NCLEX RN ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK OF REAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
NCLEX-RN
QUESTION 1
A 25-year-old client believes she may be pregnant with her first child. She schedules an obstetric
examination with the nurse practitioner to determine the status of her possible pregnancy. Her last
menstrual period began May 20, and her estimated date of confinement using Nägele's rule
is:
A. March 27
B. February 1
C. February 27
D. January 3
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A)March 27 is a miscalculation. (B) February 1 is a miscalculation. (C) February 27 is the correct
answer. To calculate the estimated date of confinement using
Nagele's rule, subtract 3 months from the date that the last menstrual cycle began and then add 7
days to the result. (D) January 3 is a miscalculation.
QUESTION 2
The nurse practitioner determines that a client is approximately 9 weeks' gestation. During the visit, the
practitioner informs the client about symptoms of physical changes that she will experience during her
first trimester, such as:
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Quickening
C. A 68 lb weight gain
D. Abdominal enlargement
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) Nausea and vomiting are experienced by almost half of all pregnant women during the first 3
months of pregnancy as a result of elevated human chorionic gonadotropin levels and changed
carbohydrate metabolism. (B) Quickening is the mother's perception of fetal movement and generally
does not occur until 1820
,weeks after the last menstrual period in primigravidas, but it may occur as early as 16 weeks in
multigravidas. (C) During the first trimester there should be only a modest weight gain of 24 lb. It is not
uncommon for women to lose weight during the first trimester owing to nausea and/or vomiting. (D)
Physical changes are not apparent until the second trimester, when the uterus rises out of the pelvis.
QUESTION 3
A 38-year-old pregnant woman visits her nurse practitioner for her regular prenatal checkup. She is 30
weeks' gestation. The nurse should be alert to which condition related to her age?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) C. Intrauterine growth retardation
D. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) Iron-deficiency anemia can occur throughout pregnancy and is not age related. (B) STDs can
occur prior to or during pregnancy and are not age related. (C) Intrauterine growth retardation is an
abnormal process where fetal development and maturation are delayed. It is not age related. (D)
Physical risks for the pregnant client older than 35 include increased risk for PIH, cesarean delivery,
fetal and neonatal mortality, and trisomy.
QUESTION 4
A client returns for her 6-month prenatal checkup and has gained 10 lb in 2 months. The results of her
physical examination are normal. How does the nurse interpret the effectiveness of the instruction
about diet and weight control?
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A. She is compliant with her diet as previously taught. B. She needs further instruction and
reinforcement.
C. She needs to increase her caloric intake.
,D. She needs to be placed on a restrictive diet immediately.
Correct Answer: B Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) She is probably not compliant with her diet and exercise program. Recommended weight gain
during second and third trimesters is approximately 12 lb. (B) Because of her excessive weight gain of
10 lb in 2 months, she needs re-evaluation of her eating habits and reinforcement of proper dietary
habits for pregnancy. A
2200-calorie diet is recommended for most pregnant women with a weight gain of 2730 lb over the 9-
month period. W ith rapid and excessive weightgain, PIH should also be suspected. (C) She does not
need to increase her caloric intake, but she does need to re-evaluate dietary habits. Ten pounds in 2
months is excessive weight gain during pregnancy, and health teaching is warranted. (D) Restrictive
dieting is not recommended during pregnancy.
QUESTION 5
Diabetes during pregnancy requires tight metabolic control of glucose levels to prevent perinatal
mortality. W hen evaluating the pregnant client, the nurse knows the recommended serum glucose
range during pregnancy is:
A. 70 mg/dL and 120 mg/dL B. 100 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL C. 40 mg/dL and 130 mg/dL D. 90 mg/dL
and 200 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) The recommended range is 70120 mg/dL to reduce the risk of perinatal mortality. (B, C, D) These
levels are not recommended. The higher the blood glucose, the worse the prognosis for the fetus.
Hypoglycemia can also have detrimental effects on the fetus.
QUESTION 6
When assessing fetal heart rate status during labor, the monitor displays late decelerations with
tachycardia and decreasing variability. W hat action should the nurse take?
A. Continue monitoring because this is a normal occurrence. B. Turn client on right side.
, C. Decrease IV fluids.
D. Report to physician or midwife.
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) This is not a normal occurrence. Late decelerations need prompt intervention for immediate infant
recovery. (B) To increase O2 perfusion to the unborn infant, the mother should be placed on her left
side. (C) IV fluids should be increased, not decreased. (D) Immediate action is warranted, such as
reporting findings, turning mother on left side, administering O2, discontinuing oxytocin (Pitocin),
assessing maternal blood pressure and the labor process, preparing for immediate cesarean delivery,
and explaining plan of action to client.
QUESTION 7
The predominant purpose of the first Apgar scoring of a newborn is to:
A. Determine gross abnormal motor function
B. Obtain a baseline for comparison with the infant's future adaptation to the environment
C. Evaluate the infant's vital functions
D. Determine the extent of congenital malformations
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) Apgar scores are not related to the infant's care, but to the infant's physical condition. (B) Apgar
scores assess the current physical condition of the infant and are not related to future environmental
adaptation. (C) The purpose of the Apgar system is to evaluate the physical condition of the newborn
at birth and to determine if there is an immediate need for resuscitation. (D) Congenital malformations
are not one of the areas assessed with Apgar scores.
QUESTION 8
A pregnant woman at 36 weeks' gestation is followed for PIH and develops proteinuria. To increase
protein in her diet, which of the following foods will provide the greatest amount of protein when added
to her intake of 100 mL of milk?
A. Fifty milliliters light cream and 2 tbsp corn syrup
B. Thirty grams powdered skim milk and 1 egg
NCLEX-RN
QUESTION 1
A 25-year-old client believes she may be pregnant with her first child. She schedules an obstetric
examination with the nurse practitioner to determine the status of her possible pregnancy. Her last
menstrual period began May 20, and her estimated date of confinement using Nägele's rule
is:
A. March 27
B. February 1
C. February 27
D. January 3
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A)March 27 is a miscalculation. (B) February 1 is a miscalculation. (C) February 27 is the correct
answer. To calculate the estimated date of confinement using
Nagele's rule, subtract 3 months from the date that the last menstrual cycle began and then add 7
days to the result. (D) January 3 is a miscalculation.
QUESTION 2
The nurse practitioner determines that a client is approximately 9 weeks' gestation. During the visit, the
practitioner informs the client about symptoms of physical changes that she will experience during her
first trimester, such as:
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Quickening
C. A 68 lb weight gain
D. Abdominal enlargement
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) Nausea and vomiting are experienced by almost half of all pregnant women during the first 3
months of pregnancy as a result of elevated human chorionic gonadotropin levels and changed
carbohydrate metabolism. (B) Quickening is the mother's perception of fetal movement and generally
does not occur until 1820
,weeks after the last menstrual period in primigravidas, but it may occur as early as 16 weeks in
multigravidas. (C) During the first trimester there should be only a modest weight gain of 24 lb. It is not
uncommon for women to lose weight during the first trimester owing to nausea and/or vomiting. (D)
Physical changes are not apparent until the second trimester, when the uterus rises out of the pelvis.
QUESTION 3
A 38-year-old pregnant woman visits her nurse practitioner for her regular prenatal checkup. She is 30
weeks' gestation. The nurse should be alert to which condition related to her age?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) C. Intrauterine growth retardation
D. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) Iron-deficiency anemia can occur throughout pregnancy and is not age related. (B) STDs can
occur prior to or during pregnancy and are not age related. (C) Intrauterine growth retardation is an
abnormal process where fetal development and maturation are delayed. It is not age related. (D)
Physical risks for the pregnant client older than 35 include increased risk for PIH, cesarean delivery,
fetal and neonatal mortality, and trisomy.
QUESTION 4
A client returns for her 6-month prenatal checkup and has gained 10 lb in 2 months. The results of her
physical examination are normal. How does the nurse interpret the effectiveness of the instruction
about diet and weight control?
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A. She is compliant with her diet as previously taught. B. She needs further instruction and
reinforcement.
C. She needs to increase her caloric intake.
,D. She needs to be placed on a restrictive diet immediately.
Correct Answer: B Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) She is probably not compliant with her diet and exercise program. Recommended weight gain
during second and third trimesters is approximately 12 lb. (B) Because of her excessive weight gain of
10 lb in 2 months, she needs re-evaluation of her eating habits and reinforcement of proper dietary
habits for pregnancy. A
2200-calorie diet is recommended for most pregnant women with a weight gain of 2730 lb over the 9-
month period. W ith rapid and excessive weightgain, PIH should also be suspected. (C) She does not
need to increase her caloric intake, but she does need to re-evaluate dietary habits. Ten pounds in 2
months is excessive weight gain during pregnancy, and health teaching is warranted. (D) Restrictive
dieting is not recommended during pregnancy.
QUESTION 5
Diabetes during pregnancy requires tight metabolic control of glucose levels to prevent perinatal
mortality. W hen evaluating the pregnant client, the nurse knows the recommended serum glucose
range during pregnancy is:
A. 70 mg/dL and 120 mg/dL B. 100 mg/dL and 200 mg/dL C. 40 mg/dL and 130 mg/dL D. 90 mg/dL
and 200 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) The recommended range is 70120 mg/dL to reduce the risk of perinatal mortality. (B, C, D) These
levels are not recommended. The higher the blood glucose, the worse the prognosis for the fetus.
Hypoglycemia can also have detrimental effects on the fetus.
QUESTION 6
When assessing fetal heart rate status during labor, the monitor displays late decelerations with
tachycardia and decreasing variability. W hat action should the nurse take?
A. Continue monitoring because this is a normal occurrence. B. Turn client on right side.
, C. Decrease IV fluids.
D. Report to physician or midwife.
Correct Answer: D Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) This is not a normal occurrence. Late decelerations need prompt intervention for immediate infant
recovery. (B) To increase O2 perfusion to the unborn infant, the mother should be placed on her left
side. (C) IV fluids should be increased, not decreased. (D) Immediate action is warranted, such as
reporting findings, turning mother on left side, administering O2, discontinuing oxytocin (Pitocin),
assessing maternal blood pressure and the labor process, preparing for immediate cesarean delivery,
and explaining plan of action to client.
QUESTION 7
The predominant purpose of the first Apgar scoring of a newborn is to:
A. Determine gross abnormal motor function
B. Obtain a baseline for comparison with the infant's future adaptation to the environment
C. Evaluate the infant's vital functions
D. Determine the extent of congenital malformations
Correct Answer: C Section: (none) Explanation
Explanation/Reference:
Explanation:
(A) Apgar scores are not related to the infant's care, but to the infant's physical condition. (B) Apgar
scores assess the current physical condition of the infant and are not related to future environmental
adaptation. (C) The purpose of the Apgar system is to evaluate the physical condition of the newborn
at birth and to determine if there is an immediate need for resuscitation. (D) Congenital malformations
are not one of the areas assessed with Apgar scores.
QUESTION 8
A pregnant woman at 36 weeks' gestation is followed for PIH and develops proteinuria. To increase
protein in her diet, which of the following foods will provide the greatest amount of protein when added
to her intake of 100 mL of milk?
A. Fifty milliliters light cream and 2 tbsp corn syrup
B. Thirty grams powdered skim milk and 1 egg
