NCLEX : NCLEX

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #26 : Other Conditions

Which of the following bodily fluids does not transmit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)? 

Possible Answers:

Saliva

Semen

Breast milk

Blood

Vaginal secretions

Correct answer:

Saliva

Explanation:

HIV is easily spread through all of the listed body fluids with the exception of saliva. A person may not contract HIV through exchange of saliva during activities such as kissing or sharing eating utensils. 

Example Question #3 : Causes And Treatments Of Other Conditions

Which of the following regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is false? 

Possible Answers:

The number of disease particles in a fluid is called the viral load

The risk of transmission increases in individuals who have another sexually transmitted infection such as genital herpes

In heterosexual encounters, it may be easier for a woman to contract HIV

Health care workers have a relatively low risk of contracting HIV when using standard precautions

HIV can spread to other individuals starting 2 weeks after the host is infected

Correct answer:

HIV can spread to other individuals starting 2 weeks after the host is infected

Explanation:

HIV may be contagious just days after the host is infected. Women in heterosexual relationships may become infected more easily than men due to prolonged exposure to bodily fluids. It is however, possible for men to contract HIV from an infected woman. HIV is not frequently transmitted to health care professionals. Even for those who suffer from needle-stick injuries, transmission is unlikely.

Example Question #141 : Conditions And Treatments

Symptoms of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) typically occur within how long after infection?

Possible Answers:

Greater than 1 year

1-2 weeks

8-12 weeks

4-8 weeks

2-4 weeks

Correct answer:

2-4 weeks

Explanation:

Symptoms of acute HIV generally occur 2-4 weeks after infection. A vast array of symptoms may be present such as fever, rash, generalized fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a sore throat. 

Example Question #142 : Conditions And Treatments

The nurse prepares to insert a peripheral venous catheter (PVC). Which of the following is an incorrect step in this process?

Possible Answers:

Hold skin taut to stabilize vein

Secure catheter with tape

Insert catheter bevel down at a 15-degree angle

Assess for infiltration or hematoma

Explain procedure to patient and confirm identity

Correct answer:

Insert catheter bevel down at a 15-degree angle

Explanation:

The catheter needle must be inserted bevel up at an angle between 10 to 30 degrees. The correct steps for inserting an peripheral venous catheter (PVC) are: 1) explain procedure and check identity, 2) prepare equipment at the bedside on clean surface, 3) apply appropriate personal protective equipment as needed, 4) distend veins by applying tourniquet 4-6 inches above site, 5) clean site with facility-approved cleaning solution, 6) hold skin taut to stabilize vein, 7) insert catheter bevel up at an angle between 10 and 30 degrees, 8) pierce skin and vessel to enter vein, 9) advance catheter until blood return observed, then remove tourniquet, 10) withdraw needle from catheter and advance catheter to hub, 11) secure catheter with tape or facility-approved dressing, 12) attach IV tubing and begin infusion, 13) assess for complications including infiltration or hematoma.

Example Question #141 : Conditions And Treatments

The surgical nurse cares for a patient status post umbilical herniorraphy. Which of the following nursing interventions is a priority for the nurse?

Possible Answers:

Avoid coughing

Turn and deep breathe

Provide ice packs

Relieve urinary retention

Preventing overexertion

Correct answer:

Avoid coughing

Explanation:

All of these are important nursing interventions for a post-op herniorraphy patient. The priority is to prevent increasing intraabdominal pressure. Relieving urinary retention and avoiding coughing are the most important considerations to achieve this priority, but it is most important for the nurse to remember to avoid coughing, as it is most likely to increase intraabdominal pressure. It is also important to remember because it is often promoted for other post-operative procedures, and this is one case where it is not.

Example Question #951 : Nclex

The community health nurse educates a group of young boys who are learning about hiking safety. Which of the following statements made by the nurse is not effective for preventing Lyme disease?

Possible Answers:

“You should be aware of where ticks infected with Lyme disease are located, particularly in the upper Midwest, New England, and the mid-Atlantic region.”

“After you hike in a Lyme disease-endemic area, carefully examine your skin for ticks.”

“You should wear insect repellant on your skin and clothes if you are in an area endemic to Lyme disease.”

“You can take antibiotic medications before hiking to make sure you don’t get Lyme disease.”

“Try to cover as much of your skin as possible - long pants, long sleeves, long socks, and cover your neck and hands too.”

Correct answer:

“You can take antibiotic medications before hiking to make sure you don’t get Lyme disease.”

Explanation:

Prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated for the prevention of Lyme disease. Antibiotics will be used after a tick bite when symptoms develop and an infection is suspected. The community health nurse should teach rules of prevention, including 1) knowing where Lyme disease is prevalent (New England, upper Midwest, mid-Atlantic states), 2) wearing long sleeves and long pants, covering as much skin as possible with clothing, 3) using insect repellant such as sprays over the whole body, and 4) checking for tick bites especially after exposure is anticipated, so you may receive care as quickly as possible if needed.

Example Question #952 : Nclex

Which of the following should be restricted in a patient with end-stage renal failure?

Possible Answers:

Fluids

All of these are correct

Potassium

Protein

Correct answer:

All of these are correct

Explanation:

A patient with end-stage renal failure should be kept on a low-protein, low potassium diet. Fluid restriction is also an important part of management of patients with end-stage renal failure and patients on dialysis. 

Example Question #951 : Nclex

A 75 year old female with end-stage renal failure asks her nurse for advice about her diet. Knowing that this patient must adhere to a low-potassium diet, the nurse cautions her against which of the following foods?

Possible Answers:

Apples

Cherries

Eggplant

Orange juice

Correct answer:

Orange juice

Explanation:

Orange juice is very high in potassium. One 12oz glass of orange juice contains 705mg of potassium. This could easily increase blood potassium to dangerous levels. The other fruits and vegetables listed are all low-potassium foods suitable for consumption by individuals needing to follow a low potassium diet.  

Example Question #151 : Conditions And Treatments

A nurse is looking over a basic metabolic panel for a 69 year old male. She notices that his BUN is . This value is __________.

Possible Answers:

depressed 

elevated

borderline elevated

normal

Correct answer:

normal

Explanation:

BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, is a measurement of the kidney's ability to excrete urea, which is a byproduct of protein metabolism. This patient's BUN is within normal range: the reference range for BUN is .  

Example Question #951 : Nclex

You are the nurse taking care of an elderly patient with severe dementia and limited mobility who is at a high risk for developing a pressure ulcer. Which of the following options is the best first-line approach to preventing development of a pressure ulcer in this patient?

Possible Answers:

Turning the patient multiple times per day

Applying topical antibiotic ointment to cover the patient's entire body surface

Administering broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics

Request a dermatology consult 

Administer a one time dose of broad spectrum intramuscular antibiotics

Correct answer:

Turning the patient multiple times per day

Explanation:

The correct answer is "Turning the patient multiple times per day." This is the correct answer because in the preventive stage for pressure ulcer management, there is no need to perform any invasive procedures, administer antibiotics in a patient who may be at high-risk for needing broad-spectrum antibiotics in the future (hence fostering antibiotic resistance), or consult subspecialty services (as there is no dermatological condition to be treated at the moment). The best option to prevent a pressure ulcer in a patient who is at high risk for developing a pressure ulcer is to turn the patient regularly while they are in bed, if they are bed-bound. By turning the patient, the high-pressure areas that would be at the highest risk for development of a pressure ulcer are able to have relief from pressure for a greater proportion of the day/night, and as such, can have blood flow restored while the patient is turned. By allowing for maximal blood flow to these regions, the risk of ischemia and subsequent infection and/or ulcer development is decreased. Without the actual development of an ulcer or infection, administering antibiotics, either topically, intramuscularly, or intravenously is inappropriate.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors