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 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 2 of 5
Select client findings that require immediate follow-up.
Correct Answer: B,C,D,F,G
Rationale: Trembling, diaphoresis, restlessness, hallucinations, saturated dressing, removed IV, aggressive behavior, and elevated pulse and blood pressure indicate potential withdrawal, infection, or sepsis, requiring urgent attention.
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 3 of 5
The nurse should anticipate interventions for treatment of...... due to the risk of.......
Correct Answer: C,F
Rationale: The client's history of asthma, exposure to triggers (cigarette smoke, pet dander), and symptoms (wheezing, retractions, SpO2 92%) indicate an asthma exacerbation. Untreated, this can lead to respiratory acidosis due to impaired gas exchange and carbon dioxide retention.
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.
Nurses' Notes
Inpatient - Mental Health Unit
2100:
Client appears anxious and withdrawn, and states, "I am afraid to sleep at night because I get nightmares about my sibling." The client would not elaborate on the content of the nightmares.
Question 4 of 5
For each potential intervention, click to specify if the intervention is appropriate or not appropriate for the care of the client.
| Potential Intervention | Appropriate | Not Appropriate |
|---|---|---|
| Provide the client privacy during flashbacks | ||
| Help the client identify available support systems | ||
| Directly ask if the client is having thoughts of self-harm | ||
| Determine the client's ability to perform activities of daily living | ||
| Reinforce the use of progressive muscle relaxation for anxiety | ||
| Avoid discussion of the traumatic event when speaking to the client |
Correct Answer: B,C,E
Rationale: Appropriate interventions include identifying support systems (
B), directly assessing for self-harm (
C), and using relaxation techniques (E). Providing privacy during flashbacks (
A) may increase distress, assessing ADLs (
D) is less urgent, and avoiding discussion of the trauma (F) may hinder therapeutic progress.
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 5 of 5
Which of the following complications are related to liver cirrhosis? Select all that apply.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,E
Rationale: Liver cirrhosis leads to portal hypertension and impaired liver function, causing:
A) Abdominal ascites due to fluid accumulation from portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia;
B) Coagulopathies from decreased synthesis of clotting factors;
C) Esophageal varices from portal hypertension causing collateral vein formation;
D) Hepatic encephalopathy from ammonia buildup due to impaired liver detoxification; E) Malnutrition from impaired nutrient metabolism and absorption.