NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Medical Surgical Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse notices that a client's heart rate decreases from 63 to 50 beats per minute on the monitor. The nurse should first:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A heart rate of 50 bpm may indicate bradycardia. Taking the blood pressure first assesses hemodynamic stability, guiding whether immediate intervention (e.g., atropine or pacing) is needed.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing clients at a health fair. Which client is at greatest risk for coronary artery disease?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Obesity and elevated LDL (188) are significant risk factors for coronary artery disease. The other clients have lower-risk profiles due to younger age, smoking cessation, or controlled lipids.
Question 3 of 5
The physician refers the client with unstable angina for a cardiac catheterization. The nurse explains to the client that this procedure is being used in this specific case to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac catheterization in unstable angina assesses the extent of coronary artery blockage to guide interventions like angioplasty or bypass surgery.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse finds the apical impulse below the fifth intercostal space. The nurse suspects:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An apical impulse below the fifth intercostal space suggests left ventricular enlargement, common in heart failure due to ventricular dilation.
Question 5 of 5
For a client who excretes excessive amounts of calcium during the postoperative period after open heart surgery, which of the following measures should the nurse institute to help prevent complications associated with excessive calcium excretion?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Liberal fluid intake promotes calcium excretion through urine, preventing complications like kidney stones or hypercalcemia.