NCLEX-PN Test-Bank (200 Questions with Answers and Explanation)
STUDY GUIDE
1. The nurse is caring for a client scheduled for removal of a pituitary tumor using the
transsphenoidal approach. The nurse should be particularly alert for:
A. Nasal congestion
B. Abdominal tenderness
C. Muscle tetany
D. Oliguria
Answer A: Removal of the pituitary gland is usually done by a transsphenoidal approach,
through the nose. Nasal congestion further interferes with the airway. Answers B, C, and D are
not correct because they are not directly associated with the pituitary gland.
2. A client with cancer is admitted to the oncology unit. Stat lab values reveal Hgb 12.6,
WBC 6500, K+ 1.9, uric acid 7.0, Na+ 136, and platelets 178,000. The nurse evaluates that
the client is experiencing which of the following?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Myelosuppression
D. Leukocytosis
Answer B: Hypokalemia is evident from the lab values listed. The other laboratory findings are
within normal limits, making answers A, C, and D
incorrect.
,3. A 24-year-old female client is scheduled for surgery in the morning. Which of the
following is the primary responsibility of the nurse?
A. Taking the vital signs
B. Obtaining the permit
C. Explaining the procedure
D. Checking the lab work
Answer A: The primary responsibility of the nurse is to take the vital signs before any surgery.
The actions in answers B, C, and D are the responsibility of the doctor and, therefore, are
incorrect for this question.
4. The nurse is working in the emergency room when a client arrives with severe burns
of the left arm, hands, face, and neck. Which action should receive priority?
A. Starting an IV
B. Applying oxygen
C. Obtaining blood gases
D. Medicating the client for pain
Answer B: The client with burns to the neck needs airway assessment and supplemental oxygen,
so applying oxygen is the priority. The next action should be to start an IV and medicate for
pain, making answers A and C incorrect. Answer D, obtaining blood gases, is ordered by the
doctor.
5. The nurse is visiting a home health client with osteoporosis. The client has a
new prescription for alendronate (Fosamax). Which instruction should be given to the
client?
A. Rest in bed after taking the medication for at least 30 minutes
B. Avoid rapid movements after taking the medication
C. Take the medication with water only
,D. Allow at least 1 hour between taking the medicine and taking other medications
Answer B: The client with burns to the neck needs airway assessment and supplemental oxygen,
so applying oxygen is the priority. The next action should be to start an IV and medicate for
pain, making answers A and C incorrect. Answer D, obtaining blood gases, is ordered by the
doctor.
6. The nurse is making initial rounds on a client with a C5 fracture and crutchfield tongs.
Which equipment should be kept at the bedside?
A. A pair of forceps
B. A torque wrench
C. A pair of wire cutters
D. A screwdriver
Answer B: A torque wrench is kept at the bedside to tighten and loosen the screws of crutchfield
tongs. This wrench controls the amount of pressure that is placed on the screws. A pair of
forceps, wire cutters, and a screwdriver, in answers A, C, and D, would not be used and, thus,
are incorrect.
7. An infant weighs 7 pounds at birth. The expected weight by 1 year should
be:
A. 10 pounds
B. 12 pounds
C. 18 pounds
D. 21 pounds
, Answer D: A birth weight of 7 pounds would indicate 21 pounds in 1 year, or triple his birth
weight. Answers A, B, and C therefore are incorrect.
8. A client is admitted with a Ewing’s sarcoma. Which symptoms would be expected due
to this tumor’s location?
A. Hemiplegia
B. Aphasia
C. Nausea
D. Bone pain
Answer D: Sarcoma is a type of bone cancer; therefore, bone pain would be expected. Answers
A, B, and C are not specific to this type of cancer and are incorrect.
9. The nurse is caring for a client with epilepsy who is being treated with carbamazepine
(Tegretol). Which laboratory value might indicate a serious side effect of this drug?
A. Uric acid of 5mg/dL
B. Hematocrit of 33%
C. WBC 2,000 per cubic millimeter
D. Platelets 150,000 per cubic millimeter
Answer C: Tegretol can suppress the bone marrow and decrease the white blood cell count; thus,
a lab value of WBC 2,000 per cubic millimeter indicates side effects of the drug. Answers A and
D are within normal limits, and answer B is a lower limit of normal; therefore, answers A, B,
and D are incorrect.
STUDY GUIDE
1. The nurse is caring for a client scheduled for removal of a pituitary tumor using the
transsphenoidal approach. The nurse should be particularly alert for:
A. Nasal congestion
B. Abdominal tenderness
C. Muscle tetany
D. Oliguria
Answer A: Removal of the pituitary gland is usually done by a transsphenoidal approach,
through the nose. Nasal congestion further interferes with the airway. Answers B, C, and D are
not correct because they are not directly associated with the pituitary gland.
2. A client with cancer is admitted to the oncology unit. Stat lab values reveal Hgb 12.6,
WBC 6500, K+ 1.9, uric acid 7.0, Na+ 136, and platelets 178,000. The nurse evaluates that
the client is experiencing which of the following?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Myelosuppression
D. Leukocytosis
Answer B: Hypokalemia is evident from the lab values listed. The other laboratory findings are
within normal limits, making answers A, C, and D
incorrect.
,3. A 24-year-old female client is scheduled for surgery in the morning. Which of the
following is the primary responsibility of the nurse?
A. Taking the vital signs
B. Obtaining the permit
C. Explaining the procedure
D. Checking the lab work
Answer A: The primary responsibility of the nurse is to take the vital signs before any surgery.
The actions in answers B, C, and D are the responsibility of the doctor and, therefore, are
incorrect for this question.
4. The nurse is working in the emergency room when a client arrives with severe burns
of the left arm, hands, face, and neck. Which action should receive priority?
A. Starting an IV
B. Applying oxygen
C. Obtaining blood gases
D. Medicating the client for pain
Answer B: The client with burns to the neck needs airway assessment and supplemental oxygen,
so applying oxygen is the priority. The next action should be to start an IV and medicate for
pain, making answers A and C incorrect. Answer D, obtaining blood gases, is ordered by the
doctor.
5. The nurse is visiting a home health client with osteoporosis. The client has a
new prescription for alendronate (Fosamax). Which instruction should be given to the
client?
A. Rest in bed after taking the medication for at least 30 minutes
B. Avoid rapid movements after taking the medication
C. Take the medication with water only
,D. Allow at least 1 hour between taking the medicine and taking other medications
Answer B: The client with burns to the neck needs airway assessment and supplemental oxygen,
so applying oxygen is the priority. The next action should be to start an IV and medicate for
pain, making answers A and C incorrect. Answer D, obtaining blood gases, is ordered by the
doctor.
6. The nurse is making initial rounds on a client with a C5 fracture and crutchfield tongs.
Which equipment should be kept at the bedside?
A. A pair of forceps
B. A torque wrench
C. A pair of wire cutters
D. A screwdriver
Answer B: A torque wrench is kept at the bedside to tighten and loosen the screws of crutchfield
tongs. This wrench controls the amount of pressure that is placed on the screws. A pair of
forceps, wire cutters, and a screwdriver, in answers A, C, and D, would not be used and, thus,
are incorrect.
7. An infant weighs 7 pounds at birth. The expected weight by 1 year should
be:
A. 10 pounds
B. 12 pounds
C. 18 pounds
D. 21 pounds
, Answer D: A birth weight of 7 pounds would indicate 21 pounds in 1 year, or triple his birth
weight. Answers A, B, and C therefore are incorrect.
8. A client is admitted with a Ewing’s sarcoma. Which symptoms would be expected due
to this tumor’s location?
A. Hemiplegia
B. Aphasia
C. Nausea
D. Bone pain
Answer D: Sarcoma is a type of bone cancer; therefore, bone pain would be expected. Answers
A, B, and C are not specific to this type of cancer and are incorrect.
9. The nurse is caring for a client with epilepsy who is being treated with carbamazepine
(Tegretol). Which laboratory value might indicate a serious side effect of this drug?
A. Uric acid of 5mg/dL
B. Hematocrit of 33%
C. WBC 2,000 per cubic millimeter
D. Platelets 150,000 per cubic millimeter
Answer C: Tegretol can suppress the bone marrow and decrease the white blood cell count; thus,
a lab value of WBC 2,000 per cubic millimeter indicates side effects of the drug. Answers A and
D are within normal limits, and answer B is a lower limit of normal; therefore, answers A, B,
and D are incorrect.
