NCLEX-RN Exam: Practice Questions With Nurse Brennan (Part 3.)

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Below are 10 additional NCLEX practice questions to help supplement your NCLEX review:

NCLEX Practice Questions:

Question #1: What is the most important reason for maintaining hygiene in patients?

A. It prevents the spread of infections

B. It reduces the risk of bedsores

C. It keeps patients feeling comfortable

D. It prevents dehydration

Question #2: Which of the following conditions can alter the values of Venous Blood Gas (VBG) results?

A. Hyperventilation

B. Hypoventilation

C. Hypotension

D. All of the above

Question #3: A client is scheduled for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Which of the following statements is most important for the nurse to include when providing pre-procedure education to the client?

A. "You will need to have a special dye injected before the scan"

B. "You should not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the scan"

C. "You may experience claustrophobia during the scan, but we can provide medication to help"

D. "You will need to remove all jewelry and metal objects before the scan"

Question #4: Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize for a client experiencing uterine atony after delivery?

A. Administering an oxytocin infusion

B. Assessing for bladder distention

C. Encouraging the client to ambulate

D. Providing the client with oral iron supplements

Question #5: Which of the following conditions requires airborne precautions?

A. Clostridium difficile infection

B. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

C. Tuberculosis (TB)

D. Norovirus

Question #6: A patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which of the following symptoms would the nurse expect to see in the patient?

A. Weight loss

B. Tachycardia

C. Heat intolerance

D. Fatigue

Question #7: A patient has a prescription for a beta-blocker medication. The nurse should instruct the patient to monitor for which of the following adverse effects?

A. Tachycardia

B. Hypotension

C. Hyperglycemia

D. Constipation

Question #8: A client with a traumatic brain injury has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?

A. Encourage the client to ambulate with assistance

B. Administer pain medication as ordered

C. Monitor the client's pupillary response

D. Elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees

Question #9: A client with pneumonia is prescribed azithromycin. The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the following adverse effects to the healthcare provider?

A. Diarrhea

B. Headache

C. Drowsiness

D. Blurred vision

Question #10: A client is diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The nurse should anticipate which of the following laboratory findings?

A. Elevated serum creatinine

B. Elevated serum potassium

C. Decreased serum calcium

D. Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

NCLEX Practice Answers and Rationale:

Answer #1: A. It prevents the spread of infections

Rationale: Maintaining hygiene in patients is crucial in preventing the spread of infections. Proper hygiene practices such as handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and properly disposing of waste, help to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause infections. While reducing the risk of bedsores and keeping patients comfortable are important aspects of hygiene, they are not the most important reasons for maintaining it. Similarly, preventing dehydration is important, but it is not directly related to hygiene. As a nurse, it is essential to educate patients and their families about the importance of maintaining proper hygiene to prevent the spread of infections and maintain their overall health and wellbeing.

Answer #2: D. All of the above

Rationale: Venous blood gas (VBG) analysis is a non-invasive method to measure the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3-), and oxygen saturation (SpO2) in venous blood. However, various conditions can alter the VBG results, including hyperventilation (reduces PaCO2), hypoventilation (increases PaCO2), and hypotension (lowers SpO2). Therefore, it's crucial to consider the patient's clinical status and interpret the VBG results in conjunction with the arterial blood gas (ABG) results to ensure accurate clinical decision-making.

Answer #3: D. "You will need to remove all jewelry and metal objects before the scan"

Rationale: MRI is a diagnostic test that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to produce detailed images of the body's internal structures. Clients are required to remove all jewelry and metal objects before the scan because they can interfere with the magnetic field and cause artifacts on the images. Option A is incorrect because not all MRI scans require the use of contrast dye. Option B is incorrect because clients are usually allowed to eat and drink before the scan unless otherwise specified by the healthcare provider. Option C is incorrect because medication to relieve claustrophobia during the MRI scan is not routinely given, but can be considered if the client experiences significant anxiety.

Answer #4: A. Administering an oxytocin infusion

Rationale: Uterine atony, the failure of the uterus to contract after delivery, is a serious complication that can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. The priority nursing intervention in this situation is to administer an oxytocin infusion, which helps to promote uterine contractions and prevent further bleeding. Assessing for bladder distention and encouraging ambulation are also important interventions, but they should be done after oxytocin administration. Providing iron supplements may be necessary in cases of anemia, but it is not a priority intervention for uterine atony.

Answer #5: C. Tuberculosis (TB)

Rationale: Tuberculosis (TB) requires airborne precautions. TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Airborne precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of infectious droplet nuclei smaller than 5 microns, which can remain suspended in the air and can be inhaled by others.

Clostridium difficile infection, also known as C. diff, is spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, and contact precautions are necessary to prevent its spread. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is spread through contact with infected wounds, and contact precautions are necessary to prevent its spread. Norovirus is spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, and contact precautions are necessary to prevent its spread.

Answer #6: D. Fatigue

Rationale: Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This can result in symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, slow heart rate, cold intolerance, and constipation. Therefore, the nurse would expect to see fatigue in a patient with hypothyroidism.

Answer #7: B. Hypotension

Rationale: Beta-blockers are a type of medication that is used to treat hypertension, angina, and heart failure. They work by blocking the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine, which reduces heart rate and blood pressure. One of the adverse effects of beta-blockers is hypotension, which can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and syncope.

Answer #8: C. Monitor the client's pupillary response

Rationale: The GCS assesses a client's level of consciousness and is based on three parameters: eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. A score of 8 indicates that the client is in a coma or has a very severe brain injury. The nurse should prioritize monitoring the client's pupillary response, as changes in pupil size or reactivity can indicate increased intracranial pressure, which can be life-threatening. Encouraging ambulation, administering pain medication, and elevating the head of the bed may be appropriate interventions for other clients, but they are not the highest priority for a client with a severe traumatic brain injury.

Answer #9: A. Diarrhea

Rationale: Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic commonly used to treat respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia. A common adverse effect of azithromycin is diarrhea, which can be a sign of a serious gastrointestinal infection. The other answer options are incorrect.

Answer #10: A. Elevated serum creatinine

Rationale: Chronic renal failure is a condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to function properly over time. One of the primary laboratory findings associated with chronic renal failure is an elevated serum creatinine level, which reflects impaired kidney function. The other answer options are incorrect. In chronic renal failure, serum potassium may be elevated, serum calcium may be elevated or decreased, and BUN may be elevated.