NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questions, set 41
NCLEX-RN · clinical judgment
NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questionsset 41
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
When examining an older adult, which technique should the nurse use?
A. Minimize touching the patient as much as possible.
B. Attempt to perform the entire physical examination during one visit.
C. Speak loudly and slowly due to potential hearing deficits in aging adults.
D. Arrange the sequence of the examination to allow as few position changes as possible.
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Arrange the sequence of the examination to allow as few position changes as possible.
When examining an older adult, it is crucial to arrange the sequence of the examination to minimize position changes. This helps prevent discomfort and fatigue for the older adult, who may have mobility issues. Option A is incorrect because physical touch is essential when examining older adults, as their other senses may be diminished. Option B is incorrect as it is better to break the examination into multiple visits to ensure thoroughness and comfort. Option C is incorrect because while some older adults may have hearing deficits, it is not appropriate to assume this for all individuals without proper assessment.
Question 2
Following mitral valve replacement surgery, a client develops PVCs. The healthcare provider orders a bolus of Lidocaine followed by a continuous Lidocaine infusion at a rate of 2 mg/minute. The IV solution contains 2 grams of Lidocaine in 500 mL of D5W. The infusion pump delivers 60 microdrops/mL. What rate would deliver 4 mg of Lidocaine per minute?
A. 60 microdrops/minute
B. 20 microdrops/minute
C. 30 microdrops/minute
D. 40 microdrops/minute
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — 60 microdrops/minute
To calculate the rate needed to deliver 4 mg/minute of Lidocaine, first, convert 2 grams to milligrams: 2 grams = 2000 mg. Then, set up a ratio between the total amount of Lidocaine (2000 mg) and the total volume of IV solution (500 mL): 2000 mg / 500 mL = 4 mg / x mL. Solving for x, x = 1 mL. Since the infusion pump delivers 60 microdrops per mL, multiplying by 60 microdrops/mL gives the correct rate of 60 microdrops/minute. This rate ensures the desired 4 mg of Lidocaine is delivered per minute. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the accurate calculation based on the provided information.
Question 3
If a healthcare professional prevents intentional harm from occurring to a patient, which ethical principle is being supported?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: B — Nonmaleficence
The correct answer is Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the obligation to avoid causing harm intentionally. In this scenario, by preventing intentional harm to a patient, the healthcare professional is upholding the principle of nonmaleficence. Beneficence, although important, focuses on doing good and promoting well-being rather than solely preventing harm. Justice relates to fairness and equality in resource distribution, while fidelity involves being faithful and keeping promises, which are not directly applicable to the situation of preventing intentional harm to a patient.
Question 4
When planning a cultural assessment, what component should the nurse include?
A. Family history
B. Chief complaint
C. Medical history
D. Health practices
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: D — Health practices
When conducting a cultural assessment, it is essential to include the patient's health practices. Health practices encompass the beliefs, values, and behaviors related to health and illness within a specific cultural context. These practices provide insight into how individuals perceive and manage their health. Family history, chief complaint, and medical history are crucial components of a patient's overall assessment but do not directly relate to a cultural assessment. Focusing on health practices allows the nurse to better understand the patient's cultural background and tailor care to meet their specific needs.
Question 5
Which of the following questions is considered open-ended?
A. What time did you last take your medications?
B. Are you feeling okay right now?
C. Please describe your symptoms.
D. What day are you available for a follow-up appointment?
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: C — Please describe your symptoms.
The correct answer is 'Please describe your symptoms.' This question is considered open-ended because it encourages the respondent to provide a detailed and descriptive answer, fostering a more elaborate response. Open-ended questions are designed to prompt thoughtful and detailed responses. Choice A is a closed-ended question since it seeks a specific time for the medication intake. Choice B is also closed-ended as it can be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no,' limiting the response. Choice D is closed-ended as it requests a specific day for the follow-up appointment, restricting the range of possible responses.
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Question 6
The nurse is caring for a newborn infant after surgical intervention for imperforate anus. The nurse should place the infant in which position in the postoperative period?
A. Supine with no head elevation
B. Side-lying with the legs flexed
C. Side-lying with the legs extended
D. Supine with the head elevated 30 degrees
Correct answer:
After surgical intervention for imperforate anus, the infant should be placed in a side-lying position with the legs flexed. This position helps reduce edema and pressure on the surgical site, preventing strain and promoting comfort. Placing the infant supine with no head elevation (Choice A) doesn't offer adequate support and may increase pressure on the area. Side-lying with the legs extended (Choice C) doesn't help reduce edema and pressure effectively. Placing the infant supine with the head elevated 30 degrees (Choice D) isn't recommended as it may not provide adequate support and comfort needed for recovery.
Which of the following is an example of intragroup conflict?
A. A nurse writes a grant for a non-profit organization to raise money for advertising
B. Members of a multidisciplinary team cannot agree on the best course of action for a client
C. A client does not receive his medication on time because the nurse was on break
D. A nurse feels frustrated that her employer does not provide on-site child care
Correct answer:
Intragroup conflict refers to disagreements within a group. The correct answer, 'Members of a multidisciplinary team cannot agree on the best course of action for a client,' exemplifies this type of conflict well. In this scenario, professionals within the same team are unable to reach a consensus on how to proceed with client care. Choices A, C, and D do not reflect intragroup conflict. Writing a grant for a non-profit organization, a client not receiving medication due to a nurse's break, and a nurse feeling frustrated about the lack of on-site child care do not involve conflicts within a group of professionals.
A patient in metabolic alkalosis is admitted to the emergency department, and pulse oximetry indicates that the O2 saturation is 94%. Which action should the nurse take next?
A. Administer bicarbonate.
B. Complete a head-to-toe assessment.
C. Place the patient on high-flow oxygen.
D. Obtain repeat arterial blood gases (ABGs).
Correct answer:
In a patient with metabolic alkalosis and an O2 saturation of 94%, placing the patient on high-flow oxygen is the correct action. Even though the O2 saturation seems adequate, metabolic alkalosis causes a left shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues. Therefore, providing high-flow oxygen can help compensate for this. Administering bicarbonate would exacerbate the alkalosis. While completing a head-to-toe assessment and obtaining repeat ABGs are important interventions, the priority in this scenario is to improve oxygen delivery by placing the patient on high-flow oxygen.
One of the complications of complete bed rest and immobility is which of the following?
A. Plantar flexion
B. Dorsiflexion
C. Extension contractures
D. Adduction contractures
Correct answer:
Plantar flexion, or foot drop, is a common complication of complete bed rest and immobility. This condition occurs due to the weakening of muscles that lift the foot, leading to the foot dragging or being unable to clear the ground during walking. Dorsiflexion refers to moving the foot upwards, which is not a typical complication of immobility. Extension contractures involve the inability to fully extend a joint, while adduction contractures refer to the inability to move a limb away from the body. These types of contractures can also occur with immobility, but they are not specifically associated with foot drop.
Working in a clinic located in a community with many Hispanics, what strategy could the nurse implement to decrease health care disparities for Hispanic patients?
A. Improve public transportation to the clinic.
B. Update equipment and supplies at the clinic.
C. Obtain low-cost medications for clinic patients.
D. Teach clinic staff about Hispanic health beliefs.
Correct answer:
Health care disparities are primarily rooted in stereotyping, biases, and prejudice among healthcare providers. By educating clinic staff about Hispanic health beliefs, the nurse can help combat these issues, leading to improved cultural competency and patient care. Understanding the cultural context of Hispanic patients can enhance communication, trust, and treatment adherence. Improving public transportation, updating equipment, and obtaining low-cost medications are important aspects of healthcare delivery but do not directly address the underlying causes of health disparities experienced by Hispanic patients.
Which of the following techniques can help to prevent skin irritation or breakdown around a tracheostomy site?
A. Manage secretions by providing suction on a regular basis
B. Cleanse the site daily with a mixture of povidone-iodine and water
C. Avoid using tube ties to secure the tube
D. None of the above
Correct answer:
Excess secretions from the tracheostomy tube can collect near the stomal opening and cause skin breakdown. Management of secretions through regular suctioning will keep the area clean and dry, minimizing skin irritation. Choice B, cleansing the site daily with povidone-iodine and water, is incorrect as it may lead to skin irritation due to the harshness of povidone-iodine. Choice C, avoiding tube ties to secure the tube, is also incorrect as securing the tube is essential for stability. Choice D, 'None of the above,' is incorrect as managing secretions through suctioning is crucial in preventing skin irritation.
An Asian-American woman is experiencing diarrhea, which is believed to be "cold"? or "yin."? What should the nurse recognize that the woman may likely try to treat it?
A. Foods that are "hot"? or "yang"?
B. Readings and Eastern medicine meditations
C. High doses of medicines believed to be "cold"?
D. No treatment because diarrhea is an expected part of life.
Correct answer:
In this scenario, the Asian-American woman is believed to be experiencing diarrhea due to a "cold"? or "yin"? imbalance. According to the yin/yang theory, yang represents heat and yin represents cold. Therefore, to balance the cold nature of the diarrhea, the woman may try to treat it by consuming foods that are considered "hot"? or "yang"?. This aligns with the concept that cold foods are eaten with a hot illness, and hot foods are eaten with a cold illness. Choices B, C, and D do not align with the yin/yang theory and are not relevant to addressing the imbalance associated with the cold nature of the diarrhea.
When a patient refuses to believe a terminal diagnosis, they are exhibiting:
A. Regression
B. Mourning
C. Denial
D. Rationalization
Correct answer:
Denial is a defense mechanism where a patient rejects a reality that is too painful or difficult to accept. In the context of a terminal diagnosis, the patient may refuse to believe it in order to avoid facing the harsh truth. Regression (choice A) involves reverting to earlier, more childlike behaviors and is not applicable in this scenario. Mourning (choice B) is the process of grieving a loss, which typically occurs after acceptance of the diagnosis. Rationalization (choice D) is creating logical explanations to justify unacceptable behaviors, which is not the case when a patient denies a terminal diagnosis.
You are ready to wash your patient's face. You would start by washing what area of the face?
A. The forehead
B. The eyes
C. The ears
D. The cheeks
Correct answer:
When washing a patient's face, it is essential to start by cleaning the eyes. The eye area is considered the priority because moving from an area that can potentially be infected to areas of the face and body that are least able to become infected with a washcloth helps prevent the spread of germs. Washing the forehead, ears, or cheeks before the eyes may risk transferring bacteria to a more sensitive area like the eyes, which could lead to infections or other complications. Therefore, starting with the eyes ensures proper hygiene and reduces the risk of introducing harmful microorganisms to the patient's face.
Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling when assessing a patient?
A. Palpation
B. Inspection
C. Percussion
D. Auscultation
Correct answer:
The correct answer is Palpation. Palpation involves using the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling in a patient. This technique allows the nurse to feel for abnormalities and changes in the patient's tissues. Inspection primarily relies on visual assessment, while percussion involves tapping on the body to produce sounds and assess underlying structures. Auscultation, on the other hand, involves listening to sounds within the body using a stethoscope. Therefore, in the context of assessing texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling, palpation is the most appropriate technique.
NCLEX-RN clinical judgment practice questions, set 41 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.
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