NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Practice Test with NGN Questions
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a client in the clinic.
Nurses' Notes
Initial Clinic Visit
The client reports progressive fatigue and weakness over the past 2 months. Pallor and minor glossitis are noted. Laboratory results show a decreased hemoglobin. The client is instructed to take an iron supplement for treatment of iron-deficiency anemia.
Clinic Visit: 2 Weeks Later
The client reports discomfort and straining with bowel movements over the past week. Stool has become increasingly hard and pellet-like. The client reports feeling bloated with crampy abdominal pain that is relieved with defecation. The abdomen is nontender to palpation.
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is contributing to the client's plan of care. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is expected or not expected for the care of the client.
Correct Answer: A,C,E,F
Rationale: A: Stool softeners are expected to manage constipation, a side effect of iron supplements. C: Warm fluids aid bowel motility. E: Raw fruits and vegetables increase fiber to relieve constipation. F: Adequate hydration softens stool and prevents constipation.
Extract:
The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 62-year-old client.
History and Physical
Neurological
The client is alert and oriented to time, place, person, and situation; the client reports sudden-onset right-sided facial drooping, speech is slurred; positive right-sided arm drift is seen
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Bilateral pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 16, SpO, 95% on room air, lung sounds are clear bilaterally
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 99 F (37.2 C), P 86, BP 166/90; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; no murmurs are noted; the client has a history of hypertension
Musculoskeletal
Right-sided lower extremity weakness is seen
Endocrine
The client has diabetes mellitus
Psychosocial
The client reports drinking one glass of wine each evening with dinner, no tobacco use, and a history of major depression; the client takes sertraline.
Laboratory Results
During Admission
Blood Chemistry.
Glucose: 72 mg/dL (4.0 mmol/L)
Sodium: 133 mEq/L (133 mEq/L)
Chloride: 101 mEq/L (101 mmol/L)
Potassium: 3.7 mEq/L (3.7 mmol/L)
Laboratory Test and Reference Range
Blood Chemistry.
Glucose 74-106 mg/dL (4.1-5.9 mmol/L)
Sodium 136-145 mEq/L (136-145 mmol/L)
Chloride 98-106 mEq/L(98-106 mmol/L)
Potassium 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (3.5-5.0 mmol/L
Diagnostic Results
Admission
CT scan of the head without contrast
1830:
No areas of hemorrhage are noted
Nurses’ notes
Intensive Care Unit
2100:
Tissue plasminogen activator infusion is complete.
2330:
The client suddenly has become combative and confused and is disoriented to person, place, and time. The client vomited once forcefully. Neurologic assessment shows confusion and right-sided weakness.
Vital signs: T 100 F (37.8 C), P 105, RR 18, BP 188/94, SpO2 96% on room air.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse has reviewed the information from the Nurses' Notes. Which of the following is the priority action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client's sudden change in mental status (combative, confused, disoriented) and vomiting after tissue plasminogen activator (tP
A) infusion suggest a possible intracranial hemorrhage, a known complication of tPA. A repeat CT scan is the priority to assess for this life-threatening condition.
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 3 of 5
The nurse is assisting the registered nurse with developing the plan of care. For each potential intervention, click to specify the intervention is anticipated or unanticipated for the care of the client.
| Potential Intervention | Anticipated | Unanticipated |
|---|---|---|
| Insert a rectal tube | ||
| Advance to a regular diet | ||
| Place the client on strict bed rest | ||
| Measure abdominal girth frequently | ||
| Request a nonopioid pain medication | ||
| Apply a cold pack to the abdomen for pain |
Correct Answer: A: Anticipated, B: Unanticipated, C: Unanticipated, D: Anticipated, E: Anticipated, F: Unanticipated
Rationale: A rectal tube may help decompress the bowel in ileus. Advancing to a regular diet is contraindicated until bowel function returns. Strict bed rest is not necessary; ambulation is encouraged. Measuring abdominal girth monitors distension. Nonopioid pain medication is appropriate for pain management. Cold packs are not standard for abdominal pain in ileus and may not be effective.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a client on the medical-surgical unit.
History
Admission
0500: The client is admitted with an abscess and cellulitis of the right leg. The abscess is noted on the lateral aspect of the right calf, with redness, swelling, and warmth extending from the knee to the ankle. The abscess was incised in the emergency department, and a moderate amount of purulent, yellowish-green drainage was noted. The leg was wrapped with gauze, and the client received the first dose of IV antibiotics and opioids for pain control.
The client reports chronic lower back pain and gastrosophageal reflux disease, and he was admitted to the hospital once last year for gastrointestinal bleeding. He is currently prescribed daily pantoprazole but takes it only a few times a week.
Vital signs: T 100.9 F (38.3 C), P 82, RR 14, BP 130/80, SpO, 95% on room air
Progress Notes
Medical-Surgical Unit
2300:
The client reports nausea, headache, and insomnia. The client is trembling, diaphoretic, and restless.
The client states, "I would sleep better if those mice and cats would stop climbing up and down the walls."
The upper portion of the clients dressing is saturated with yellowish-green drainage. The peripheral V was removed by the client, and dried blood is noted at the IV site. The IV catheter is on the floor. The client yelled and pushed the nurse's hands away during inspection of the IV site.
Vital signs: T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, RR 18, BP 170/96, SpO≥ 95% on room air
Question 4 of 5
The nurse should contact the health care provider and anticipate prescriptions for.....and.....
Correct Answer: B,D
Rationale: B: Thiamine is given to prevent Wernicke encephalopathy in alcohol withdrawal. D: Lorazepam manages withdrawal symptoms and prevents seizures. Naloxone is for opioid overdose, and haloperidol is not first-line for withdrawal.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 12-month-old male client.
History and Physical
Body System
General
The client is brought to the emergency department by the parents due to increased leg bruising and left knee swelling for 1 day; the parents report that the client seems more tired and less playful; both parents and the sister are healthy, but a maternal uncle died at age 7 after mild head trauma.
Integumentary
Good hygiene; no abrasions; no burns; bilateral scattered lower extremity bruising
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
The parents report that the client's gums have been bleeding when chewing on crackers
Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 38, SpO 100% on room air, upper respiratory infection 3 weeks ago that completely resolved after 4 days.
Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 98.7 F (37.1 C), P 136
Musculoskeletal
Left knee redness and swelling with limited range of motion; the client can bear weight on both lower extremities; the parents state the child has recently started learning to walk by holding onto furniture and sometimes falls
Genitourinary
The parents state that urine output has been normal; urine is clear and pale yellow; the penis is uncircumcised
Psychosocial
The client is cooperative during examination; the client appears appropriately dressed for the season and weather; the mother says the child has no interest in toilet-training
Question 5 of 5
Select the findings that require follow-up.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,F
Rationale: A: Requires follow-up - Increased bruising and knee swelling suggest a potential bleeding disorder. B: Requires follow-up - Bilateral bruising is abnormal and may indicate a hematologic issue. C: Requires follow-up - Bleeding gums are concerning for a coagulation disorder. F: Requires follow-up - Knee swelling and limited motion could indicate hemarthrosis, common in bleeding disorders. D, E, G: Normal findings that do not require immediate follow-up.