NCLEX-RN EXAM REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What diseases are related to too much aldosterone? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Cushings and Hyperaldosteronism (Conn's)
Which disease is related to not enough aldosterone? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Addisons: fluid volume is decreased
Where is Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) found? - CORRECT ANSWER- In the atria
of the heart
How does atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) work? - CORRECT ANSWER- It is the
opposite of aldosterone, so it causes excretion of Nas and H2O
When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority what should you
remember or use and what is the exception? - CORRECT ANSWER- Use the ABC
rule: Airway breathing, and circulation. The exception to the rule is with actual CPR, use
C-A-B for CPR. Also remember safety first and acute before chronic. If the pt. is not in
distress then you assess. If the pt is in distress then you should do something. If the pt
has diaphorisis you should always do something.
How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs -
CORRECT ANSWER- Address physiological needs first, followed by safety and
security needs, love and belonging needs, self esteem needs and finally self
actualization needs. *When a physiological need is not addressed in the question, look
for the option that addresses safety.
If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to determine the step
of the nursing process. What are the steps in the nursing process and what kind of
question might be related to that step. - CORRECT ANSWER- Assessment
question address the gathering and verification of data.
Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect additional information,
identify and communicate nursing diagnoses and determine the health team's ability to
meet the pts needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying outcomes of care.
,Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of care and the
assignment and delegation of tasks. Be prepared for questions on client teaching.
Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care with the expected
outcomes and on communicating and documenting findings.
What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing implications - CORRECT
ANSWER- Hemoglobin - Male 14-18 Female 12-16 Newborn 14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy. Drug therapy can
alter values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn 44-64
Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can alter values.
Abnormalities in RBC size may alter Hct values
What are the normal ranges for WBC?
What can increase values?
What can decrease values?
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal ranges? What range
is normal during the postpartum period? - CORRECT ANSWER- Both genders
5000-10000 Newborn 9000-30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased values.
Drug therapy can decrease values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is normal
What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? - CORRECT ANSWER- Males: 4.7-6.1
million
Female: 4.2-5.4 million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase levels
pregnancy usually lower values
drug therapy can alter values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an infusing IV.
What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values? - CORRECT ANSWER- Both Genders: 150000-
400000
, Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral contraceptives may
increase values
decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced production of platelets,
infections, use of prosthetic heart valves, and drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy, H2 blockers,
INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics.
What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind when getting a
specimen? - CORRECT ANSWER- 3.5-5 is normal range for potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an increased level.
Hemolysis of specimen can result in a falsely elevated value
What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider when collecting a
specimen? - CORRECT ANSWER- 136-145 is a normal sodium range
Do Not collect from an arm with an infusing IV solution
What are the normal ranges for Ca+?
What type of drug can increase calcium levels?
What are two tests with positive results that are associated with hypocalcemia?
How do you preform the two tests? - CORRECT ANSWER- 9-10.5 for adults.
slightly lower in the elder
Use of thiazide diuretics can cause increased levels of calcium
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau tests are associated with hypocalcemia.
• Chvostek sign: contraction of ipsilateral facial muscles when the facial nerve is tapped
just in front of the ear.
• Trousseau sign: carpopedal spasm elicited by inflating a sphygmomanometer above
systolic BP for 3 minutes.
What are the normal ranges for Mg+?
What may high magnesium levels indicate?
What may low magnesium levels indicate? - CORRECT ANSWER- 1.7-2.2
A high magnesium level may indicate: Addison disease
Chronic renal failure, Dehydration, Diabetic acidosis
Oliguria
A low magnesium level may indicate: Alcoholism
Chronic diarrhea, Delirium tremens, Hemodialysis
Hepatic (liver) cirrhosis, Hyperaldosteronism
Hypoparathyroidism, Pancreatitis, Too much insulin
Toxemia of pregnancy, Ulcerative colitis
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What diseases are related to too much aldosterone? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Cushings and Hyperaldosteronism (Conn's)
Which disease is related to not enough aldosterone? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Addisons: fluid volume is decreased
Where is Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) found? - CORRECT ANSWER- In the atria
of the heart
How does atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) work? - CORRECT ANSWER- It is the
opposite of aldosterone, so it causes excretion of Nas and H2O
When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority what should you
remember or use and what is the exception? - CORRECT ANSWER- Use the ABC
rule: Airway breathing, and circulation. The exception to the rule is with actual CPR, use
C-A-B for CPR. Also remember safety first and acute before chronic. If the pt. is not in
distress then you assess. If the pt is in distress then you should do something. If the pt
has diaphorisis you should always do something.
How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs -
CORRECT ANSWER- Address physiological needs first, followed by safety and
security needs, love and belonging needs, self esteem needs and finally self
actualization needs. *When a physiological need is not addressed in the question, look
for the option that addresses safety.
If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to determine the step
of the nursing process. What are the steps in the nursing process and what kind of
question might be related to that step. - CORRECT ANSWER- Assessment
question address the gathering and verification of data.
Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect additional information,
identify and communicate nursing diagnoses and determine the health team's ability to
meet the pts needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying outcomes of care.
,Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of care and the
assignment and delegation of tasks. Be prepared for questions on client teaching.
Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care with the expected
outcomes and on communicating and documenting findings.
What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing implications - CORRECT
ANSWER- Hemoglobin - Male 14-18 Female 12-16 Newborn 14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy. Drug therapy can
alter values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn 44-64
Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can alter values.
Abnormalities in RBC size may alter Hct values
What are the normal ranges for WBC?
What can increase values?
What can decrease values?
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal ranges? What range
is normal during the postpartum period? - CORRECT ANSWER- Both genders
5000-10000 Newborn 9000-30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased values.
Drug therapy can decrease values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is normal
What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? - CORRECT ANSWER- Males: 4.7-6.1
million
Female: 4.2-5.4 million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase levels
pregnancy usually lower values
drug therapy can alter values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an infusing IV.
What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values? - CORRECT ANSWER- Both Genders: 150000-
400000
, Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral contraceptives may
increase values
decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced production of platelets,
infections, use of prosthetic heart valves, and drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy, H2 blockers,
INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics.
What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind when getting a
specimen? - CORRECT ANSWER- 3.5-5 is normal range for potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an increased level.
Hemolysis of specimen can result in a falsely elevated value
What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider when collecting a
specimen? - CORRECT ANSWER- 136-145 is a normal sodium range
Do Not collect from an arm with an infusing IV solution
What are the normal ranges for Ca+?
What type of drug can increase calcium levels?
What are two tests with positive results that are associated with hypocalcemia?
How do you preform the two tests? - CORRECT ANSWER- 9-10.5 for adults.
slightly lower in the elder
Use of thiazide diuretics can cause increased levels of calcium
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau tests are associated with hypocalcemia.
• Chvostek sign: contraction of ipsilateral facial muscles when the facial nerve is tapped
just in front of the ear.
• Trousseau sign: carpopedal spasm elicited by inflating a sphygmomanometer above
systolic BP for 3 minutes.
What are the normal ranges for Mg+?
What may high magnesium levels indicate?
What may low magnesium levels indicate? - CORRECT ANSWER- 1.7-2.2
A high magnesium level may indicate: Addison disease
Chronic renal failure, Dehydration, Diabetic acidosis
Oliguria
A low magnesium level may indicate: Alcoholism
Chronic diarrhea, Delirium tremens, Hemodialysis
Hepatic (liver) cirrhosis, Hyperaldosteronism
Hypoparathyroidism, Pancreatitis, Too much insulin
Toxemia of pregnancy, Ulcerative colitis
