RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 124

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RN exams clinical judgment practice questions set 124

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

The nurse is working to change negative social beliefs towards breastfeeding in a rural area using the UNICEF Socio-Ecological Model. At which level of this model is the nurse effecting change?

  1. A. Individual
  2. B. Community
  3. C. Organizational/institutional
  4. D. Policy/system and enabling environments
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — Policy/system and enabling environments

The correct answer is D: Policy/system and enabling environments. The nurse is working at this level by influencing policies and systems to create an environment that supports breastfeeding. At this level, the nurse can implement changes that impact the broader community by promoting and facilitating breastfeeding-friendly practices. A: Individual - This level focuses on changing beliefs and behaviors of individuals, not addressing broader social beliefs. B: Community - This level involves influencing social norms and practices within a specific community, not addressing policies and systems. C: Organizational/institutional - This level involves changes within specific organizations or institutions, not addressing broader policy changes needed for societal impact.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who has been recently diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer. The patient refuses to accept the diagnosis and refuses to adhere to treatment. What is the most likely psychosocial purpose of this patients strategy?

  1. A. The patient may be trying to protect loved ones from the emotional effects of the illness.
  2. B. The patient is being noncompliant in order to assert power over caregivers.
  3. C. The patient may be skeptical of the benefits of the Western biomedical model of health.
  4. D. The patient thinks that treatment does not provide him comfort.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — The patient may be trying to protect loved ones from the emotional effects of the illness.

The patient may be trying to protect loved ones from the emotional effects of the illness. This behavior could be a form of denial, a defense mechanism where the individual refuses to acknowledge the reality of the diagnosis in order to shield their loved ones from distress. By rejecting the diagnosis and refusing treatment, the patient may believe that they are preventing their family and friends from experiencing the emotional pain associated with the illness. This behavior is a common coping mechanism in response to overwhelming and distressing news like a terminal illness diagnosis. It serves a psychosocial purpose of trying to protect others from suffering, even though it may not align with the patient's best interest in terms of receiving appropriate medical care.

Question 3

An adolescent asks a nurse conducting an assessment interview, 'Why should I tell you anything? You'll just tell my parents whatever you find out.' Which response by the nurse is appropriate?

  1. A. That isn't true. What you tell us is private and held in strict confidence. Your parents have no right to know.'
  2. B. Yes, your parents may find out what you say, but it is important that they know about your problems.'
  3. C. What you say about feelings is private, but some things, like suicidal thinking, must be reported to the treatment team.'
  4. D. It sounds as though you are not really ready to work on your problems and make changes.'
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — What you say about feelings is private, but some things, like suicidal thinking, must be reported to the treatment team.'

The correct answer is C because it acknowledges the importance of confidentiality regarding the adolescent's feelings while also highlighting the necessity of reporting certain critical issues like suicidal thoughts to ensure the adolescent's safety. This response respects the adolescent's privacy while prioritizing their well-being. Choice A is incorrect because it inaccurately states that everything is held in strict confidence, which may not be the case for issues like suicidal thoughts. Choice B is incorrect as it dismisses the adolescent's concerns about privacy and may deter them from being open during the assessment. Choice D is incorrect as it makes assumptions about the adolescent's readiness without addressing their specific concerns about confidentiality.

Question 4

This year 600 of 8000 young women age 17 to 20 years at a university health center tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Which of the following terms best describes this data?

  1. A. An epidemic
  2. B. Incidence
  3. C. Prevalence
  4. D. Risk
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Prevalence

The correct term to describe the data is "prevalence" because it refers to the proportion of individuals in a population who have a particular condition at a specific point in time. In this case, the prevalence of STI among young women aged 17 to 20 at the university health center is 600 out of 8000. A. "An epidemic" is incorrect because it refers to the widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time. B. "Incidence" is incorrect because it refers to the rate of new cases of a disease within a specified time period, not the total number of existing cases. D. "Risk" is incorrect because it refers to the probability of an individual developing a disease based on certain factors, not the actual number of cases present in a population.

Question 5

A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of hypertension who is experiencing chest pain. What is the priority intervention?

  1. A. Administer nitroglycerin.
  2. B. Administer IV fluids.
  3. C. Administer aspirin.
  4. D. Administer morphine.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Administer IV fluids.

The correct answer is B: Administer IV fluids. The priority intervention for a patient with hypertension experiencing chest pain is to ensure adequate perfusion to vital organs. Administering IV fluids helps improve blood flow, stabilize blood pressure, and support cardiac function. This intervention is crucial in managing chest pain and preventing potential complications. Administering nitroglycerin (choice A) is important for chest pain relief but may cause a drop in blood pressure, which can be risky in patients with hypertension. Administering aspirin (choice C) is important for antiplatelet effects but does not address the immediate need for perfusion. Administering morphine (choice D) is used for pain relief but may mask symptoms and delay necessary interventions.

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Question 6

A nurse is counseling a couple on lifestyle modifications to improve fertility. Which recommendation is most appropriate?

  1. A. Increase caffeine intake for better energy.
  2. B. Maintain a healthy weight and avoid smoking.
  3. C. Engage in intensive daily exercise.
  4. D. Focus solely on timing of intercourse.
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Question 7

What is the primary concern when caring for a patient with bulimia nervosa who has been purging regularly?

  1. A. Managing the patient's weight gain.
  2. B. Assessing for complications related to electrolyte imbalances.
  3. C. Encouraging exercise to offset caloric intake.
  4. D. Promoting food restriction to control binge eating.
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Question 8

A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of hypertension who is experiencing chest pain. What is the priority intervention?

  1. A. Administer nitroglycerin.
  2. B. Administer IV fluids.
  3. C. Administer aspirin.
  4. D. Administer morphine.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 9

On the base of the clinical data a child was diagnosed with atypical pneumonia resistant to the effects of beta-lactam antibiotics. The patient's sputum was cultured and incubated in a special medium, which resulted in growth of microorganisms forming microscopic colonies with a dense center (looking like fried eggs). What microorganism caused the disease?

  1. A. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  2. B. Klebsiella pneumoniae
  3. C. Str. pneumoniae
  4. D. L. pneumophila
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Question 10

A patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication. What should the nurse assess for?

  1. A. Check for compartment syndrome
  2. B. Increase the pain medication
  3. C. Prepare the patient for surgery immediately
  4. D. Administer a sedative to calm the patient
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Question 11

Justin F. is seen in the emergency department with an 8-cm jagged laceration on the dorsal surface of his right forearm. He says he was working with his brother-in-law yesterday morning building a deck on the back of his home. A pile of wooden planks fell on top of him, and he sustained a variety of cuts and superficial injuries. He cleaned the wound with soap and water but didnt want to go to the emergency room because he didnt want to risk being in the waiting room for hours. He wrapped up his arm and went back to work, and then took a normal shower and went to bed last night. This morning the cut on his arm was still flapping open, and he realized he needed sutures. The appropriate management of this patient includes

  1. A. Proper cleansing and covering of the laceration, along with antibiotic therapy
  2. B. Local anesthesia, cleansing, and wound exploration for foreign bodies
  3. C. Local anesthesia, cleansing, and suture repair
  4. D. Cleansing, covering, antibiotic therapy, and tetanus prophylaxis
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Question 12

A widow, aged 72 years, lives alone and is visited weekly by her son. She takes digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, and an antihypertensive drug. She also has a prescription for diazepam (Valium) as needed for moderate to severe anxiety. When the son visited today, he found his mother confused and disoriented, with an unsteady gait. The nurse assessed the patient as having several cognitive problems, including memory and attention deficits and fluctuating levels of orientation. The nurse confirms that the patient's symptoms developed:

  1. A. Over the past few days.
  2. B. Over the past few weeks.
  3. C. Over the past few months.
  4. D. None of the above.
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Question 13

A 38-week pregnant patient in active labor is experiencing frequent and painful contractions. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse?

  1. A. Administer narcotic analgesics for pain relief
  2. B. Provide emotional support and reassurance
  3. C. Assess the fetal heart rate and contraction patterns
  4. D. Prepare for delivery
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Question 14

.A client diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia states, \'The FBI is watching me. I see their agents everywhere.\' Which is the nurse\'s most appropriate response?

  1. A. You shouldn\'t worry about that. It\'s not real.
  2. B. I don\'t see any FBI agents, but it sounds like you\'re feeling frightened.
  3. C. Let\'s talk about something else to take your mind off of it.
  4. D. Why do you think the FBI is watching you?
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Question 15

A patient with a history of asthma is admitted with an exacerbation. Which action should the nurse take first?

  1. A. Administer a bronchodilator.
  2. B. Administer a short-acting bronchodilator.
  3. C. Administer oral steroids.
  4. D. Administer an inhaled beta-agonist.
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About these RN exams clinical judgment questions

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 124 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

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