RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 60

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RN exams clinical judgment practice questions set 60

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

Which of the following is true of the HPV vaccine?

  1. A. Ideally it should be administered within 3 years of first intercourse.
  2. B. It covers against almost every HPV type.
  3. C. It can be used as adjuvant therapy in cervical cancer.
  4. D. It can protect against anogenital lesions.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — It can protect against anogenital lesions.

The correct answer is D: It can protect against anogenital lesions. The HPV vaccine can protect against several types of HPV that are known to cause anogenital warts and lesions. This is based on scientific evidence from clinical trials. A: Ideally it should be administered within 3 years of first intercourse - This statement is not accurate. The HPV vaccine is recommended for both males and females between the ages of 9 and 26, regardless of sexual activity. B: It covers against almost every HPV type - This statement is incorrect. While the HPV vaccine covers the most common high-risk HPV types that cause cervical cancer, it does not cover against every HPV type. C: It can be used as adjuvant therapy in cervical cancer - This statement is incorrect. The HPV vaccine is primarily used as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of HPV infection and related health issues, not as a treatment for existing cervical cancer.

Question 2

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have been growing in popularity and surveys show that they are being used to treat several mental health conditions. With these statistics in mind the nurse is careful to assess which client for the possible use of CAM therapies?

  1. A. The teenager who is dealing with sexual identity issues
  2. B. The older adult who has developed early onset dementia
  3. C. The young adult who is experiencing chronic pain as a result of a knee injury
  4. D. The middle-aged adult who is experiencing depression after the death of a parent
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — The middle-aged adult who is experiencing depression after the death of a parent

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The nurse should assess the middle-aged adult experiencing depression after the death of a parent for possible use of CAM therapies because depression is a common mental health condition that CAM therapies can help alleviate. The client's emotional distress and grief may benefit from holistic approaches like mindfulness meditation or acupuncture. It is important to address mental health conditions with appropriate interventions, and CAM therapies can be a valuable supplement to traditional treatments. Summary: A: While sexual identity issues are important, they do not necessarily indicate a need for CAM therapies in this context. B: Early onset dementia is a neurological condition, and CAM therapies may not be the primary focus for treatment. C: Chronic pain from a knee injury may require more conventional medical interventions before exploring CAM therapies for pain management.

Question 3

A 29-year-old computer programmer comes to the office for evaluation of a headache. The tightening sensation of moderate intensity is located all over the head. It used to last minutes, but this time it has lasted for 5 days. He denies photophobia and nausea. He spends several hours at a computer monitor/keyboard. He has tried over-the-counter medication; it has dulled the pain, but not taken it away. Based on this description, what is the most likely diagnosis?

  1. A. Cluster
  2. B. Analgesic rebound
  3. C. Tension
  4. D. Migraine
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Tension

The correct answer is C: Tension headache. The key features in the scenario are the bilateral location of the headache, duration of 5 days, absence of nausea and photophobia, and the patient's occupation as a computer programmer. Tension headaches are typically bilateral, mild to moderate in intensity, and often related to stress, posture, and prolonged screen time. The fact that over-the-counter medication only dulled the pain supports the diagnosis of tension headache. Summary of other choices: A: Cluster headaches typically have a unilateral location, severe intensity, and are associated with autonomic symptoms like tearing of the eye. B: Analgesic rebound headaches occur due to overuse of pain medications, leading to worsening of headaches when the medication wears off. D: Migraine headaches often present with unilateral throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound, which are not present in this case.

Question 4

An experienced nurse tells the nurse-manager that working with a new graduate is impossible because the new graduate will not listen to suggestions. The new graduate comes to the nurse-manager describing the senior nurse's attitude as challenging and offensive. What action is best for the nurse manager to take?

  1. A. Have both nurses meet separately with the staff mental health consultant
  2. B. Listen actively to both nurses and offer suggestions to solve the dilemma
  3. C. Ask the senior nurse to examine mentoring strategies used with the new graduate
  4. D. Ask the nurses to meet with the nurse-manager to identify ways of working together
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — Ask the nurses to meet with the nurse-manager to identify ways of working together

The correct answer is D. The nurse-manager should ask the nurses to meet to identify ways of working together. This is the best action because it promotes open communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution between the two nurses. By facilitating a discussion between them, the nurse-manager can help address the underlying issues, clarify misunderstandings, and find common ground for effective teamwork. This approach encourages mutual understanding and fosters a positive working relationship. A: Having both nurses meet separately with the staff mental health consultant does not directly address the conflict between them. B: While listening actively and offering suggestions is important, involving both nurses in the discussion is crucial for resolving the conflict. C: Asking the senior nurse to examine mentoring strategies does not involve the new graduate in the conversation and may not address the overall issue.

Question 5

A nurse has asked the nurse educator if there is any way to predict the severity of a patients anaphylactic reaction. What would be the nurses best response?

  1. A. The faster the onset of symptoms, the more severe the reaction.
  2. B. The reaction will be about one-third more severe than the patients last reaction to the same antigen.
  3. C. There is no way to gauge the severity of a patients anaphylaxis, even if it has occurred repeatedly in the past.
  4. D. The reaction will generally be slightly less severe than the last reaction to the same antigen.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — There is no way to gauge the severity of a patients anaphylaxis, even if it has occurred repeatedly in the past.

The correct answer is C because the severity of an anaphylactic reaction can vary greatly from one episode to another in the same patient. Anaphylactic reactions are unpredictable and can be influenced by various factors such as the amount of allergen exposure, individual immune response, underlying health conditions, and concurrent medications. Therefore, it is not possible to reliably gauge the severity of a patient's anaphylactic reaction even if it has occurred repeatedly in the past. Choice A is incorrect because the onset of symptoms alone is not a reliable predictor of the severity of the reaction. Choice B is incorrect as well because there is no set formula to predict that the reaction will be one-third more severe than the patient's last reaction. Choice D is incorrect because stating that the reaction will generally be slightly less severe than the last reaction is also not accurate or supported by evidence.

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Question 6

A patient tells the nurse that he is allergic to penicillin. Which of the following would be the nurse's best response to this information?

  1. A. "Are you allergic to any other drugs?"
  2. B. "How often have you received penicillin?"
  3. C. "I'll record your allergy information on your chart, so you won't receive any."
  4. D. "Please describe what happens to you when you take penicillin."
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Question 7

A client diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) brings up a conflict with the staff in a community meeting and develops a following of clients who unreasonably demand modification of unit rules. Which approach is best for the nursing staff to implement?

  1. A. Allow the clients to apply the democratic process when developing unit rules.
  2. B. Maintain consistency of care by open communication to avoid staff manipulation.
  3. C. Allow the client spokesperson to verbalize concerns during a unit staff meeting.
  4. D. Maintain unit order by the application of autocratic leadership.
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Question 8

The mother of a teen with an eating disorder tells the nurse, "Our family is pretty well adjusted. It's hard for me to imagine what we could have done to have this happen." The nurse can promote more complete understanding of the etiology of eating disorders by mentioning that young women are also influenced by:

  1. A. the abundance of nutritious foods available.
  2. B. the fashion industry's idealization of thinness.
  3. C. competition in the work place.
  4. D. the biologic tendency to be underweight.
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Question 9

You are a resident in the emergency department. An irate parent comes to you furious because the social worker has been asking him about striking his child. The child is a 5-year-old boy who has been in the emergency department four times this year with several episodes of trauma that did not seem related. Today, the child is brought in with a child complaint of 'slipping into a hot bathtub' with a bum wound on his legs. The parent threatens to sue you and says 'How dare you think that about me? I love my son!' What should you do?

  1. A. Admit the child to remove him from the possibly dangerous environment.
  2. B. Call the police.
  3. C. Ask the father yourself if there has been any abuse.
  4. D. Report the family to child protective services.
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Question 10

A pregnant patient at 36 weeks gestation reports sudden swelling of the face and hands. What is the nurse's priority action?

  1. A. Monitor the patient's blood pressure and check for signs of preeclampsia.
  2. B. Instruct the patient to rest and elevate her feet.
  3. C. Recommend the patient drink more water to reduce swelling.
  4. D. Administer diuretics as prescribed to manage fluid retention.
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Question 11

A 44-year-old woman presents with an unexpected pregnancy. She asks the nurse, 'Is my baby going to have a birth defect? My third cousin has Down syndrome.' What is the nurse's best response?

  1. A. Tell the patient she is at risk for gene mutation because a birth defect in a distant relative places the woman at increased risk.
  2. B. Discuss the potential risk for intrauterine growth retardation due to the mother's advanced age.
  3. C. Discuss the patient's situation with the physician to ask for a referral to high-risk obstetrics.
  4. D. Discuss the potential risk for a chromosomal abnormality based on the patient's advanced age.
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Question 12

A patient admitted yesterday for injuries sustained while intoxicated believes the window blinds are snakes trying to get into the room. The patient is anxious, agitated, and diaphoretic. Which medication can the nurse anticipate the health care provider will prescribe?

  1. A. Monoamine oxidase inhibitor, such as phenelzine (Nardil)
  2. B. Phenothiazine, such as thioridazine (Mellaril)
  3. C. Benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam (Ativan)
  4. D. Narcotic analgesic, such as morphine
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Question 13

The breastfeeding patient should be taught a safe method to remove her breast from the baby's mouth. Which suggestion by the nurse is most appropriate?

  1. A. Break the suction by inserting your finger into the corner of the infant's mouth.
  2. B. A popping sound occurs when the breast is correctly removed from the infant's mouth.
  3. C. Slowly remove the breast from the baby's mouth when the infant has fallen asleep and the jaws are relaxed.
  4. D. Elicit the Moro reflex in the baby to wake the baby up, and remove the breast when the baby cries.
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Question 14

Which assessment finding in a patient with pneumonia is most concerning?

  1. A. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute.
  2. B. Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air.
  3. C. Fever of 100.4°F (38°C).
  4. D. Crackles in the lower lung fields.
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Question 15

Which of the ff is the most important factor in the nursing management of clients who undergo treatment for a malignant tumor ff the urinary diversion procedure?

  1. A. Placement of IV and central venous pressure lines
  2. B. Administrating cleansing enemas
  3. C. Observing for leakage of urine or stool from the anastomosis
  4. D. Assessing the clients ability to manage self catheterization
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About these RN exams clinical judgment questions

RN exams clinical judgment practice questions, set 60 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

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