NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Nursing Exam Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The physician has ordered 50 mEq of potassium chloride for a client with a potassium level of 2.5 mEq/L. The nurse should administer the medication:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Potassium chloride for hypokalemia (2.5 mEq/L) should be administered via controlled IV infusion over several hours (e.g., five hours) to prevent rapid shifts that could cause arrhythmias.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse has an order for the administration of intravenous heparin. The medication should be administered using a/an:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intravenous heparin requires precise dosing to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation. An infusion controller (e.g., infusion pump) ensures accurate delivery. A metered chamber is for fluids, an IV filter is for removing particles, and a stopcock is for multiple infusions, not precise control.
Question 3 of 5
A client with AIDS tells the nurse that he has been using herbal supplements in addition to the regimen of drugs prescribed by the physician. The nurse should tell the client that:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Herbal supplements can interact with antiretroviral drugs, altering their efficacy or toxicity (e.g., St. John’s wort reduces protease inhibitor levels). The nurse should advise the client to discuss herbals with the physician, as they are not inherently safe or FDA-regulated for this purpose.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is caring for a client with acromegaly. Following a transphenoidal hypophysectomy, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Transphenoidal hypophysectomy can disrupt pituitary function, affecting glucose regulation. Monitoring blood sugar is critical to detect hypo- or hyperglycemia. Suctioning, positioning, or coughing is not routine.
Question 5 of 5
The patient states, 'My stomach hurts about two hours after I eat.' Based upon this information, the nurse suspects the patient likely has a:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pain 2–3 hours after eating is characteristic of a duodenal ulcer, as acid irritates the ulcerated mucosa in the duodenum post-digestion. Gastric ulcer pain typically occurs sooner after meals, peptic ulcer is a general term, and Curling’s ulcer is stress-related.