NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Practice Test with NGN Questions
Extract:
The nurse in an inpatient mental health unit is caring for a 43-year-old client.
History
Admission:
The client comes to the inpatient psychiatric facility for an evaluation. The client is having distressing nightmares, flashbacks, and feelings of being "on edge" since a severe motor vehicle collision 6 months ago that resulted in the death of the client's sibling. The client blames self for the sibling's death and verbalizes feelings of guilt. The client reports an inability to sleep well and being quick to anger, both of which led to job loss and the client seeking help. The client reports a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, such as working out and interacting with friends. The client has started smoking cigarettes daily since the collision and typically consumes ≥4 alcoholic beverages per day. Mental status examination reveals an irritable, guarded, and easily distracted mood. The client's appearance is well- kept, and grooming and hygiene are appropriate. The client’s speech is hyperverbal yet coherent, and thought process is organized. The client admits to feelings of hopelessness after the death of the sibling. The client reports occasionally seeing "shadows" but no visual hallucinations. The client has no homicidal ideations or history of violence toward others.
Vital signs: P 78, RR 17, BP 132/78.
Question 1 of 5
Which client finding requires immediate follow-up by the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hopelessness is a critical finding indicating a risk for suicide or severe depression, requiring immediate assessment and intervention in a client with post-traumatic stress symptoms and recent life stressors.
Extract:
The nurse is caring for a 58-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit.
History and Physical
General
The client is vomiting bright red blood; medical history includes alcohol use disorder, liver cirrhosis, and hypertension; the client was admitted a year ago for alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis
Neurological
The client is oriented to person and place; the pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation
Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat (EENT)
Yellow scleras are noted
Pulmonary
Vital signs are RR 18, SpO 94% on room air
Cardiovascular
Vital signs are T 99 F (37.2 C), P 102, BP 90/40; S1 and S2 are heard on auscultation; peripheral pulses are 2+ in all extremities; 1+ edema is noted at the bilateral lower extremities
Gastrointestinal
The abdomen is distended and nontender to palpation; the flanks are dull to percussion; bowel sounds are hypoactive; distended veins are present around the umbilicus
Genitourinary
Client is voiding amber-colored urine
Question 2 of 5
The health care provider confirms that the client is experiencing bleeding from esophageal varices secondary to complications from liver cirrhosis. For each potential prescription, specify if the prescription is anticipated or unanticipated for the care of this client.
| Potential Prescription | Anticipated | Unanticipated |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain NPO status | ||
| Start octreotide infusion | ||
| Administer IV fluid bolus | ||
| Transfuse packed RBCs | ||
| Gather supplies for paracentesis | ||
| Prepare client for esophagogastroduodenoscopy |
Correct Answer: A: Anticipated, B: Anticipated, C: Anticipated, D: Anticipated, E: Unanticipated, F: Anticipated
Rationale:
A) Anticipated: NPO prevents aspiration and supports esophageal varices management.
B) Anticipated: Octreotide reduces portal pressure to control variceal bleeding.
C) Anticipated: IV fluids address hypovolemia (BP 90/40).
D) Anticipated: PRBCs treat blood loss from variceal bleeding. E) Unanticipated: Paracentesis is for ascites, not urgent here. F) Anticipated: EGD is standard to visualize and treat varices.
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 3 of 5
For each client finding, click to specify if the finding is consistent with presumptive, probable, or positive signs of pregnancy. Note: Each row must have one response option selected
| Client Finding | Presumptive | Probable | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amenorrhea | |||
| Chadwick sign | |||
| Fetal heart rate | |||
| Nausea/vomiting | |||
| Breast tenderness | |||
| Home pregnancy test | |||
| Fetus visible on ultrasound |
Correct Answer: A: Presumptive, B: Probable, C: Positive, D: Presumptive, E: Presumptive, F: Probable, G: Positive
Rationale: Presumptive signs are subjective and may have other causes (e.g., amenorrhea, nausea/vomiting, breast tenderness). Probable signs are objective but not definitive (e.g., Chadwick sign, positive home pregnancy test). Positive signs confirm pregnancy (e.g., fetal heart rate, fetus visible on ultrasound).
Extract:
The nurse is caring for an 84-year-old client with dementia.
Nurses' Notes
Medical-Surgical Unit
Day 1: The left antecubital peripheral IV insertion site has no erythema or edema, and the catheter flushes easily. The dressing is clean, dry, and intact. Potassium chloride infusion is initiated.
Day 3: Potassium chloride is infusing. The area surrounding the IV site is taut, edematous, blanched, and cool to the touch. Small, fluid-filled vesicles are noted around the IV site. Capillary refill distal to the IV site is >3 seconds. The client is grimacing and unable to verbally report pain.
Question 4 of 5
For each potential intervention, click to specify if the potential intervention is appropriate or not appropriate for the care of client.
| Potential Intervention | Appropriate | Not Appropriate |
|---|---|---|
| Elevate the affected extremity | ||
| Apply pressure to the affected area | ||
| Discontinue the potassium chloride infusion | ||
| Aspirate the potassium chloride from the IV catheter | ||
| Leave the IV catheter in place for potential antidote administration |
Correct Answer: A: Appropriate, B: Not Appropriate, C: Appropriate, D: Not Appropriate, E: Appropriate
Rationale: The symptoms suggest IV infiltration with potassium chloride, which is caustic. Elevating the extremity (
A) reduces swelling. Discontinuing the infusion (
C) prevents further damage. Leaving the catheter in place (E) allows for potential antidote administration. Applying pressure (
B) may worsen tissue damage, and aspirating (
D) is not standard for infiltration.
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 5 of 5
The nurse is planning care with the registered nurse. For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is anticipated or unanticipated for the care of the client.
| Potential Intervention | Anticipated | Unanticipated |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the room well lit | ||
| Keep the client on NPO status | ||
| Administer 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion | ||
| Place padding on the headboard and side rails of the bed | ||
| Turn the television to a channel with news about current events | ||
| Evaluate the client's behavior with a standardized assessment tool |
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F
Rationale: A: Anticipated - Keeping the room well lit reduces confusion and hallucinations in alcohol withdrawal. B: Unanticipated - NPO status is not indicated unless specific conditions (e.g., surgery) apply. C: Anticipated - IV fluids support hydration during withdrawal. D: Anticipated - Padding prevents injury during potential seizures. E: Unanticipated - News may increase agitation. F: Anticipated - Standardized tools (e.g., CIWA-Ar) assess withdrawal severity.