NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questions, set 24

NCLEX-RN · clinical judgment

NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questions set 24

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

What intervention should the nurse implement while a client is having a grand mal seizure?

  1. A. Open the jaw and place a bite block between the teeth
  2. B. Try to place the client on his side
  3. C. Restrain the client to prevent injury
  4. D. Place pillows around the client
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Try to place the client on his side

During a grand mal seizure, the client is at risk of injury due to severe, involuntary muscle spasms and contractions. It is crucial for the nurse to avoid restraining the client or inserting objects into their mouth, as these actions may lead to further harm. Placing the client on their side can help facilitate the drainage of oral secretions and assist in maintaining an open airway, reducing the risk of aspiration. Restraint should be avoided as it can exacerbate muscle contractions and increase the risk of injury. Placing pillows around the client may not provide adequate support or protection during the seizure, making it a less effective intervention compared to positioning the client on their side.

Question 2

Which of the following types of dressing changes works as a form of wound debridement?

  1. A. Dry dressing
  2. B. Transparent dressing
  3. C. Composite dressing
  4. D. Wet to dry dressing
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — Wet to dry dressing

The correct answer is 'Wet to dry dressing.' Wet to dry dressing is a method of wound debridement that involves applying sterile soaked gauze to the wound, allowing it to dry and stick to the wound. When the dressing is removed, it pulls away drainage and debris, aiding in wound debridement. Choice A, 'Dry dressing,' does not actively assist in debridement as it does not collect or remove debris from the wound. Choice B, 'Transparent dressing,' is primarily used for maintaining a moist environment and wound observation, not for debridement. Choice C, 'Composite dressing,' combines multiple layers for different wound care purposes but is not specifically designed for debridement like wet to dry dressing.

Question 3

An older adult patient brought to the emergency department by a family member is wandering outside, saying, "I can't find my way home."? The patient is confused and unable to answer questions. What is the nurse's best action?

  1. A. Document the patient's mental status and obtain other assessment data from the family member.
  2. B. Record the patient's answers to questions on the nursing assessment form.
  3. C. Ask an advanced practice nurse to perform the assessment interview.
  4. D. Call for a mental health advocate to maintain the patient's rights.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Document the patient's mental status and obtain other assessment data from the family member.

In this scenario, the patient is confused and unable to answer questions. When the patient is unable to provide information, it is important to use secondary sources such as family members. The nurse's best action is to document the patient's mental status and obtain additional assessment data from the family member. This approach will help gather relevant information about the patient's condition. Asking an advanced practice nurse to perform the assessment interview is not necessary as it is within the staff nurse's scope of practice. Calling for a mental health advocate is also unnecessary at this point as the priority is to assess the patient's condition and gather information from the family member.

Question 4

What action will the nurse plan to take for a 40-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who has urinary retention caused by a flaccid bladder?

  1. A. Decrease the patient's evening fluid intake.
  2. B. Teach the patient how to use the Cred method.
  3. C. Suggest the use of adult incontinence briefs for nighttime only.
  4. D. Assist the patient to the commode every 2 hours during the day.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Teach the patient how to use the Cred method.

For a 40-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis experiencing urinary retention due to a flaccid bladder, teaching the Cred method is the appropriate action. The Cred method involves applying manual pressure over the bladder to aid in bladder emptying. Decreasing fluid intake is not the correct approach as it will not address the underlying issue of bladder emptying and may lead to dehydration and urinary tract infections. Using adult incontinence briefs only addresses the symptom of incontinence without addressing the bladder emptying problem. Assisting the patient to the commode every 2 hours does not actively address the issue of improving bladder emptying as effectively as teaching the Cred method.

Question 5

What action will the nurse plan to take for a 40-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who has urinary retention caused by a flaccid bladder?

  1. A. Decrease the patient's evening fluid intake.
  2. B. Teach the patient how to use the Cred method.
  3. C. Suggest the use of adult incontinence briefs for nighttime only.
  4. D. Assist the patient to the commode every 2 hours during the day.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Teach the patient how to use the Cred method.

For a 40-year-old patient with multiple sclerosis experiencing urinary retention due to a flaccid bladder, teaching the Cred method is the appropriate action. The Cred method involves applying manual pressure over the bladder to aid in bladder emptying. Decreasing fluid intake is not the correct approach as it will not address the underlying issue of bladder emptying and may lead to dehydration and urinary tract infections. Using adult incontinence briefs only addresses the symptom of incontinence without addressing the bladder emptying problem. Assisting the patient to the commode every 2 hours does not actively address the issue of improving bladder emptying as effectively as teaching the Cred method.

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Ten more NCLEX-RN clinical judgment questions

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Question 6

A patient in the emergency room has a fractured left elbow and presents with an unequal radial pulse, swelling, and numbness in the left hand after waiting for 5 hours. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

  1. A. Place the patient in a supine position
  2. B. Ask the patient to rate his pain on a scale of 1 to 10.
  3. C. Wrap the fractured area with a snug dressing
  4. D. Start an IV in the other arm.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 7

Following a diagnosis of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) in their 6-year-old child, the parent remarks, 'We just don't know how he caught the disease!' The nurse's response is based on an understanding that

  1. A. AGN is a streptococcal infection that involves the kidney tubules
  2. B. The disease is easily transmissible in schools and camps
  3. C. The illness is usually associated with chronic respiratory infections
  4. D. It is not 'caught' but is a response to a previous B-hemolytic strep infection
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Question 8

When turning an immobile bedridden client without assistance, which action by the nurse best ensures client safety?

  1. A. Securely grasp the client's arm and leg.
  2. B. Put bed rails up on the side of bed opposite from the nurse.
  3. C. Correctly position and use a turn sheet.
  4. D. Lower the head of the client's bed slowly
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Question 9

Which of these statements best describes the characteristics of an effective reward feedback system?

  1. A. Specific feedback is given as close to the event as possible
  2. B. Staff is given feedback in equal amounts over time
  3. C. Positive statements precede negative statements
  4. D. Performance goals should be higher than what is attainable
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Question 10

You are preparing to admit a patient with a seizure disorder. Which of the following actions can you delegate to an LPN/LVN?

  1. A. Complete admission assessment.
  2. B. Set up oxygen and suction equipment.
  3. C. Place a padded tongue blade at the bedside.
  4. D. Pad the side rails before the patient arrives.
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Question 11

For a patient who is blood type AB, which blood product can they receive?

  1. A. Plasma from a type B donor
  2. B. Whole blood from a type A donor
  3. C. Packed RBCs from a type O donor
  4. D. All of the above
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Question 12

The nurse is preparing to care for an infant who has esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. Surgery is scheduled to be performed in 1 hour. Intravenous fluids have been initiated, and a nasogastric (NG) tube has been inserted by the primary healthcare provider. The nurse plans care, knowing that which intervention is of highest priority during this preoperative period?

  1. A. Monitor the temperature.
  2. B. Monitor the blood pressure.
  3. C. Reposition the infant frequently.
  4. D. Aspirate the NG tube every 5 to 10 minutes.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 13

Because of budget cuts in the hospital, the nursing manager informs the staff that they must either rotate to other units more often or take their turns staying home from work. Which principle is this nurse manager demonstrating?

  1. A. Justice
  2. B. Paternalism
  3. C. Veracity
  4. D. Fraternity
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 14

A nursing student is teaching a patient and family about epilepsy prior to the patient's discharge. For which statement should you intervene?

  1. A. "You should avoid consumption of all forms of alcohol."?
  2. B. "Wear your medical alert bracelet at all times."?
  3. C. "Protect your loved one's airway during a seizure."?
  4. D. "It's important to consult with your physician before taking over-the-counter medications."?
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 15

Which question should the nurse ask the parents of a child suspected of having glomerulonephritis?

  1. A. Did your child fall off a bike onto the handlebars?
  2. B. Has the child had persistent nausea and vomiting?
  3. C. Has the child been itching or had a rash anytime in the last week?
  4. D. Has the child had a sore throat or a throat infection in the last few weeks?
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

About these NCLEX-RN clinical judgment questions

NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questions, set 24 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-RN 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.