RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 54

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RN exams clinical judgment practice questions set 54

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

A nurse is planning primary prevention activities related to the emergence of tuberculosis (TB) in the local community. Which activity would the nurse implement?

  1. A. Offer screening tests for TB in the community
  2. B. Discuss the referral process with community members diagnosed with TB
  3. C. Educate community members about TB infection and transmission
  4. D. Monitor medication compliance for community members diagnosed with TB
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Educate community members about TB infection and transmission

Primary prevention of communicable diseases involves measures to prevent transmission of an infectious agent and to prevent pathology in the person exposed to an infection. Community education is part of primary prevention. Secondary prevention consists of activities to detect infections early and effectively treat persons who are infected. These actions prevent not only progression of the infectious disease but also transmission of the pathogen to others. Reporting infectious diseases, investigating contacts, notifying partners, finding new cases, and isolating infected people also are examples of secondary prevention. Tertiary prevention includes activities involved in caring for persons with an infectious disease to ensure that they are cured or that their quality of life is maintained. Perhaps the most important part of the treatment process is to ensure that people take their antimicrobial agents completely and effectively.

Question 2

A patient has talked constantly throughout the group therapy session, often repeating the same comments. Other members were initially attentive then became bored, inattentive, and finally sullen. Which comment by the nurse leader would be most effective?

  1. A. Say to everyone, "Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if it might be related to concerns you may have about how the group is progressing today."
  2. B. Say to everyone, "One person has done most of the talking. I think it would be helpful for everyone to say how that has affected your experience of the group."
  3. C. Say to everyone, "I noticed that as our group progressed, most members became quiet, then disinterested, and now seem almost angry. What is going on?"
  4. D. Say to the talkative patient, "You have been doing most of the talking, and others have not had a chance to speak as a result. Could you please yield to others now?"
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Say to everyone, "Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if it might be related to concerns you may have about how the group is progressing today."

The most effective action the nurse leader can take will be the one that encourages the group to solve its own problem. Pointing out changes in the group and asking members to respond to them lays the foundation for a discussion of group dynamics. Asking members to respond to the talkative patient puts that patient in an awkward position, likely increasing her anxiety. As anxiety increases, monopolizing behavior tends to increase as well, so this response would be self-defeating. Asking members what is going on is a broader opening and might lead to responses unrelated to the issue that bears addressing; narrowing the focus to the group process more directly addresses what is occurring in the group. Focusing on the talkative patient would be less effective and involves the leader addressing the issue instead of members first attempting to do so themselves (giving them a chance to practice skills such as assertive communication).

Question 3

A patient has talked constantly throughout the group therapy session, often repeating the same comments. Other members were initially attentive then became bored, inattentive, and finally sullen. Which comment by the nurse leader would be most effective?

  1. A. Say to everyone, Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if it might be related to concerns you may have about how the group is progressing today.
  2. B. Say to everyone, One person has done most of the talking. I think it would be helpful for everyone to say how that has affected your experience of the group.
  3. C. Say to everyone, I noticed that as our group progressed, most members became quiet, then disinterested, and now seem almost angry. What is going on?
  4. D. Say to the talkative patient, You have been doing most of the talking, and others have not had a chance to speak as a result. Could you please yield to others now?
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Say to everyone, Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if it might be related to concerns you may have about how the group is progressing today.

The most effective action the nurse leader can take will be the one that encourages the group to solve its own problem. Pointing out changes in the group and asking members to respond to them lays the foundation for a discussion of group dynamics. Asking members to respond to the talkative patient puts that patient in an awkward position, likely increasing her anxiety. As anxiety increases, monopolizing behavior tends to increase as well, so this response would be self-defeating. Asking members what is going on is a broader opening and might lead to responses unrelated to the issue that bears addressing; narrowing the focus to the group process more directly addresses what is occurring in the group. Focusing on the talkative patient would be less effective and involves the leader addressing the issue instead of members first attempting to do so themselves (giving them a chance to practice skills such as assertive communication).

Question 4

A history reveals that a patient virtually stopped eating 5 months ago and lost 25% of body weight. The nurse says, "Describe what you think about your present weight and how you look." Which response would be most consistent with anorexia nervosa?

  1. A. "I'm fat and ugly."
  2. B. "What I think about myself is my business."
  3. C. "I'm grossly underweight, but I cover it well."
  4. D. "I'm a few pounds overweight, but I can live with it."
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — "I'm fat and ugly."

The correct answer is A because the response indicates a distorted body image, a common characteristic of anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of body image, leading individuals to see themselves as overweight despite being underweight. In this case, the patient's response of "I'm fat and ugly" demonstrates a negative perception of their weight and appearance, which aligns with the distorted body image seen in anorexia nervosa. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: "What I think about myself is my business" - This response does not indicate a distorted body image or negative perception of weight and appearance, which are key features of anorexia nervosa. C: "I'm grossly underweight, but I cover it well" - While this response acknowledges being underweight, it does not reflect the distorted body image commonly seen in anorexia nervosa. D: "I'm a

Question 5

A patient has talked constantly throughout the group therapy session, often repeating the same comments. Other members were initially attentive then became bored, inattentive, and finally sullen. Which comment by the nurse leader would be most effective?

  1. A. Say to everyone, "Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if it might be related to concerns you may have about how the group is progressing today."
  2. B. Say to everyone, "One person has done most of the talking. I think it would be helpful for everyone to say how that has affected your experience of the group."
  3. C. Say to everyone, "I noticed that as our group progressed, most members became quiet, then disinterested, and now seem almost angry. What is going on?"
  4. D. Say to the talkative patient, "You have been doing most of the talking, and others have not had a chance to speak as a result. Could you please yield to others now?"
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Say to everyone, "Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if it might be related to concerns you may have about how the group is progressing today."

The most effective action the nurse leader can take will be the one that encourages the group to solve its own problem. Pointing out changes in the group and asking members to respond to them lays the foundation for a discussion of group dynamics. Asking members to respond to the talkative patient puts that patient in an awkward position, likely increasing her anxiety. As anxiety increases, monopolizing behavior tends to increase as well, so this response would be self-defeating. Asking members what is going on is a broader opening and might lead to responses unrelated to the issue that bears addressing; narrowing the focus to the group process more directly addresses what is occurring in the group. Focusing on the talkative patient would be less effective and involves the leader addressing the issue instead of members first attempting to do so themselves (giving them a chance to practice skills such as assertive communication).

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Question 6

A client with anorexia nervosa has refused meal trays and supplemental feedings for 3 days following admission to the general hospital. The nurse can anticipate that intervention will include:

  1. A. IV infusions beginning immediately and continuing for 48 hours after client begins eating.
  2. B. Tube feedings until the client eats 90% of all meals for 1 day.
  3. C. Placing the client on suicide precautions and one-to-one observation.
  4. D. Limiting peer group visitors for 2 weeks.
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Question 7

Ms. J, who is 82 years old, complains of urine leakage while playing golf. This has gotten worse over the past year, and she rarely makes it through nine holes without feeling like she needs to “run into the bushes and go.” Leakage is usually small volume, but causes her extreme embarrassment because she is afraid she will smell of urine. She has tried limiting caffeine in the morning before she golfs and avoiding drinking water while playing, to no effect. She also tried “those Kegel exercises” in the past without success. Which of the following is the most appropriate recommendation for Ms. J?

  1. A. Bladder training
  2. B. Referral for biofeedback training in pelvic muscle exercise
  3. C. Trial of solifenacin
  4. D. Trial of topical estrogen
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Question 8

Mrs. Fletcher comes to your office with unilateral pain during chewing, which is chronic. She does not have facial tenderness or tenderness of the scalp. Which of the following is the most likely cause of her pain?

  1. A. Trigeminal neuralgia
  2. B. Temporomandibular joint syndrome
  3. C. Temporal arteritis
  4. D. Tumor of the mandible
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Question 9

A patient has talked constantly throughout the group therapy session, often repeating the same comments. Other members were initially attentive then became bored, inattentive, and finally sullen. Which comment by the nurse leader would be most effective?

  1. A. Say to everyone, Most of you have become quiet. I wonder if it might be related to concerns you may have about how the group is progressing today.
  2. B. Say to everyone, One person has done most of the talking. I think it would be helpful for everyone to say how that has affected your experience of the group.
  3. C. Say to everyone, I noticed that as our group progressed, most members became quiet, then disinterested, and now seem almost angry. What is going on?
  4. D. Say to the talkative patient, You have been doing most of the talking, and others have not had a chance to speak as a result. Could you please yield to others now?
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Question 10

The nurse is reviewing the instructions given to a patient at 24 weeks’ gestation for a glucose challenge test (GCT). The nurse determines that the patient understands the teaching when she makes which statement?

  1. A. “I have to fast the night before the test.”
  2. B. “I will drink a sugary solution containing 100 g of glucose.”
  3. C. “I will have blood drawn at 1 hour after I drink the glucose solution.”
  4. D. “I should keep track of my baby’s movements between now and the test.”
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Question 11

Poxviruses are largest viruses, almost visible on light microscope

  1. A. TRUE
  2. B. FALSE
  3. C. partially
  4. D. Both answers can be correct depending on the given situation
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Question 12

His head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat examinations are unremarkable. His cardiac examination is normal. On examination of his chest, the diameter seems enlarged. Breath sounds are decreased throughout all lobes. Rhonchi are heard over all lung fields. There is no area of dullness and no increased or decreased fremitus. What thorax or lung disorder is most likely causing his symptoms?

  1. A. Spontaneous pneumothorax
  2. B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  3. C. Asthma
  4. D. Pneumonia
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Question 13

Which laboratory results might be expected if the mother’s Rh has type O blood and the newborn’s Apgar score is low?

  1. A. Cardiac enzymes
  2. B. Blood glucose
  3. C. Electrolyte panel
  4. D. Cord blood gas
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Question 14

The emergency department (ED) nurse is initiating therapeutic hypothermia in a patient who has been resuscitated after a cardiac arrest. Which actions in the hypothermia protocol can be delegated to an experienced licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) (select all that apply)?

  1. A. Continuously monitor heart rhythm.
  2. B. Check neurologic status every 2 hours.
  3. C. Place cooling blankets above and below the patient.
  4. D. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg per nasogastric tube.
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Question 15

Postnatal nurses expressed concern about neonatal pain management during painful interventions. Using evidence-based practice from research performed by Thakkar, Arora, Das, Javadekar, and Panigrahi (2016), which method of pain control will be used for heel sticks?

  1. A. An anesthetic gel will be applied 20 minutes before the stick.
  2. B. The stick will be administered while the neonate is breastfeeding.
  3. C. A combination of stimulated sucking and receiving sucrose orally.
  4. D. The neonate is stuck while the mother and neonate are en face.
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About these RN exams clinical judgment questions

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 54 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

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