NCLEX RN Practice Questions PDF
Question 1 of 5.
A nurse on the orthopedics floor is asked by another nurse to witness her waste 1 mg of morphine. The nurse draws the full 2 mg dose of morphine into the syringe and tells the first nurse, 'This client does not get enough pain relief with 1 mg of morphine, so I just go ahead and give 2 mg to keep him comfortable because the doctor won't change the dose.' Which is the correct action by the first nurse?
A. tell the other nurse to call the doctor back and request an increase in the dosage
B. refuse to sign off on the waste and report the incident to the charge nurse or unit manager
C. sign off the waste, and suggest that the nurse give it over two separate doses 30 minutes apart
D. sign off the waste, but tell the nurse to give it slowly to be sure that the client can tolerate the dose
Explanation: Administering an unordered dose is a medication error and potential diversion. Refusing to sign and reporting ensures patient safety and accountability.
Question 2 of 5.
A 23-year-old woman at 32-weeks gestation is seen in the outpatient clinic. Which of the following findings, if assessed by the nurse, would indicate a possible complication?
A. The client’s urine test is positive for glucose and acetone.
B. The client has 1+ pedal edema in both feet at the end of the day.
C. The client complains of an increase in vaginal discharge.
D. The client says she feels pressure against her diaphragm when the baby moves.
Explanation: abnormal finding, could indicate gestational diabetes (GDM), hazard of placental insufficiency
Question 3 of 5.
The nurse is monitoring a client’s EKG strip and notes coupled premature ventricular contractions greater than 10 per minute. The nurse should expect to administer which of the following?
A. Atropine sulfate (Atropine) IV.
B. Isoproterenol (Isuprel) IV.
C. Verapamil (Calan) IV.
D. Lidocaine hydrochloride (Xylocaine) IV.
Explanation: Lidocaine is the drug of choice for frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC) occurring in excess of 6-10 per minute; for coupled PVCs or for a consecutive series of PVCs that may result in ventricular tachycardia
Question 4 of 5.
An 8-year-old client is returned to the recovery room after a bronchoscopy. The nurse should position the client
A. in semi-Fowler’s position.
B. prone, with the head turned to the side.
C. with the head of the bed elevated 45° and the neck extended.
D. supine, with the head in the midline position.
Explanation: check vital signs every 15 minutes until stable, assess for respiratory difficulty (stridor and dyspnea resulting from laryngeal edema or laryngospasm)
Question 5 of 5.
A client with a history of seizures is prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin) 100 mg three times daily. The nurse should instruct the client to report which of the following side effects to the physician?
A. Mild nausea after taking the medication.
B. Gingival hyperplasia and rash.
C. Slight drowsiness in the morning.
D. Increased appetite and weight gain.
Explanation: gingival hyperplasia and rash are significant side effects of phenytoin that require medical attention