NCLEX-PN Review Questions
A nurse is caring for a patient after a coronary angiogram. Which of these actions taken by the
nursing assistant would most require the nurse'simmediate intervention?
1. The nursing assistant fills the patient's pitcher with ice cold drinking water
2. The nursing assistant elevates the head of the bed to 60 degrees for a meal
3. The nursing assistant refills the ice pack laying on the insertion site
4. The nursing assistant places an extra pillow under the patient's head on
request: 2. The nursing assistant elevates the head of the bed to 60 degrees for ameal
Correct - For 3-6 hours after a coronary angiogram (depending on the insertion site),the patient
should have their bed no higher than 30 degrees and be on bedrest.
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 whichside effect of lisinopril?
1. Vertigo
2. Hypotension
3. Palpitations
4. Nagging, dry cough: 2. Hypotension
Correct - The patient is particularly at risk for hypotension due to possible dehydra-tion from
fluid loss.
The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for sicklecell disease. After
being told the patient has severe generalized pain, the nurseexpects to note which assessment
finding?
1. Severe and persistent diarrhea
2. Intense pain in the toe
3. Yellow-tinged sclera
4. Headache: 3. Yellow-tinged sclera
Correct - Jaundice is a common clinical finding of sickle cell disease, caused bybilirubin
released from damaged or destroyed RBCs
A client with Multiple Sclerosis reports a constant, burning, tingling painin 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): 3. gabapentin (Neurontin)
Correct - Anticonvulsants like gabapentin are often the first line of treatment for nervepain
,Which of these clients is likely to receive sublingual morphine?
1. A 75-year-old woman in a hospice program
2. A 40-year-old man who just had throat surgery
3. A 20-year-old woman with trigeminal neuralgia
4. A 60-year-old man who has a painful incision: 1. A 75-year-old woman in ahospice
program
Correct - Sublingual morphine is often used in hospice because the patients areunable to
swallow, and intravenous access can be painful and not conducive to palliative care.
In educating clients on ways to manage pain, which topic can be appropri-ately delegated to a
LPN/LVN who will continue under supervision?
1. Acupuncture
2. Guided Imagery
3. Alternating Rest/Activity
4. Over the counter medications: 3. Alternating Rest/Activity
Correct - This is within the nursing scope of practice and within the training andeducation
provided to all nurses. It is safe to use and a standard treatment.
The nurse assesses a patient suspected of having an asthma attack. Whichof the following is a
common clinical manifestation of this condition?
1. Audible crackles and orthopnea
2. An audible wheeze and use of accessory muscles
3. Audible crackles and use of accessory muscles
4. Audible wheeze and orthopnea: 2. An audible wheeze and use of accessorymuscles
Correct - Both of these are associated with asthma.
The nurse assesses a patient suspected of having meningitis. Which of thefollowing is a common
clinical manifestation of this condition?
1. A high WBC count and decreased level of consciousness
2. A high WBC count and manic activity
3. A low WBC count and manic activity
4. A low WBC count and decreased level of consciousness: 1. A high WBC countand decreased
level of consciousness
Correct - Meningitis is most often cause by an infectious organism, increasing the WBC
count. One defining feature is an increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) whichpresents as a
decreased level of consciousness.
consciousness.
, A patient is being treated in the Neurology Unit for Meningitis. Which ofthese is a priority
assessment for the nurse to make?
1. Assess the patient for nuchal rigidity
2. Determine the patient's past exposure to infectious organisms
3. Check the patient's WBC lab values
4. Monitor for increased lethargy and drowsiness: 4. Monitor for increasedlethargy and
drowsiness
Correct - Lethargy and drowsiness indicate a decreased level of consciousness, which is the
cardinal sign of increased ICP (Intracranial Pressure), which can belife-threatening.
The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for Emphy- sema and Chronic
Bronchitis. After being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years, the nurse
expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
2. A narrowed chest cavity
3. Clubbed fingers
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure: 3. Clubbed fingers - CORRECT Clubbed fingers are a
sign of a long-term, or chronic, decrease in oxygen levels.
The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient being treated for a Duodenal
Ulcer. After being told the patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the nurse expects to note
which assessment finding?
1. Melena
2. Nausea
3. Hernia
4. Hyperthermia: 1. Melena - CORRECT
Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the stool which presents asblack, tarry
feces. This is a common manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since theDuodenum is further
down the gastric anatomy.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe Gastroe- sophogeal Reflux
Disease. Which of these statements by the patient indicatesa need for more teaching?
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my headwhen I sleep"
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight.": 1. "I'm going to limit my mealsto 2-3 per day
A nurse is caring for a patient after a coronary angiogram. Which of these actions taken by the
nursing assistant would most require the nurse'simmediate intervention?
1. The nursing assistant fills the patient's pitcher with ice cold drinking water
2. The nursing assistant elevates the head of the bed to 60 degrees for a meal
3. The nursing assistant refills the ice pack laying on the insertion site
4. The nursing assistant places an extra pillow under the patient's head on
request: 2. The nursing assistant elevates the head of the bed to 60 degrees for ameal
Correct - For 3-6 hours after a coronary angiogram (depending on the insertion site),the patient
should have their bed no higher than 30 degrees and be on bedrest.
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 whichside effect of lisinopril?
1. Vertigo
2. Hypotension
3. Palpitations
4. Nagging, dry cough: 2. Hypotension
Correct - The patient is particularly at risk for hypotension due to possible dehydra-tion from
fluid loss.
The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for sicklecell disease. After
being told the patient has severe generalized pain, the nurseexpects to note which assessment
finding?
1. Severe and persistent diarrhea
2. Intense pain in the toe
3. Yellow-tinged sclera
4. Headache: 3. Yellow-tinged sclera
Correct - Jaundice is a common clinical finding of sickle cell disease, caused bybilirubin
released from damaged or destroyed RBCs
A client with Multiple Sclerosis reports a constant, burning, tingling painin 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): 3. gabapentin (Neurontin)
Correct - Anticonvulsants like gabapentin are often the first line of treatment for nervepain
,Which of these clients is likely to receive sublingual morphine?
1. A 75-year-old woman in a hospice program
2. A 40-year-old man who just had throat surgery
3. A 20-year-old woman with trigeminal neuralgia
4. A 60-year-old man who has a painful incision: 1. A 75-year-old woman in ahospice
program
Correct - Sublingual morphine is often used in hospice because the patients areunable to
swallow, and intravenous access can be painful and not conducive to palliative care.
In educating clients on ways to manage pain, which topic can be appropri-ately delegated to a
LPN/LVN who will continue under supervision?
1. Acupuncture
2. Guided Imagery
3. Alternating Rest/Activity
4. Over the counter medications: 3. Alternating Rest/Activity
Correct - This is within the nursing scope of practice and within the training andeducation
provided to all nurses. It is safe to use and a standard treatment.
The nurse assesses a patient suspected of having an asthma attack. Whichof the following is a
common clinical manifestation of this condition?
1. Audible crackles and orthopnea
2. An audible wheeze and use of accessory muscles
3. Audible crackles and use of accessory muscles
4. Audible wheeze and orthopnea: 2. An audible wheeze and use of accessorymuscles
Correct - Both of these are associated with asthma.
The nurse assesses a patient suspected of having meningitis. Which of thefollowing is a common
clinical manifestation of this condition?
1. A high WBC count and decreased level of consciousness
2. A high WBC count and manic activity
3. A low WBC count and manic activity
4. A low WBC count and decreased level of consciousness: 1. A high WBC countand decreased
level of consciousness
Correct - Meningitis is most often cause by an infectious organism, increasing the WBC
count. One defining feature is an increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) whichpresents as a
decreased level of consciousness.
consciousness.
, A patient is being treated in the Neurology Unit for Meningitis. Which ofthese is a priority
assessment for the nurse to make?
1. Assess the patient for nuchal rigidity
2. Determine the patient's past exposure to infectious organisms
3. Check the patient's WBC lab values
4. Monitor for increased lethargy and drowsiness: 4. Monitor for increasedlethargy and
drowsiness
Correct - Lethargy and drowsiness indicate a decreased level of consciousness, which is the
cardinal sign of increased ICP (Intracranial Pressure), which can belife-threatening.
The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for Emphy- sema and Chronic
Bronchitis. After being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years, the nurse
expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
2. A narrowed chest cavity
3. Clubbed fingers
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure: 3. Clubbed fingers - CORRECT Clubbed fingers are a
sign of a long-term, or chronic, decrease in oxygen levels.
The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient being treated for a Duodenal
Ulcer. After being told the patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the nurse expects to note
which assessment finding?
1. Melena
2. Nausea
3. Hernia
4. Hyperthermia: 1. Melena - CORRECT
Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the stool which presents asblack, tarry
feces. This is a common manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since theDuodenum is further
down the gastric anatomy.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe Gastroe- sophogeal Reflux
Disease. Which of these statements by the patient indicatesa need for more teaching?
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my headwhen I sleep"
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight.": 1. "I'm going to limit my mealsto 2-3 per day
