NCLEX-PN clinical judgment practice questions, set 50

NCLEX-PN · clinical judgment

NCLEX-PN clinical judgment practice questions set 50

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

A nurse on the night shift is making client rounds. When the nurse checks a client who is 97 years old and has successfully been treated for heart failure, he notes that the client is not breathing. If the client does not have a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, the nurse should take which action?

  1. A. Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  2. B. Call the client's health care provider
  3. C. Administer oxygen to the client and call the health care provider
  4. D. Contact the nursing supervisor for directions
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the appropriate action when a client is not breathing and does not have a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. CPR is considered an emergency treatment that can be provided without client consent in life-threatening situations. Calling the health care provider or nursing supervisor for directions, as well as administering oxygen without addressing the lack of breathing, would delay critical life-saving interventions. Therefore, administering CPR is the most urgent and necessary action to perform in this scenario.

Question 2

An Asian family has an elderly member with the latest stage of Alzheimer's disease. The physician has recommended placement in a long-term care facility, but the family refuses. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

  1. A. "You really need to listen to what the physician says."?
  2. B. "You will get too tired to take care of him at home."?
  3. C. "What can I do to assist you to care for him at home?"?
  4. D. "You are too busy to be taking care of an elderly person."?
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — "What can I do to assist you to care for him at home?"?

The correct answer is, "What can I do to assist you to care for him at home?"? This response shows cultural sensitivity and respect for the family's values. In many Asian cultures, there is a strong tradition of caring for elders at home rather than in a long-term care facility. By offering assistance to the family in caring for their elderly member at home, the nurse shows understanding and support. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not acknowledge or respect the family's cultural beliefs and values regarding caring for elderly family members.

Question 3

Nursing care for a client undergoing chemotherapy includes assessment for signs of bone marrow depression. Which finding accounts for some of the symptoms related to bone marrow depression?

  1. A. erythrocytosis
  2. B. leukocytosis
  3. C. polycythemia
  4. D. thrombocytopenia
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — thrombocytopenia

Thrombocytopenia is an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets, which results in bleeding tendencies. During chemotherapy, bone marrow depression can lead to a reduction in platelet production, causing thrombocytopenia. Erythrocytosis is an abnormal increase in red blood cells, leukocytosis is an increase in white blood cells, and polycythemia is an excess of red blood cells, which is synonymous with erythrocytosis. In the context of chemotherapy, the focus is on the decrease in red and white blood cells, making thrombocytopenia the most relevant finding.

Question 4

During the health screening of an adolescent, which finding by the nurse requires further teaching?

  1. A. The client started her first menses 2 years ago.
  2. B. The client states she is currently taking birth control pills.
  3. C. The client states she recently lost 5 pounds.
  4. D. The client states she is experiencing growing pains.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — The client states she is currently taking birth control pills.

The correct answer is 'The client states she is currently taking birth control pills.' This finding requires further teaching because being on birth control pills does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the adolescent should be educated on the importance of using barrier methods (e.g., condoms) for STD prevention. Choices A, C, and D are not concerning. Choice A is a normal developmental milestone in adolescence. Choice C could indicate a positive lifestyle change, and choice D is a common complaint during this stage of development.

Question 5

A young boy is recently diagnosed with a seizure disorder. Which of the following statements by the boy's mother indicates a need for further teaching by the nurse?

  1. A. "I should make sure he gets plenty of rest."?
  2. B. "I should get him a medical alert bracelet."?
  3. C. "I should lay him on his back during a seizure."?
  4. D. "I should loosen his clothing during a seizure."?
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — "I should lay him on his back during a seizure."?

The correct answer is "I should lay him on his back during a seizure."? This statement indicates a need for further teaching because a client having a seizure should be turned to the side to prevent aspiration of secretions. Choices A, B, and D are correct. Getting plenty of rest helps in managing seizures, having a medical alert bracelet informs others about the condition in case of emergency, and loosening clothing during a seizure ensures better air circulation and prevents injury. These actions demonstrate adequate understanding of the teaching provided.

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Question 6

The nurse is caring for a preschool child who is being treated in the hospital for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In planning the client's care, the nurse should recognize that the child is likely to view this illness as?

  1. A. Punishment.
  2. B. Disturbance to body image.
  3. C. Rejection from parents.
  4. D. Change in routine with friends.
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Question 7

Quality is defined as a combination of all of the following except:

  1. A. conforming to standards.
  2. B. performing at the minimally acceptable level.
  3. C. meeting or exceeding customer requirements.
  4. D. exceeding customer expectations.
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Question 8

What is the best nursing diagnosis for a client with newly diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus?

  1. A. Impaired Skin Integrity
  2. B. Knowledge Deficit: New Diabetes Diagnosis
  3. C. Alteration in Nutrition: More than Body Requirements
  4. D. Fluid Volume Deficit
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Question 9

Which is an example of a sentinel event?

  1. A. The terminally ill client is referred to hospice and dies 3 months later.
  2. B. A client receives an unordered mammogram which reveals a small cyst.
  3. C. A client with a laceration to the knee requiring 4 sutures falls when getting up unassisted after being instructed to remain in bed.
  4. D. A client scheduled for knee replacement surgery had an above-the-knee amputation performed.
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Question 10

Nail and foot care are essential in meeting the basic hygiene needs of clients. Important assessments by the nurse in this area include:

  1. A. a full-body assessment is not specific to nail and foot care.
  2. B. the essential lab work of the client is not related to nail and foot assessments.
  3. C. the nail beds and the tissue surrounding the nails.
  4. D. foot corns and calluses only neglect other important aspects of nail and foot care.
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Question 11

A healthcare professional is reviewing a patient's medical record. The record indicates the patient has limited shoulder flexion on the left. Which plane of movement is limited?

  1. A. Horizontal
  2. B. Sagittal
  3. C. Frontal
  4. D. Vertical
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Question 12

A healthcare professional is reviewing a patient's ECG report. The patient exhibits a flat T wave, depressed ST segment, and short QT interval. Which of the following medications can cause all of the above effects?

  1. A. Morphine
  2. B. Atropine
  3. C. Procardia
  4. D. Digitalis
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Question 13

When treating anemia in clients with renal failure, erythropoietin should be given in conjunction with:

  1. A. iron, folic acid, and B12.
  2. B. an increase in protein in the diet.
  3. C. vitamins A and C.
  4. D. an increase in calcium in the diet.
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Question 14

A client, age 28, was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. After staging, therapy is planned to include combination radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy with MOPP"?nitrogen mustard, vincristine (Onconvin), prednisone, and procarbazine. In planning care for this client, the nurse should anticipate which of the following side effects to contribute to a sense of altered body image?

  1. A. Cushingoid appearance
  2. B. Alopecia
  3. C. Temporary or permanent sterility
  4. D. Pathologic fractures
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Question 15

The healthcare provider should utilize data about which of the following to provide information about the nutritional status of a client being evaluated for malnutrition?

  1. A. triceps skinfold measurement
  2. B. fasting blood glucose level
  3. C. hemoglobin A1c level
  4. D. serum lipid profile results
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About these NCLEX-PN clinical judgment questions

NCLEX-PN clinical judgment practice questions, set 50 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the NCLEX-PN exam guide.

The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.

Keep going past these 15 questions

Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.