Nursier
Register
Log in Register Register

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 50

RN exams · clinical judgment

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions set 50

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

After the nurse has received a change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first?

  1. A. A patient with pneumonia who has crackles in the right lung base.
  2. B. A patient with chronic bronchitis who has a low forced vital capacity.
  3. C. A patient with possible lung cancer who has just returned after bronchoscopy.
  4. D. A patient with hemoptysis and a 16-mm induration after tuberculin skin testing.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — A patient with possible lung cancer who has just returned after bronchoscopy.

The nurse should assess the patient with possible lung cancer who has just returned after bronchoscopy first because this patient may be at risk for complications such as bleeding, respiratory distress, or infection post-procedure. Assessing this patient promptly allows for early identification and intervention if any issues arise. The other choices present conditions that may require assessment but do not have the immediate post-procedure risk associated with bronchoscopy. The patient with pneumonia (choice A) may need assessment for respiratory status, but the urgency is lower than the post-bronchoscopy patient. The patient with chronic bronchitis (choice B) may require monitoring, but the low forced vital capacity does not indicate an acute issue. The patient with hemoptysis and a positive tuberculin skin test (choice D) may need further evaluation for tuberculosis, but the immediate risk is lower than the post-bronchoscopy patient.

Question 2

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about reducing perineal infection with a client following a vaginal delivery. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)

  1. A. Blot the perineal area dry after cleansing.
  2. B. Clean the perineal area from front to back.
  3. C. Perform hand hygiene before and after voiding.
  4. D. Wash the perineal area using a squeeze bottle of warm water after each voiding.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Blot the perineal area dry after cleansing.

Correct Answer: A - Blot the perineal area dry after cleansing. Rationale: Blotting the perineal area dry after cleansing helps prevent moisture accumulation, reducing the risk of perineal infection. Moisture can create a favorable environment for bacterial growth and infection. This practice also helps maintain skin integrity and promotes healing post-vaginal delivery. Summary of other choices: B: Cleaning the perineal area from front to back is important to prevent introducing fecal bacteria to the urinary tract but is not directly related to reducing perineal infection. C: Performing hand hygiene before and after voiding is crucial for infection prevention but does not directly address reducing perineal infection. D: Washing the perineal area using a squeeze bottle of warm water after each voiding can be beneficial for cleanliness but does not specifically address reducing perineal infection like blotting dry after cleansing does.

Question 3

A 27-year-old patient presents with injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. She was wearing her seatbelt and has multiple bruises and scrapes along her abdomen. She complains of pain 3/10 in her abdomen. She is G1P0 and is at 14 weeks’ gestation. A bedside ultrasound scan confirms that the fetus is stable and not in any distress. The patient is Rh negative, and her husband is Rh positive. What do you anticipate being the next step?

  1. A. Obtain a urinalysis.
  2. B. Administer Rh(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM).
  3. C. Confirm with the provider that she can be discharged home.
  4. D. Schedule a follow-up ultrasound.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Administer Rh(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM).

The correct answer is B: Administer Rh(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM). In this scenario, the patient is Rh negative and her husband is Rh positive, which puts her at risk for Rh isoimmunization. Administration of Rh(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM) helps prevent the mother's immune system from developing antibodies against the Rh-positive fetus's blood, thereby protecting future pregnancies. This intervention is crucial in preventing hemolytic disease of the newborn. Choice A: Obtaining a urinalysis is not indicated in this case as the patient's main concern is her abdominal pain and pregnancy status, not related to her urinalysis. Choice C: Discharging the patient without administering Rh(D) immune globulin would be inappropriate as it puts future pregnancies at risk of complications due to Rh incompatibility. Choice D: Scheduling a follow-up ultrasound is not the immediate next step. Administering Rh(D) immune globulin is the priority to

Question 4

The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube in a patient who is semiconscious. To determine the length of the tube needed to be inserted, how should the nurse measure the tube?

  1. A. From the tip of the nose to the earlobe
  2. B. From the tip of the earlobe to the xiphoid process
  3. C. From the tip of the earlobe to the nose to the xiphoid process
  4. D. From the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — From the tip of the earlobe to the nose to the xiphoid process

Rationale for Correct Answer (C): To determine the correct length of the nasogastric tube needed to be inserted, the nurse should measure from the tip of the earlobe to the nose and then to the xiphoid process. This method ensures that the tube reaches the stomach without coiling in the esophagus or being inserted too far down. The distance from the earlobe to the nose approximates the distance from the nose to the stomach, and measuring to the xiphoid process ensures proper placement. This technique minimizes the risk of complications such as aspiration or misplacement. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: Measuring from the tip of the nose to the earlobe is incorrect because it does not take into account the distance to the stomach. B: Measuring from the tip of the earlobe to the xiphoid process alone is incorrect because it does not consider the distance through the nasal passage. D: Measuring from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to

Question 5

A patient has just returned to the postsurgical unit from post-anesthetic recovery after breast surgery for removal of a malignancy. What is the most likely major nursing diagnosis to include in this patients immediate plan of care?

  1. A. Acute pain related to tissue manipulation and incision
  2. B. Ineffective coping related to surgery
  3. C. Risk for trauma related to post-surgical injury
  4. D. Chronic sorrow related to change in body image
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Acute pain related to tissue manipulation and incision

The correct answer is A: Acute pain related to tissue manipulation and incision. This is the most likely major nursing diagnosis because post-surgical pain is a common and expected occurrence after breast surgery. The patient is likely to experience pain due to tissue manipulation and incision during the surgery. Addressing acute pain is crucial for the patient's comfort, well-being, and overall recovery. Choice B (Ineffective coping related to surgery) may be a secondary nursing diagnosis, but acute pain takes priority as it directly impacts the patient's immediate comfort and recovery. Choice C (Risk for trauma related to post-surgical injury) is not the most appropriate nursing diagnosis since the patient has already undergone surgery and is not at risk for further injury at this point. Choice D (Chronic sorrow related to change in body image) is not the most immediate concern post-surgery; addressing acute pain is more critical.

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.

Start studying See pricing

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

Men who take large doses of testosterone-like androgenic steroids for long periods are sterile in the reproductive sense of the word. What is the explanation for this finding?

  1. A. High levels of androgens bind to testosterone receptors in the Sertoli cells, resulting in overstimulation of inhibin formation
  2. B. Overstimulation of sperm cell production results in the formation of defective sperm cells
  3. C. High levels of androgen compounds inhibit the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone by the hypothalamus, resulting in the inhibition of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone release by the anterior pituitary
  4. D. High levels of androgen compounds produce hypertrophic dysfunction of the prostate gland
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 7

What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for a client expressing sadness about losing her breast?

  1. A. Ineffective Individual Coping.
  2. B. Anticipatory Grieving.
  3. C. Knowledge Deficit.
  4. D. Fear.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 8

Which type of formula should not be diluted before being administered to an infant?

  1. A. Powdered
  2. B. Concentrated
  3. C. Ready to use
  4. D. Modified cow's milk
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 9

Which of the following is the most important initial intervention for a patient with bulimia nervosa?

  1. A. Provide a structured mealtime environment with supervision.
  2. B. Encourage the patient to participate in support groups immediately.
  3. C. Administer antianxiety medications as prescribed.
  4. D. Assess the patient's family dynamics and home environment.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 10

A client is diagnosed with pneumothorax. What is the nurse's priority assessment?

  1. A. Monitoring for decreased breath sounds on the affected side.
  2. B. Checking for bilateral chest rise and fall.
  3. C. Assessing for cyanosis and tachycardia.
  4. D. Measuring oxygen saturation levels.
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 11

The dietary practice that will help a client reduce the dietary intake of sodium is

  1. A. Increasing the use of dairy products
  2. B. Using an artificial sweetener in coffee
  3. C. Avoiding the use of carbonated beverages
  4. D. Using catsup for cooking and flavoring food
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 12

A young woman is giving her menstrual history to the nurse. She is concerned about a short-lived pain that sometimes occurs on either the right or left side of her lower abdomen about 2 weeks before her period is due to begin. What is the nurse’s best response?

  1. A. “This pain is probably related to ovulation and is not uncommon.”
  2. B. “The pain may be caused by abnormal hormone levels, so the levels should be checked.”
  3. C. “Don’t worry, this is to be expected in young women.”
  4. D. “There might be some structural abnormality that should be assessed further.”
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 13

A nurse advises a client with osteoporosis to have three servings of milk or dairy products daily. Which of the following levels of prevention is being used by the nurse?

  1. A. Primary prevention
  2. B. Secondary prevention
  3. C. Tertiary prevention
  4. D. Treatment, but not prevention
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 14

The following secondary sexual characteristics are influenced by the testosterone:

  1. A. skeleton;
  2. B. voice;
  3. C. the secretory modification of the spermatogenic epithelium;
  4. D. the distribution of excess fat;
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 15

During a checkup, a 22-year-old woman tells the nurse that she uses an over-the-counter nasal spray for her allergies. She also reports that it does not work as well as it used to. The best response by the nurse would be:

  1. A. "You should never use over-the-counter nasal sprays because of the risk of addiction."
  2. B. "You should try switching to another brand of medication to prevent this problem."
  3. C. "It is important to keep using this spray to keep your allergies under control."
  4. D. "Using these nasal medications irritates the lining of the nose and may cause rebound swelling."
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 50 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.

Start studying See pricing