NCLEX 150 QUESTIONS, ANSWERS AND
CLINICAL REASONING EXAM PREP # 4
1. A Young Adult Who Was In A Motorcycle Accident Is Brought To The Emergency Room
With A Closed Head Injury With Suspected Subdural Hematoma. Although The Client
Complains Of A Severe Headache, He Is Alert And Answers Questions Appropriately. The
Nurse Would Question Which Of The Following Orders?
1. “Promethazine (Phenergan) 25 Mg IM 3 H.”
2. “Morphine Sulfate 10 Mg IM Q3-4h.”
3. “Docusate Sodium (Colace) 50 Mg PO Bid.”
4. “Ranitidine (Zantac) 50 Mg IVPB Q12h.”
Strategy: All Answers Are Implementations. Determine The Outcome Of Each Answer Choice.
Is It Desired?
(1) H1 Receptor Blocker, Used As An Antiemetic
(2) Correct–Narcotic Analgesic, Causes CNS And Respiratory Depression, Contraindicated
In Head
Injury Because It Masks Signs Of Increased Intracranial Pressure
(3) Stool Softener, Used For An Immobilized Patient
(4) H2 Histamine Antagonist, Reduces Acid Production In Stomach, Prevents Stress Ulcers
2. The Nurse Has Just Returned To The Desk And Has Four Phone Messages To Return.
Which Of The Following Messages Should The Nurse Return FIRST?
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,1. A Woman In Her First Trimester Of Pregnancy Complaining Of Heartburn.
2. A Man Complaining Of Heartburn That Radiates To His Jaw.
3. A Woman Complaining Of Hot Flashes And Difficulty Sleeping.
4. A Boy Complaining Of Knee Pain After Playing Basketball.
Strategy: Determine The Least Stable Client.
(1) Caused By Reflux Of Gastric Contents Into Esophagus, Treatment Is Small Frequent
Meals, Don’t
Consume Fluids With Food, Don’t Wear Tight Clothing
(2) Correct–Indicates Chest Pain, Needs To Seek Medical Attention Immediately
(3) Caused By Menopause, Treat With Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
(4) Should Treat With Rest And Ice
3. A Patient Is Admitted To The Surgical Unit With A Diagnosis Of Rule Out Intestinal
Obstruction. The Nurse Is Preparing To Insert A Salem Sump NG Tube As Ordered. In Which Of
The Following Positions Would It Be BEST For The Nurse To Place This Patient During The
Procedure?
1. Head Of Bed Elevated 30°–45°.
2. Head Of Bed Elevated 60°–90°.
3. Side-Lying With Head Elevated 15°.
4. Lying Flat With Head Turned To The Left Side.
Strategy: Remember The Positioning Strategy.
(1) Not The Best Position
(2) Correct–Facilitates Swallowing And Movement Of Tube Through GI Tract
(3) Not The Best Position
(4) Not The Best Position
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,4. The Nurse Is Monitoring The Fluid Status Of A 63-Year-Old Woman Receiving IV Fluids
Following Surgery. Which Of The Following Symptoms Would Suggest To The Nurse That The
Patient Has Fluid Volume Overload?
1. Temperature 101°F (38.3°C), BP 96/60, Pulse 96 And Thready.
2. Cool Skin, Respiratory Crackles, Pulse 86 And Bounding.
3. Complaints Of A Headache, Abdominal Pain, And Lethargy.
4. Urinary Output 700 Cc/24 H, CVP Of 5, And Nystagmus.
Strategy: Determine How Each Answer Choice Relates To Fluid Volume Overload.
(1) Indicates Dehydration
(2) Correct–Will See Bounding Pulse, Elevated BP, Distended Neck Veins, Edema,
Headache, Polyuria, Diarrhea, Liver Enlargement
(3) Symptoms Could Be From Causes Other Than Volume Overload
(4) Slightly Reduced Output, CVP Would Be Elevated, Normal CVP 4-10 Mm/H2 O,
Involuntary Eye Movements Not Seen
5. A Woman Has Been Recently Diagnosed With Systemic Lupus And Shares With The
Nurse, “I Am Thinking About Getting Pregnant, But I Don’t Know How I Will Be Able To
Tolerate A Pregnancy Since I Have Lupus.” Which Of The Following Responses By The Nurse Is
BEST?
1. “Most Women Find That They Feel Better When They Are Pregnant.”
2. “How Long Have You Been In Remission?”
3. “Women With Lupus Frequently Have Slightly Longer Gestations.”
4. “It Is Best To Become Pregnant Within The First Six Months Of Diagnosis.”
Strategy: Answers Are A Mix Of Assessments And Implementations. Does This Situation
Require Assessment? Yes.
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, (1) Maternal Morbidity And Mortality Are Increased With SLE
(2) Correct–Should Be In Remission For At Least 5 Months Prior To Conceiving
(3) Gestation Not Affected By SLE
(4) Recommended That A Woman Wait Two Years Following Diagnosis Before Conceiving
6. The Multidisciplinary Team Decides To Implement Behavior Modification With A
Client. Which Of The Following Nursing Actions Is Of Primary Importance During This Time?
1. Confirm That All Staff Members Understand And Comply With The Treatment Plan.
2. Establish Mutually Agreed Upon, Realistic Goals.
3. Ensure That The Potent Reinforcers (Rewards) Are Important To The Client.
4. Establish A Fixed Interval Schedule For Reinforcement.
Strategy: All Answers Are Implementations. Determine The Outcome Of Each Answer Choice.
Is It Desired?
(1) Correct–To Implement A Behavior Modification Plan Successfully, All Staff Members
Need To Be Included In Program Development, And Time Must Be Allowed For Discussion Of
Concerns From Each Nursing Staff Member; Consistency And Follow- Through Is Important To
Prevent Or Diminish The Level Of Manipulation By The Staff Or Client During Implementation
Of This Program
(2) Not Of Primary Importance In Designing An Effective Behavior Modification Program
(3) Not Of Primary Importance In Designing An Effective Behavior Modification Program
(4) Not Of Primary Importance In Designing An Effective Behavior Modification Program
7. A Client Received Six Units Of Regular Insulin Three Hours Ago. The Nurse Would Be
MOST Concerned If Which Of The Following Was Observed?
1. Kussmaul Respirations And Diaphoresis.
2. Anorexia And Lethargy.
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CLINICAL REASONING EXAM PREP # 4
1. A Young Adult Who Was In A Motorcycle Accident Is Brought To The Emergency Room
With A Closed Head Injury With Suspected Subdural Hematoma. Although The Client
Complains Of A Severe Headache, He Is Alert And Answers Questions Appropriately. The
Nurse Would Question Which Of The Following Orders?
1. “Promethazine (Phenergan) 25 Mg IM 3 H.”
2. “Morphine Sulfate 10 Mg IM Q3-4h.”
3. “Docusate Sodium (Colace) 50 Mg PO Bid.”
4. “Ranitidine (Zantac) 50 Mg IVPB Q12h.”
Strategy: All Answers Are Implementations. Determine The Outcome Of Each Answer Choice.
Is It Desired?
(1) H1 Receptor Blocker, Used As An Antiemetic
(2) Correct–Narcotic Analgesic, Causes CNS And Respiratory Depression, Contraindicated
In Head
Injury Because It Masks Signs Of Increased Intracranial Pressure
(3) Stool Softener, Used For An Immobilized Patient
(4) H2 Histamine Antagonist, Reduces Acid Production In Stomach, Prevents Stress Ulcers
2. The Nurse Has Just Returned To The Desk And Has Four Phone Messages To Return.
Which Of The Following Messages Should The Nurse Return FIRST?
1|Page
,1. A Woman In Her First Trimester Of Pregnancy Complaining Of Heartburn.
2. A Man Complaining Of Heartburn That Radiates To His Jaw.
3. A Woman Complaining Of Hot Flashes And Difficulty Sleeping.
4. A Boy Complaining Of Knee Pain After Playing Basketball.
Strategy: Determine The Least Stable Client.
(1) Caused By Reflux Of Gastric Contents Into Esophagus, Treatment Is Small Frequent
Meals, Don’t
Consume Fluids With Food, Don’t Wear Tight Clothing
(2) Correct–Indicates Chest Pain, Needs To Seek Medical Attention Immediately
(3) Caused By Menopause, Treat With Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
(4) Should Treat With Rest And Ice
3. A Patient Is Admitted To The Surgical Unit With A Diagnosis Of Rule Out Intestinal
Obstruction. The Nurse Is Preparing To Insert A Salem Sump NG Tube As Ordered. In Which Of
The Following Positions Would It Be BEST For The Nurse To Place This Patient During The
Procedure?
1. Head Of Bed Elevated 30°–45°.
2. Head Of Bed Elevated 60°–90°.
3. Side-Lying With Head Elevated 15°.
4. Lying Flat With Head Turned To The Left Side.
Strategy: Remember The Positioning Strategy.
(1) Not The Best Position
(2) Correct–Facilitates Swallowing And Movement Of Tube Through GI Tract
(3) Not The Best Position
(4) Not The Best Position
2|Page
,4. The Nurse Is Monitoring The Fluid Status Of A 63-Year-Old Woman Receiving IV Fluids
Following Surgery. Which Of The Following Symptoms Would Suggest To The Nurse That The
Patient Has Fluid Volume Overload?
1. Temperature 101°F (38.3°C), BP 96/60, Pulse 96 And Thready.
2. Cool Skin, Respiratory Crackles, Pulse 86 And Bounding.
3. Complaints Of A Headache, Abdominal Pain, And Lethargy.
4. Urinary Output 700 Cc/24 H, CVP Of 5, And Nystagmus.
Strategy: Determine How Each Answer Choice Relates To Fluid Volume Overload.
(1) Indicates Dehydration
(2) Correct–Will See Bounding Pulse, Elevated BP, Distended Neck Veins, Edema,
Headache, Polyuria, Diarrhea, Liver Enlargement
(3) Symptoms Could Be From Causes Other Than Volume Overload
(4) Slightly Reduced Output, CVP Would Be Elevated, Normal CVP 4-10 Mm/H2 O,
Involuntary Eye Movements Not Seen
5. A Woman Has Been Recently Diagnosed With Systemic Lupus And Shares With The
Nurse, “I Am Thinking About Getting Pregnant, But I Don’t Know How I Will Be Able To
Tolerate A Pregnancy Since I Have Lupus.” Which Of The Following Responses By The Nurse Is
BEST?
1. “Most Women Find That They Feel Better When They Are Pregnant.”
2. “How Long Have You Been In Remission?”
3. “Women With Lupus Frequently Have Slightly Longer Gestations.”
4. “It Is Best To Become Pregnant Within The First Six Months Of Diagnosis.”
Strategy: Answers Are A Mix Of Assessments And Implementations. Does This Situation
Require Assessment? Yes.
3|Page
, (1) Maternal Morbidity And Mortality Are Increased With SLE
(2) Correct–Should Be In Remission For At Least 5 Months Prior To Conceiving
(3) Gestation Not Affected By SLE
(4) Recommended That A Woman Wait Two Years Following Diagnosis Before Conceiving
6. The Multidisciplinary Team Decides To Implement Behavior Modification With A
Client. Which Of The Following Nursing Actions Is Of Primary Importance During This Time?
1. Confirm That All Staff Members Understand And Comply With The Treatment Plan.
2. Establish Mutually Agreed Upon, Realistic Goals.
3. Ensure That The Potent Reinforcers (Rewards) Are Important To The Client.
4. Establish A Fixed Interval Schedule For Reinforcement.
Strategy: All Answers Are Implementations. Determine The Outcome Of Each Answer Choice.
Is It Desired?
(1) Correct–To Implement A Behavior Modification Plan Successfully, All Staff Members
Need To Be Included In Program Development, And Time Must Be Allowed For Discussion Of
Concerns From Each Nursing Staff Member; Consistency And Follow- Through Is Important To
Prevent Or Diminish The Level Of Manipulation By The Staff Or Client During Implementation
Of This Program
(2) Not Of Primary Importance In Designing An Effective Behavior Modification Program
(3) Not Of Primary Importance In Designing An Effective Behavior Modification Program
(4) Not Of Primary Importance In Designing An Effective Behavior Modification Program
7. A Client Received Six Units Of Regular Insulin Three Hours Ago. The Nurse Would Be
MOST Concerned If Which Of The Following Was Observed?
1. Kussmaul Respirations And Diaphoresis.
2. Anorexia And Lethargy.
4|Page
