RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 145

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RN exams clinical judgment practice questions set 145

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 concerned about the skin integrity of the patient in the intraoperative phase of surgery. Which action will the nurse take to minimize skin breakdown?

  1. A. Encouraging the patient to bathe before surgery
  2. B. Securing attachments to the operating table with foam padding
  3. C. Periodically adjusting the patient during the surgical procedure
  4. D. Measuring the time a patient is in one position during surgery
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Securing attachments to the operating table with foam padding

The correct answer is B: Securing attachments to the operating table with foam padding. This action helps distribute pressure and reduce the risk of skin breakdown by providing cushioning and support. Securing attachments with foam padding minimizes direct pressure on bony prominences, enhancing skin integrity. A: Encouraging the patient to bathe before surgery does not directly address skin breakdown prevention during the intraoperative phase. C: Periodically adjusting the patient during the surgical procedure may disrupt the surgical field and increase the risk of complications. D: Measuring the time a patient is in one position during surgery is important but does not actively prevent skin breakdown; it is more focused on monitoring positioning duration.

Question 2

An 86-year-old man with no ADL deficits who has stopped driving because of macular degeneration is evaluated for a urinary tract infection associated with urinary retention. The consulting urologist places a Foley catheter and sends a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level that comes back 12 ng/mL. Three months later after the Foley has been removed and he has had a good response to tamsulosin, his PSA is still 10 ng/mL. What is the appropriate next step in managing this man’s prostate problem?

  1. A. Transrectal ultrasound and biopsy
  2. B. Empiric finasteride
  3. C. Bone scan
  4. D. Repeat PSA in 6 months
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — Repeat PSA in 6 months

The correct answer is D: Repeat PSA in 6 months. In this case, the patient's PSA levels have decreased from 12 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL after treatment with tamsulosin and removal of the Foley catheter. Given the improvement in PSA levels, it is reasonable to monitor for further changes before considering invasive procedures like transrectal ultrasound and biopsy (choice A), which may not be necessary at this time. Empiric finasteride (choice B) is not indicated as the patient is already responding well to tamsulosin. A bone scan (choice C) is not necessary at this stage as there are no indications of metastasis. Therefore, repeating the PSA in 6 months allows for continued monitoring of the patient's prostate health without subjecting him to unnecessary procedures.

Question 3

A nurse is caring for a laboring person who is in the first stage of labor. What is the most important intervention to support the person during this stage?

  1. A. provide non-pharmacological pain relief
  2. B. administer pain relief
  3. C. administer analgesics
  4. D. administer IV fluids
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — provide non-pharmacological pain relief

The correct answer is A: provide non-pharmacological pain relief. During the first stage of labor, it is crucial to prioritize non-pharmacological pain relief techniques such as breathing exercises, massage, and positioning to help manage the discomfort and promote comfort. This approach aligns with the goal of supporting the person's natural labor process and minimizing interventions that could potentially affect the progress of labor. Administering pain relief (B) or analgesics (C) may not be necessary or advisable at this stage unless specifically requested by the laboring person or deemed appropriate by the healthcare provider. Administering IV fluids (D) is important for hydration but is not the most critical intervention during the first stage of labor.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a functional assessment?

  1. A. Focuses on health patterns, including roles and relationships
  2. B. Covers life-threatening conditions
  3. C. Prioritizes a single health issue
  4. D. Identifies vital sign abnormalities
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Focuses on health patterns, including roles and relationships

The correct answer is A because a functional assessment primarily focuses on evaluating an individual's health patterns, including their roles and relationships in daily life. This comprehensive approach helps healthcare professionals understand the impact of health on a person's overall well-being and quality of life. Choice B is incorrect because a functional assessment does not specifically cover life-threatening conditions; it is more holistic in nature. Choice C is incorrect as a functional assessment does not prioritize a single health issue but considers multiple aspects of a person's functioning. Choice D is incorrect because although vital sign abnormalities may be part of the assessment, they are not the primary purpose of a functional assessment.

Question 5

.A client complains of urinary discomfort and a burning sensation while urinating. A urethral smear shows evidence of urethritis, and the client is prescribed antibiotics and instructed to drink 2-3 L of water daily. For which of the ff reasons is the client advised to drink the specified amount of water?

  1. A. It will help him overcome urinary incontinence
  2. B. It will promote renal blood flow and flush bacteria from the urinary tract
  3. C. It will help him eliminate urinary odors
  4. D. It will provide relief from pain and discomfort as a result of urinary tract infection DISTURBANCES IN FLUIDS AND ELECTROLYTES
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — It will promote renal blood flow and flush bacteria from the urinary tract

Step 1: Antibiotics are prescribed to treat urethritis, indicating a bacterial infection in the urinary tract. Step 2: Increasing water intake (2-3 L daily) promotes renal blood flow, dilutes urine, and helps flush out bacteria from the urinary tract, aiding in the elimination of infection. Step 3: Adequate hydration helps prevent the formation of concentrated urine, reducing the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections. Step 4: Therefore, choice B is correct as it directly addresses the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Summary: Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not directly target the bacterial infection causing the urinary discomfort. Drinking water will not specifically help with incontinence, eliminate odors, or provide pain relief.

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Question 6

A patient is to be administered an immunization. The serum contains aluminum phosphate. What route is most appropriate to administer this immunization?

  1. A. Intramuscularly
  2. B. Subcutaneously
  3. C. Intravenously
  4. D. Orally
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Question 7

The nurse in the ED is caring for a 4 year-old brought in by his parents who state that the child will not stop crying and pulling at his ear. Based on information collected by the nurse, which of the following statements applies to a diagnosis of external otitis?

  1. A. External otitis is characterized by aural tenderness.
  2. B. External otitis is usually accompanied by a high fever.
  3. C. External otitis is usually related to an upper respiratory infection.
  4. D. External otitis can be prevented by using cotton-tipped applicators to clean the ear.
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Question 8

The mother of a 6-year-old boy who has recently had surgery for the removal of his tonsils and adenoids complains that he has begun sucking his thumb again. Which defense mechanism should the nurse include when responding to the mother?

  1. A. Repression
  2. B. Regression
  3. C. Rationalization
  4. D. Fantasy
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Question 9

Which points should a nurse includes in the discharge teaching plan for a client after cardiac surgery?

  1. A. Avoid showers and take tub bath until all incisions are healed
  2. B. Notify the physician if a painless lump is felt at the top of the chest incision
  3. C. Continue to wear support hose or elastic stockings during the night and remove them during the day
  4. D. Sexual relations typically can be resumed in 2-4 weeks depending on tolerance for activity
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Question 10

The nurse is caring for a client who is unable to void. The plan of care establishes an objective for the client to ingest at least 1000 mL of fluid between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm. Which client response should the nurse document that indicates a successful outcome?

  1. A. Demonstrates adequate fluid intake and output.
  2. B. Verbalizes abdominal comfort without pressure.
  3. C. Drinks 240 mL of fluid five times during the shift.
  4. D. Voids at least 1000 mL between 7 am and 3 pm.
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Question 11

A 7-year-old boy is brought to the clinic because of facial edema. He reports that he has been voiding small amounts of dark, cloudy, tea-colored urine. The parents state that their son had a sore throat 2 weeks earlier, but it has resolved. After assessing the child's vital signs and weight, what intervention should the nurse implement next?

  1. A. Perform an otoscopic examination
  2. B. Measure the child's abdominal girth
  3. C. Collect a urine specimen for routine urinalysis
  4. D. Obtain a blood specimen for serum electrolytes
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Question 12

Nurse Cecile is teaching a female client about preventing osteoporosis. Which of the following teaching points is correct?

  1. A. Obtaining an X-ray of the bones every 3 years is recommended to detect bone loss.
  2. B. To avoid fractures, the client should avoid strenuous exercise.
  3. C. The recommended daily allowance of calcium may be found in a wide variety of foods.
  4. D. Obtaining the recommended daily allowance of calcium requires taking a calcium supplement.
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Question 13

What is the priority intervention for a patient with a suspected pulmonary embolism?

  1. A. Administer supplemental oxygen.
  2. B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
  3. C. Prepare the patient for a CT scan.
  4. D. Start anticoagulant therapy as prescribed.
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Question 14

A grandmother brings her 13-year-old grandson to you for evaluation. She noticed last week when he took off his shirt that his breastbone seemed collapsed. He seems embarrassed and tells you that it has been that way for quite a while. He states he has no symptoms from it and he just tries not to take off his shirt in front of anyone. He denies any shortness of breath, chest pain, or lightheadedness on exertion. His past medical history is unremarkable. He is in sixth grade and just moved in with his grandmother after his father was deployed to the Middle East. His mother died several years ago in a car accident. He states that he does not smoke and has never touched alcohol. On examination you see a teenage boy appearing his stated age. On visual examination of his chest, you see that the lower portion of the sternum is depressed. Auscultation of the lungs and heart are unremarkable. What disorder of the thorax best describes your findings?

  1. A. Barrel chest
  2. B. Funnel chest (pectus excavatum)
  3. C. Pigeon chest (pectus carinatum)
  4. D. Thoracic kyphoscoliosis
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Question 15

The caregiver for a client with moderate to severe dementia tells the nurse, 'I'm exhausted. He wanders at night instead of sleeping, so I get no rest. I'm afraid to leave him during the day, so I have to take him to the grocery store and to the laundromat. When I'm busy there, he often wanders off. Still, I have to do it all.' The nurse recognizes the need to provide teaching for this caregiver. An appropriate outcome is that the caregiver will:

  1. A. Develop strategies to ensure the client's safety.
  2. B. Seek respite care to get a break.
  3. C. Join a support group for caregivers.
  4. D. None of the above.
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About these RN exams clinical judgment questions

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 145 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

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