NCLEX-RN
Results Analysis Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse caring for a child diagnosed with kidney disease is analyzing the child's laboratory results and notes a sodium level of 148 mEq/L (148 mmol/L). On the basis of this finding, which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect to note in the child?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypernatremia occurs when the sodium level is more than 145 mEq/L (145 mmol/L). Clinical manifestations include intense thirst, oliguria, agitation, restlessness, flushed skin, peripheral and pulmonary edema, dry and sticky mucous membranes, nausea, and vomiting. None of the remaining options are associated with the clinical manifestations of hypernatremia.
Question 2 of 5
A home care nurse is assessing a client who is prescribed prazosin. Which statement by the client would support the need for further teaching regarding medication compliance?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Prazosin is used to treat hypertension. The side effects of prazosin are dizziness and impotence. The client needs to be instructed to call the primary health care provider if these side effects occur. Holding (skipping) medication will cause an abrupt rise in blood pressure. Option 2 indicates difficulty taking care of oneself. The remaining options indicate client understanding regarding the medication.
Question 3 of 5
A client diagnosed with myasthenia gravis is reporting vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. The nurse notes that the client is hypotensive and experiencing facial muscle twitching. Which possible situation does this assessment data support?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Signs and symptoms of cholinergic crisis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, blurred vision, pallor, facial muscle twitching, pupillary miosis, and hypotension. It is caused by overmedication with cholinergic (anticholinesterase) medications, and it is treated by withholding medications. Myasthenic crisis is an exacerbation of myasthenic symptoms caused by undermedication with anticholinesterase medications. There are no data in the question to support the remaining options.
Question 4 of 5
A child is admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis. The child has been experiencing fever, malaise, anorexia, and a headache. Which diagnostic study will confirm the diagnosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis is primarily established on the basis of a positive blood culture of the organisms and the visualization of vegetation on echocardiographic studies. Other laboratory tests that may help confirm the diagnosis are an elevated sedimentation rate and the C-reactive protein level. An ECG is not usually helpful for the diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is caring for an infant admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of hemolytic disease. Which finding should the nurse expect to note in this infant when reviewing the laboratory results?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The two primary pathophysiological alterations associated with hemolytic disease are anemia and hyperbilirubinemia. The red blood cell count is decreased because red blood cell production cannot keep pace with red blood cell destruction. Hyperbilirubinemia results from the red blood cell destruction that accompanies this disorder and from the normally decreased ability of the neonate's liver to conjugate and excrete bilirubin efficiently from the body. Hypoglycemia is associated with hypertrophy of the pancreatic islet cells and increased levels of insulin. The white blood cell count is not related to this disorder.