NCLEX RN Nursing Exam
Question 1 of 5.
The mother of a client is apprehensive about taking home her 2 year old who was diagnosed with asthma after being admitted to the emergency room with difficulty breathing and cyanosis. She asks the nurse what symptoms she should look for so that this problem will not happen again. The nurse instructs her to watch for the following early symptoms:
A. Fever, runny nose, and hyperactivity
B. Changes in breathing pattern, moodiness, fatigue, and edema of eyes
C. Fatigue, dark circles under the eyes, changes in breathing pattern, glassy eyes, and moodiness
D. Fever, cough, paleness, and wheezing
Explanation: The child with asthma may not have fever unless there is an underlying infection. Edema of the eyes will not be present because the child with asthma is more likely to have dehydration related to excessive water loss during the work of breathing. All of these symptoms indicate decreased oxygenation and are early symptoms of asthma. Coughing and wheezing are not early signs of difficulty.
Question 2 of 5.
A client tells the nurse that she takes St. John's wort (hypericum perforatum) three times a day for mild depression. The nurse should tell the client that:
A. St. John's wort seldom relieves depression.
B. She should avoid eating aged cheese.
C. Skin reactions increase with the use of sunscreen.
D. The herbal is safe to use with other antidepressants.
Explanation: St. John's wort increases photosensitivity, so sunscreen use may paradoxically increase skin reactions; clients should be cautioned about sun exposure.
Question 3 of 5.
An adolescent client hospitalized with anorexia nervosa is described by her parents as 'the perfect child.' When planning care for the client, the nurse should:
A. Allow her to choose what foods she will eat
B. Provide activities to foster her self-identity
C. Encourage her to participate in morning exercise
D. Provide a private room near the nurse's station
Explanation: Anorexia nervosa is often linked to issues of control and identity; activities fostering self-identity help address underlying psychological factors.
Question 4 of 5.
The mother of a child with chickenpox wants to know if there is a medication that will shorten the course of the illness. Which medication is sometimes used to speed healing of the lesions and shorten the duration of fever and itching?
A. Zovirax (acyclovir)
B. Varivax (varicella vaccine)
C. VZIG (varicella-zoster immune globulin)
D. Periactin (cyproheptadine)
Explanation: Acyclovir (Zovirax) is an antiviral that can reduce the severity and duration of chickenpox symptoms, including lesions, fever, and itching.
Question 5 of 5.
The physician has ordered an IV bolus of Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone sodium succinate) in normal saline for a client admitted with a spinal cord injury. Solu-Medrol has been shown to be effective in:
A. Preventing spasticity associated with cord injury
B. Decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation
C. Improving motor and sensory functioning
D. Treating post injury urinary tract infections
Explanation: High-dose methylprednisolone within 8 hours of spinal cord injury can improve motor and sensory outcomes by reducing inflammation and edema.