HURST REVIEW NCLEX-RN Readiness Exam
1 Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
A client, hospitalized with possible acute pancreatitis
secondary to chronic cholecystitis, has severe abdominal
pain and nausea. The client is kept NPO, an NG tube is
inserted, and IV fluids are being administered. What is the
rationale for the client being NPO with an NG tube to low
suction?
1. Relieve nausea
2. Reduce pancreatic secretions
3. Control fluid and electrolyte imbalance
4. Remove the precipitating irritants
2. Correct: In clients with pancreatitis, the pancreatic enzymes
cannot exit the pancreas. These enzymes, when activated, begin
to digest the pancreas itself. The enzymes become activated in
the pancreas when fluid or food accumulates in the stomach. The
goal in treating this client is to stop the activation of the pancreatic
enzymes. Treatment is focused on keeping the stomach empty
and dry. This allows the pancreas time to rest and heal. Note:
Autodigestion (pancreas digesting itself) is painful for the client
and can lead to other problems such as bleeding.
1. Incorrect: The primary purpose of the NG tube to suction is to
keep the stomach empty and dry to decrease pancreatic enzyme
production, not to relieve nausea.
3. Incorrect: Because gastric contents are removed, the NG tube
,to suction may lead to fluid and electrolyte disturbances rather
than helping to control them.
4. Incorrect: Although the food in the stomach causes the
pancreatic enzymes to become activated in the pancreas due to
the obstruction, the food is not considered an irritant. Precipitating
irritants are not a part of the pathophysiology occurring with
pancreatitis.
The nurse is working with a committee at the local school to
develop an emergency preparedness plan for tornados. What
should be included in the plan?
1. Identification of safe zones.
2. Methods for accounting for all people present in the
building.
3. Warning system activation.
4. Identification of the gymnasium as the routine safe place.
5. Regular practice protocols.
1., 2., 3. & 5. Correct: Everyone should be aware of safe zones
within the school. Personnel should be given this information and
signs posted in safe zones. There must be systems in place to
accurately determine the number of people in the building at any
given time. There also must be a system in place to alert
personnel and students of tornado warnings. Regular practice
prepares everyone for an actual event.
4. Incorrect: Gymnasiums are not considered safe places due to
wide expanse of roof. Safe zones should be on interior walls, no
windows, and a strong concrete floor if possible.
What should a nurse teach family members prior to them
entering the room of a client who has agranulocytosis?
1. Meticulous hand washing is needed.
,2. Do not visit if you have any infection.
3. The client must wear a mask.
4. Children under 12 may not visit.
5. Flowers are not allowed in the room.
1., 2., 4., & 5. Correct: Protective isolation is needed for this client
because of the presence of a low white blood cell count. We are
protecting the client from acquiring an infection. So any visitors
will need to have meticulous hand washing prior to entering. The
visitor should not enter if he or she has any type of infection. To
decrease the risk of infection, small children should not visit. Even
the mildest symptom of infection could be detrimental to the client.
Flowers have bacteria and should not be brought into the room.
3. Incorrect: A mask must be worn by the visitor, not the client.
The mask is worn by visitors to prevent a possible spread of an
airborne infection to the immunocompromised client.
A client diagnosed with major depression has been taking a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for the past 6 weeks.
When visiting the mental health center, the nurse discusses
the medication and response with the client. The nurse's
assessment reveals that the client is confused about the date
and about the prescribed dosage of the medication. Which
question would be most important for the nurse to ask to
further assess the situation?
1. Are you having trouble sleeping at night?
2. Do you have periods of muscle jerking?
3. Are you having any sexual dysfunction?
4. Is your mood improving?
2. Correct: Myoclonus, high body temperature, shaking, chills,
and mental confusion are some of the symptoms of serotonin
syndrome. This client may be having symptoms of this adverse
, reaction which, if severe, can be fatal.
1. Incorrect: Sleep disturbances are common with depression.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may cause
insomnia; however, there is a more pertinent question needed for
assessment of this client. You should be concerned with the more
serious or life-threatening issue.
3. Incorrect: Sexual dysfunction may occur with the SSRIs;
however, the client is exhibiting significant symptoms of an
adverse reaction which would take priority.
4. Incorrect: The response to the SSRI medications is important;
however, there is a more significant issue in this case. The
possible serotonin syndrome is a serious situation that would be
the priority for the nurse to address.
A client diagnosed with serotonin syndrome is admitted to
the unit. The nurse is familiar with this adverse reaction to
the serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Which symptoms can the
nurse expect on assessment?
1. Fever and shivering
2. Agitation
3. Decreased body temperature
4. Constipation
5. Increased heart rate
1., 2. & 5. Correct: Serotonin syndrome is a group of symptoms
that can result from the use of certain serotonin reuptake
inhibitors. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and
include high body temperature, agitation, increased reflexes,
diaphoresis, tremors, dilated pupils and diarrhea. The client is
likely to experience shivering with fever. Increased heart rate and
1 Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2025
A client, hospitalized with possible acute pancreatitis
secondary to chronic cholecystitis, has severe abdominal
pain and nausea. The client is kept NPO, an NG tube is
inserted, and IV fluids are being administered. What is the
rationale for the client being NPO with an NG tube to low
suction?
1. Relieve nausea
2. Reduce pancreatic secretions
3. Control fluid and electrolyte imbalance
4. Remove the precipitating irritants
2. Correct: In clients with pancreatitis, the pancreatic enzymes
cannot exit the pancreas. These enzymes, when activated, begin
to digest the pancreas itself. The enzymes become activated in
the pancreas when fluid or food accumulates in the stomach. The
goal in treating this client is to stop the activation of the pancreatic
enzymes. Treatment is focused on keeping the stomach empty
and dry. This allows the pancreas time to rest and heal. Note:
Autodigestion (pancreas digesting itself) is painful for the client
and can lead to other problems such as bleeding.
1. Incorrect: The primary purpose of the NG tube to suction is to
keep the stomach empty and dry to decrease pancreatic enzyme
production, not to relieve nausea.
3. Incorrect: Because gastric contents are removed, the NG tube
,to suction may lead to fluid and electrolyte disturbances rather
than helping to control them.
4. Incorrect: Although the food in the stomach causes the
pancreatic enzymes to become activated in the pancreas due to
the obstruction, the food is not considered an irritant. Precipitating
irritants are not a part of the pathophysiology occurring with
pancreatitis.
The nurse is working with a committee at the local school to
develop an emergency preparedness plan for tornados. What
should be included in the plan?
1. Identification of safe zones.
2. Methods for accounting for all people present in the
building.
3. Warning system activation.
4. Identification of the gymnasium as the routine safe place.
5. Regular practice protocols.
1., 2., 3. & 5. Correct: Everyone should be aware of safe zones
within the school. Personnel should be given this information and
signs posted in safe zones. There must be systems in place to
accurately determine the number of people in the building at any
given time. There also must be a system in place to alert
personnel and students of tornado warnings. Regular practice
prepares everyone for an actual event.
4. Incorrect: Gymnasiums are not considered safe places due to
wide expanse of roof. Safe zones should be on interior walls, no
windows, and a strong concrete floor if possible.
What should a nurse teach family members prior to them
entering the room of a client who has agranulocytosis?
1. Meticulous hand washing is needed.
,2. Do not visit if you have any infection.
3. The client must wear a mask.
4. Children under 12 may not visit.
5. Flowers are not allowed in the room.
1., 2., 4., & 5. Correct: Protective isolation is needed for this client
because of the presence of a low white blood cell count. We are
protecting the client from acquiring an infection. So any visitors
will need to have meticulous hand washing prior to entering. The
visitor should not enter if he or she has any type of infection. To
decrease the risk of infection, small children should not visit. Even
the mildest symptom of infection could be detrimental to the client.
Flowers have bacteria and should not be brought into the room.
3. Incorrect: A mask must be worn by the visitor, not the client.
The mask is worn by visitors to prevent a possible spread of an
airborne infection to the immunocompromised client.
A client diagnosed with major depression has been taking a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for the past 6 weeks.
When visiting the mental health center, the nurse discusses
the medication and response with the client. The nurse's
assessment reveals that the client is confused about the date
and about the prescribed dosage of the medication. Which
question would be most important for the nurse to ask to
further assess the situation?
1. Are you having trouble sleeping at night?
2. Do you have periods of muscle jerking?
3. Are you having any sexual dysfunction?
4. Is your mood improving?
2. Correct: Myoclonus, high body temperature, shaking, chills,
and mental confusion are some of the symptoms of serotonin
syndrome. This client may be having symptoms of this adverse
, reaction which, if severe, can be fatal.
1. Incorrect: Sleep disturbances are common with depression.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may cause
insomnia; however, there is a more pertinent question needed for
assessment of this client. You should be concerned with the more
serious or life-threatening issue.
3. Incorrect: Sexual dysfunction may occur with the SSRIs;
however, the client is exhibiting significant symptoms of an
adverse reaction which would take priority.
4. Incorrect: The response to the SSRI medications is important;
however, there is a more significant issue in this case. The
possible serotonin syndrome is a serious situation that would be
the priority for the nurse to address.
A client diagnosed with serotonin syndrome is admitted to
the unit. The nurse is familiar with this adverse reaction to
the serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Which symptoms can the
nurse expect on assessment?
1. Fever and shivering
2. Agitation
3. Decreased body temperature
4. Constipation
5. Increased heart rate
1., 2. & 5. Correct: Serotonin syndrome is a group of symptoms
that can result from the use of certain serotonin reuptake
inhibitors. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and
include high body temperature, agitation, increased reflexes,
diaphoresis, tremors, dilated pupils and diarrhea. The client is
likely to experience shivering with fever. Increased heart rate and
