NCLEX Practice Exam 1(10 Questions)

1. Which individual is at greatest risk for developing hypertension?

45-year-old African American attorney

60-year-old Asian American shop owner

40-year-old Caucasian nurse

55-year-old Hispanic teacher

incidence of hypertension is greater among African Americans than other groups in the US. The incidence among the Hispanic population is rising.

Explanation

incidence of hypertension is greater among African Americans than other groups in the US. The incidence among the Hispanic population is rising.

2. A client has been newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism and will take levothyroxine (Synthroid) 50 mcg/day by mouth. As part of the teaching plan. the nurse emphasizes that this medication:

Should be taken in the morning

May decrease the client’s energy level

Must be stored in a dark container

Will decrease the client’s heart rate

roid supplement should be taken in the morning to minimize the side effects of insomnia

Explanation

roid supplement should be taken in the morning to minimize the side effects of insomnia

3. A client is admitted to the emergency room with renal calculi and is complaining of moderate to severe flank pain and nausea. The client's temperature is 100.8 degrees Fahrenheit. The priority nursing goal for this client is:

Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance

Control nausea

Manage pain

Prevent urinary tract infection

immediate goal of therapy is to alleviate the client’s pain.

Explanation

immediate goal of therapy is to alleviate the client’s pain.

4. Which complication of cardiac catheterization should the nurse monitor for in the initial 24 hours after the procedure?

Angina at rest

Thrombus formation

Dizziness

Falling blood pressure

ombus formation in the coronary arteries is a potential problem in the initial 24 hours after a cardiac catheterization. A falling BP occurs along with hemorrhage of the insertion site which is associated with the first 12 hours after the procedure.

Explanation

ombus formation in the coronary arteries is a potential problem in the initial 24 hours after a cardiac catheterization. A falling BP occurs along with hemorrhage of the insertion site which is associated with the first 12 hours after the procedure.

5. A 3-year-old child comes to the pediatric clinic after the sudden onset of findings that include irritability. thick muffled voice. croaking on inspiration. hot to touch. sit leaning forward. tongue protruding. drooling and suprasternal retractions. What should the nurse do first?

Prepare the child for X-ray of upper airways

Examine the child’s throat

Collect a sputum specimen

Notify the healthcare provider of the child’s status

se findings suggest a medical emergency and may be due to epiglottitis. Any child with an acute onset of an inflammatory response in the mouth and throat should receive immediate attention in a facility equipped to perform intubation or a tracheostomy in the event of further or complete obstruction.

Explanation

se findings suggest a medical emergency and may be due to epiglottitis. Any child with an acute onset of an inflammatory response in the mouth and throat should receive immediate attention in a facility equipped to perform intubation or a tracheostomy in the event of further or complete obstruction.

6. At a community health fair. the blood pressure of a 62-year-old client is 160/96 mmHg. The client states "My blood pressure is usually much lower." The nurse should tell the client to

Go get a blood pressure check within the next 48 to 72 hours

Check blood pressure again in two (2) months

See the health care provider immediately

Visit the health care provider within one (1) week for a BP check

blood pressure reading is moderately high with the need to have it rechecked in a few days. The client states it is ‘usually much lower.’ Thus a concern exists for complications such as stroke. However. immediate check by the provider of care is not warranted. Waiting 2 months or a week for follow-up is too long.

Explanation

blood pressure reading is moderately high with the need to have it rechecked in a few days. The client states it is ‘usually much lower.’ Thus a concern exists for complications such as stroke. However. immediate check by the provider of care is not warranted. Waiting 2 months or a week for follow-up is too long.

7. A child who ingested 15 maximum strength acetaminophen tablets 45 minutes ago is seen in the emergency department. Which of these orders should the nurse do first?

Gastric lavage PRN

Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) for age per pharmacy

Start an IV Dextrose 5% with 0.33% normal saline to keep vein open

Activated charcoal per pharmacy

oving as much of the drug as possible is the first step in treatment for this drug overdose. This is best done by gastric lavage. The next drug to give would be activated charcoal. then mucomyst and lastly the IV fluids.

Explanation

oving as much of the drug as possible is the first step in treatment for this drug overdose. This is best done by gastric lavage. The next drug to give would be activated charcoal. then mucomyst and lastly the IV fluids.

8. The hospital has sounded the call for a disaster drill on the evening shift. Which of these clients would the nurse put first on the list to be discharged in order to make a room available for a new admission?

A middle-aged client with a history of being ventilator dependent for over seven (7) years and admitted with bacterial pneumonia five days ago.

A young adult with diabetes mellitus Type 2 for over ten (10) years and admitted with antibiotic-induced diarrhea 24 hours ago.

An elderly client with a history of hypertension. hypercholesterolemia. and lupus. and was admitted with Stevens-Johnson syndrome that morning.

An adolescent with a positive HIV test and admitted for acute cellulitis of the lower leg 48 hours ago.

best candidate for discharge is one who has had a chronic condition and is most familiar with their care. This client in option A is most likely stable and could continue medication therapy at home.

Explanation

best candidate for discharge is one who has had a chronic condition and is most familiar with their care. This client in option A is most likely stable and could continue medication therapy at home.

9. In children suspected to have a diagnosis of diabetes. which one of the following complaints would be most likely to prompt parents to take their school age child for evaluation?

Polyphagia

Dehydration

Bedwetting

Weight loss

children. fatigue and bed wetting are the chief complaints that prompt parents to take their child for evaluation. Bed wetting in a school age child is readily detected by the parents.

Explanation

children. fatigue and bed wetting are the chief complaints that prompt parents to take their child for evaluation. Bed wetting in a school age child is readily detected by the parents.

10. What would the nurse expect to see while assessing the growth of children during their school age years?

Decreasing amounts of body fat and muscle mass

Little change in body appearance from year to year

Progressive height increase of 4 inches each year

Yearly weight gain of about 5.5 pounds per year

ool age children gain about 5.5 pounds each year and increase about 2 inches in height.

Explanation

ool age children gain about 5.5 pounds each year and increase about 2 inches in height.