NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questions, set 12
NCLEX-RN · clinical judgment
NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questionsset 12
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-RN exam guide or more NCLEX-RN 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 3-year-old pediatric patient's mother would like to stay at the patient's bedside throughout the night as the patient seems calmer when she is present. What is the most caring and appropriate response?
A. Reinforce visiting hours
B. Allow her to stay for a short period beyond normal hours
C. Allow her to stay throughout the night
D. Offer to get bedding for a couch in the waiting room
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Allow her to stay throughout the night
Allowing the mother to stay throughout the night is the most caring and appropriate response in this situation. Pediatric facilities often recognize the crucial role parents play in their child's care and are supportive of unlimited visitation. Allowing the mother to stay can help maintain the child's calmness and enhance the bond between the family and healthcare team. Reinforcing visiting hours (Choice A) may not address the specific needs of this situation where the child benefits from the mother's presence. Allowing her to stay for a short period beyond normal hours (Choice B) may not fully address the need for her continuous presence. Offering to get bedding for a couch in the waiting room (Choice D) may not be necessary if the mother can stay with her child in the patient's room.
Question 2
A child diagnosed with Hepatitis A is under the care of a healthcare provider. Which of the following precautions would be most important to take to prevent the transmission of this infectious disease?
A. Encourage the Hepatitis A vaccine for family members and siblings
B. Use needleless systems if possible; otherwise, use careful needle precautionary measures
C. Teach the child and enforce strict and frequent hand washing
D. Teach the child and family about the dangers of contaminated food and water
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Teach the child and enforce strict and frequent hand washing
The most crucial precaution to prevent the transmission of Hepatitis A is to emphasize strict and frequent hand washing. Hepatitis A is a virus that spreads through the oral-fecal route and can survive on human hands. Hand washing is the most effective measure to reduce the risk of transmission. Encouraging the Hepatitis A vaccine for family members and siblings (Choice A) is beneficial for prevention but not as directly impactful as hand washing. While needle precautions (Choice B) are important in healthcare settings, they are not directly relevant to preventing the spread of Hepatitis A. Teaching about the dangers of contaminated food and water (Choice D) is important for general hygiene but may not be as effective as emphasizing hand hygiene in preventing the spread of Hepatitis A.
Question 3
Which of the following components is associated with hypertonic dehydration?
A. Plasma sodium levels above 150 mEq/L
B. Fluid moves from extracellular space to intracellular space
C. Water loss is greater than electrolyte loss
D. Physical signs and symptoms are grossly apparent
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Water loss is greater than electrolyte loss
The correct answer is 'Water loss is greater than electrolyte loss.' In hypertonic dehydration, there is a higher loss of water compared to electrolytes, leading to elevated concentrations of electrolytes in the body. This condition is characterized by plasma sodium levels above 150 mEq/L. As water moves from the extracellular space to the intracellular space, it results in cellular dehydration. Choice A is incorrect because the plasma sodium levels associated with hypertonic dehydration are typically above 150 mEq/L, not between 130 and 150 mEq/L. Choice B is incorrect as fluid moves from the extracellular space to the intracellular space in hypertonic dehydration. Choice D is incorrect because physical signs and symptoms may not always be grossly apparent in hypertonic dehydration.
Question 4
OSHA has very strict standards for hospital employees who may encounter hazardous materials or patients who have been exposed to them. These regulations include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Respiratory protection must be provided to all employees who might be exposed.
B. Training on respiratory protection must be provided.
C. Employers must provide personal protective equipment to all employees.
D. All ED personnel must be trained in decontamination procedures.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — All ED personnel must be trained in decontamination procedures.
OSHA regulations for hospital employees dealing with hazardous materials or exposed patients require respiratory protection for potentially exposed employees, training on respiratory protection, and the provision of personal protective equipment. However, not all ED personnel are required to be trained in decontamination procedures. While all ED staff should have a basic understanding of hazmat situations, specific training in decontamination procedures is only necessary for those who will be directly involved in the decontamination process. Therefore, the correct answer is that all ED personnel must be trained in decontamination procedures, as this is not a mandatory requirement under OSHA regulations for hospital employees who may encounter hazardous materials or exposed patients.
Question 5
A client is brought into the emergency room where the physician suspects that he has cardiac tamponade. Based on this diagnosis, the nurse would expect to see which of the following signs or symptoms in this client?
A. Fever, fatigue, malaise
B. Hypotension and distended neck veins
C. Cough and hemoptysis
D. Numbness and tingling in the extremities
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Hypotension and distended neck veins
Cardiac tamponade occurs when fluid or blood accumulates in the pericardium, preventing the heart from contracting properly. This leads to decreased cardiac output and is considered a medical emergency. Classic signs of cardiac tamponade include hypotension (low blood pressure) and distended neck veins due to the increased pressure around the heart. These signs result from the compromised ability of the heart to pump effectively. Choices A, C, and D are not typically associated with cardiac tamponade. Fever, fatigue, and malaise are non-specific symptoms that can be seen in various conditions. Cough and hemoptysis are more commonly associated with respiratory conditions, while numbness and tingling in the extremities are neurological symptoms not typically seen in cardiac tamponade.
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Question 6
A child is suspected of suffering from intussusception. The nurse should be alert to which clinical manifestation of this condition?
A. Tender, distended abdomen
B. Presence of fecal incontinence
C. Incomplete development of the anus
D. Infrequent and difficult passage of dry stools
Correct answer:
Intussusception is an invagination of a section of the intestine into the distal bowel, and it is the most common cause of bowel obstruction in children aged 3 months to 6 years. A tender, distended abdomen is a typical clinical manifestation of intussusception. The presence of fecal incontinence is not a characteristic presentation of intussusception; it describes encopresis, which generally affects preschool and school-aged children but is not specific to intussusception. Incomplete development of the anus describes imperforate anus, a disorder diagnosed in the neonatal period, not intussusception. The infrequent and difficult passage of dry stools is characteristic of constipation, a common issue in children that can occur at any age, although it often peaks at 2 to 3 years old.
A patient presents to the office with a pencil that has completely penetrated the palm of her hand. Which of the following treatments would be BEST in this situation?
A. Assist the doctor while he sedates the patient and removes the pencil from her hand.
B. Have the patient gently pull the pencil out of her hand and assist the physician with stitches.
C. Wrap a gauze around the pencil, securing it as much as possible until the patient can get to a local emergency room.
D. Tell the patient to go to the local emergency room. With a doctor's order, give the patient some aspirin for the pain.
Correct answer:
Penetrating wounds that leave an object behind may have damaged important blood vessels. Removing the object may lead to significant bleeding. The correct approach is to gently wrap the wound with the object in place to help control bleeding and prevent further injury. The patient should be taken promptly to the nearest emergency room where healthcare professionals can safely and appropriately remove the object and provide necessary treatment. Choice A is incorrect because removing the pencil without proper medical evaluation can worsen the injury. Choice B is incorrect because pulling out the object can cause additional damage and bleeding. Choice D is incorrect because giving aspirin without knowing the extent of the injury and causing potential drug interactions can be harmful.
The healthcare professional is preparing to measure the length, weight, chest, and head circumference of a 6-month-old infant. Which measurement technique is correct?
A. Measuring the infant's length using a tape measure
B. Weighing the infant on an electronic standing scale
C. Measuring the chest circumference at the nipple line with a tape measure
D. Measuring the head circumference by wrapping the tape measure around the head
Correct answer:
For accurate measurements, specific techniques are required for different parameters in infants. Measuring the chest circumference involves encircling the chest at the nipple line. Length should be measured on a horizontal measuring board. Weight should be measured using a platform-type balance scale. Head circumference measurement entails ensuring the tape is aligned at the eyebrows and prominent frontal and occipital bones for the widest span. Therefore, the correct technique for measuring the chest circumference is at the nipple line with a tape measure. The other options are incorrect because length should be measured on a horizontal board, weight should be measured on a balance scale, and head circumference should be measured around the head, not over the nose and cheekbones.
Which of these actions illustrates the correct technique for a nurse when assessing oral temperature with a glass thermometer?
A. Wait 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids.
B. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile.
C. Shake the glass thermometer down to 35.5°C before taking the patient's temperature.
D. Place the thermometer at the base of the tongue and ask the patient to close his or her lips.
Correct answer:
The correct technique for assessing oral temperature with a glass thermometer involves leaving the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile and up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile. Waiting 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids is incorrect; instead, the nurse should wait 15 minutes in such cases. Shaking the glass thermometer down to 35.5°C, not 37.5°C, is the correct procedure before taking the patient's temperature. Placing the thermometer at the base of the tongue, not the front, and asking the patient to close their lips is the proper way to position the thermometer. Therefore, the correct answer is to leave the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile and up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile.
A patient is admitted with active tuberculosis (TB). The nurse should question a healthcare provider's order to discontinue airborne precautions unless which assessment finding is documented?
A. Chest x-ray shows no upper lobe infiltrates.
B. TB medications have been taken for 6 months.
C. Mantoux testing shows an induration of 10 mm.
D. Three sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli are negative.
Correct answer:
The correct answer is D: Three sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli are negative. Negative sputum smears indicate that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not present in the sputum, and the patient cannot transmit the bacteria by the airborne route. This finding is crucial for discontinuing airborne precautions. Choice A is incorrect because chest x-rays do not determine the presence of active TB for transmission precautions. Choice B is not directly related to the infectiousness of TB; completing a 6-month course of medication is important for treatment but does not confirm the absence of active disease or infectiousness. Choice C is not relevant to assessing infectiousness; Mantoux testing measures exposure to TB but does not confirm the absence of active infection or infectiousness.
A woman has died as a result of a motor vehicle accident. She is listed as an organ donor, and her family is considering whether to comply with her wishes. Which of the following is true?
A. The woman would have had to list herself as an organ donor and notify her family before her death that she has considered donating her organs.
B. The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act requires the physician caring for the patient to inform the family who receives the donor organs.
C. Physicians can choose to go against the deceased's wishes if the family decides that organ donation is not an acceptable choice.
D. Physicians have the legal responsibility to inform patients of the risks involved in donating organs.
Correct answer:
In cases where a deceased person is listed as an organ donor, the family may have the final say on whether to proceed with organ donation, even if the individual had expressed their wish to donate. Physicians may prioritize the emotional well-being of the family over the wishes of the deceased, especially if organ donation could cause additional distress or trauma to the grieving family members. Therefore, it is possible for physicians to respect the family's decision not to proceed with organ donation, even if the deceased had previously expressed the desire to donate. This decision-making process underscores the importance of considering and respecting the perspectives and emotions of both the deceased individual and their surviving family members in organ donation scenarios.
While measuring a patient's blood pressure, which factor influences a patient's blood pressure?
A. Pulse rate
B. Pulse pressure
C. Vascular output
D. Peripheral vascular resistance
Correct answer:
When measuring a patient's blood pressure, it is important to consider various factors that influence blood pressure. Peripheral vascular resistance plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure. The level of blood pressure is affected by factors such as cardiac output, peripheral vascular resistance, volume of circulating blood, viscosity, and elasticity of the vessel walls. Pulse rate (Choice A) refers to the number of heartbeats per minute and is not a primary factor influencing blood pressure. Pulse pressure (Choice B) is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and does not directly impact blood pressure regulation. Vascular output (Choice C) is not a recognized term in blood pressure regulation and is not a primary factor affecting blood pressure.
A 4-month-old child is at the clinic for a well-baby checkup and immunizations. Which of these
actions is most appropriate when the nurse is assessing an infant's vital signs?
A. The infant's radial pulse should be palpated, and the nurse should notice any
fluctuations resulting from activity or exercise.
B. The nurse should auscultate an apical rate for 1 minute and then assess for any
normal irregularities, such as sinus dysrhythmia.
C. The infant's blood pressure should be assessed by using a stethoscope with a large
diaphragm piece to hear the soft muffled Korotkoff sounds.
D. The infant's chest should be observed and the respiratory rate counted for 1
minute; the respiratory pattern may vary significantly.
Correct answer:
The nurse auscultates an apical rate, not a radial pulse, with infants and toddlers. The pulse should be
counted by listening to the heart for 1 full minute to account for normal irregularities, such as sinus
dysrhythmia. Children younger than 3 years of age have such small arm vessels; consequently,
hearing Korotkoff sounds with a stethoscope is difficult. The nurse should use either an electronic
blood pressure device that uses oscillometry or a Doppler ultrasound device to amplify the sounds.
An infant's respiratory rate should be assessed by observing the infant's abdomen, not chest, because
an infant's respirations are normally more diaphragmatic than thoracic. The nurse should auscultate
an apical heart rate, not palpate a radial pulse, with infants and toddlers.
A patient's chart indicates a history of meningitis. Which of the following would you NOT expect to see with this patient if this condition were acute?
A. Increased appetite
B. Vomiting
C. Fever
D. Poor tolerance of light
Correct answer:
The correct answer is 'Increased appetite.' In cases of acute meningitis, loss of appetite would be expected rather than an increase. Meningitis is often caused by an infectious agent that colonizes or infects various sites in the body, leading to systemic symptoms. Common symptoms of acute meningitis include fever, vomiting, and poor tolerance of light due to meningeal irritation. The inflammatory response in the meninges can result in symptoms like photophobia. Increased appetite is not typically associated with acute meningitis. Therefore, choice A is the least likely symptom to be observed in a patient with acute meningitis. Choices B, C, and D are symptoms commonly seen in acute meningitis due to the inflammatory process affecting the central nervous system and meninges.
Which of these guidelines would a healthcare professional follow when measuring a patient's weight?
A. The patient is always weighed wearing only undergarments.
B. The type of scale matters and should be consistent day to day.
C. The patient should remove heavy outer clothing, shoes, and jackets before weighing.
D. Attempts should be made to weigh the patient at approximately the same time of day if a sequence of weights is necessary.
Correct answer:
When measuring a patient's weight, it is important to ensure accuracy and consistency. If a sequence of repeated weights is necessary, the healthcare professional should attempt to weigh the patient at the same time of day and with the same types of clothing worn each time. It is crucial to use a standardized balance or electronic standing scale for accurate weight measurement. Choice A is incorrect as patients should remove heavy outer clothing, shoes, and jackets before being weighed for accurate results. Choice B is incorrect because the type of scale used does matter and should be consistent for reliable weight tracking. Choice C is incorrect as patients should not leave on heavy outer clothing, shoes, or jackets as these items can add to the weight recorded inaccurately.
NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questions, set 12 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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