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RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 117

RN exams · clinical judgment

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions set 117

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

Kubler-Ross’s five successive stages of death and dying are:

  1. A. Anger, bargaining, denial, depression, acceptance
  2. B. Denial, anger, depression, bargaining, acceptance
  3. C. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression acceptance
  4. D. Bargaining, denial, anger, depression, acceptance
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Denial, anger, bargaining, depression acceptance

The correct answer is C: 'Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.' According to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the five stages of death and dying are commonly known as DABDA. The stages progress in this order as individuals cope with impending death or loss. Denial is the first stage where individuals may refuse to accept the reality of the situation. This is followed by anger, where they may express frustration and resentment. Bargaining comes next, where individuals may try to negotiate for more time or different outcomes. Depression then sets in as the reality of the loss sinks in. Finally, acceptance is the stage where individuals come to terms with the situation. It is important to note that not everyone experiences these stages in the same way or order, but they provide a framework for understanding the emotional process of dealing with death and loss.

Question 2

Which is an understanding the LPN/LVN should have concerning pain?

  1. A. The person who has pain is the one to decide if the pain is tolerable.
  2. B. Pain is whatever the patient says it is.
  3. C. The nurse determines the amount of pain based on the patient\'s behavior.
  4. D. Pain should be tolerable with the use of medication.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — The person who has pain is the one to decide if the pain is tolerable.

The correct answer is A: 'The person who has pain is the one to decide if the pain is tolerable.' This statement reflects the principle of patient-centered care, where the individual experiencing pain is in the best position to determine the level of pain they are experiencing and whether it is tolerable for them. It is essential for LPN/LVNs to respect and prioritize the patient's perception and experience of pain, as pain is subjective and can vary greatly between individuals. By acknowledging the patient's self-report of pain and allowing them to participate in decisions about pain management, the LPN/LVN can provide more effective and compassionate care. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not emphasize the importance of the patient's own assessment and perception of pain, which is crucial in providing individualized and patient-centered care.

Question 3

.A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has been prescribed diazepam (Valium) for the treatment of anxiety. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

  1. A. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
  2. B. Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset.
  3. C. Stop taking the medication if you feel better.
  4. D. Double the dose if you miss a dose.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset.

The correct answer is B: 'Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset.' Diazepam (Valium) is known to cause stomach upset in some individuals, and taking it with food can help minimize this side effect. It is important for the nurse to include this instruction to promote comfort and adherence to the medication regimen. Option A is also important as alcohol can enhance the sedative effects of diazepam, leading to increased drowsiness and impaired coordination. Option C is incorrect because abruptly stopping diazepam can lead to withdrawal symptoms and should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Option D is unsafe and incorrect as doubling the dose of diazepam can increase the risk of overdose and adverse effects. Therefore, the most appropriate instruction for the client is to take the medication with food to prevent stomach upset.

Question 4

A nurse is caring for a newborn who is 6 hr. old and has a bedside glucometer reading of 65 mg/ dL. The newborn\'s mother has type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

  1. A. Obtain a blood sample for a serum glucose level
  2. B. Feed the newborn immediately
  3. C. Administer 50 mL of dextrose solution IV
  4. D. Reassess the blood glucose level prior to the next feeding
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Feed the newborn immediately

The correct answer is B: 'Feed the newborn immediately.' Newborns of diabetic mothers are at risk for hypoglycemia due to the abrupt cessation of the maternal glucose supply after birth. A bedside glucometer reading of 65 mg/dL in a 6-hour-old newborn is considered low and requires immediate intervention. Feeding the newborn will help increase their blood glucose levels by providing a source of glucose. Administering dextrose solution IV may be necessary for severe cases, but feeding is the initial and less invasive intervention. Obtaining a blood sample for a serum glucose level or reassessing the blood glucose level prior to the next feeding would delay necessary intervention for the hypoglycemic newborn. Therefore, the priority action is to feed the newborn immediately to prevent further hypoglycemia and provide essential glucose for energy production.

Question 5

A nurse is planning to teach a group of clients who are about breastfeeding after returning to work. Which of the following infection should the nurse include in the teaching?

  1. A. Thawed breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
  2. B. Breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer for 12 months.
  3. C. Breast milk can be stored at room temperature for up to 12 hours.
  4. D. Thawed breast milk that is unused can be refrozen.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer for 12 months.

The correct answer is B: "Breast milk can be stored in a deep freezer for 12 months." It is important for the nurse to include this information in the teaching session because it ensures that the mothers know how to properly store and handle breast milk when they return to work. Storing breast milk in a deep freezer for up to 12 months allows working mothers to build a supply of breast milk for their babies over an extended period of time. This knowledge can help ease their concerns about breastfeeding while working and ensure that their babies receive the necessary nutrition even when they are apart. The other options are incorrect because breast milk should not be stored at room temperature for 12 hours (option C) and thawed breast milk should not be refrozen (option D). Thawed breast milk can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, not 72 hours (option A).

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Question 6

A nurse is assessing a client who is postpartum following a vacuum-assisted birth. For what finding should the nurse monitor to identify a cervical laceration?

  1. A. Slow trickle of bright vaginal bleeding and a firm fundus
  2. B. Heavy vaginal bleeding with clots
  3. C. Severe pain and a firm fundus
  4. D. High fever and foul-smelling lochia
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Question 7

A nurse administers a dose of metformin to a client instead of the prescribed dose of metoclopramide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

  1. A. Inform the healthcare provider immediately.
  2. B. Administer the correct drug as prescribed.
  3. C. Monitor the client for adverse effects.
  4. D. Write an incident report.
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Question 8

When the group has reached socio-emotional maturity, which types of behaviors will predominate?

  1. A. Interpersonal behaviors
  2. B. Intrapersonal behaviors
  3. C. Task behaviors
  4. D. Relational behaviors
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Question 9

A nurse is caring for a client who speaks a different language than the nurse and is 6 hrs postoperative. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to determine the client’s level of pain?

  1. A. Use a communication board to interact with the client.
  2. B. Ask an assistive personnel who speaks the same language as the client to interpret.
  3. C. Use the FACES pain scale to gauge the client’s level of pain.
  4. D. Use the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale to measure the client’s pain level.
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Question 10

.A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the nurse expect?

  1. A. Attention-seeking behavior
  2. B. Dramatic expressions of emotion
  3. C. Seductive behavior
  4. D. Dependency on others
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Question 11

.A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and is experiencing a manic episode. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

  1. A. Encourage the client to participate in group therapy.
  2. B. Place the client in a private room to decrease stimulation.
  3. C. Encourage the client to participate in physical activity.
  4. D. Administer a prescribed sedative.
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Question 12

.A nurse is assessing a client who has been diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the nurse expect?

  1. A. Social inhibition
  2. B. Fear of criticism
  3. C. Desire for close relationships
  4. D. Fear of abandonment
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Question 13

What leadership style is used to maintain a strong control in the department?

  1. A. Laissez-faire
  2. B. Democratic
  3. C. Collegial
  4. D. Autocratic
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Question 14

.Which nursing intervention would a nurse use to assist a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder?

  1. A. Encourage discussion of feelings
  2. B. Offer family therapy sessions
  3. C. Discuss childhood events
  4. D. Teach alternate coping skills
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Question 15

Which nursing intervention is most helpful in determining the need for oxygen therapy for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

  1. A. Ask the patient whether he needs supplemental oxygen.
  2. B. Reposition the client with extremities in normal alignment
  3. C. Chart the client\'s level of consciousness as coma
  4. D. Notify the healthcare provider (HCP)
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About these RN exams clinical judgment questions

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 117 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

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