NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Questions Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is planning care for a 48-year-old woman with acute severe pancreatitis. The highest priority patient outcome is
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In acute severe pancreatitis, there is a risk of respiratory failure as a complication, making the maintenance of normal respiratory function the priority outcome. This patient may develop respiratory issues due to the inflammatory process affecting the diaphragm. While pain control, absence of ongoing pancreatic disease, and fluid/electrolyte balance are crucial, they are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation to prevent respiratory compromise.
Question 2 of 5
Which finding is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider about a patient who received a liver transplant 1 week ago?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is the patient's temperature of 100.8°F (38.2°
C). In a patient who received a liver transplant 1 week ago, a fever is a significant finding that should be promptly communicated to the health care provider. Post-transplant patients are at high risk of infections, and fever can often be the initial indicator of an underlying infectious process. The other findings listed in choices A, B, and D are important and should be addressed, but they do not take precedence over a potential infection post-liver transplant. Dry palpebral and oral mucosa may indicate dehydration, crackles at bilateral lung bases may suggest fluid overload or infection, and no bowel movement for 4 days could indicate a bowel obstruction or ileus. However, in the context of a recent liver transplant, an elevated temperature is the most concerning and requires immediate attention to rule out infection.
Question 3 of 5
A client is scheduled for an Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP). In order to prepare the client for this test, the nurse would:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct preparation for an Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) involves administering a laxative to the client the evening before the examination. This is crucial to ensure adequate bowel preparation, which in turn allows for better visualization of the bladder and ureters during the procedure. An IVP is an x-ray exam that utilizes contrast material to evaluate the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions like blood in the urine or pain in the side or lower back. Administering a laxative helps in achieving optimal imaging quality, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning.
Choice A is incorrect because maintaining a regular diet is not the standard preparation for an IVP.
Choice B is incorrect as fluid intake is not typically restricted for this procedure.
Choice D is incorrect as an IVP involves multiple x-rays to assess the urinary system, not just one of the abdomen.
Question 4 of 5
To palpate the liver during a head-to-toe physical assessment, the nurse should
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
To palpate the liver effectively during a head-to-toe physical assessment, the patient should be positioned on the right side with the bed flat. This position helps to splint the biopsy site and allows for proper palpation of the liver. Elevating the head of the bed has no direct relevance to palpating the liver. Checking coagulation studies is done before the biopsy and is unrelated to palpation. Putting pressure on the biopsy site using a sandbag is not an appropriate way to facilitate liver palpation as it does not provide the necessary support and stabilization needed for the procedure.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following techniques can help to prevent skin irritation or breakdown around a tracheostomy site?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Excess secretions from the tracheostomy tube can collect near the stomal opening and cause skin breakdown. Management of secretions through regular suctioning will keep the area clean and dry, minimizing skin irritation.
Choice B, cleansing the site daily with povidone-iodine and water, is incorrect as it may lead to skin irritation due to the harshness of povidone-iodine.
Choice C, avoiding tube ties to secure the tube, is also incorrect as securing the tube is essential for stability.
Choice D, 'None of the above,' is incorrect as managing secretions through suctioning is crucial in preventing skin irritation.