NCLEX-RN Practice Questions Set 11
(75 Questions)
1. . Question
A patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of primary
hyperparathyroidism. A nurse checking the patient’s lab results
would expect which of the following changes in laboratory
findings?
o A. Elevated serum calcium
o B. Low serum parathyroid hormone (PTH)
o C. Elevated serum vitamin D
o D. Low urine calcium
Correct Answer: A. Elevated serum calcium
The parathyroid glands regulate the calcium level in the blood. In
hyperparathyroidism, the serum calcium level will be elevated. A
normal PTH in the presence of hypercalcemia is considered
inappropriate and still consistent with PTH-dependent
hypercalcemia. PTH levels should be very low in those patients
with PTH-independent hypercalcemia. A comprehensive clinical
evaluation complemented by routine laboratory and radiologic
studies should be sufficient to establish a diagnosis of primary
hyperparathyroidism in a patient with persistent hypercalcemia
and an elevated serum level of parathyroid hormone.
Option B: Parathyroid hormone levels may be high or
normal but not low. Patients with primary
hyperparathyroidism and other causes of PTH-
dependent hypercalcemia often have frankly elevated
levels of PTH, while some will have values that fall
within the reference range for the general population.
It is uncommon for clinically occult malignancies to
cause hypercalcemia. Most patients with malignancy-
associated hypercalcemia are known to have cancer,
or cancer is readily detectable on initial evaluation,
and PTH levels will be suppressed.
, Option C: Parathyroid hormone levels may be high or
normal but not low. The body will lower the level of
vitamin D in an attempt to lower calcium.
Option D: Urine calcium may be elevated, with
calcium spilling over from elevated serum levels. This
may cause renal stones. A review of previous medical
records can often be of significant value in
establishing the cause of hypercalcemia. Most patients
with hyperparathyroidism have persistent or
intermittent hypercalcemia for many years before a
definitive diagnosis is established.
2. 2. Question
A patient with Addison’s disease asks a nurse for nutrition and
diet advice. Which of the following diet modifications is not
recommended?
A. A diet high in grains.
B. A diet with adequate caloric intake.
C. A high protein diet.
D. A restricted sodium diet.
Correct Answer: D. A restricted sodium diet.
A patient with Addison’s disease requires normal dietary sodium
to prevent excess fluid loss. Do not reduce salt in the diet. The
client may need to add extra salt to his food during hot and
humid weather or after exercise to replace salt lost through
sweating. Do not use salt substitutes.
Option A: Addison’s disease is a rare condition. It
develops when the adrenal glands, which are located
above the kidneys, do not make enough of certain
hormones. These hormones are important for normal
body function. They help the body cope with stress,
hold salt and water, and maintain blood pressure. The
client should include complex carbohydrates in his
diet, including grains.
Option B: A high protein diet is recommended for the
client with Addison’s disease. The adrenal fatigue diet
, aims to stabilize blood sugar and balance cortisol
levels by limiting sugar while increasing the intake of
protein, healthy fats, veggies, and whole grains.
Healthy fats and high-quality proteins slow the blood
sugar rollercoaster and promote stable blood sugar
levels throughout the day.
Option C: Adequate caloric intake is recommended.
Refined carbohydrates quickly break down into sugar
after you ingest them, which causes a spike in blood
sugar followed by a steep decline. The diet
discourages foods that are inflammatory or hard to
digest and may contribute to gut health issues. The
adrenal fatigue diet is more about eating more foods
that make the client feel good and nourish the body
versus restricting.
3. 3. Question
A patient with a history of diabetes mellitus is in the second
postoperative day following cholecystectomy. She has
complained of nausea and isn’t able to eat solid foods. The nurse
enters the room to find the patient confused and shaky. Which of
the following is the most likely explanation for the patient’s
symptoms?
A. Anesthesia reaction
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Correct Answer: C. Hypoglycemia
A postoperative diabetic patient who is unable to eat is likely to
be suffering from hypoglycemia. The actual treatment
recommendations for a given patient should be individualized,
based on diabetes classification, usual diabetes regimen, state of
glycemic control, nature and extent of surgical procedure, and
available expertise.
Option A: An anesthesia reaction would not occur on
the second postoperative day. Anesthesia and surgery
, cause a stereotypical metabolic stress response that
could overwhelm homeostatic mechanisms in patients
with pre-existing abnormalities of glucose metabolism.
The invariant features of the metabolic stress
response include release of the catabolic hormones
epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, glucagons, and
growth hormone and inhibition of insulin secretion and
action.
Option B: Confusion is a late sign of hyperglycemia.
Shakiness is not one of its symptoms. The
management approach in these categories of patients
always includes insulin therapy in combination with
dextrose and potassium infusion. Major surgery is
defined as one requiring general anesthesia of ?1 h. At
a minimum, blood glucose should be monitored before
and immediately after surgery in all patients. Those
undergoing extensive procedures should have hourly
glucose monitoring during and immediately following
surgery.
Option D: Symptoms of DKA include excessive thirst,
frequent urination, abdominal pain, fruity-scented
breath, confusion, and shortness of breath. However,
shakiness is not a sign of DKA. The stress of surgery
itself results in metabolic perturbations that alter
glucose homeostasis, and persistent hyperglycemia is
a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction, postoperative
sepsis, impaired wound healing, and cerebral
ischemia. The stress response itself may precipitate
diabetic crises (diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA].
4. 4. Question
A nurse assigned to the emergency department evaluates a
patient who underwent fiberoptic colonoscopy 18 hours
previously. The patient reports increasing abdominal pain, fever,
and chills. Which of the following conditions poses
the most immediate concern?
A. Bowel perforation
B. Viral gastroenteritis
(75 Questions)
1. . Question
A patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of primary
hyperparathyroidism. A nurse checking the patient’s lab results
would expect which of the following changes in laboratory
findings?
o A. Elevated serum calcium
o B. Low serum parathyroid hormone (PTH)
o C. Elevated serum vitamin D
o D. Low urine calcium
Correct Answer: A. Elevated serum calcium
The parathyroid glands regulate the calcium level in the blood. In
hyperparathyroidism, the serum calcium level will be elevated. A
normal PTH in the presence of hypercalcemia is considered
inappropriate and still consistent with PTH-dependent
hypercalcemia. PTH levels should be very low in those patients
with PTH-independent hypercalcemia. A comprehensive clinical
evaluation complemented by routine laboratory and radiologic
studies should be sufficient to establish a diagnosis of primary
hyperparathyroidism in a patient with persistent hypercalcemia
and an elevated serum level of parathyroid hormone.
Option B: Parathyroid hormone levels may be high or
normal but not low. Patients with primary
hyperparathyroidism and other causes of PTH-
dependent hypercalcemia often have frankly elevated
levels of PTH, while some will have values that fall
within the reference range for the general population.
It is uncommon for clinically occult malignancies to
cause hypercalcemia. Most patients with malignancy-
associated hypercalcemia are known to have cancer,
or cancer is readily detectable on initial evaluation,
and PTH levels will be suppressed.
, Option C: Parathyroid hormone levels may be high or
normal but not low. The body will lower the level of
vitamin D in an attempt to lower calcium.
Option D: Urine calcium may be elevated, with
calcium spilling over from elevated serum levels. This
may cause renal stones. A review of previous medical
records can often be of significant value in
establishing the cause of hypercalcemia. Most patients
with hyperparathyroidism have persistent or
intermittent hypercalcemia for many years before a
definitive diagnosis is established.
2. 2. Question
A patient with Addison’s disease asks a nurse for nutrition and
diet advice. Which of the following diet modifications is not
recommended?
A. A diet high in grains.
B. A diet with adequate caloric intake.
C. A high protein diet.
D. A restricted sodium diet.
Correct Answer: D. A restricted sodium diet.
A patient with Addison’s disease requires normal dietary sodium
to prevent excess fluid loss. Do not reduce salt in the diet. The
client may need to add extra salt to his food during hot and
humid weather or after exercise to replace salt lost through
sweating. Do not use salt substitutes.
Option A: Addison’s disease is a rare condition. It
develops when the adrenal glands, which are located
above the kidneys, do not make enough of certain
hormones. These hormones are important for normal
body function. They help the body cope with stress,
hold salt and water, and maintain blood pressure. The
client should include complex carbohydrates in his
diet, including grains.
Option B: A high protein diet is recommended for the
client with Addison’s disease. The adrenal fatigue diet
, aims to stabilize blood sugar and balance cortisol
levels by limiting sugar while increasing the intake of
protein, healthy fats, veggies, and whole grains.
Healthy fats and high-quality proteins slow the blood
sugar rollercoaster and promote stable blood sugar
levels throughout the day.
Option C: Adequate caloric intake is recommended.
Refined carbohydrates quickly break down into sugar
after you ingest them, which causes a spike in blood
sugar followed by a steep decline. The diet
discourages foods that are inflammatory or hard to
digest and may contribute to gut health issues. The
adrenal fatigue diet is more about eating more foods
that make the client feel good and nourish the body
versus restricting.
3. 3. Question
A patient with a history of diabetes mellitus is in the second
postoperative day following cholecystectomy. She has
complained of nausea and isn’t able to eat solid foods. The nurse
enters the room to find the patient confused and shaky. Which of
the following is the most likely explanation for the patient’s
symptoms?
A. Anesthesia reaction
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Diabetic ketoacidosis
Correct Answer: C. Hypoglycemia
A postoperative diabetic patient who is unable to eat is likely to
be suffering from hypoglycemia. The actual treatment
recommendations for a given patient should be individualized,
based on diabetes classification, usual diabetes regimen, state of
glycemic control, nature and extent of surgical procedure, and
available expertise.
Option A: An anesthesia reaction would not occur on
the second postoperative day. Anesthesia and surgery
, cause a stereotypical metabolic stress response that
could overwhelm homeostatic mechanisms in patients
with pre-existing abnormalities of glucose metabolism.
The invariant features of the metabolic stress
response include release of the catabolic hormones
epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, glucagons, and
growth hormone and inhibition of insulin secretion and
action.
Option B: Confusion is a late sign of hyperglycemia.
Shakiness is not one of its symptoms. The
management approach in these categories of patients
always includes insulin therapy in combination with
dextrose and potassium infusion. Major surgery is
defined as one requiring general anesthesia of ?1 h. At
a minimum, blood glucose should be monitored before
and immediately after surgery in all patients. Those
undergoing extensive procedures should have hourly
glucose monitoring during and immediately following
surgery.
Option D: Symptoms of DKA include excessive thirst,
frequent urination, abdominal pain, fruity-scented
breath, confusion, and shortness of breath. However,
shakiness is not a sign of DKA. The stress of surgery
itself results in metabolic perturbations that alter
glucose homeostasis, and persistent hyperglycemia is
a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction, postoperative
sepsis, impaired wound healing, and cerebral
ischemia. The stress response itself may precipitate
diabetic crises (diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA].
4. 4. Question
A nurse assigned to the emergency department evaluates a
patient who underwent fiberoptic colonoscopy 18 hours
previously. The patient reports increasing abdominal pain, fever,
and chills. Which of the following conditions poses
the most immediate concern?
A. Bowel perforation
B. Viral gastroenteritis
