NCLEX Practice Exam 12 (10 Questions)

1. A client recently started on hemodialysis wants to know how the dialysis will take the place of his kidneys. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge that hemodialysis works by:

Passing water through a dialyzing membrane

Eliminating plasma proteins from the blood

Lowering the pH by removing nonvolatile acids

Filtering waste through a dialyzing membrane

Hemodialysis works by using a dialyzing membrane to filter waste that has accumulated in the blood. It does not pass water through a dialyzing membrane nor does it eliminate plasma proteins or lower the pH. so answers A. B. and C are incorrect.

Explanation

Hemodialysis works by using a dialyzing membrane to filter waste that has accumulated in the blood. It does not pass water through a dialyzing membrane nor does it eliminate plasma proteins or lower the pH. so answers A. B. and C are incorrect.

2. A client hospitalized with MRSA (methicillin-resistant staph aureus) is placed on contact precautions. Which statement is true regarding precautions for infections spread by contact?

The client should be placed in a room with negative pressure.

Infection requires close contact; therefore. the door may remain open.

Transmission is highly likely. so the client should wear a mask at all times.

Infection requires skin-to-skin contact and is prevented by hand washing. gloves. and a gown.

The client with MRSA should be placed in isolation. Gloves. a gown. and a mask should be used when caring for the client and hand washing is very important. The door should remain closed. but a negative-pressure room is not necessary. so answers A and B are incorrect. MRSA is spread by contact with blood or body fluid or by touching the skin of the client. It is cultured from the nasal passages of the client. so the client should be instructed to cover his nose and mouth when he sneezes or coughs. It is not necessary for the client to wear the mask at all times; the nurse should wear the mask. so answer C is incorrect.

Explanation

The client with MRSA should be placed in isolation. Gloves. a gown. and a mask should be used when caring for the client and hand washing is very important. The door should remain closed. but a negative-pressure room is not necessary. so answers A and B are incorrect. MRSA is spread by contact with blood or body fluid or by touching the skin of the client. It is cultured from the nasal passages of the client. so the client should be instructed to cover his nose and mouth when he sneezes or coughs. It is not necessary for the client to wear the mask at all times; the nurse should wear the mask. so answer C is incorrect.

3. The primary reason for rapid continuous rewarming of the area affected by frostbite is to:

Lessen the amount of cellular damage

Prevent the formation of blisters

Promote movement

Prevent pain and discomfort

Rapid continuous rewarming of a frostbite primarily lessens cellular damage. It does not prevent formation of blisters. It does promote movement. but this is not the primary reason for rapid rewarming. It might increase pain for a short period of time as the feeling comes back into the extremity; therefore. answers B. C. and D are incorrect.

Explanation

Rapid continuous rewarming of a frostbite primarily lessens cellular damage. It does not prevent formation of blisters. It does promote movement. but this is not the primary reason for rapid rewarming. It might increase pain for a short period of time as the feeling comes back into the extremity; therefore. answers B. C. and D are incorrect.

4. A client with cancer of the pancreas has undergone a Whipple procedure. The nurse is aware that during the Whipple procedure. the doctor will remove the:

Head of the pancreas

Proximal third section of the small intestines

Stomach and duodenum

Esophagus and jejunum

During a Whipple procedure the head of the pancreas. which is a part of the stomach. the jejunum. and a portion of the stomach are removed and anastomosed. Answer: B. is incorrect because the proximal third of the small intestine is not removed. The entire stomach is not removed. as in answer C. and in answer D. the esophagus is not removed.

Explanation

During a Whipple procedure the head of the pancreas. which is a part of the stomach. the jejunum. and a portion of the stomach are removed and anastomosed. Answer: B. is incorrect because the proximal third of the small intestine is not removed. The entire stomach is not removed. as in answer C. and in answer D. the esophagus is not removed.

5. A client is discharged home with a prescription for Coumadin (sodium warfarin). The client should be instructed to:

Have a Protime done monthly

Eat more fruits and vegetables

Drink more liquids

Avoid crowds

Coumadin is an anticoagulant. One of the tests for bleeding time is a Protime. This test should be done monthly. Eating more fruits and vegetables is not necessary. and dark-green vegetables contain vitamin K. which increases clotting. so answer B is incorrect. Drinking more liquids and avoiding crowds is not necessary. so answers C and D are incorrect.

Explanation

Coumadin is an anticoagulant. One of the tests for bleeding time is a Protime. This test should be done monthly. Eating more fruits and vegetables is not necessary. and dark-green vegetables contain vitamin K. which increases clotting. so answer B is incorrect. Drinking more liquids and avoiding crowds is not necessary. so answers C and D are incorrect.

6. The physician has ordered a minimal-bacteria diet for a client with neutropenia. The client should be taught to AVOID eating:

Packed fruits

Salt

Fresh raw pepper

Ketchup

Fresh raw or whole pepper are not allowed unless thoroughly cooked in food. Canned fruits are allowed since they are processed and pasteurized. Salt. ketchup. and sugar are allowed.

Explanation

Fresh raw or whole pepper are not allowed unless thoroughly cooked in food. Canned fruits are allowed since they are processed and pasteurized. Salt. ketchup. and sugar are allowed.

7. During a home visit. a client with AIDS tells the nurse that he has been exposed to measles. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Administer an antibiotic

Contact the physician for an order for immune globulin

Administer an antiviral

Tell the client that he should remain in isolation for 2 weeks

The client who is immunosuppressed and is exposed to measles should be treated with medications to boost his immunity to the virus. An antibiotic or antiviral will not protect the client and it is too late to place the client in isolation. so answers A. C. and D are incorrect.

Explanation

The client who is immunosuppressed and is exposed to measles should be treated with medications to boost his immunity to the virus. An antibiotic or antiviral will not protect the client and it is too late to place the client in isolation. so answers A. C. and D are incorrect.

8. A client who is admitted with an above-the-knee amputation tells the nurse that his foot hurts and itches. Which response by the nurse indicates understanding of phantom limb pain?

“The pain will go away in a few days.”

“The pain is due to peripheral nervous system interruptions. I will get you some pain medication.”

“The pain is psychological because your foot is no longer there.”

“The pain and itching are due to the infection you had before the surgery.”

Pain related to phantom limb syndrome is due to peripheral nervous system interruption. Answer: A. is incorrect because phantom limb pain can last several months or indefinitely. Answer: C. is incorrect because it is not psychological. It is also not due to infections. as stated in answer D.

Explanation

Pain related to phantom limb syndrome is due to peripheral nervous system interruption. Answer: A. is incorrect because phantom limb pain can last several months or indefinitely. Answer: C. is incorrect because it is not psychological. It is also not due to infections. as stated in answer D.

9. A client has an order for streptokinase. Before administering the medication. the nurse should assess the client for:

Allergies to pineapples and bananas

A history of streptococcal infections

Prior therapy with phenytoin

A history of alcohol abuse

Clients with a history of streptococcal infections could have antibodies that render the streptokinase ineffective. There is no reason to assess the client for allergies to pineapples or bananas. there is no correlation to the use of phenytoin and streptokinase. and a history of alcohol abuse is also not a factor in the order for streptokinase; therefore. answers A. C. and D are incorrect.

Explanation

Clients with a history of streptococcal infections could have antibodies that render the streptokinase ineffective. There is no reason to assess the client for allergies to pineapples or bananas. there is no correlation to the use of phenytoin and streptokinase. and a history of alcohol abuse is also not a factor in the order for streptokinase; therefore. answers A. C. and D are incorrect.

10. The nurse is assisting the physician with removal of a central venous catheter. To facilitate removal. the nurse should instruct the client to:

Perform the Valsalva maneuver as the catheter is advanced

Turn his head to the left side and hyperextend the neck

Take slow. deep breaths as the catheter is removed

Turn his head to the right while maintaining a sniffing position

The client who is having a central venous catheter removed should be told to hold his breath and bear down. This prevents air from entering the line. Answers B. C. and D will not facilitate removal.

Explanation

The client who is having a central venous catheter removed should be told to hold his breath and bear down. This prevents air from entering the line. Answers B. C. and D will not facilitate removal.