NCLEX-PN
Kaplan NCLEX Question of The Day Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A client has been receiving cyanocobalamin (B12) injections for the past 6 weeks. Which laboratory finding indicates that the medication is having the desired effect?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cyanocobalamin is a B12 medication used for pernicious anemia. A reticulocyte count of 1% indicates the desired effect of the medication, as reticulocytes are immature red blood cells that increase in response to B12 therapy, improving anemia. Neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes are white blood cells and are not directly influenced by B12 injections, making them incorrect choices.
Question 2 of 5
A client arrives in the emergency department after severely lacerating the left hand with a knife. HR 96, BP 150/88, R36. The client is extremely anxious and crying uncontrollably. Based on this assessment, the nurse anticipates that this client would be in which acid-base imbalance?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation due to anxiety, pain, shock, severe infection, fever, or liver failure can lead to respiratory alkalosis. In this scenario, the client is extremely anxious and crying uncontrollably, indicating an increased respiratory rate and CO2 loss. Respiratory acidosis (choice
A) is incorrect as it is characterized by an increase in CO2 levels, not a loss. Metabolic acidosis (choice
C) involves a decrease in blood pH due to an accumulation of acids or loss of bicarbonate, which is not the case here. Metabolic alkalosis (choice
D) results from excess bicarbonate or a loss of acids, not from increased CO2 loss due to hyperventilation.
Question 3 of 5
One week ago, a client was involved in a motor vehicle crash (MVC) and was brought to the Emergency Department (ED). In the emergency department, the client received two stitches to the forehead and was sent home. Today, the client's spouse notes that the client 'acts like he is drunk' and cannot control his right foot and arm. The nurse will suspect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Yes! The nurse will suspect a subdural hematoma. In this case, the client's presentation of acting intoxicated and experiencing loss of motor control in the right foot and arm is indicative of an acute subdural hematoma. This condition can occur after a head injury with a slow venous bleed, where symptoms may not show until compensation mechanisms are overwhelmed. Meningitis (choice
A) usually presents with fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Absence seizure (choice
B) is characterized by brief periods of unconsciousness without convulsions. Meniere's disease (choice
D) manifests with symptoms like vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus, which do not match the client's current symptoms.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following food selections would need to be removed from a tray for a client recovering from thyroidectomy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is a fresh apple. After a thyroidectomy, it is important to avoid hard and crunchy foods like apples due to the proximity of the esophagus to the surgical site. Apples can be difficult to chew and swallow, posing a risk of injury or discomfort to the patient. V8 juice, mustard greens, and ice cream are softer options that would be more suitable for a client recovering from thyroidectomy.
Question 5 of 5
A client is admitted to the critical care unit after suffering from a massive cerebral vascular accident. The client's vital signs include BP 160/110, HR 42, Cheyne-Stokes respirations. Based on this assessment, the nurse anticipates the client to be in which acid-base balance?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this scenario, the client is exhibiting Cheyne-Stokes respirations, which are characterized by periods of deep breathing alternating with apnea. This pattern indicates respiratory insufficiency, resulting in an accumulation of carbon dioxide in the blood. The elevated BP and slow heart rate further support the respiratory insufficiency, leading to respiratory acidosis.
Therefore, the correct answer is Respiratory acidosis.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by decreased carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which is not indicated by the client's presentation. Metabolic acidosis results from conditions such as renal failure or diabetic ketoacidosis and is not the primary imbalance in this case. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by elevated pH and bicarbonate levels, which are not present in the client's vital signs.