All NCLEX-RN Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Alcohol And Drug Abuse
A 42 year old man presents to the ER for alcohol toxicity. While taking the history, the nurse discovers that he drinks on average one fifth of vodka per night, and often must drink an additional 6-12oz to get "a good buzz." When he doesn't drink, he experiences tremors and feels unwell until he is able to drink again. When asked if he would like to quit drinking he states that he has tried unsuccessfully several times over his life. He knows that he needs to get control over his drinking because it is seriously impairing his relationship with his husband and their 13 year old daughter.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM V), this patient can be considered to have which of the following conditions?
None of these
Substance abuse
Substance addiction
Substance dependency
Substance dependency
The symptoms described by this patient put his alcohol use in the category of substance dependency, according to the DSM V, a more severe form of abuse than substance addiction. The criteria for this condition are:
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
- Unintentional excesses in consumption
- Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control substance use
- A great deal of time is spent to get, use, or recover from the substance
- Interference with social life
- The substance use is continued despite knowledge problems caused by use
Example Question #121 : Procedures And Care
Prolonged alcohol abuse can result in a severe deficiency in what vitamin?
Folate
Niacin (B3)
Thiamine (B1)
Vitamin C
Thiamine (B1)
Prolonged alcohol abuse can result in a severe deficiency in thiamine, or vitamin B1 by reducing dietary thiamine intake, impairing gastrointestinal absorption of thiamine, and causing impaired thiamine utilization in cells. Note that individuals who partake in prolonged alcohol abuse may have various other dietary deficiencies.
Example Question #3 : Alcohol And Drug Abuse
Which of the following symptoms is most worrisome in a patient undergoing alcohol withdrawal?
Bradycardia
Agitation
Tachycardia
Delirium tremens
Delirium tremens
Delirium tremens (DT) is a rapid onset of confusion seen during alcohol withdrawal. The symptoms of DT include altered mental status, autonomic instability, and even seizures. DT is also characterized by hallucinations such as the sensation of something "crawling" on the patient. DT is the most severe consequence of withdrawal and can be fatal if untreated.
Example Question #71 : Care
Example Question #122 : Procedures And Care
Example Question #783 : Nclex
Example Question #72 : Care
Identify the disorder that presents the following signs and symptoms: numbness, paralysis, loss of vision, or other neurological symptoms after a traumatic or stressful event, without any identifiable medical cause.
Conversion disorder
Schizophrenia
Stiff person syndrome
Bipolar disorder
Conversion disorder
Conversion disorder is typified by numbness, paralysis, loss of vision, or other neurological symptoms after a traumatic or stressful event, without any identifiable medical cause. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and stiff person syndrome all have medically identifiable causes.
Example Question #782 : Nclex
What is the best approach towards dealing with a delirious patient?
Frequent sedation with benzodiazepenes
Frequent reorientation to time, place, and name.
Frequent 4-point restraints
Frequent sedation with antipsychotics
Frequent reorientation to time, place, and name.
Delirium is an organic dysfunction of the brain usually seen in sick patients post-op. These patients need frequent reorientation to name, time, and place until the delirium resolves. Agitation, confusion, and difficult to control behavior is typically controlled with antipsychotics, however, they are not first line treatment. Restraints should be avoided at all costs.
Example Question #73 : Care
Example Question #2 : Prevention And Risk Management
The nurse cares for an immobilized patient on the surgical floor. Which of the following nursing considerations is essential for preventing ulcerations?
Providing a well-balanced diet
Use compression stockings or TED hose
Teach client the importance of coughing and deep breathing
Frequently turn and reposition patient while also providing skin care
Orient client frequently
Frequently turn and reposition patient while also providing skin care
There are many possible complications from immobilization. Decubitus ulcers are one of these complications. It is essential to turn and reposition the patient at least every 2 hours while also maintaining skin integrity with skin care. Many other complications may result from immobilization and each have specific, related nursing considerations. Immobilization can result in desensitization and disorientation, so it is important to orient the client frequently. A well-balanced diet can promote better nutrition to prevent osteoporosis, negative nitrogen balances, and hypercalcemia from being bed-bound. Compression stockings and TED hose are essential to prevent thrombus formation from stagnant blood flow in the lower extremities, which may lead to pulmonary emboli. Coughing and deep breathing is important to prevent the stasis of respiratory secretions, which could lead to hypostatic pneumonia.