NCLEX-PN clinical judgment practice questions, set 27
NCLEX-PN · clinical judgment
NCLEX-PN clinical judgment practice questionsset 27
You notice cues, form a hypothesis, act, and evaluate — the same loop Next Generation items reward. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the NCLEX-PN exam guide or more NCLEX-PN practice questions.
Five clinical judgment questions with answers
Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.
Question 1
The client is visiting a home health client with osteoporosis. The client has a new prescription for alendronate (Fosamax). Which instruction should be given to the client?
A. Rest in bed after taking the medication for at least 30 minutes
B. Avoid rapid movements after taking the medication
C. Take the medication with water only
D. Allow at least 1 hour between taking the medicine and taking other medications
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Avoid rapid movements after taking the medication
When a client is prescribed alendronate (Fosamax), instructing them to avoid rapid movements after taking the medication is crucial to prevent esophageal irritation. Resting in bed after taking the medication for at least 30 minutes (choice A) is not necessary and can increase the risk of side effects. While taking the medication with water only (choice C) is generally recommended, the key instruction to prevent esophageal irritation is to avoid rapid movements. Allowing at least 1 hour between taking the medicine and other medications (choice D) is not specifically related to the administration of alendronate and is not the primary concern when giving instructions to the client.
Question 2
A 3-day post-operative client with a Left Knee Replacement is complaining of being chilled and nauseated. Her TPR is 100.4-94-28 and Blood Pressure is 146/90. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Call the surgeon immediately.
B. Administer Extra Strength Tylenol per orders.
C. Assess the surgical site.
D. Offer extra blankets and increase fluids.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — Call the surgeon immediately.
The correct answer is to call the surgeon immediately. The client's symptoms of being chilled and nauseated, along with an elevated temperature (100.4°F), could indicate an infection following the knee replacement surgery. In this scenario, prompt action is crucial to prevent any potential complications. Calling the surgeon allows for further assessment, possible diagnostic tests, and appropriate interventions to be initiated. Administering Tylenol or offering blankets and fluids may temporarily alleviate symptoms but do not address the underlying issue of a potential infection. Assessing the surgical site is important but not as urgent as involving the surgeon in this situation.
Question 3
Referral for client education in the community can be accomplished through all of the following except:
A. community agencies such as the American Heart Association
B. parish nurses
C. home health care agencies
D. unlicensed massage therapists
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — unlicensed massage therapists
Client education should be conducted by individuals with acknowledged expertise in the subject area and appropriate credentials to support their activities within the healthcare community. Choices A, B, and C involve reputable entities or professionals who can provide accurate and reliable client education. The American Heart Association, parish nurses, and home health care agencies are recognized for their healthcare-related knowledge and qualifications. However, unlicensed massage therapists lack the necessary qualifications and expertise to deliver appropriate healthcare-related education, making them unsuitable for referrals when it comes to client education in the community.
Question 4
A violation of a patient's confidentiality occurs if two nurses are discussing client information in which of the following scenarios?
A. With a physical therapist treating the patient
B. With a social worker planning for discharge
C. With another nurse on duty to plan for break time
D. In the hallway outside the patient's room
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — In the hallway outside the patient's room
The correct answer is 'In the hallway outside the patient's room.' Discussing client information in a public area like a hallway can potentially breach patient confidentiality as it increases the risk of unauthorized individuals overhearing sensitive information. Choices A, B, and C involve discussing client information with other healthcare professionals in appropriate settings, which are more likely to maintain patient confidentiality compared to discussing in a public space like a hallway. Option D is the correct choice because it highlights a scenario where patient information is at higher risk of exposure to unauthorized individuals, hence violating patient confidentiality.
Question 5
What is appropriate care for a client with neutropenia?
A. Avoiding fresh fruits and vegetables.
B. Having a private room.
C. Wearing a mask when out of the room.
D. Practicing routine hand washing.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Wearing a mask when out of the room.
When a client has neutropenia, they have low white blood cell levels, which increases the risk of infections due to a weakened immune system. Wearing a mask when out of the room is crucial to reduce the risk of exposure to respiratory infections. Avoiding fresh fruits and vegetables is also necessary as they may contain harmful pathogens. Having a private room helps minimize exposure to pathogens and ensures that visitors are carefully screened for any signs of illness. Routine hand washing is essential to prevent the spread of infections in the healthcare setting, but the most direct measure to protect the client from potential infections is wearing a mask when out of the room.
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Question 6
A 20-year-old obese female client is preparing to have gastric bypass surgery for weight loss. She says to the nurse, "I need this surgery because nothing else I have done has helped me to lose weight."? Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A. "If you eat less, you can save some money."?
B. "Exercise is a healthier way to lose weight."?
C. "You should try the Atkins diet first."?
D. "I respect your decision to choose surgery."?
Correct answer:
The most appropriate response by the nurse is to show respect and empathy towards the client's decision. Option D acknowledges the client's autonomy and decision-making process, fostering a therapeutic relationship. Options A, B, and C are insensitive and unprofessional. Option A implies a financial incentive for weight loss, which can be perceived as disrespectful and trivializing the client's concerns. Option B suggests an alternative method without considering the client's reasons for choosing surgery, potentially invalidating her experiences. Option C recommends a specific diet without addressing the client's concerns or choices, neglecting her autonomy in decision-making.
How can medication bound to protein affect drug availability?
A. enhanced drug availability
B. rapid distribution of the drug to receptor sites
C. less availability to produce desired medicinal effects
D. increased metabolism of the drug by the liver
Correct answer:
Medication bound to protein reduces the availability of the drug to produce desired medicinal effects because only unbound drugs can effectively bind to active receptor sites. When a drug is bound to protein, it cannot bind with receptor sites, limiting its therapeutic impact. Choice A is incorrect because drug availability is reduced when it is bound to protein. Choice B is incorrect as rapid distribution to receptor sites is not possible if the drug is bound to protein and cannot bind with receptors. Choice D is incorrect as metabolism does not increase when the drug is bound to protein; the liver first needs to separate the drug from the protein before metabolism can occur.
Which of the following lab values is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease?
A. high HDL cholesterol
B. low HDL cholesterol
C. low total cholesterol
D. low triglycerides
Correct answer:
High HDL cholesterol is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease because HDL cholesterol is known as 'good' cholesterol. It helps remove other forms of cholesterol, like LDL cholesterol, from the bloodstream, reducing the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries. Low HDL cholesterol (Choice B) is actually a risk factor for cardiovascular disease because it means there is less of the 'good' cholesterol to perform its protective functions. Low total cholesterol (Choice C) and low triglycerides (Choice D) are not necessarily associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, as the balance and types of cholesterol play a more crucial role in heart health.
Which of the following statements, if made by the parents of a newborn, does not indicate a need for further teaching about cord care?
A. "I should not put alcohol on my baby's cord 3-4 times a day."?
B. "I should not put the baby's diaper on so that it covers the cord."?
C. "I should call the physician if the cord becomes dark."?
D. "I should wash my hands before and after I take care of the cord."?
Correct answer:
Parents should be taught not to cover the cord with a diaper to allow for air exposure and drying, preventing infection. The statement 'I should put alcohol on my baby's cord 3-4 times a day' indicates a need for further teaching as current recommendations do not include using alcohol on the cord, which can interfere with natural healing. While it is normal for the cord to turn dark as it dries, so the statement 'I should call the physician if the cord becomes dark' is accurate, it is not the best answer for this question. Washing hands before and after caring for the cord is important to prevent the transfer of pathogens, so this statement does not require further teaching.
A woman is in the active phase of labor. An external monitor has been applied, and a fetal heart deceleration of uniform shape is observed, beginning just as the contraction is underway and returning to the baseline at the end of the contraction. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate?
A. Administer O2.
B. Turn the client on her left side.
C. Notify the physician.
D. No action is necessary
Correct answer:
This scenario describes early deceleration due to head compression, which is a benign finding in labor. Early decelerations mirror the contractions and do not require any intervention as they are considered a normal response to fetal head compression. The fetal heart rate returns to baseline at the end of the contraction. In this case, the correct action is no action at the moment. Close monitoring of the mother and baby is essential, but immediate intervention is not required. Administering O2 (Choice A) or turning the client on her left side (Choice B) is not indicated for early decelerations. Notifying the physician (Choice C) is unnecessary for this type of deceleration.
A client who had a stroke has left-side weakness and is having difficulty holding utensils while eating. To which of these services does the nurse suggest a referral?
A. Physical therapy
B. Occupational therapy
C. Home care
D. Social services
Correct answer:
An occupational therapist assists clients with impairments in performing activities of daily living, such as feeding themselves with the use of adaptive devices. In this case, the client needs help with holding utensils while eating, falling under the scope of occupational therapy. Home care provides general support services but doesn't specifically address the client's need for utensil use. Social services focus on counseling and financial aspects of care, not physical rehabilitation like occupational therapy does. Physical therapy primarily deals with physical disabilities through exercises, which is not the primary concern for the client's difficulty in holding utensils.
A nurse is supervising a new nursing graduate in various procedures. Which action by the new nursing graduate constitutes a negligent act?
A. Giving a verbal report to the nurse on the oncoming shift
B. Checking neurological signs in a client with a head injury
C. Contacting a healthcare provider about a change in a client's blood pressure
D. Using clean gloves to change a gastrostomy tube dressing
Correct answer:
Negligent acts in nursing include various errors that can harm the client, such as medication errors, intravenous therapy errors, burns, falls, failure to use aseptic technique, failure to provide adequate monitoring, and failure to report significant changes in a client's condition. In this scenario, using clean gloves to change a gastrostomy tube dressing is a negligent act because sterile gloves should be used when changing a dressing over broken skin. Choices A, B, and C are not negligent acts as they involve appropriate nursing actions: giving a verbal report, checking neurological signs, and contacting a healthcare provider about a change in a client's blood pressure.
Teaching the client with gonorrhea how to prevent reinfection and further spread is an example of
A. primary prevention
B. secondary prevention
C. tertiary prevention
D. primary health care prevention
Correct answer:
The correct answer is B: secondary prevention. This type of prevention focuses on reducing the impact of a disease by early detection and treatment. In the case of gonorrhea, teaching the client how to prevent reinfection and further spread falls under secondary prevention because it aims to reduce the prevalence and morbidity of the disease.
Choice A (primary prevention) involves measures to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place, such as vaccination. Choice C (tertiary prevention) focuses on managing the long-term consequences of a disease to prevent complications. Choice D (primary health care prevention) is not a recognized term in prevention strategies.
At what point in the nurse-client relationship should termination first be addressed?
A. in the working phase
B. in the termination phase
C. in the orientation phase
D. when the client initially brings up the topic
Correct answer:
Termination in the nurse-client relationship should first be addressed in the orientation phase. This is because the client has a right to know the parameters of the relationship from the beginning. During the orientation phase, it is important to discuss if the relationship is time-limited, inform the client about the number of sessions, or explain that it is open-ended with the termination date to be negotiated later. Addressing termination in the orientation phase helps establish transparency and clear communication. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because termination discussions should ideally start at the beginning of the relationship to set appropriate expectations.
To identify risk factors associated with the use of an oral contraceptive, which question should the nurse ask a client providing subjective data?
A. Do you normally experience menstrual cramps with your periods?
B. Do you smoke cigarettes?
C. Are you currently dieting?
D. Do you engage in strenuous exercise, such as jogging?
Correct answer:
The correct question the nurse should ask to identify risk factors associated with the use of an oral contraceptive is whether the client smokes cigarettes. Oral contraceptives are associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic phenomena, particularly when combined with other risk factors like smoking and a history of thrombosis. Other risk factors include hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and postoperative thrombosis risk. Choices A, C, and D are not directly related to the increased risks associated with oral contraceptive use. Menstrual cramps, dieting, and strenuous exercise are not significant risk factors for thromboembolic events.
NCLEX-PN clinical judgment practice questions, set 27 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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