nasogastric tube insertion is attempted per prescription by the health care provider, and resistance is met at 10 cm of insertion.
Question 1 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Nurses' Notes. Based on the client's findings, what condition does the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Symptoms of coughing, vomiting, cyanosis during feeding, abdominal distension, and resistance during nasogastric tube insertion strongly suggest tracheoesophageal fistula, a congenital anomaly where the trachea and esophagus are abnormally connected.
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
Progress Notes
0910:
Client's parents were spoken to over the phone. Last evening, the client spent the night at a friend's housewhere some family members smoke cigarettes and have a pet cat that lives in the home.
Medical history:
No accidents or injuries were reported, vaccinations are up to date, mild persistent asthma was diagnosed at age 7, and client has atopic dermatitis.
Allergies: No known allergies.
Family history:
Client is an only child. Parents report having no known medical conditions. Paternal grandfather died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and maternal grandmother has heart disease.
Social history:
Client lives with parents; they do not smoke cigarettes. There are no pets in the client's home.
Current medications:
Beclomethasone inhaler 2 puffs twice a day, albuterol (salbutamol) inhaler 2 puffs
every 4 hours as needed for quick relief of symptoms.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse receives the following prescriptions. Which 3 actions should the nurse prioritize?
Correct Answer: A,B,E
Rationale: A: Nebulized albuterol and ipratropium are first-line treatments for acute asthma exacerbation to relieve bronchospasm. B: Prednisone reduces inflammation and prevents worsening. E: Titrating oxygen to >95% corrects hypoxia, a critical concern with SpO2 at 92%.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 66-year-old client in the emergency department.
Nurses' Notes
Emergency Department
1930:
The client is admitted for cellulitis of the right arm due to V drug use. The client was diagnosed with HIV 25 years ago and is taking antiretroviral therapy but reports frequently skipping doses. This is the client's third admission to the hospital within the past 6 months for complications due to IV drug use.
2015:
While assisting with an IV catheter placement, the nurse accidentally sustains a needlestick injury.
Question 3 of 5
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wash the injury with soap and water | ||
| Screen the client for hepatitis C virus | ||
| Squeeze tissue to let the wound bleed | ||
| Anticipate initiating antiretrovirals for the nurse | ||
| Anticipate initiating oral antibiotics for the nurse | ||
| Replace the cap on the needle prior to disposal |
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: A: Indicated - Washing with soap and water is a standard first step to clean a needlestick injury and reduce infection risk. B: Indicated - Screening the client for hepatitis C is necessary due to the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission, especially given the client's IV drug use history. C: Indicated - Allowing the wound to bleed can help flush out potential contaminants. D: Indicated - Post-exposure prophylaxis with antiretrovirals may be needed due to the client's HIV status and non-compliance with therapy. E: Not indicated - Antibiotics are not routinely given for needlestick injuries unless infection is evident. F: Not indicated - Recapping needles increases the risk of injury and is against safety protocols.
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)
Question 4 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Prescriptions and Laboratory Results. The nurse is planning care with the registered nurse. Select 2 prescriptions the nurse should anticipate initiating first.
Correct Answer: A, F
Rationale: IV fluids (
A) are critical to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance, especially with vomiting and ileus. Potassium chloride (F) addresses the low potassium level (3.3 mEq/L). Dextrose is not needed with normal glucose (75 mg/dL). Ketorolac and ondansetron are as-needed, and pantoprazole is daily but less urgent. Clear liquids may exacerbate ileus.
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.
Question 5 of 5
The client's last menstrual period was March 10-17. Unprotected intercourse occurred on March 24. The client's menstrual cycles are regular and occur every 28 days. Based on the Naegele rule, what is the estimated date of birth?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using Naegele's rule (first day of LMP + 1 year - 3 months + 7 days), March 10, 2025 + 1 year = March 10, 2026 - 3 months = December 10, 2025 + 7 days = December 17, 2025.