NCLEX-RN : Conditions and Treatments

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX-RN

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Example Questions

Example Question #43 : Gastrointestinal Conditions

What is the incubation period of hepatitis B (HBV)?

Possible Answers:

1-6 months

1-2 weeks

2-4 days

Up to 2 years

Correct answer:

1-6 months

Explanation:

Hepatitis B has a long incubation period. From the time of initial infection, symptoms might take from 1-6 months to appear. 

Example Question #2 : Symptoms And Tests For Gastrointestinal Conditions

A patient just returned from a trip outside of the country and is now experiencing fever, nausea, and vomiting. She tests positive for hepatitis A IgM. She would like to know if hepatitis A is a chronic infection, or if it will resolve with treatment. The nurse should advise her which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Hepatitis A becomes chronic in 75% of cases. Monitoring for viral DNA should be repeated every 6 months to one year, but she will likely always carry the disease.

Hepatitis A is not a chronic disease and it does not exist in a carrier state. Once the infection is resolved, you will no longer have hepatitis A.  

Hepatitis A generally does not become a chronic infection, but she will always be a carrier of the disease.

Hepatitis A becomes chronic in 25% of cases. Monitoring for viral DNA should be repeated every 6 months.

Correct answer:

Hepatitis A is not a chronic disease and it does not exist in a carrier state. Once the infection is resolved, you will no longer have hepatitis A.  

Explanation:

Hepatitis A is a generally benign, self-limiting disease that does not develop into a chronic hepatitis. It also cannot exist in a carrier state. Once the virus is cleared by the immune system, the individual will no longer carry the virus or be infectious to others.

Example Question #4 : Symptoms And Tests For Gastrointestinal Conditions

Hepatitis B can be transmitted via any of the following routes except __________.

Possible Answers:

vaginal fluids

semen

blood

stool

Correct answer:

stool

Explanation:

Hepatitis B is primarily transmitted via blood, vaginal secretions, and semen. While the virus is often present in saliva, it is not generally spread by sneezing, kissing, or sharing utensils (unless there are oral abrasions resulting in a mutual exchange of blood). The virus does not have fecal-oral transmission.

Example Question #3 : Symptoms And Tests For Gastrointestinal Conditions

A patient with pancreatitis is placed on an NPO order. What does this order mean?

Possible Answers:

The patient cannot walk

The patient cannot drink only

The patient cannot eat or drink

The patient cannot eat only

Correct answer:

The patient cannot eat or drink

Explanation:

NPO means is a latin phrase meaning nothing by mouth. This order is used when a patient is not allowed to eat or drink any substances, usually due to a disturbance within the GI tract or if they are scheduled for a surgery. NPO orders are common in the ICU and surgical setting.

Example Question #401 : Conditions And Treatments

A client with Crohn's disease is asking the nurse how to accomplish a low-residue, low-fiber diet. The nurse will tell the client to avoid:
Possible Answers:
Refined pasta
Cooked potatoes
Apples
White bread
Correct answer: Apples
Explanation: Crohn's disease is an indicator for a low-residue, low-fiber diet. The diet should include foods that are unlikely to obstruct the intestinal tract if narrowed by inflammation or scarring, or if gastrointestinal motility is slowed.

Example Question #2 : Gastrointestinal Condition Follow Up

The home health nurse visits the home of a patient who has just been discharged from the hospital after a small bowel resection. Which of the following patient statements concerns the nurse?

Possible Answers:

“I limit the amount of milk I drink to one glass each day with breakfast.”

“I have stopped drinking coffee every day.”

“I drink a lot of apple juice.”

“I make my sandwiches with white bread and smoked turkey.”

“I enjoy eating corn bread with my dinner.”

Correct answer:

“I enjoy eating corn bread with my dinner.”

Explanation:

Patients recovering from lower bowel surgery, such as small bowel resection, must adhere to a low-residue diet to minimize intestinal activity. A low-residue diet includes white breads, cereals, and pastas, well-cooked vegetables without skins, fresh fruits without peels or seeds, tender and well-cooked meats, limited dairy, meat broths and strained soups, and clear juices. The patient must avoid high-residue foods, including whole-grain breads such as corn bread, strong cheeses and yogurt, raw vegetables, dried fruits or legumes, juices with pulp, coffee or other caffeinated beverages, popcorn, nuts, and seeds.

Example Question #53 : Gastrointestinal Conditions

Which of these is a proper lifestyle change to fight gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Possible Answers:

Eating meals less than one hour before bedtime

Eating acidic foods

Decreasing fluid intake

Cessation of soda intake

Increasing spicy food intake

Correct answer:

Cessation of soda intake

Explanation:

Soda intake exacerbates symptoms of GERD. Along with this, individuals should wear loose clothing, exercise regularly, drink plenty of fluids, avoid eating within 1-2 hours of bed time, and avoid spicy and acidic foods. 

Example Question #3 : Gastrointestinal Condition Follow Up

A nurse is counseling a 60 year old woman who recently found out that she has chronic hepatitis C. She is not sure how she became infected, though she does state that she had a blood transfusion in 1989 due to postpartum hemorrhage. She is concerned about the stigma of the disease and wonders how common it is in the United States. The nurse informs her of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Hepatitis C is a rare infection: there are currently approximately 30,000 people in the United States living with this disease.

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the US. 3.9 million Americans have had or are currently infected with the virus.

Hepatitis C is not particularly common: approximately 300,000 people in the United States have a current or past infection with the virus.

Hepatitis C is the third most common chronic blood-borne infection in the US. Two million Americans have had or are currently infected with the virus.

Correct answer:

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the US. 3.9 million Americans have had or are currently infected with the virus.

Explanation:

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the US. Approximately 3.9 million Americans have antibodies against the virus. Of those, approximately 70% (2.7 million) have chronic hepatitis C infections.

Example Question #1211 : Nclex

Most pituitary adenomas are non functional (incidentalomas). Of the functional adenomas, which are the most common?

Possible Answers:

Gonadotrophic adenomas

Prolactinomas

Somatotrophic adenomas

Null cell adenoma

Correct answer:

Prolactinomas

Explanation:

Prolactinomas (prolactin-secreting) make up 30% of functional pituitary adenomas. The second most common type are somatotrophic (growth hormone-secreting) adenomas, which make up 15%, followed by gonadotrophic (gonadotrophin-releasing) adenomas, which make up 10% of reported cases. Null cell adenomas are non functional (they do not secrete hormones).

Example Question #1212 : Nclex

Which of the following are common cardiac signs with hyperthyroidism? 

Possible Answers:

Premature ventricular contractions and low cardiac output

High cardiac output, tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation

Diastolic murmurs and low cardiac output

Atrial stenosis and tachycardia

Correct answer:

High cardiac output, tachycardia, and atrial fibrillation

Explanation:

A cardiac workup on a patient with hyperthyroidism will often reveal high cardiac output, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, a prominent (fourth heart sound) S4, and flow murmurs. This condition is not associated with low cardiac output and while it may be seen with murmurs it is not specifically associated with atrial stenosis.

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