NCLEX NCLEX-PN Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

NCLEX NCLEX-PN Online Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  When caring for an infant during cardiac arrest, which pulse must be palpated to determine cardiac function?

  A. Carotid
  B. Brachial
  C. Pedal
  D. Radial
  B. Brachial

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  explanation: The brachial pulse is the most accessible pulse on an infant and, therefore, it is the site of choice. The carotid pulse may be difficult to palpate due to the fatty tissue that typically, and often, surrounds an infant's neck. Lastly, the radial and pedal pulses may not be reliable indicators of cardiac function.

• Question 2:

  What can help reduce a patient's anxiety and postsurgical pain?

  A. Preoperative teaching
  B. Preoperative checklist
  C. Psychological counseling
  D. Preoperative medication
  A. Preoperative teaching

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  explanation: Patient teaching before surgery not only helps to reduce a patient's anxiety and postsurgical pain but it also decreases the amount of anesthesia needed and a lack of anxiety additionally speeds up wound healing. Preoperative checklists are a form of nursing documentation that is used to guide and document the care of the patient before surgery. Psychological counseling is typically NOT necessary except under highly unusual circumstances and preoperative medication can decrease the amount of anesthetic needed and respiratory tract secretions but it does not help with postoperative pain.

• Question 3:

  A nurse is assigned to do pre-operative teaching on a blind patient who is scheduled for surgery the following morning. What teaching strategy would best fit the situation?

  A. Verbal teaching in short sessions throughout the day.
  B. Pre-operative booklet on the surgery in Braille.
  C. Provide a tape for the client.
  D. Have the blind patient's family member instruct the patient.
  A. Verbal teaching in short sessions throughout the day.

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  explanation: Explanation Explanation/Reference:Information is smaller amounts is easier to retain. Teaching the day before the procedure is best accomplished in a one on one format.

• Question 4:

  A nurse has been ordered to set-up Buck's traction on a patient's lower extremity due to a femur fracture. Which of the following applies to Buck's traction?

  A. A weight greater than 10 lbs. should be used.
  B. The line of pull is upward at an angle.
  C. The line of pull is straight.
  D. A weight greater than 20 lbs. should be used.
  C. The line of pull is straight.

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  explanation: Explanation Explanation/Reference:A straight line of pull is indicated with Buck's traction.

• Question 5:

  A nurse is reviewing a patient's serum glucose levels.

  Which of the following scenarios would indicate abnormal serum glucose values for a 30-year-old male?

  A. 70 mg/dl
  B. 55 mg/dl
  C. 110 mg/dl
  D. 100 mg/dl
  B. 55 mg/dl

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  explanation: Explanation Explanation/Reference:60-115 mg/dl is standard range for serum glucose levels.

• Question 6:

  A nurse suspects a patient is developing Bell's Palsy. The nurse wants to test the function of cranial nerve VII. Which of the following would be the most appropriate testing procedures?

  A. Test the taste sensation over the back of the tongue and activation of the facial muscles.
  B. Test the taste sensation over the front of the tongue and activation of the facial muscles.
  C. Test the sensation of the facial muscles and sensation of the back of the tongue.
  D. Test the sensation of the facial muscles and sensation of the front of the tongue.
  B. Test the taste sensation over the front of the tongue and activation of the facial muscles.

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  explanation: Explanation Explanation/Reference:The facial nerve (VII) is motor to the face and sensory to the anterior tongue.

• Question 7:

  A nurse is reviewing a patient's current Lithium levels.

  Which of the following values is outside the therapeutic range?

  A. 1.0 mEq/L
  B. 1.1 mEq/L
  C. 1.2 mEq/L
  D. 1.3 mEq/L
  D. 1.3 mEq/L

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  explanation: Explanation Explanation/Reference:1.0-1.2 mEq/L is considered standard therapeutic range for patient care.

• Question 8:

  Select a myth or falsehood relating to pain, pain management and addiction.

  A. Addiction can be accurately predicted.
  B. Withdrawal, drug tolerance and physical dependence do not indicate addiction.
  C. Pain medications can be used with patients who have a substance abuse history.
  D. Addiction is signaled when the client employs deception and stockpiling.
  B. Withdrawal, drug tolerance and physical dependence do not indicate addiction.

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  explanation: Explanation Explanation/Reference:Withdrawal, drug tolerance and physical dependence do not indicate addiction as many people believe. All the other statements are incorrect and myths relating to pain and pain management medications.

• Question 9:

  The doctor has ordered 500 mg of a medication po once a day. The tablets on hand are labeled as 1 tablet = 250 mg. How many tablets will you administer to your patient?

  A. 1 Tablet
  B. 2 Tablets
  C. 3 Tablets
  D. 4 Tablets
  B. 2 Tablets

• Question 10:

  Which of the following is a life threatening acute complication of diabetes mellitus?

  A. Neuropathy
  B. Hypoglycemia
  C. Retinopathy
  D. Impaired microcirculation
  B. Hypoglycemia

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  explanation: Hypoglycemia is an acute complication of diabetes which can be life threatening. The immediate treatment with glucose is necessary to preserve life. Retinopathy, neuropathy and impaired microcirculation are examples of the long term, rather than acute, complications of diabetes.