NCLEX-PN
NCLEX PN Test Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assisting with the care of a client who sustained a cervical spinal cord injury 1 hour ago and has paralysis in all four extremities. Which of the following actions would be a priority for the nurse to take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respiratory status (
C) is the priority in acute cervical spinal cord injury due to risk of respiratory failure. Repositioning (
A), dysreflexia monitoring (
B), and exercises (
D) are secondary.
Question 2 of 5
The student nurse verbalizes the procedure for obtaining a wound culture to the nurse preceptor. Which of the following statements by the student indicate a correct understanding?
Correct Answer: B,D
Rationale: Cleansing the wound with normal saline (
B) removes contaminants, and hand hygiene with gloves (
D) ensures sterility. Applying ointment before the culture (
A) could contaminate the sample. Swabbing from the outermost margin to the center (E) risks contaminating the sample with skin flora; the correct method is to swab the cleanest area first. Obtaining drainage since the last dressing change (
C) may not target active infection.
Question 3 of 5
A 31-year-old client is admitted to the psychiatric unit after cutting both wrists with a kitchen knife. The client has a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. The most therapeutic approach by the nurse is one that is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A firm and consistent approach provides structure and boundaries, which are therapeutic for clients with borderline personality disorder who often test limits.
Question 4 of 5
An adult client was admitted for congestive heart failure today. An IV is running. The nurse enters the room and notes that the client is having increased difficulty breathing. Before calling the physician, what action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Raising the head of the bed improves breathing in congestive heart failure by reducing pulmonary congestion. Increasing IV rate, supine positioning, or questioning delays intervention.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is reinforcing teaching to the parents of a hospitalized 3-month-old about separation anxiety. The nurse notices that the parents still seem concerned about leaving the infant while they work. Which statement by one of the parents indicates that the teaching has been effective?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Infants at 3 months (
C) do not yet exhibit separation anxiety and cannot sense parental anxiety. Crying (
A), feeling abandoned (
B), and understanding return (
D) occur later in development.