NCLEX NCLEX-PN Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

NCLEX NCLEX-PN Online Questions & Answers

• Question 261:

  Which preventive measure can be employed to decrease the risk of compartment syndrome?

  A. The administration of a potassium sparing diuretic for heart failure.
  B. A bivalve cast for a skeletal fracture.
  C. A cerebral diuretic to decease intracranial pressure after a head injury.
  D. A chest tube to restore normal intrathoracic pressure after a pneumothorax.
  B. A bivalve cast for a skeletal fracture.

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  Explanation Explanation/Reference:A bivalve cast, rather than a solid fiberglass or plaster of Paris cast, for a skeletal fracture can prevent limb threatening compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome results from increased pressure and circulatory constriction because a solid cast does not accommodate post fracture swelling like a bivalve cast does. Compartment syndrome is not related to heart failure, head injuries or pneumothoraxes.

• Question 262:

  Which of the following is an indication for electroencephalography?

  A. paralysis
  B. neuropathy
  C. seizure disorder
  D. myocardial infarction
  C. seizure disorder

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  Explanation Explanation/Reference:Electroencephalography is indicated for assessing clients with a seizure disorder.

• Question 263:

  After breast reconstruction secondary to breast cancer, the nurse should recognize which of the following expected client outcomes as evidence of a favorable response to nursing interventions related to disturbed body image?

  A. maintaining adequate tissue perfusion
  B. demonstrating behaviors that reduce fears
  C. restored body integrity
  D. remaining free of infection
  C. restored body integrity

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  A sense of restored body integrity is an expected outcome for interventions related to disturbed body image. Adequate tissue perfusion is an outcome for risk of injury and risk of infection, not disturbed body image. Demonstrating behaviors that might reduce fears is an outcome for anxiety. Remaining free of infection is an outcome for risk of infection.

• Question 264:

  A nurse at outpatient clinic is returning phone calls that have been made to the clinic. Which of the following calls should have the highest priority for medical intervention?

  A. A home health patient reports, "I am starting to have breakdown of my heels."
  B. A patient that received an upper extremity cast yesterday reports, "I can't feel my fingers in my right hand today."
  C. A young female reports," I think I sprained my ankle about 2 weeks ago."
  D. A middle-aged patient reports," My knee is still hurting from the TKR."
  B. A patient that received an upper extremity cast yesterday reports, "I can't feel my fingers in my right hand today."

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  Explanation Explanation/Reference:The patient experiencing neurovascular changes should have the highest priority. Pain following a TKR is normal, and breakdown over the heels is a gradual process. Moreover, a subacute ankle sprain is almost never a medical emergency.

• Question 265:

  What is the primary goal of family education?

  A. symptom reduction
  B. improved quality of life
  C. increased knowledge about mental illness
  D. improved caregiving skills
  B. improved quality of life

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  Improving quality of life is the primary goal of family education. Symptom reduction is a goal of psychoeducation, not family education. Increased knowledge about mental illness might accompany family education, but is not a goal of it. Improved quality of life and reduced family burden are the goals. Improved care-giving skills might accompany family education but are not a goal of it.

• Question 266:

  A serious complication of a total hip replacement is displacement of the prosthesis.

  What is the primary sign of displacement?

  A. pain on movement and weight bearing
  B. hemorrhage
  C. affected leg appearing 1-2 inches longer
  D. edema in the area of the incision
  A. pain on movement and weight bearing

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  Pain on movement and weight bearing indicates pressure on the nerves or muscles caused by the dislocation. Other symptoms of dislocation include an inability to bear weight and a shortening of the affected leg. Edema is not a primary sign of displacement.

• Question 267:

  The difference between spirituality and religion is that spirituality is __________.

  A. a belief about a higher power
  B. an individual's relationship with a higher power
  C. organized worship
  D. a belief in an invisible energy or ideal
  B. an individual's relationship with a higher power

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  Religion can be considered a system of beliefs, practices, and ethical values about a divine or superhuman power or powers worshipped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe. Spirituality is a belief in or relationship with some higher power, creative force, driving being, or infinite source of energy.

• Question 268:

  A patient is complaining of severe chest pain during a stress test.

  Which of the following medications is the most appropriate to relieve this discomfort?

  A. Aspirin
  B. Diazoxide
  C. Procardia
  D. Mannitol
  C. Procardia

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  Explanation Explanation/Reference:Procardia can provide the quickest relief of ischemic chest pain that is severe in this case.

• Question 269:

  The client's lab culture report is negative for a suspected infection.

  A test that can correctly identify those who do not have a given disease is __________.

  A. specific
  B. sensitive
  C. negative culture
  D. marginal finding
  A. specific

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  Explanation Explanation/Reference:Testing that identifies clients without a disease is said to be specific, while testing that identifies clients with a disease is said to be sensitive.

• Question 270:

  In evaluating the lab work of a client in a hepatic coma, which of the following lab tests is most important?

  A. blood urea nitrogen
  B. serum calcium
  C. serum ammonia
  D. serum creatinine
  C. serum ammonia

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  Explanation Explanation/Reference:When a client is in a hepatic coma, he is in live liver failure. The liver can no longer metabolize amino acids completely, thus ammonia levels increase causing brain-tissue irritation.