NCLEX : NCLEX

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #34 : Pediatric Conditions

A nurse working in labor and delivery is responsible to assessing a newborn according to the APGAR scale. The newborn infant is noted to have a vigorous good cry, a heart rate of 97, with good reflexes, and acrocyanosis.

What is the newborn's APGAR scale according to these findings?

Possible Answers:

8

9

7

6

3

Correct answer:

8

Explanation:

The APGAR score is 8, the child has received a score of 2 under respiration for good cry, a score of 2 under cry reflex for vigorous crying, a score of 2 under reflexes for good reflexes, a score of 1 for heart rate of 97 (under 100 bpm), and and score of 1 for color for acrocyanosis (blue limbs, pink body).

Example Question #41 : Pediatric Conditions

You are the nurse taking care of a 19-year old patient at a primary care clinic who complains of fever, tonsillar exudates, tender anterior cervical lymph nodes, and a sore throat without a cough. How many of the Centor criteria for streptococcal pharyngitis does this patient exhibit?

Possible Answers:

Four

One

Three

Two

None of these

Correct answer:

Four

Explanation:

The correct answer is "4." This is correct because the patient exhibits four out of the four Centor criteria for streptococcal pharyngitis. The Centor criteria are as follows:

1) Tonsillar exudates

2) Lack of cough

3) Fever

4) Tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy

The Centor criteria are used to generate a score based upon the patient's age and number of positive criteria. This score can then be used to assess the likelihood that the patient's condition is due to streptococcal pharyngitis, and therefore to guide the decision of whether or not to treat with antibiotics for streptococcal pharyngitis. In this patient's case, since they are older than 14 and younger than 45, they do not gain or lose points for their age. They get four points total for having all of the positive criteria. Therefore, it is highly likely that they are infected with streptococcal pharyngitis and should be treated empirically with antibiotics.

Example Question #115 : Conditions And Treatments

The pediatric nurse is counseling a mother/baby couplet who are having trouble breastfeeding. The baby is showing poor suck and falling asleep at the breast. Which of the following is not an appropriate intervention?

Possible Answers:

Feed the baby every three hours until they become in-sync with the pattern

Unswaddle and undress the baby prior to placing at breast

Play with the feet of the newborn while feeding

Gently caress or rub the head of the infant

Feed the infant according to infant's cues

Correct answer:

Feed the baby every three hours until they become in-sync with the pattern

Explanation:

When presented with an infant showing poor suck, it is important to feed when cues are given. The infant will suck best when hungry. However, a breast-fed infant should not go more than 3 hours between routine feedings in order to establish healthy weight gain. Feeding every 3 hours regardless of cue is less advisable. Unswaddling, undressing, and stimulating the infant can sometimes aid in keeping them awake and sucking well at the breast.

Example Question #922 : Nclex

Individuals who contracted varicella zoster (chicken pox) in childhood may experience which of the following if the virus is reactivated later in life?

Possible Answers:

Orchitis

Scarlet fever

Rheumatic fever

Shingles 

Correct answer:

Shingles 

Explanation:

A common sequela of varicella is shingles, a painful rash caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus along the single dermatome that corresponds with the site of initial infection. Rheumatic fever and scarlet fever are both possible sequelae of streptococcus infection, and orchitis is a potential sequela or co-morbidity of infection with the mumps virus.

Example Question #923 : Nclex

At what point is a child with varicella no longer contagious?

Possible Answers:

By the time the lesions are visible, the child is no longer contagious

After the last lesion has broken open and crusted over

After the last lesion is no longer visible

7 days after the initial presentation

Correct answer:

After the last lesion has broken open and crusted over

Explanation:

Varicella is a highly contagious infectious disease of childhood. It is no longer contagious when the last lesion has broken open and crusted over. Until then the virus can be spread via respiratory droplets, by contact with the saliva of an infected child, or by touching an unbroken blister or the fluid within a blister. 

Example Question #1 : Other Conditions

What is the most common cause of renal failure in the United States?

Possible Answers:

Diabetes mellitus

Polycystic kidney disease

Renal cell carcinoma

Drug overdose

Correct answer:

Diabetes mellitus

Explanation:

The most common cause of renal failure in the US is diabetic nephropathy due to diabetes mellitus. Diabetic nephropathy can include multiple complications including arteriosclerosis, glomerulosclerosis, pyelonephritis and renal failure.

Example Question #2 : Other Conditions

A nurse is caring for a client experiencing the oliguric phase of acute kidney failure. The nurse is aware that this condition is highly associated with electrolyte imbalances, in addition to the kidney's inability to produce sufficient amounts of urine. 

Which of the following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for?

Possible Answers:

Hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, and low bicarbonate levels

Hypernatremia and hypokalemia only

Hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and decreased nitrogen wastes

Hypokalemia, hyponatremia, and decreased creatinine levels

Hyperalumbinemia, hypercalcemia, and hypoglycemia

Correct answer:

Hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, and low bicarbonate levels

Explanation:

During the oliguric phase of acute kidney failure (AKF), the kidney is unable to excrete potassium properly, leading to high serum levels that could lead to dangerous ECG changes including peaked T waves and wide QRS complexes. The kidneys are also responsible for activating vitamin D allowing for proper calcium absorption from the GI which becomes decreased during AKF. Bicarbonate is also handled by the kidney and cannot be regenerated properly by the kidney during AKF. 

Example Question #2 : Other Conditions

An electrical worker has been brought to the emergency department after an electrical burn injury sustained while in the field. The possibility of additional injuries are greatly increased when dealing with this type of clinical scenario. 

The nurse examining the client should be aware that __________.

Possible Answers:

the patient is at increased risk for metabolic alkalosis and should be receiving fluids continuously with the addition of sodium bicarbonate

all patients with electrical burns are at risk for cervical spine injuries and immobilization of the the cervical spine should be a priority

massive losses of myoglobin from muscle damage can lead to liver dysfunction thereby leading to liver failure

after an electrical burn occurs, the damage to the underlying tissues can continue for up to 72 hours

electrical burns are different from other burns in that the damage that occurs is readily visible

Correct answer:

all patients with electrical burns are at risk for cervical spine injuries and immobilization of the the cervical spine should be a priority

Explanation:

The risk for cervical spine injury is high due to electrical workers being subjected to having to work on utility poles that upon electrocution may lead to falls from tall heights. This possibility puts the person at risk for spinal and long bone fractures. Electrical burns often lead to damage below the surface of the skin and may not be fully appreciated on visual inspection. Chemical burns can lead to continual damage over 3 days, myoglobin in the blood stream from muscle damage puts the kidneys at risk for damage and the patient is usually at risk for metabolic acidosis not alkalosis. 

Example Question #3 : Other Conditions

Which of the following is an insect vector-borne illness? 

Possible Answers:

Rocky mountain spotted fever

Scabies

Roundworm

Rabies

Cat scratch fever

Correct answer:

Rocky mountain spotted fever

Explanation:

Insect vector-borne illnesses are given to humans through insects like ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers. Rocky mountain spotted fever is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Ticks are the most common vector for rocky mountain spotted fever. Prevention of tick bites is a crucial teaching point in preventing the spread of the disease. Although misleading, the infection can be obtained throughout the United States of America. Roundworm is caused by a fungus. Rabies is a viral disease that is typically transmitted between mammals through bites. Cat scratch fever is a bacterial infection that can cause severe neurological, musculoskeletal, circulatory, and other system damage in immunocompromised individuals; in healthy people, no treatment is necessary and the infection is fought. Scabies causes extreme itchy red bumps commonly in between the fingers, on the wrist, and around the abdomen. The organism that causes this disease is actually in the arachnid family and is not an insect. 

Example Question #1 : Other Conditions

Ed is an 85-year-old male who lives at a long-term care facility. He has recently begun having difficulty brushing his teeth, an activity he would previously complete on his own. He has also appeared to be more confused while engaging in basic conversation with the nursing staff. The nurse should first evaluate Ed for which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Bipolar disorder

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Alzheimer's disease

Infection

Depression

Correct answer:

Infection

Explanation:

Changes in baseline cognition and functioning of older adults may be due to infection. Urinary tract infections frequently cause confusion. Evaluate for an underlying condition before testing for rare diseases or dementia.

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