NCLEX-PN Review Questions
A 23-year-old woman is admitted to the infusion clinic after a Multiple Sclerosis
Exacerbation. The physician orders methylprednisolone infusions (Solu-Medrol).
The nurse would expect which of the following outcomes after administration of
this medication?
1. A decrease in muscle spasticity and involuntary movements
2. A slowed progression of Multiple Sclerosis related plaques
3. A decrease in the length of the exacerbation
4. A stabilization of mood and sleep - ANS - 3. A decrease in the length of the
exacerbation
Correct - A methylprednisolone infusion is the first line of treatment during an
acute exacerbation and is used to decrease the length and severity of a relapse.
\A 30-year old Caucasian woman who works the night shift has been found to
have early bone loss and has a high risk for osteomalacia and bone degradation.
She asks the nurse exactly why she should take Vitamin D supplements. What is
the nurse's best response?
1. "It's a standard part of the overall nutritional treatment for the prevention of
osteomalacia"
2. "It helps your intestines absorb calcium, which is important for bone
formation."
3. "It stimulates skin cells to produce calcium, which is then released into the
bloodstream to be used for bone formation."
4. "Vitamin D supplements should not be taken by someone of your age." - ANS -
2. "It helps your intestines absorb calcium, which is important for bone
formation."
Correct - This is the correct mechanism of action for Vitamin D
\A 45-year old woman is prescribed ropinirole (Requip) for Parkinson's Disease.
The patient is living at home with her daughter. The nurse is most concerned
about which side effect of ropinirole?
1. Slurred speech
2. Sudden dizziness
,3. Masklike facial expression
4. Stooped Posture - ANS - 2. Sudden dizziness
Correct - Dizziness and orthostatic hypotension are serious adverse effects of
this drug that can lead to an increased risk of falls. Ropinirole's drug class is a
dopamine agonist, which mimic dopamine in the brain (PD is characterized by a
lack of dopamine).
\A 65 year old man is prescribed Flomax (Tamsulosin) for Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia. The patient lives in an upstairs apartment. The nurse is most
concerned about which side effect of Flomax?
1. Hypotension
2. Tachycardia
3. Back Pain
4. Difficulty Urinating - ANS - 1. Hypotension
Correct - Hypotension can lead to dizziness and a risk for injury to the patient.
\A client with Multiple Sclerosis reports a constant, burning, tingling pain in the
shoulders. The nurse anticipates that the physician will order which medication
for this type of pain?
1. alprazolam (Xanax)
2. Corticosteroid injection
3. gabapentin (Neurontin)
4. hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco) - ANS - 3. gabapentin (Neurontin)
Correct - Anticonvulsants like gabapentin are often the first line of treatment for
nerve pain
\A female patient is prescribed metformin for glucose control. The patient is on
NPO status pending a diagnostic test. The nurse is most concerned about which
side effect of metformin?
1. Diarrhea and Vomiting
2. Dizziness and Drowsiness
3. Metallic taste
4. Hypoglycemia - ANS - 4. Hypoglycemia
Correct - The patient is at risk because she is on NPO status and continuing to
take an anti-glycemic drug.
\A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following lab results: Hemoglobin
of 11 g/dl, a platelet count of 150,000, an INR of 2.5, and potassium of 2.7 mEq/L.
Which result is critical and should be reported to the physician immediately?
1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl
, 2. Platelet of 150,000
3. INR of 2.5
4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L - ANS - 4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L
CORRECT - A potassium imbalance for a patient with a history of dysrhythmia
can be life-threatening and can lead to cardiac distress.
\A man is has been taking lisinopril for CHF. The patient is seen in the emergency
room for persistent diarrhea. The nurse is concerned about which side effect of
lisinopril?
1. Vertigo
2. Hypotension
3. Palpitations
4. Nagging, dry cough - ANS - 2. Hypotension
Correct - The patient is particularly at risk for hypotension due to possible
dehydration from fluid loss.
\A man is prescribed lithium to treat bipolar disorder. The nurse is most
concerned about lithium toxicity when he notices which of these assessment
findings?
1. The patient states he had a manic episode a week ago
2. The patient states he has been having diarrhea every day
3. The patient has a rashy pruritis on his arms and legs
4. The patient presents as severely depressed
5. The patient's lithium level is 1.3 mcg/L - ANS - 2. The patient states he has been
having diarrhea every day
Correct - Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can increase the risk
of lithium toxicity.
\A man is receiving heparin subcutaneously. The patient has dementia and lives
at home with a part-time caretaker. The nurse is most concerned about which
side effect of heparin?
1. Back Pain
2. Fever and Chills
3. Risk for Bleeding
4. Dizziness - ANS - 3. Risk for Bleeding
Correct - A confused patient is at risk for injuring themselves and at risk for
hemorrhage should an injury occur
\A nurse cares for a child that is diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Which of these
following precautions would be most important to take to prevent transmission of
this infectious disease?
A 23-year-old woman is admitted to the infusion clinic after a Multiple Sclerosis
Exacerbation. The physician orders methylprednisolone infusions (Solu-Medrol).
The nurse would expect which of the following outcomes after administration of
this medication?
1. A decrease in muscle spasticity and involuntary movements
2. A slowed progression of Multiple Sclerosis related plaques
3. A decrease in the length of the exacerbation
4. A stabilization of mood and sleep - ANS - 3. A decrease in the length of the
exacerbation
Correct - A methylprednisolone infusion is the first line of treatment during an
acute exacerbation and is used to decrease the length and severity of a relapse.
\A 30-year old Caucasian woman who works the night shift has been found to
have early bone loss and has a high risk for osteomalacia and bone degradation.
She asks the nurse exactly why she should take Vitamin D supplements. What is
the nurse's best response?
1. "It's a standard part of the overall nutritional treatment for the prevention of
osteomalacia"
2. "It helps your intestines absorb calcium, which is important for bone
formation."
3. "It stimulates skin cells to produce calcium, which is then released into the
bloodstream to be used for bone formation."
4. "Vitamin D supplements should not be taken by someone of your age." - ANS -
2. "It helps your intestines absorb calcium, which is important for bone
formation."
Correct - This is the correct mechanism of action for Vitamin D
\A 45-year old woman is prescribed ropinirole (Requip) for Parkinson's Disease.
The patient is living at home with her daughter. The nurse is most concerned
about which side effect of ropinirole?
1. Slurred speech
2. Sudden dizziness
,3. Masklike facial expression
4. Stooped Posture - ANS - 2. Sudden dizziness
Correct - Dizziness and orthostatic hypotension are serious adverse effects of
this drug that can lead to an increased risk of falls. Ropinirole's drug class is a
dopamine agonist, which mimic dopamine in the brain (PD is characterized by a
lack of dopamine).
\A 65 year old man is prescribed Flomax (Tamsulosin) for Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia. The patient lives in an upstairs apartment. The nurse is most
concerned about which side effect of Flomax?
1. Hypotension
2. Tachycardia
3. Back Pain
4. Difficulty Urinating - ANS - 1. Hypotension
Correct - Hypotension can lead to dizziness and a risk for injury to the patient.
\A client with Multiple Sclerosis reports a constant, burning, tingling pain in the
shoulders. The nurse anticipates that the physician will order which medication
for this type of pain?
1. alprazolam (Xanax)
2. Corticosteroid injection
3. gabapentin (Neurontin)
4. hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco) - ANS - 3. gabapentin (Neurontin)
Correct - Anticonvulsants like gabapentin are often the first line of treatment for
nerve pain
\A female patient is prescribed metformin for glucose control. The patient is on
NPO status pending a diagnostic test. The nurse is most concerned about which
side effect of metformin?
1. Diarrhea and Vomiting
2. Dizziness and Drowsiness
3. Metallic taste
4. Hypoglycemia - ANS - 4. Hypoglycemia
Correct - The patient is at risk because she is on NPO status and continuing to
take an anti-glycemic drug.
\A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following lab results: Hemoglobin
of 11 g/dl, a platelet count of 150,000, an INR of 2.5, and potassium of 2.7 mEq/L.
Which result is critical and should be reported to the physician immediately?
1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl
, 2. Platelet of 150,000
3. INR of 2.5
4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L - ANS - 4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L
CORRECT - A potassium imbalance for a patient with a history of dysrhythmia
can be life-threatening and can lead to cardiac distress.
\A man is has been taking lisinopril for CHF. The patient is seen in the emergency
room for persistent diarrhea. The nurse is concerned about which side effect of
lisinopril?
1. Vertigo
2. Hypotension
3. Palpitations
4. Nagging, dry cough - ANS - 2. Hypotension
Correct - The patient is particularly at risk for hypotension due to possible
dehydration from fluid loss.
\A man is prescribed lithium to treat bipolar disorder. The nurse is most
concerned about lithium toxicity when he notices which of these assessment
findings?
1. The patient states he had a manic episode a week ago
2. The patient states he has been having diarrhea every day
3. The patient has a rashy pruritis on his arms and legs
4. The patient presents as severely depressed
5. The patient's lithium level is 1.3 mcg/L - ANS - 2. The patient states he has been
having diarrhea every day
Correct - Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can increase the risk
of lithium toxicity.
\A man is receiving heparin subcutaneously. The patient has dementia and lives
at home with a part-time caretaker. The nurse is most concerned about which
side effect of heparin?
1. Back Pain
2. Fever and Chills
3. Risk for Bleeding
4. Dizziness - ANS - 3. Risk for Bleeding
Correct - A confused patient is at risk for injuring themselves and at risk for
hemorrhage should an injury occur
\A nurse cares for a child that is diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Which of these
following precautions would be most important to take to prevent transmission of
this infectious disease?
