NCLEX-RN
NCLEX-RN Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client post-appendectomy. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A temperature of 101.5°F post-appendectomy suggests infection (e.g., abscess), requiring immediate intervention. Pain (
A), serous drainage (
C), and absent bowel sounds (
D) are expected initially.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to find?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant is a classic sign of appendicitis (e.g., Rovsing’s sign). Left upper quadrant pain (
B), distention (
C), and diarrhea (
D) are not typical.
Question 3 of 5
The amniocentesis reveals that the patient has a high AFP level. The nurse is aware that a high level of AFP is associated with which of the following?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: High alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in amniotic fluid are associated with neural tube defects such as myelomeningocele (a type of spina bifida). Esophageal atresia omphalocele and Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) are not typically associated with elevated AFP levels.
Question 4 of 5
A female client at 36 weeks' gestation is experiencing preterm labor. Her physician has prescribed two doses of betamethasone 12 mg IM q24h. The nurse explains that she is receiving this drug to:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory distress syndrome occurs in the newborn, not the fetus. It may be treated postnatally with surfactant therapy. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid, not an anti-infective drug; therefore, its use would not prevent uterine infection. Betamethasone binds with glucocorticoid receptors in alveolar cells to increase production of surfactant, thus increasing lung maturity in the preterm fetus. Betamethasone does not affect uteroplacental circulatory exchange.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is evaluating the laboratory value results of a client after a craniotomy for a pituitary tumor. Which values cause the nurse to suspect a diabetes insipidus complication?
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus causes dilute urine (low specific gravity,
A) and hypernatremia (158 mEq/L,
B) from excessive water loss. Potassium (
C), hemoglobin (
D), and chloride (E) are normal and unrelated.