NCLEX-RN
Communication and Documentation Questions
Question 1 of 5
After the surgical repair of a fractured hip, a client has consistently refused to engage in ambulation as prescribed. Which statement by the nurse will best encourage the client's need to ambulate?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Early ambulation during the postoperative period is very important to a client's health and recovery, but many different factors may be contributing to the client's refusal to ambulate as prescribed. Asking an open-ended question that encourages a discussion about getting out of bed is the best option available to allow the nurse to facilitate the client's plan of care. Pain may be a concern for the client, but again, the nurse is making an unfounded assumption. Although it is true that the recovery might be prolonged by not ambulating and the client may be depressed, these statements make assumptions about the reason the client is refusing to comply with the plan of care.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse assesses the client's peripheral intravenous (IV) site and notes that it is cool, pale, and swollen, and the fluid is not infusing. Which condition should the nurse document?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The infusion stops when the pressure in the tissue exceeds the pressure in the tubing. The pallor, coolness, and swelling of the IV site are the result of IV fluid infusing into the subcutaneous tissue. An IV site is infiltrated when it becomes dislodged from the vein and is lying in subcutaneous tissue, so the nurse concludes that the IV is infiltrated. The nurse needs to remove the infiltrated catheter and insert a new IV. All the remaining options are likely to be accompanied by warmth at the site.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is preparing a client for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). After the client signs the informed consent form for the procedure, a family member states, 'I don't think that this ECT will be helpful, especially since it makes people's memory worse.' What form of communication should the nurse implement to address the family member's concern?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Involving the family member in a dialog allows the nurse to understand their concerns and provide accurate information about ECT, addressing misconceptions about memory loss. Option 1 shifts focus away from the family member's concern, option 2 provides premature reassurance without exploring the concern, and option 4 makes an assumption about the cause of memory impairment without addressing the family member's specific worry.
Question 4 of 5
While in the hospital, a client was diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). Which question by the nurse is likely to elicit the most useful response for determining the client's degree of adjustment to the new diagnosis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Exploring feelings assists the nurse with determining the individualized plan of care for the client who is adjusting to a new diagnosis. The correct option is the best question to ask the client because it is likely to elicit the most revealing information about the client's feelings about CAD and the requisite lifestyle changes that can help maintain health and wellness. The remaining choices are aspects of post-hospital care, but they are unlikely to uncover as much information about the client's adjustment to CAD because they are closed-ended questions.
Question 5 of 5
A client diagnosed with angina pectoris appears to be very anxious and states, 'So, I had a heart attack, right?' Which response should the nurse make to the client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Angina pectoris occurs as a result of an inadequate blood supply to the myocardium causing pain; managing the condition will help address the client's pain. The nurse will want to correct the client's misconception regarding a heart attack while addressing the client's concerns. Option 1 does not address the client's concerns. Option 2 is not correct because angina involves interrupted blood supply but does not result in cardiac tissue damage. Neither the nurse nor the primary health care provider can guarantee that a heart attack will not occur as option 3 seems to indicate.