NCLEX-RN Practice Questions with Nurse Brennan
Question 1: A client is post-operative from a thyroidectomy and reports tingling in the fingers. What electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect is causing this symptom?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: D. Hypocalcemia
Rationale: Tingling in the fingers or around the mouth after a thyroidectomy can be indicative of hypocalcemia, often caused by accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during surgery. These glands regulate calcium levels, and their dysfunction can lead to low calcium levels. It is not typical of imbalances in potassium or high calcium.
Question 2: A nurse is explaining the purpose of simvastatin to a client. Which statement accurately describes the action of this medication?
A. "It increases your heart rate to improve blood flow."
B. "It lowers cholesterol levels and reduces risk of heart disease."
C. "It raises your blood pressure to enhance circulation."
D. "It helps you gain weight by increasing appetite."
Correct Answer: B. "It lowers cholesterol levels and reduces risk of heart disease."
Rationale: Simvastatin is a statin medication used primarily to lower cholesterol levels. By reducing LDL cholesterol, it helps decrease the risk of heart disease. It does not affect heart rate, raise blood pressure, or promote weight gain.
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client receiving vancomycin. What is the primary side effect the nurse should monitor for during administration?
A. Hearing loss
B. Constipation
C. Rapid weight gain
D. Metallic taste
Correct Answer: A. Hearing loss
Rationale: Vancomycin can be ototoxic, and monitoring for hearing loss during and after administration is crucial. It can also be nephrotoxic, so renal function should be assessed regularly. Constipation, rapid weight gain, and metallic taste are not typically associated with vancomycin.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a client who is taking digoxin for heart failure. Which symptom might indicate digoxin toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Visual disturbances, such as seeing yellow halos
C. Elevated heart rate
D. Dry skin
Correct Answer: B. Visual disturbances, such as seeing yellow halos
Rationale: Visual disturbances like seeing yellow or green halos are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia (slow heart rate). An increased appetite and dry skin are not typical symptoms of digoxin toxicity.
Question 5: A client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. What is a critical side effect the nurse should monitor?
A. Lactic acidosis
B. Hypertension
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: A. Lactic acidosis
Rationale: Metformin can cause lactic acidosis, a rare but serious condition, so it is important to monitor for symptoms such as muscle pain, weakness, trouble breathing, and fatigue. While hypoglycemia is less common with metformin, it could still occur, but lactic acidosis is specific to this medication. Metformin typically causes weight loss rather than gain and does not primarily affect blood pressure.
Question 6: A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of naloxone (Narcan) in response to opioid overdose. What effect does naloxone have?
A. Decreases respiratory rate
B. Sedates the client
C. Reverses opioid effects, including respiratory depression
D. Provides analgesic relief
Correct Answer: C. Reverses opioid effects, including respiratory depression
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses the effects of opioids, including respiratory depression, which is crucial in overdose situations. It does not provide pain relief or sedation and should be used cautiously with ongoing monitoring.
