NCLEX-RN
NCLEX RN Exam Questions Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is working in a support group for clients with HIV. Which point is most important for the nurse to stress?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is that clients with HIV must take their medications exactly as prescribed. Antiretrovirals need to be taken as directed to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains and maintain treatment effectiveness. Missing doses can compromise the effectiveness of future treatments.
Choice A, informing household members, is important for social support but not the most critical aspect of managing the condition.
Choice C, abstaining from substance use, is important but not as crucial as medication adherence.
Choice D, avoiding large crowds, is not directly related to HIV management as long as the individual's immune system is not significantly compromised.
Question 2 of 5
When administering a-interferon and ribavirin (Rebetol) to a patient with chronic hepatitis C, the nurse should monitor for which complication?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When administering a-interferon and ribavirin (Rebetol) for chronic hepatitis C, the nurse should monitor for hypokalemia. This combination therapy is known to cause leukopenia, not polycythemia or hypoglycemia. Hypokalemia is a common electrolyte imbalance that can occur with these medications, making it the correct answer to monitor for in this case.
Question 3 of 5
A 49-year-old female patient with cirrhosis and esophageal varices has a new prescription for propranolol (Inderal). Which finding is the best indicator that the medication has been effective?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best indicator that propranolol has been effective in a patient with cirrhosis and esophageal varices is when the stools test negative for occult blood. Propranolol is prescribed to decrease the risk of bleeding from esophageal varices. This medication's effectiveness is primarily assessed by the absence of blood in the stools, indicating a reduction in the risk of bleeding from the varices. Monitoring for chest pain, blood pressure control, and a decrease in heart rate are important parameters in other conditions treated with propranolol, such as hypertension, angina, and tachycardia, but in this particular case, the absence of occult blood in the stools is the most relevant indicator of treatment success.
Question 4 of 5
Which laboratory test result should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effects of therapy for a 62-year-old female patient with acute pancreatitis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Amylase. In acute pancreatitis, amylase levels are typically elevated. Monitoring amylase levels helps assess the effectiveness of therapy in managing the condition. Elevated amylase is a key indicator of pancreatic inflammation. Calcium (
Choice
A) levels may be affected in pancreatitis, but they are not the primary indicator for evaluating therapy effectiveness. Bilirubin (
Choice
B) and Potassium (
Choice
D) levels may also be altered in pancreatitis, but they are not specific markers for monitoring therapy response in acute pancreatitis.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following interventions should the nurse use when working with a Jackson-Pratt drain?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Jackson-Pratt drain is a type of active wound drain that may be placed following a surgical procedure. This drain actively draws excess blood and fluid out of the wound. If clots develop within the tubing, the nurse should strip the tubing by milking it in a direction away from the client. This action helps to ensure the drain remains patent and effective. Option A is incorrect because the tubing should be milked away from the client, not towards. Option B is incorrect as the drain should be emptied based on the healthcare provider's orders, not at a fixed volume. Option D is incorrect because the level of the drain should be below the level of the incision to allow drainage by gravity.