NCLEX NCLEX Certifications NCLEX-RN Questions & Answers

• Question 701:

  A parent told the public health nurse that her 6-year-old son has been taking tetracycline for a chronic skin condition. The parent asked if this could cause any problems for the child. What should the nurse explain to the parent?

  A. Giving tetracycline to a child younger than 8 years may cause permanent staining of his teeth.

  B. If you give tetracycline with milk, it may be absorbed readily.

  C. The medication should be given to adults, not children.

  D. Secondary infections of chronic skin disorders do not respond to antibiotics.

  Correct Answer: A

  (A) Tetracycline should be avoided during tooth development because it interferes with enamel formation and dental pigmentation. (B) Milk interferes with the absorption of tetracyclines. (C) Children older than 9 years or past the tooth development stage may be given tetracycline. (D) Secondary infections of chronic skin disorders may respond to antibiotics such as penicillin or tetracyclines.

• Question 702:

  A client decided early in her pregnancy to breast-feed her first baby. She gave birth to a normal, full-term girl and is now progressing toward the establishment of successful lactation. To remove the baby from her breast, she should be instructed to:

  A. Gently pull the infant away

  B. Withdraw the breast from the infant's mouth

  C. Compress the areolar tissue until the infant drops the nipple from her mouth

  D. Insert a clean finger into the baby's mouth beside the nipple

  Correct Answer: D

  (A) In pulling the infant away from the breast without breaking suction, nipple trauma is likely to occur. (B) In pulling the breast away from the infant without breaking suction, nipple trauma is likely to occur. (C) Compressing the maternal tissue does not break the suction of the infant on the breast and can cause nipple trauma. (D) By inserting a finger into the infant's mouth beside the nipple, the lactating mother can break the suction and the nipple can be removed without trauma.

• Question 703:

  When a client with pancreatitis is discharged, the nurse needs to teach him how to prevent another occurrence of acute pancreatitis. Which of the following statements would indicate he has an understanding of his disease?

  A. "I will not eat any raw or uncooked vegetables."

  B. "I will limit my alcohol to one cocktail per day."

  C. "I will look into attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings."

  D. "I will report any changes in bowel movements to my doctor."

  Correct Answer: C

  (A) Raw or uncooked vegetables are all right to eat postdischarge. (B) This client must avoid any alcohol intake. (C) The client displays awareness of the need to avoid alcohol. (D) This action would be pertinent only if fatty stools associated with chronic hepatitis were the problem.

• Question 704:

  A client is being discharged on warfarin (Coumadin), an oral anticoagulant. The nurse instructs him about using this drug. Which following response by the client indicates the need for further teaching?

  A. "I should shave with my electric razor while on Coumadin."

  B. "I will inform my dentist that I am on anticoagulant therapy before receiving dental work."

  C. "I will continue with my usual dosage of aspirin for my arthritis when I return home."

  D. "I will wear an ID bracelet stating that I am on anticoagulants."

  Correct Answer: C

  (A) Using an electric razor prevents the risk of cuts while shaving. (B) Any physician or dentist should be informed of anticoagulant therapy because of the risk of bleeding due to a prolonged PT. (C) The client should be instructed to consult with his physician. Aspirin is avoided because it potentiates the affects of oral anticoagulants by interfering with platelet aggregation. (D) Identification bracelets are necessary to direct treatment, especially in an emergency situation.

• Question 705:

  In evaluating the laboratory results of a client with severe pressure ulcers, the nurse finds that her albumin level is low. A decrease in serum albumin would contribute to the formation of pressure ulcers because: A. The proteins needed for tissue repair are diminished.

  B. The iron stores needed for tissue repair are inadequate.

  C. A decreased serum albumin level indicates kidney disease.

  D. A decreased serum albumin causes fluid movement into the blood vessels, causing dehydration.

  Correct Answer: A

  (A) Serum albumin levels indicate the adequacy of protein stores available for tissue repair. (B) Serum albumin does not measure iron stores. (C) Serum albumin levels do not measure kidney function. (D) A decreased serum albumin level would cause fluid movement out of blood vessels, not into them.

• Question 706:

  The nurse would assess the client's correct understanding of the fertility awareness methods that enhance conception, if the client stated that:

  A. "My sexual partner and I should have intercourse when my cervical mucosa is thick and cloudy."

  B. "At ovulation, my basal body temperature should rise about 0.5F."

  C. "I should douche immediately after intercourse."

  D. "My sexual partner and I should have sexual intercourse on day 14 of my cycle regardless of the length of the cycle."

  Correct Answer: B

  (A) At ovulation, the cervical mucus is increased, stretchable, and watery clear. (B) Under the influence of progesterone, the basal body temperature increases slightly after ovulation. (C) To enhance fertility, measures should be taken that promote retention of sperm rather than removal. (D) Ovulation, the optimal time for conception, occurs 14+2 days before the next menses; therefore, the date of ovulation is directly related to the length of the menstrual cycle.

• Question 707:

  Which of the following changes in blood pressure readings should be of greatest concern to the nurse when assessing a prenatal client?

  A. 130/88 to 144/92

  B. 136/90 to 148/100

  C. 150/96 to 160/104

  D. 118/70 to 130/88

  Correct Answer: D

  (A, B, C) The individual's systolic and diastolic changes are more significant than the relatively high initial blood pressure readings. (D) The systolic pressure went up 12 mm Hg and the diastolic pressure 18 mm Hg. This is a more significant rise than the increases in A

• Question 708:

  A client is pregnant with her second child. Her last menstrual period began on January 15. Her expected date of delivery would be:

  A. October 8

  B. October 15

  C. October 22

  D. October 29

  Correct Answer: C

  (A) Incorrect application of N鋑ele's rule: correctly subtracted 3 months but subtracted 7 days rather than added. (B) Incorrect application of N鋑ele's rule: correctly subtracted 3 months but did not add 7 days. (C) Correct application of N

• Question 709:

  A 56-year-old client is admitted to the psychiatric unit in a state of total despair. She feels hopeless and worthless, has a flat affect and very sad appearance, and is unable to feel pleasure from anything. Her husband has been assisting her at home with the housework and cooking; however, she has not been eating much, lies around or sits in a chair most of the day, and is becoming confused and thinks her family does not want her around anymore. In assessing the client, the nurse determines that her behavior is consistent with:

  A. Transient depression

  B. Mild depression

  C. Moderate depression

  D. Severe depression

  Correct Answer: D

  (A) Transient depression manifests as sadness or the "blues" as seen with everyday disappointments and is not necessarily dysfunctional. (B) Mild depression manifests as symptoms seen with grief response, such as denial, sadness, withdrawal, somatic symptoms, and frequent or continuous thoughts of the loss. (C) Moderate depression manifests as feelings of sadness, negativism; low self-esteem; rumination about life's failures; decreased interest in grooming and eating; and possibly sleep disturbances. These symptoms are consistent with dysthymia. (D) Severe depression manifests as feelings of total despair, hopelessness, emptiness, inability to feel pleasure; possibly extreme psychomotor retardation; inattention to hygiene; delusional thinking; confusion; self-blame; and suicidal thoughts. These symptoms are consistent with major depression.

• Question 710:

  A dose of theophylline may need to be altered if a client with COPD:

  A. Is allergic to morphine

  B. Has a history of arthritis

  C. Operates machinery

  D. Is concurrently on cimetidine for ulcers

  Correct Answer: D

  (A) The effects of morphine or an allergic response to the drug will not affect theophylline clearance. (B) Xanthines are used cautiously in clients with severe cardiac disease, liver disease, cor pulmonale, hypertension, or hyperthyroidism. Arthritis does not influence the dosage of theophylline. (C) Theophylline does not cause sedation or drowsiness. Conversely, its side effects may be exhibited by central nervous system stimulation. (D) Cimetidine decreases theophylline clearance from the system and increases theophylline levels in the blood, thus increasing the risk of toxicity.