KAPLAN NCLEX-RN 2024 MOST ASKED IN EXAMS 70+ UPDATED QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALED ANSWERS.
1 view 0 purchase
Course
NCLEX RN
Institution
NCLEX RN
A nurse is teaching a patient with hypertension about lifestyle changes. Which statement indicates a need for further education?
A) "I will incorporate more fruits and vegetables into my diet."
B) "I can drink as much alcohol as I want."
C) "I will exercise regularly."
D) "I will quit smoking...
KAPLAN NCLEX-RN 2024 MOST ASKED IN EXAMS
UPDATED QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALED ANSWERS
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which of the
following findings would indicate that the patient’s condition is worsening?
A) Decreased respiratory rate
B) Weight loss
C) Increased peripheral edema
D) Improved urine output
Answer: C) Increased peripheral edema
Rationale: Increased peripheral edema is a sign of fluid retention and worsening
heart failure. Other signs may include increased shortness of breath, crackles in
the lungs, and rapid weight gain. Weight loss and improved urine output would
suggest the opposite.
Question 2: A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. Which of the
following assessments should the nurse perform before giving the medication?
A) Measure blood glucose levels
B) Assess heart rate
C) Check blood pressure
D) Review the patient's recent laboratory values
Answer: B) Assess heart rate
Rationale: Digoxin can slow the heart rate, so it is crucial to assess the heart rate
before administration. If the heart rate is below 60 beats per minute, the nurse
should hold the medication and notify the provider.
Question 3: A 65-year-old patient is being discharged after a hip replacement.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching regarding
mobility?
A) "I will use a walker to help me move around."
B) "I can sit cross-legged once I feel comfortable."
,C) "I will keep my affected leg straight when sitting."
D) "I should avoid putting weight on my leg for a few weeks."
Answer: B) "I can sit cross-legged once I feel comfortable."
Rationale: Sitting cross-legged can place undue stress on the hip joint and may
lead to dislocation after hip surgery. Patients should be taught to maintain the
proper position of the affected leg, especially in the early postoperative phase.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing chest pain. Which
of the following findings would be the priority for the nurse to report to the
healthcare provider?
A) Patient has a history of hypertension
B) Patient's pain is rated 7 on a scale of 1 to 10
C) Patient is diaphoretic and has cool, clammy skin
D) Patient reports pain that radiates to the left arm
Answer: C) Patient is diaphoretic and has cool, clammy skin
Rationale: Diaphoresis and cool, clammy skin can indicate poor perfusion or an
impending cardiac event. This finding is critical and should be reported
immediately, as it may suggest acute coronary syndrome.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus who is
receiving metformin. Which of the following laboratory results would indicate a
potential adverse effect of this medication?
A) Blood glucose level of 150 mg/dL
B) Serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL
C) Serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 30 mg/dL
Answer: B) Serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment, as it
can lead to lactic acidosis. A serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL is important to
monitor in this patient, especially if they have other risk factors for kidney
disease.
Question 6: A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
prescribed a bronchodilator. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?
,A) Hypotension
B) Drowsiness
C) Tachycardia
D) Weight gain
Answer: C) Tachycardia
Rationale: Bronchodilators can cause an increase in heart rate (tachycardia) as a
side effect. It’s essential to monitor this and other potential side effects, such as
tremors.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a patient receiving chemotherapy. Which
laboratory value would indicate a need for immediate intervention?
A) Hemoglobin of 12 g/dL
B) White blood cell count of 2,000/mm³
C) Platelet count of 150,000/mm³
D) Serum electrolyte levels within normal range
Answer: B) White blood cell count of 2,000/mm³
Rationale: A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) increases the risk of
infection, requiring immediate intervention to protect the patient from potential
complications.
Question 8: A patient is diagnosed with pneumonia. Which finding would indicate
that the patient's condition is improving?
A) Decreased respiratory rate
B) Increased cough production
C) Decreased oxygen saturation
D) Fever of 100.5°F
Answer: A) Decreased respiratory rate
Rationale: A decreased respiratory rate indicates improved respiratory function
and the effectiveness of treatment. Increased cough production is expected in
pneumonia but does not necessarily indicate improvement.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone surgery for a
bowel obstruction. Which finding would be a cause for concern in the post-
operative period?
A) Bowel sounds present in all four quadrants
, B) Abdominal distention
C) Pain rated as 4 on a scale of 1 to 10
D) Temperature of 98.6°F
Answer: B) Abdominal distention
Rationale: Abdominal distention can indicate complications such as ileus or bowel
perforation post-surgery and requires further assessment and possible
intervention.
Question 10: A patient with a history of heart failure is being evaluated for a new
medication. Which symptom would indicate that the patient's heart failure is
worsening?
A) Increased activity tolerance
B) Weight gain of 3 pounds in one week
C) Decreased peripheral edema
D) Improved sleep patterns
Answer: B) Weight gain of 3 pounds in one week
Rationale: A rapid weight gain of more than 2 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a
week can indicate fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
Question 11: A nurse is educating a patient with asthma about using a metered-
dose inhaler (MDI). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further
teaching?
A) "I will shake the inhaler before using it."
B) "I should exhale fully before using the inhaler."
C) "I can use the inhaler anytime I feel short of breath."
D) "I need to hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
Answer: C) "I can use the inhaler anytime I feel short of breath."
Rationale: Patients should use their inhaler as prescribed, not just when short of
breath. Some medications are for maintenance, while others are rescue
medications for acute symptoms.
Question 12: A nurse is caring for a patient with a newly inserted central venous
catheter (CVC). What is the priority assessment?
A) Assess for signs of infection at the insertion site.
B) Check the patient's temperature.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Farider. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $18.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
