Sample NCLEX-Style Questions
Question 1:
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the following
findings is most characteristic of PE?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Hemoptysis
D) Hypothermia
Answer: C) Hemoptysis
Rationale: Hemoptysis is a common sign of pulmonary embolism due to infarction of lung
tissue and bleeding.
Question 2:
Which risk factor is most commonly associated with the development of a pulmonary embolism?
A) Obesity
B) Smoking
C) Prolonged immobility
D) Hypertension
Answer: C) Prolonged immobility
Rationale: Prolonged immobility can lead to venous stasis and increase the risk of thrombus
formation, which can result in pulmonary embolism.
Question 3:
A patient presents with sudden onset dyspnea and chest pain. The nurse anticipates that the
healthcare provider will order which of the following tests first?
A) Chest X-ray
B) D-dimer
C) CT angiography
D) ECG
Answer: C) CT angiography
Rationale: CT angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism, providing
detailed images of blood vessels.
,Question 4:
In the management of a patient with pulmonary embolism, which medication is most commonly
administered?
A) Warfarin
B) Aspirin
C) Heparin
D) Clopidogrel
Answer: C) Heparin
Rationale: Heparin is commonly used for the immediate management of pulmonary embolism
due to its rapid anticoagulant effects.
Question 5:
What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia?
A) Administering antibiotics
B) Positioning the patient to facilitate drainage
C) Providing oxygen therapy
D) Encouraging deep breathing exercises
Answer: B) Positioning the patient to facilitate drainage
Rationale: Positioning can help manage secretions and improve respiratory function in patients
with aspiration pneumonia.
Question 6:
Which clinical manifestation is most indicative of aspiration pneumonia?
A) Fever
B) Wheezing
C) Productive cough with foul-smelling sputum
D) Bradycardia
Answer: C) Productive cough with foul-smelling sputum
Rationale: A productive cough with foul-smelling sputum suggests the presence of anaerobic
bacteria often associated with aspiration pneumonia.
Question 7:
A nurse is providing discharge education to a patient recovering from a pulmonary embolism.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will wear compression stockings during long flights."
B) "I should stop my anticoagulant therapy once I feel better."
, C) "I will avoid sitting for long periods without getting up."
D) "I should notify my doctor if I notice any unusual bleeding."
Answer: B) "I should stop my anticoagulant therapy once I feel better."
Rationale: Anticoagulant therapy should be continued as prescribed, even if the patient feels
better, to prevent recurrence.
Question 8:
A patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is at risk for PE. Which medication
should the nurse expect to administer?
A) Lisinopril
B) Fondaparinux
C) Metoprolol
D) Simvastatin
Answer: B) Fondaparinux
Rationale: Fondaparinux is an anticoagulant used to prevent the development of PE in patients
with DVT.
Question 9:
When caring for a patient who has aspirated food, which of the following assessments is a
priority for the nurse?
A) Neurological assessment
B) Respiratory assessment
C) Cardiac assessment
D) Gastrointestinal assessment
Answer: B) Respiratory assessment
Rationale: Respiratory assessment is critical to determine the extent of lung involvement and to
monitor for signs of aspiration pneumonia.
Question 10:
In the event of a suspected pulmonary embolism, which position should the nurse place the
patient in?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) High Fowler’s
D) Left lateral
Question 1:
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the following
findings is most characteristic of PE?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Hemoptysis
D) Hypothermia
Answer: C) Hemoptysis
Rationale: Hemoptysis is a common sign of pulmonary embolism due to infarction of lung
tissue and bleeding.
Question 2:
Which risk factor is most commonly associated with the development of a pulmonary embolism?
A) Obesity
B) Smoking
C) Prolonged immobility
D) Hypertension
Answer: C) Prolonged immobility
Rationale: Prolonged immobility can lead to venous stasis and increase the risk of thrombus
formation, which can result in pulmonary embolism.
Question 3:
A patient presents with sudden onset dyspnea and chest pain. The nurse anticipates that the
healthcare provider will order which of the following tests first?
A) Chest X-ray
B) D-dimer
C) CT angiography
D) ECG
Answer: C) CT angiography
Rationale: CT angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism, providing
detailed images of blood vessels.
,Question 4:
In the management of a patient with pulmonary embolism, which medication is most commonly
administered?
A) Warfarin
B) Aspirin
C) Heparin
D) Clopidogrel
Answer: C) Heparin
Rationale: Heparin is commonly used for the immediate management of pulmonary embolism
due to its rapid anticoagulant effects.
Question 5:
What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia?
A) Administering antibiotics
B) Positioning the patient to facilitate drainage
C) Providing oxygen therapy
D) Encouraging deep breathing exercises
Answer: B) Positioning the patient to facilitate drainage
Rationale: Positioning can help manage secretions and improve respiratory function in patients
with aspiration pneumonia.
Question 6:
Which clinical manifestation is most indicative of aspiration pneumonia?
A) Fever
B) Wheezing
C) Productive cough with foul-smelling sputum
D) Bradycardia
Answer: C) Productive cough with foul-smelling sputum
Rationale: A productive cough with foul-smelling sputum suggests the presence of anaerobic
bacteria often associated with aspiration pneumonia.
Question 7:
A nurse is providing discharge education to a patient recovering from a pulmonary embolism.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will wear compression stockings during long flights."
B) "I should stop my anticoagulant therapy once I feel better."
, C) "I will avoid sitting for long periods without getting up."
D) "I should notify my doctor if I notice any unusual bleeding."
Answer: B) "I should stop my anticoagulant therapy once I feel better."
Rationale: Anticoagulant therapy should be continued as prescribed, even if the patient feels
better, to prevent recurrence.
Question 8:
A patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is at risk for PE. Which medication
should the nurse expect to administer?
A) Lisinopril
B) Fondaparinux
C) Metoprolol
D) Simvastatin
Answer: B) Fondaparinux
Rationale: Fondaparinux is an anticoagulant used to prevent the development of PE in patients
with DVT.
Question 9:
When caring for a patient who has aspirated food, which of the following assessments is a
priority for the nurse?
A) Neurological assessment
B) Respiratory assessment
C) Cardiac assessment
D) Gastrointestinal assessment
Answer: B) Respiratory assessment
Rationale: Respiratory assessment is critical to determine the extent of lung involvement and to
monitor for signs of aspiration pneumonia.
Question 10:
In the event of a suspected pulmonary embolism, which position should the nurse place the
patient in?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) High Fowler’s
D) Left lateral
