NCLEX-PN Review Questions and Answers|
Latest Update
A patient has been taking a mood stabilizing medication, but is afraid of needles. They ask the
nurse what medication would NOT require regular lab testing. What is the nurse's best
response?
1. Valproic Acid (Depakote)
2. Clozapine (Clozaril)
3. Lithium
4. Risperidone (Risperdal) ✔️✔️4. Risperidone (Risperdal)
Correct - Risperidone is the only drug that does not require blood draws.
A patient is deciding whether they should take the live influenza vaccine (nasal spray), or the
inactivated influenza vaccine (shot). The nurse reviews the client's history. Which condition
would NOT contraindicate the nasal (live vaccine) route of administration?
1. The patient takes long-term corticosteroids
2. The patient is not feeling well today
3. The patient is 55 years old
4. The patient has young children ✔️✔️4. The patient has young children
Correct - This is not a contraindication. It would only be a contraindication for the live vaccine if
the young children were immunocompromised, but this is not stated.
A patient asks the nurse whether he is a good candidate to use a CPAP machine. The nurse
reviews the client's history. Which condition would contraindicate the use of a CPAP machine?
1. The patient is in the late-stage of dementia.
2. The patient has a history of bronchitis
,3. The patient has had suicidal gestures/attempts in the past
4. The patient is on beta-blockers ✔️✔️1. The patient is in the late-stage of dementia.
Correct - Having an inability to follow commands and understand instructions independently is
a contraindication for a CPAP machine, which can only function correctly with proper
installation and use.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has recently had a successful catheter ablation. Which
assessment finding demonstrates a successful outcome of this procedure?
1. The patient is free of electrolyte imbalances
2. The patient's WBC count is within normal limits
3. The patient's EKG reading is regular
4. The patient's urine output is 45mL/hour ✔️✔️3. The patient's EKG reading is regular
Correct - A catheter ablation is a procedure used to treat arrhythmias, especially SVT. A
catheter is inserted through the femoral vein or artery, and threaded to the conduction fiber in
the heart causing the arrhythmia. A radiofrequency energy uses heat to destroy this fiber,
preventing further arrhythmia.
Application - The nurse is caring for a patient who has the following labs: Creatinine 2.5mg/dL,
WBC 11,000 cells/mL, and Hemoglobin of 12 g/dL. Based on this information, which of these
orders would the nurse question?
1. Administer 30 Units of Lantus Daily
2. CT of the spine with contrast
3. X-ray of the abdomen and chest
4. Administer heparin subcutaneous 5,000 Units every 12 hours ✔️✔️2. CT of the spine with
contrast
Correct - The creatinine level of this patient indicates impaired kidney function. Contrast is
nephrotoxic and is contraindicated for patients with nephropathy.
, Application - A nurse is caring for a patient admitted in the emergency room for an ischemic
stroke with marked functional deficits. The physician is considering the use of fibrinolytic
therapy with TPA (tissue plasminogen activator). Which history-gathering question would not
be important for the nurse to ask?
1. "What time was the first time you noticed symptoms appearing consistently?"
2. "Have you been taking any blood thinners like heparin, lovenox, or warfarin?"
3. "Have you had another stroke or head trauma in the previous 3 months?"
4. "Have you had any blood transfusions within the previous year?" ✔️✔️4. "Have you had any
blood transfusions within the previous year?"
Correct - This is not a relevant question and would not affect the decision to use TPA
A patient is being discharged from the med-surgical unit. The patient has a history of gastritis.
The nurse questions the patient on his usual routine at home. Which of these statements would
alert the nurse that additional teaching is required?
1. "I avoid NSAIDS. I only take a daily aspirin for my heart health."
2. "I always avoid eating hot and spicy foods"
3. "I will continue taking my antacids with or immediately after meals"
4. "I will only drink coffee once a week, if even that often." ✔️✔️1. "I avoid NSAIDS. I only take a
daily aspirin for my heart health."
Correct - Aspirin is classified as an NSAID and can exacerbate already existing stomach
problems. Aspirin should be avoided just like any NSAID for patients with gastritis.
A nurse is meeting a patient in their home. The patient has been taking Naproxen for back pain.
Which statement made by the patient most indicates that the nurse needs to contact the
physician?
1. "I get an upset stomach if I don't take Naproxen with my meals."
2. "My back pain right now is about a 3/10."
Latest Update
A patient has been taking a mood stabilizing medication, but is afraid of needles. They ask the
nurse what medication would NOT require regular lab testing. What is the nurse's best
response?
1. Valproic Acid (Depakote)
2. Clozapine (Clozaril)
3. Lithium
4. Risperidone (Risperdal) ✔️✔️4. Risperidone (Risperdal)
Correct - Risperidone is the only drug that does not require blood draws.
A patient is deciding whether they should take the live influenza vaccine (nasal spray), or the
inactivated influenza vaccine (shot). The nurse reviews the client's history. Which condition
would NOT contraindicate the nasal (live vaccine) route of administration?
1. The patient takes long-term corticosteroids
2. The patient is not feeling well today
3. The patient is 55 years old
4. The patient has young children ✔️✔️4. The patient has young children
Correct - This is not a contraindication. It would only be a contraindication for the live vaccine if
the young children were immunocompromised, but this is not stated.
A patient asks the nurse whether he is a good candidate to use a CPAP machine. The nurse
reviews the client's history. Which condition would contraindicate the use of a CPAP machine?
1. The patient is in the late-stage of dementia.
2. The patient has a history of bronchitis
,3. The patient has had suicidal gestures/attempts in the past
4. The patient is on beta-blockers ✔️✔️1. The patient is in the late-stage of dementia.
Correct - Having an inability to follow commands and understand instructions independently is
a contraindication for a CPAP machine, which can only function correctly with proper
installation and use.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has recently had a successful catheter ablation. Which
assessment finding demonstrates a successful outcome of this procedure?
1. The patient is free of electrolyte imbalances
2. The patient's WBC count is within normal limits
3. The patient's EKG reading is regular
4. The patient's urine output is 45mL/hour ✔️✔️3. The patient's EKG reading is regular
Correct - A catheter ablation is a procedure used to treat arrhythmias, especially SVT. A
catheter is inserted through the femoral vein or artery, and threaded to the conduction fiber in
the heart causing the arrhythmia. A radiofrequency energy uses heat to destroy this fiber,
preventing further arrhythmia.
Application - The nurse is caring for a patient who has the following labs: Creatinine 2.5mg/dL,
WBC 11,000 cells/mL, and Hemoglobin of 12 g/dL. Based on this information, which of these
orders would the nurse question?
1. Administer 30 Units of Lantus Daily
2. CT of the spine with contrast
3. X-ray of the abdomen and chest
4. Administer heparin subcutaneous 5,000 Units every 12 hours ✔️✔️2. CT of the spine with
contrast
Correct - The creatinine level of this patient indicates impaired kidney function. Contrast is
nephrotoxic and is contraindicated for patients with nephropathy.
, Application - A nurse is caring for a patient admitted in the emergency room for an ischemic
stroke with marked functional deficits. The physician is considering the use of fibrinolytic
therapy with TPA (tissue plasminogen activator). Which history-gathering question would not
be important for the nurse to ask?
1. "What time was the first time you noticed symptoms appearing consistently?"
2. "Have you been taking any blood thinners like heparin, lovenox, or warfarin?"
3. "Have you had another stroke or head trauma in the previous 3 months?"
4. "Have you had any blood transfusions within the previous year?" ✔️✔️4. "Have you had any
blood transfusions within the previous year?"
Correct - This is not a relevant question and would not affect the decision to use TPA
A patient is being discharged from the med-surgical unit. The patient has a history of gastritis.
The nurse questions the patient on his usual routine at home. Which of these statements would
alert the nurse that additional teaching is required?
1. "I avoid NSAIDS. I only take a daily aspirin for my heart health."
2. "I always avoid eating hot and spicy foods"
3. "I will continue taking my antacids with or immediately after meals"
4. "I will only drink coffee once a week, if even that often." ✔️✔️1. "I avoid NSAIDS. I only take a
daily aspirin for my heart health."
Correct - Aspirin is classified as an NSAID and can exacerbate already existing stomach
problems. Aspirin should be avoided just like any NSAID for patients with gastritis.
A nurse is meeting a patient in their home. The patient has been taking Naproxen for back pain.
Which statement made by the patient most indicates that the nurse needs to contact the
physician?
1. "I get an upset stomach if I don't take Naproxen with my meals."
2. "My back pain right now is about a 3/10."