RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 174

RN exams · clinical judgment

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions set 174

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 caring for a client who reports chronic pain that is worse in the morning. What would the nurse suggest?

  1. A. Increase activity in the morning
  2. B. Apply heat to the area
  3. C. Take pain medication at noon
  4. D. Sleep later in the day
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Apply heat to the area

The nurse would suggest applying heat to the area for chronic pain worse in the morning, as heat boosts blood flow, relaxes stiff muscles, and eases joint paincommon with conditions like arthritis, where inactivity overnight stiffens tissues. This targets morning exacerbation. Choice A, increase activity, may help later but risks strain when pain peaks; gradual movement post-relief is better. Choice C, take medication at noon, misses the morning windowpain needs earlier control (e.g., bedtime dosing). Choice D, sleep later, avoids the issue; pain persists regardless of wake time. Choice B is correct, offering a practical, nonpharmacological fix nurses recommend, paired with meds if needed, to reduce morning stiffness and improve daily function for chronic pain clients.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a client who reports chronic pain that is worse in the morning. What would the nurse suggest?

  1. A. Increase activity in the morning
  2. B. Apply heat to the area
  3. C. Take pain medication at noon
  4. D. Sleep later in the day
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Apply heat to the area

The nurse would suggest applying heat to the area for chronic pain worse in the morning, as heat boosts blood flow, relaxes stiff muscles, and eases joint paincommon with conditions like arthritis, where inactivity overnight stiffens tissues. This targets morning exacerbation. Choice A, increase activity, may help later but risks strain when pain peaks; gradual movement post-relief is better. Choice C, take medication at noon, misses the morning windowpain needs earlier control (e.g., bedtime dosing). Choice D, sleep later, avoids the issue; pain persists regardless of wake time. Choice B is correct, offering a practical, nonpharmacological fix nurses recommend, paired with meds if needed, to reduce morning stiffness and improve daily function for chronic pain clients.

Question 3

What is the rationale for using CPAP to treat sleep apnea?

  1. A. positive air pressure holds the airway open
  2. B. negative air pressure holds the airway closed
  3. C. delivery of oxygen facilitates respiratory effort
  4. D. alternating waves of air stimulate breathing
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — positive air pressure holds the airway open

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) treats sleep apnea, typically obstructive (OSA). 'Positive air pressure holds the airway open' is the rationale; it splints the pharynxe.g., 10 cmH2O pressure prevents collapse during inhalation, per AASM guidelines. Choice B, 'negative air pressure holds the airway closed,' is opposite and nonsensicale.g., worsening obstruction. Choice C, 'delivery of oxygen facilitates respiratory effort,' aids hypoxemia but isn't CPAP's mechanism; it's pressure, not O2, per se. Choice D, 'alternating waves of air,' fits BiPAP, not CPAP's constant flowe.g., no 'waves' in standard use. A nurse might adjust CPAP for a patient with 30 apneas/hour, per Taylor's respiratory care, ensuring patency. Choice A is the correct, mechanistic answer.

Question 4

What is the rationale for using CPAP to treat sleep apnea?

  1. A. positive air pressure holds the airway open
  2. B. negative air pressure holds the airway closed
  3. C. delivery of oxygen facilitates respiratory effort
  4. D. alternating waves of air stimulate breathing
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — positive air pressure holds the airway open

CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) treats sleep apnea, typically obstructive (OSA). 'Positive air pressure holds the airway open' is the rationale; it splints the pharynxe.g., 10 cmH2O pressure prevents collapse during inhalation, per AASM guidelines. Choice B, 'negative air pressure holds the airway closed,' is opposite and nonsensicale.g., worsening obstruction. Choice C, 'delivery of oxygen facilitates respiratory effort,' aids hypoxemia but isn't CPAP's mechanism; it's pressure, not O2, per se. Choice D, 'alternating waves of air,' fits BiPAP, not CPAP's constant flowe.g., no 'waves' in standard use. A nurse might adjust CPAP for a patient with 30 apneas/hour, per Taylor's respiratory care, ensuring patency. Choice A is the correct, mechanistic answer.

Question 5

Which information will the nurse include when teaching a 50-year-old patient who has type 2 diabetes about glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta, Glynase)?

  1. A. Glyburide decreases glucagon secretion from the pancreas.
  2. B. Glyburide stimulates insulin production and release from the pancreas.
  3. C. Glyburide should be taken even if the morning blood glucose level is low.
  4. D. Glyburide should not be used for 48 hours after receiving IV contrast media.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Glyburide stimulates insulin production and release from the pancreas.

The correct answer is B: Glyburide stimulates insulin production and release from the pancreas. 1. Glyburide belongs to the sulfonylurea class of drugs, which works by stimulating the pancreas to produce and release more insulin. 2. This action helps to lower blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. 3. By increasing insulin secretion, glyburide helps improve glucose utilization in the body. Incorrect choices: A: Glyburide does not decrease glucagon secretion from the pancreas; it primarily affects insulin production. C: Glyburide should not be taken if the morning blood glucose level is low to prevent hypoglycemia. D: Glyburide does not have a specific interaction with IV contrast media; caution is needed with other medications that may interact.

Keep going past these 15 questions

Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.

Ten more RN exams clinical judgment questions

Stems and choices stay public so you can still reason. Correct answers and full rationales unlock with the rest of the bank.

Question 6

A client with chronic pain asks the nurse why the pain medication causes dry mouth. What would be the basis of the nurse's response?

  1. A. Reduced saliva production
  2. B. Increased thirst
  3. C. Allergic reaction
  4. D. Rapid absorption
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 7

A client with chronic pain asks the nurse why the pain medication causes dry mouth. What would be the basis of the nurse's response?

  1. A. Reduced saliva production
  2. B. Increased thirst
  3. C. Allergic reaction
  4. D. Rapid absorption
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 8

For a 55-year-old female patient with type 2 diabetes and a nursing diagnosis of imbalanced nutrition: more than body requirements, which goal is most important?

  1. A. The patient will reach a glycosylated hemoglobin level of less than 7%.
  2. B. The patient will follow a diet and exercise plan that results in weight loss.
  3. C. The patient will choose a diet that distributes calories throughout the day.
  4. D. The patient will state the reasons for eliminating simple sugars in the diet.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 9

What is the main concern with collective bargaining?

  1. A. Create tension among nurses.
  2. B. Reform health care.
  3. C. Secure economic security.
  4. D. Unite the nurses.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 10

Which of the following medications is least likely to affect sleep quality?

  1. A. diuretic
  2. B. steroid
  3. C. antidepressant
  4. D. Ambien
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 11

Which of the following medications is least likely to affect sleep quality?

  1. A. diuretic
  2. B. steroid
  3. C. antidepressant
  4. D. Ambien
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 12

An RN’s client with terminal pancreatic cancer asks questions about a do not resuscitate order. Which of the following statements should be included in the RN’s teaching to the client?

  1. A. When a heart ceases to beat, the client is pronounced clinically dead.
  2. B. Physicians must write do not resuscitate (DNR) orders.
  3. C. A DNR order can be written after the health-care provider has discussed it with the client and family.
  4. D. A DNR requires a court decision.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 13

How may a nurse demonstrate cultural competence when responding to patients in pain?

  1. A. Treat every patient exactly the same, regardless of culture.
  2. B. Be knowledgeable and skilled in medication administration.
  3. C. Know the action and side effects of all pain medications.
  4. D. Avoid stereotyping responses to pain by patients.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 14

How may a nurse demonstrate cultural competence when responding to patients in pain?

  1. A. Treat every patient exactly the same, regardless of culture.
  2. B. Be knowledgeable and skilled in medication administration.
  3. C. Know the action and side effects of all pain medications.
  4. D. Avoid stereotyping responses to pain by patients.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 15

Cultural diversity presents an important challenge to nurse managers due to which of the following?

  1. A. A nursing shortage exists
  2. B. Staff nurses are not trained to be culturally sensitive
  3. C. 80% of nursing staff comes from one or more minority groups
  4. D. The increase in cultural diversity is seen both in the patient population and the nursing staff
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

About these RN exams clinical judgment questions

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 174 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the RN exams exam guide.

The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.

Keep going past these 15 questions

Missed-question review, longer banks, and the rest of 20,000+ nursing practice questions open when you start studying.