NCLEX-RN
Assessment of a Patient Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
When assessing a child which finding would indicate the presence of Kernig's sign?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Kernig's sign is the inability of the child to extend the legs fully when lying supine. Brudzinski's sign is flexion of the hips when the neck is flexed from a supine position. Both of these signs are frequently present in clients with bacterial meningitis. Nuchal rigidity is also present with bacterial meningitis, and it occurs when pain prevents the child from touching the chin to the chest. Homans' sign is elicited when pain occurs in the calf region when the foot is dorsiflexed.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse assessing the level of consciousness of a child with a head injury documents that the child is obtunded. On the basis of this documentation, which observation did the nurse note?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: If the child is obtunded, the child sleeps unless aroused and, when aroused, has limited interaction with the environment. The remaining options describe confusion, disorientation, and stupor.
Question 3 of 5
Which data should the nurse expect to obtain during the admission assessment of a child to support the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Irritable bowel syndrome causes diffuse abdominal pain unrelated to meals or activity. Alternating constipation and diarrhea with the presence of undigested food and mucus in the stools may also be noted. Option 1 is a clinical manifestation of lactose intolerance. Option 2 is a clinical manifestation of Hirschsprung's disease. Option 3 is a clinical manifestation of celiac disease.
Question 4 of 5
An adult client seeks treatment in an ambulatory care clinic for reports of a left earache, nausea, and a full feeling in the left ear. The client has an elevated temperature. Which assessment question should the nurse ask first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Otitis media in the adult is typically one-sided and presents as an acute process with earache; nausea; and possible vomiting, fever, and fullness in the ear. The client may report diminished hearing in that ear during the acute process. The nurse takes a client history first, assessing whether the client has had a recent URI. It is unnecessary to question the client about a brain abscess. The nurse may ask the client if anything relieves the pain, but ear infection pain is usually not relieved until antibiotic therapy is initiated.
Question 5 of 5
A client is scheduled for an arteriogram using a radiopaque dye. What is the most important information the nurse should determine before the procedure to assure the client's safety?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Allergy to iodine or seafood is associated with allergy to the radiopaque dye that is used for medical imaging examinations. Informed consent is necessary because an arteriogram requires the injection of a radiopaque dye into the blood vessel. Although the remaining options are components of the preprocedure assessment, the risks of allergic reaction and possible anaphylaxis are the most critical to the client's safety.