RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 108

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RN exams clinical judgment practice questions set 108

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 RN exams exam guide or more RN exams 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 client with pneumonia has a fever of 101.4° F (38.6° C) a nonproductive cough and an O2 saturation of 88%. The client is weak and needs assistance to get out of bed. Which client problem should the nurse assign as the priority?

  1. A. Fatigue
  2. B. Hyperthermia
  3. C. Impaired mobility
  4. D. Impaired gas exchange
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — Impaired gas exchange

The correct answer is D, Impaired gas exchange. This is the priority because the client's O2 saturation of 88% indicates poor oxygenation, which can lead to serious complications like hypoxemia. The fever and nonproductive cough are symptoms of pneumonia contributing to impaired gas exchange. Addressing this issue is crucial to prevent respiratory distress. A: Fatigue - While important, fatigue is a secondary concern compared to impaired gas exchange, which directly affects oxygenation and can be life-threatening. B: Hyperthermia - The client's fever is likely related to the pneumonia but managing impaired gas exchange takes precedence as it directly impacts oxygen delivery to tissues. C: Impaired mobility - While assisting the client out of bed is necessary, the priority is to address the underlying problem of impaired gas exchange to prevent respiratory compromise.

Question 2

A client with type 2 DM is being taught about the importance of foot care. Which instruction should the nurse include?

  1. A. Wear comfortable shoes that allow air circulation.
  2. B. Walk barefoot whenever possible.
  3. C. Use a heating pad to warm your feet.
  4. D. Soak your feet in hot water every night.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Wear comfortable shoes that allow air circulation.

The correct instruction for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) regarding foot care is to wear comfortable shoes that allow air circulation. This recommendation helps prevent foot injuries and infections, which are common concerns for individuals with diabetes. Choice B, walking barefoot, can increase the risk of injuries and wounds due to reduced sensation in the feet often seen in diabetes. Choice C, using a heating pad, can lead to burns or skin damage if the temperature is not carefully monitored, making it an unsafe practice. Choice D, soaking feet in hot water every night, can also be harmful as it can cause burns and dry out the skin, leading to further complications for individuals with diabetes. Therefore, the most appropriate and safe advice is to wear comfortable shoes that promote air circulation to maintain foot health and prevent complications.

Question 3

When a patient with type 2 diabetes is admitted for a cholecystectomy, which nursing action can the nurse delegate to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?

  1. A. Communicate the blood glucose level and insulin dose to the circulating nurse in surgery.
  2. B. Discuss the reason for the use of insulin therapy during the immediate postoperative period.
  3. C. Administer the prescribed lispro (Humalog) insulin before transporting the patient to surgery.
  4. D. Plan strategies to minimize the risk for hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia during the postoperative period.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Administer the prescribed lispro (Humalog) insulin before transporting the patient to surgery.

The correct answer is C: Administer the prescribed lispro (Humalog) insulin before transporting the patient to surgery. Rationale: 1. Administering insulin falls under the scope of practice for an LPN/LVN. 2. Administering lispro insulin before surgery helps maintain the patient's blood glucose within a safe range during the procedure. 3. LPN/LVNs are trained to administer medications safely and accurately. Summary: A: Communication with the circulating nurse requires critical thinking and interpretation, which may be beyond the scope of an LPN/LVN. B: Discussing the reason for insulin therapy involves patient education and interpretation, which are typically responsibilities of a registered nurse. D: Planning strategies to prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia requires higher-level critical thinking and assessment skills, usually performed by a registered nurse.

Question 4

The staff on a medical-surgical unit is in conflict with the occupational therapy department. What type of communication will be used to discuss the problems?

  1. A. Downward communication
  2. B. Lateral communication
  3. C. Distorted communication
  4. D. Upward communication
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Lateral communication

The correct answer is B: Lateral communication. In this scenario, the conflict between the staff and the occupational therapy department requires communication between individuals at the same hierarchical level. Lateral communication enables direct discussion and collaboration among peers to address issues and find solutions. A: Downward communication involves communication from higher to lower levels in the hierarchy, which would not be suitable for resolving conflicts between different departments. C: Distorted communication implies a breakdown in the communication process, leading to misunderstandings and misinterpretations, which would not be effective in addressing the conflict. D: Upward communication involves communication from lower to higher levels in the hierarchy, which may not be the most appropriate method for resolving conflicts between departments.

Question 5

A 55-year-old woman presents with difficulty walking and reports a feeling of 'pins and needles' in her legs. She has a history of diabetes mellitus. On examination, she has decreased sensation in the lower extremities and absent ankle reflexes. What is the most likely diagnosis?

  1. A. Peripheral neuropathy
  2. B. Multiple sclerosis
  3. C. Spinal cord compression
  4. D. Parkinson's disease
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Peripheral neuropathy

The correct answer is A: Peripheral neuropathy. Given the patient's age, symptoms, history of diabetes mellitus, decreased sensation in lower extremities, and absent ankle reflexes, peripheral neuropathy is the most likely diagnosis. Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes and presents with sensory symptoms like 'pins and needles,' decreased sensation, and loss of reflexes. Multiple sclerosis (B) typically presents with symptoms that involve the central nervous system and often presents with visual disturbances and muscle weakness. Spinal cord compression (C) typically presents with symptoms like weakness and sensory changes in specific dermatomal patterns, which are not consistent with the patient's presentation. Parkinson's disease (D) presents with motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, which are not seen in this patient.

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Question 6

What is correct about taking blood pressure readings?

  1. A. The nurse should make sure that the cuff is deflated fully
  2. B. then immediately start the second reading for the same client.
  3. C. The nurse should release the valve carefully so that the pressure decreases at the rate of 2-3 mmHg per second.
  4. D. The cuff should be large enough to wrap around the upper arm of the adult client 1 cm above the brachial artery.
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Question 7

A man has come in to the clinic for a skin assessment because he is worried he might have skin cancer. During the skin assessment the nurse notices several areas of pigmentation that look greasy, dark, and 'stuck on' his skin. Which is the best prediction?

  1. A. Senile lentigines, which do not become cancerous
  2. B. Actinic keratoses, which are precursors to basal cell carcinoma
  3. C. Acrochordons, which are precursors to squamous cell carcinoma
  4. D. Seborrheic keratoses, which do not become cancerous
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Question 8

The patient has presented to the ambulatory surgery center to have a colonoscopy. The patient is scheduled to receive moderate sedation (conscious sedation) during the procedure. How will the nurse interpret this information?

  1. A. The procedure results in loss of sensation in an area of the body.
  2. B. The procedure requires a depressed level of consciousness.
  3. C. The procedure will be performed on an outpatient basis.
  4. D. The procedure necessitates the patient to be immobile.
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Question 9

Which of the following security concerns is also a sentinel event that must be reported?

  1. A. A possible vulnerability of the facility’s information technology to hacking
  2. B. The assisted suicide of a client in your facility by the spouse of the client
  3. C. Vulnerability to computer hacking
  4. D. Potential information theft
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Question 10

A 36-year-old security officer comes to your clinic, complaining of a painless mass in his scrotum. He found it 3 days ago during a testicular self-examination. He has had no burning with urination and no pain during sexual intercourse. He denies any weight loss, weight gain, fever, or night sweats. His past medical history is notable for high blood pressure. He is married and has three healthy children. He denies using illegal drugs, smokes two to three cigars a week, and drinks six to eight alcoholic beverages per week. His mother is in good health and his father had high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. On physical examination he appears anxious but in no pain. His vital signs are unremarkable. On visualization of his penis, he is circumcised and has no lesions. His inguinal region has no lymphadenopathy. Palpation of his scrotum shows a soft cystic-like lesion measuring 2 cm over his right testicle. There is no difficulty getting a gloved finger through either inguinal ring. With weight bearing there are no bulges. His prostate examination is unremarkable. What disorder of the scrotum does he most likely have?

  1. A. Hydrocele
  2. B. Scrotal hernia
  3. C. Testicular tumor
  4. D. Varicocele
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Question 11

In a patient with acromegaly, the nurse will expect to discover which assessment findings?

  1. A. Heavy, flattened facial features
  2. B. Growth retardation and a delayed onset of puberty
  3. C. Overgrowth of bone in the face, head, hands, and feet
  4. D. Increased height and weight and delayed sexual development
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Question 12

A 36-year-old security officer comes to your clinic, complaining of a painless mass in his scrotum. He found it 3 days ago during a testicular self-examination. He has had no burning with urination and no pain during sexual intercourse. He denies any weight loss, weight gain, fever, or night sweats. His past medical history is notable for high blood pressure. He is married and has three healthy children. He denies using illegal drugs, smokes two to three cigars a week, and drinks six to eight alcoholic beverages per week. His mother is in good health and his father had high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. On physical examination he appears anxious but in no pain. His vital signs are unremarkable. On visualization of his penis, he is circumcised and has no lesions. His inguinal region has no lymphadenopathy. Palpation of his scrotum shows a soft cystic-like lesion measuring 2 cm over his right testicle. There is no difficulty getting a gloved finger through either inguinal ring. With weight bearing there are no bulges. His prostate examination is unremarkable. What disorder of the scrotum does he most likely have?

  1. A. Hydrocele
  2. B. Scrotal hernia
  3. C. Testicular tumor
  4. D. Varicocele
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Question 13

Which of the following clients would most likely be selected for case management?

  1. A. An adolescent with a gunshot wound who is in the ER.
  2. B. A young adult with a fractured pelvis.
  3. C. An elderly client awaiting a hip replacement.
  4. D. A 41-year-old client admitted for outpatient tonsillectomy.
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Question 14

When a policy violation occurs, what are the necessary steps for the nurse manager? (EXCEPT)

  1. A. Describing the staff nurse's behavior that violated the policy
  2. B. Terminating the staff immediately
  3. C. Confrontation
  4. D. Determining the employee's awareness of the policy
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Question 15

The nurse is teaching a review class on the lymphatic system. A participant shows correct understanding of the material with which statement?

  1. A. Lymph flow is propelled by the contraction of the heart.'
  2. B. The flow of lymph is slow, compared with that of the blood.'
  3. C. One of the functions of the lymph is to absorb lipids from the biliary tract.'
  4. D. Lymph vessels have no valves; therefore, lymph fluid flows freely from the tissue spaces into the bloodstream.'
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About these RN exams clinical judgment questions

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 108 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

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