NCLEX-RN Exam Questions

The physician prescribes phenytoin (Dilantin) for a client with seizure disorders. Phenytoin can only be mixed with which of the following solutions?

A client sustained second- and third-degree burns to his face, neck, and upper chest. Which of the following nursing diagnoses would be given the highest priority in the first 8 ho...

A post-lung surgery client is placed on a chest tube drainage system. When explaining to the family how the system works, the nurse states that the water-seal bottle of a three-bot...

Which of the following serum laboratory values would the nurse monitor during gentamicin therapy?

While changing the dressing on a client's central line, the nurse notices redness and warmth at the needle insertion site. Which of the following actions would be appropriate to im...

The nurse is caring for a client who has had a tracheostomy for 7 years. The client is started on a fullstrength tube feeding at 75 mL/hr. Prior to starting the tube feeding, the n...

The nurse is caring for a client with pancreatitis. Which of the following IV medications would the nurse expect the physician to prescribe for control of pain in this client?

The nurse begins morning assessment on a male client and notices that she is unable to palpate either of his dorsalis pedis pulses in his feet. What is the first nursing action aft...

The physician has prescribed metoclopramide (Reglan). When assessing the client, the nurse would expect to find which of the following responses?

A 33-year-old client was brought into the emergency room unconscious, and it is determined that surgery is needed. Informed consent must be obtained from his next of kin. The seque...

A client had abdominal surgery this morning. The nurse notices that there is a small amount of bloody drainage on his surgical dressing. The nurse would document this as what type...

A client had a hemicolectomy performed 2 days ago. Today, when the nurse assesses the incision, a small part of the abdominal viscera is seen protruding through the incision. This...

The nurse documents a client's surgical incision as having red granulated tissue. This indicates that the wound is:

A client has returned to the unit following a left femoral popliteal bypass graft. Six hours later, his dorsalis pedis pulse cannot be palpated, and his foot is cool and dusky. The...

A client is to have a coronary artery bypass graft performed in the morning using a saphenous vein. He wants to know why the physician does not use the internal mammary artery for...

A client returns to the cardiovascular intensive care unit following his coronary artery bypass graft. In planning his care, the most important electrolyte the nurse needs to monit...

A client is being discharged from the hospital today. The discharge teaching for care of her colostomy included which of the following basic principles for protecting the skin arou...

A client is being discharged from the hospital tomorrow following a colon resection with a left colostomy. The nurse knows that the client understands the discharge teaching about...

A client had a right below-the-knee amputation 4 days ago. He is complaining of pain in his right lower leg. The nurse should:

A client has returned to the unit from the recovery room after having a thyroidectomy. The nurse knows that a major complication after a thyroidectomy is:

A client had a transurethral resection of the prostate yesterday. He is concerned about the small amount of blood that is still in his urine. The nurse explains that the blood in h...

A 72-year-old male client had the Foley catheter that was inserted during the transurethral resection of his prostate removed today. He is concerned about the urinary incontinence...

A 48-year-old female client is going to have a cholecystectomy in the morning. In planning for her postoperative care, the nurse is aware that a priority nursing diagnosis for her...

A client is having a pneumonectomy done today, and the nurse is planning her postoperative care. Nursing interventions for a postoperative left pneumonectomy would include:

A client returned to the unit following a pneumonectomy. As the nurse is assessing her incision, she notices fresh blood on the dressing. The nurse should first:

A client had a renal transplant 3 months ago. He has suddenly developed graft tenderness, an increased white blood cell count, and malaise. The client is experiencing which type of...

A client has received preoperative teaching for the vertical partial laryngectomy that he is scheduled to have in the morning. The nurse determines that the teaching has been effec...

A client is having a vertical partial laryngectomy, and the nurse is planning his postoperative care. A priority postoperative nursing diagnosis for a client having a vertical part...

A client is going to have a pneumonectomy in the morning. She had a previous negative surgical experience, is talking rapidly, and has an increased pulse and respiratory rate. Nurs...

On admission to the inpatient unit, a 34-year-old client is able to follow simple directions, but with great difficulty. He is worried about how he can keep clean in such a public...

The physician prescribes amitriptyline (Elavil) for a client. What does the patient need to know about this medication?

The health team needs to realize that the compulsive concern with cleanliness that a client with severe anxiety exhibits is most likely an attempt to:

A successful executive left her job and became a housewife after her marriage to a plastic surgeon. She started doing volunteer work for a charity organization. She developed pain...

A 28-year-old client performs a long, involved ritual in getting up and preparing for the day. He became unable to get to his job before noon. His family, in desperation, has admit...

A 25-year-old lawyer who is married with three young children works long hours in an effort to become a partner in the law firm. Following a recent hospitalization for a bleeding u...

Plans for the care of a client with an ulcer caused by emotional problems need to take into consideration that:

A client has been uncomfortable in crowds all her life. After the birth of her child, she has been housebound unless her husband can accompany her to the grocery store and for medi...

A 22-year-old single woman was admitted to the psychiatric hospital by her mother, who reported bizarre behavior. Except for going to work, she spends all her time in her room and...

The 4th of July holiday comes while a client is in the hospital being treated for schizophrenia. She is taking chlorpromazine and has improved to the point of being allowed to go w...

Except for initial explosiveness on admission, a client diagnosed with schizophrenia stays in her room. She continues to believe other people are out to get her. A nursing interven...

A 32-year-old mother of two was brought to the hospital by her husband. He reported that his wife could no longer manage the house and children. She does not sleep and talks day an...

A client is placed on lithium therapy for her manicdepressive illness. When monitoring the client, the nurse assesses the laboratory blood values. Toxicity may occur with lithium t...

A client's behavior is annoying other clients on the unit. He is meddling with their belongings and dominating the group. The best approach by the nurse is to:

A client is hyperactive and not sleeping. She will not remain at the table during mealtime. She is getting very limited calories and is using a lot of energy in her hyperactive sta...

A hyperactive client is experiencing flight of ideas. The most therapeutic activity for him would be:

A client is a depressed, 48-year-old salesman. A serious concern for the nurse working with depressed clients is the potential of suicide. The time that suicide is most likely to o...

Succinylcholine chloride (Anectine) is ordered prior to electroconvulsive therapy treatment for depressed clients. The nurse explains that the purpose of the drug is to:

The nurse teaches a pregnant client that a high-risk symptom occurring at any time during pregnancy that needs to be reported immediately to a healthcare provider is:

At her first prenatal visit, a 21-year-old woman who is gravida 2, para 0, ab 1, is currently at 32 weeks' gestation and has a history of drug abuse, smoking, and occasional ethyl...

When teaching a class of nursing students, the nurse asks why the embryonic period (weeks 4-8) of pregnancy is so critical.