NCLEX-RN 2024
EXAM
A depressed client is seen at the mental health center for follow-up after an attempted suicide 1 week
ago. She has taken phenelzine sulfate (Nardil), a monoamine (MAO) inhibitor, for 7 straight days. She
states that she is not feeling any better. The nurse explains that the drug must accumulate to an
effective level before symptoms are totally relieved. Symptom relief is expected to occur within:
A. 10 days
B. 2-4 weeks
C. 2 months
D. 3 months
Answer: B
Explanation:
(A) This answer is incorrect. It can take up to 1 month for therapeutic effect of the medication. (B)
This answer is correct. Because MAO inhibitors are slow to act, it takes 2-4 weeks before
improvement of symptoms is noted.
(C) This answer is incorrect. It can take up to 1 month for therapeutic effect of the medication. (D)
This answer is incorrect. Therapeutic effects of the medication are noted within 1 month of drug
therapy.
NO.2 Cystic fibrosis is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. This means that:
A. Mothers carry the gene and pass it to their sons
B. Fathers carry the gene and pass it to their daughters
C. Both parents must have the disease for a child to have the disease
D. Both parents must be carriers for a child to have the disease
Answer: D
Explanation:
(A) Cystic fibrosis is not an X-linked or sex-linked disease. (B) The only characteristic on the Y
chromosome is the trait for hairy ears. (C) Both parents do not need to have the disease but must be
carriers. (D) If a trait is recessive, two genes (one from each parent) are necessary to produce an
affected child.
,NO.3 A 24-year-old client presents to the emergency department protesting "I am God." The nurse
identifies this as a:
A. Delusion
B. Illusion
C. Hallucination
D. Conversion Answer: A
Explanation:
(A) Delusion is a false belief. (B) Illusion is the misrepresentation of a real, external sensory
experience. (C) Hallucination is a false sensory perception involving any of the senses. (D)
Conversion is the expression of intrapsychic conflict through sensory or motor manifestations.
In acute episodes of mania, lithium is effective in 1-2 weeks, but it may take up to 4 weeks, or even a
few months, to treat symptoms fully. Sometimes an antipsychotic agent is prescribed during the first
few days or weeks of an acute episode to manage severe behavioral excitement and acute psychotic
symptoms. In addition to the lithium, which one of the following medications might the physician
prescribe? A. Diazepam (Valium)
B. Haloperidol (Haldol)
C. Sertraline (Zoloft)
D. Alprazolam (Xanax)
Answer: B
Explanation:
(A) Diazepam is an antianxiety medication and is not designed to reduce psychotic symptoms. (B)
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication and may be used until the lithium takes effect. (C)
Sertraline is an antidepressant and is used primarily to reduce symptoms of depression. (D)
Alprazolam is an antianxiety medication and is not designed to reduce psychotic symptoms.
NO.5 A violent client remains in restraints for several hours. Which of the following interventions is
most appropriate while he is in restraints? A. Give fluids if the client requests them.
B. Assess skin integrity and circulation of extremities before applying restraints and as they
areremoved.
C. Measure vital signs at least every 4 hours.
D. Release restraints every 2 hours for client to exercise.
Answer: D
Explanation:
(A) Fluids (nourishment) should be offered at regular intervals whether the client requests (or refuses)
them or not. (B) Skin integrity and circulation of the extremities should be checked regularly while the
client is restrained, not only before restraints are applied and after they are removed. (C) Vital signs
should be checked at least every 2 hours. If the client remains agitated in restraints, vital signs should
be monitored even more closely, perhaps every 1-2 hours. (D) Restraints should be released every 2
hours for exercise, one extremity at a time, to maintain muscle tone, skin and joint integrity, and
circulation.
2
,The pediatrician has diagnosed tinea capitis in an 8- year-old girl and has placed her on oral
griseofulvin. The nurse should emphasize which of these instructions to the mother and/or child? A.
Administer oral griseofulvin on an empty stomach for best results.
B. Discontinue drug therapy if food tastes funny.
C. May discontinue medication when the child experiences symptomatic relief.
D. Observe for headaches, dizziness, and anorexia.
Answer: D
Explanation:
(A) Giving the drug with or after meals may allay gastrointestinal discomfort. Giving the drug with a
fatty meal (ice cream or milk) increases absorption rate. (B) Griseofulvin may alter taste sensations
and thereby decrease the appetite. Monitoring of food intake is important, and inadequate nutrient
intake should be reported to the physician. (C) The child may experience symptomatic relief after
4896 hours of therapy. It is important to stress continuing the drug therapy to prevent relapse (usually
about 6 weeks). (D) The incidence of side effects is low; however, headaches are common. Nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia may occur. Dizziness, although uncommon, should be reported to the
physician.
A client with cirrhosis of the liver becomes comatose and is started on neomycin 300 mg q6h via
nasogastric tube. The rationale for this therapy is to:
A. Prevent systemic infection
B. Promote diuresis
C. Decrease ammonia formation
D. Acidify the small bowel
Answer: C
Explanation:
(A) Neomycin is an antibiotic, but this is not the Rationale for administering it to a client in hepatic
coma. (B) Diuretics and salt-free albumin are used to promote diuresis in clients with cirrhosis of the
liver. (C) Neomycin destroys the bacteria in the intestines. It is the bacteria in the bowel that break
down protein into ammonia. (D) Lactulose is administered to create an acid environment in the bowel.
Ammonia leaves the blood and migrates to this acidic environment where it is trapped and excreted.
A 5-year-old has just had a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Which of these nursing measures should
be included in the postoperative care?
A. Encourage the child to cough up blood if present.
B. Give warm clear liquids when fully alert.
C. Have child gargle and do toothbrushing to remove old blood.
D. Observe for evidence of bleeding.
Answer: D
Explanation:
3
, (A) The nurse should discourage the child from coughing, clearing the throat, or putting objects in his
mouth. These may induce bleeding. (B) Cool, clear liquids may be given when child is fully alert.
Warm liquids may dislodge a blood clot. The nurse should avoid red- or brown-colored liquids to
distinguish fresh or old blood from ingested liquid should the child vomit. (C) Gargles and vigorous
toothbrushing could initiate bleeding. (D) Postoperative hemorrhage, though unusual, may occur. The
nurse should observe for bleeding by looking directly into the throat and for vomiting of bright red
blood, continuous swallowing, and changes in vital signs.
An 80-year-old male client with a history of arteriosclerosis is experiencing severe pain in his left
leg that started approximately 20 minutes ago. When performing the admission assessment, the nurse
would expect to observe which of the following: A. Both lower extremities warm to touch with
2_pedal pulses
B. Both lower extremities cyanotic when placed in a dependent position
C. Decreased or absent pedal pulse in the left leg
D. The left leg warmer to touch than the right leg
Answer: C
Explanation:
(A) This statement describes a normal assessment finding of the lower extremities. (B) This
assessment finding reflects problems caused by venous insufficiency. (C) Decreased or absentpedal
pulses reflect a problem caused by arterial insufficiency. (D) The leg that is experiencing arterial
insufficiency would be cool to touch due to the decreased circulation.
A 16-month-old infant is being prepared for tetralogy of Fallot repair. In the nursing assessment,
which lab value should elicit further assessment and requires notification of physician?
A. pH 7.39
B. White blood cell (WBC) count 10,000 WBCs/mm3
C. Hematocrit 60%
D. Bleeding time of 4 minutes
Answer: C
Explanation:
(A) Normal pH of arterial blood gases for an infant is 7.35-7.45. (B) Normal white blood cell count in
an infant is 6,000-17,500 WBCs/mm3. (C) Normal hematocrit in infant is 28%-42%. A 60%
hematocrit may indicate polycythemia, a common complication of cyanotic heart disease. (D) Normal
bleeding time is 2-7 minutes.
A male client is experiencing extreme distress. He begins to pace up and down the corridor.
What nursing intervention is appropriate when communicating with the pacing client? A.
Ask him to sit down. Speak slowly and use short, simple sentences.
B. Help him to recognize his anxiety.
C. Walk with him as he paces.
D. Increase the level of his supervision.
4
EXAM
A depressed client is seen at the mental health center for follow-up after an attempted suicide 1 week
ago. She has taken phenelzine sulfate (Nardil), a monoamine (MAO) inhibitor, for 7 straight days. She
states that she is not feeling any better. The nurse explains that the drug must accumulate to an
effective level before symptoms are totally relieved. Symptom relief is expected to occur within:
A. 10 days
B. 2-4 weeks
C. 2 months
D. 3 months
Answer: B
Explanation:
(A) This answer is incorrect. It can take up to 1 month for therapeutic effect of the medication. (B)
This answer is correct. Because MAO inhibitors are slow to act, it takes 2-4 weeks before
improvement of symptoms is noted.
(C) This answer is incorrect. It can take up to 1 month for therapeutic effect of the medication. (D)
This answer is incorrect. Therapeutic effects of the medication are noted within 1 month of drug
therapy.
NO.2 Cystic fibrosis is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. This means that:
A. Mothers carry the gene and pass it to their sons
B. Fathers carry the gene and pass it to their daughters
C. Both parents must have the disease for a child to have the disease
D. Both parents must be carriers for a child to have the disease
Answer: D
Explanation:
(A) Cystic fibrosis is not an X-linked or sex-linked disease. (B) The only characteristic on the Y
chromosome is the trait for hairy ears. (C) Both parents do not need to have the disease but must be
carriers. (D) If a trait is recessive, two genes (one from each parent) are necessary to produce an
affected child.
,NO.3 A 24-year-old client presents to the emergency department protesting "I am God." The nurse
identifies this as a:
A. Delusion
B. Illusion
C. Hallucination
D. Conversion Answer: A
Explanation:
(A) Delusion is a false belief. (B) Illusion is the misrepresentation of a real, external sensory
experience. (C) Hallucination is a false sensory perception involving any of the senses. (D)
Conversion is the expression of intrapsychic conflict through sensory or motor manifestations.
In acute episodes of mania, lithium is effective in 1-2 weeks, but it may take up to 4 weeks, or even a
few months, to treat symptoms fully. Sometimes an antipsychotic agent is prescribed during the first
few days or weeks of an acute episode to manage severe behavioral excitement and acute psychotic
symptoms. In addition to the lithium, which one of the following medications might the physician
prescribe? A. Diazepam (Valium)
B. Haloperidol (Haldol)
C. Sertraline (Zoloft)
D. Alprazolam (Xanax)
Answer: B
Explanation:
(A) Diazepam is an antianxiety medication and is not designed to reduce psychotic symptoms. (B)
Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication and may be used until the lithium takes effect. (C)
Sertraline is an antidepressant and is used primarily to reduce symptoms of depression. (D)
Alprazolam is an antianxiety medication and is not designed to reduce psychotic symptoms.
NO.5 A violent client remains in restraints for several hours. Which of the following interventions is
most appropriate while he is in restraints? A. Give fluids if the client requests them.
B. Assess skin integrity and circulation of extremities before applying restraints and as they
areremoved.
C. Measure vital signs at least every 4 hours.
D. Release restraints every 2 hours for client to exercise.
Answer: D
Explanation:
(A) Fluids (nourishment) should be offered at regular intervals whether the client requests (or refuses)
them or not. (B) Skin integrity and circulation of the extremities should be checked regularly while the
client is restrained, not only before restraints are applied and after they are removed. (C) Vital signs
should be checked at least every 2 hours. If the client remains agitated in restraints, vital signs should
be monitored even more closely, perhaps every 1-2 hours. (D) Restraints should be released every 2
hours for exercise, one extremity at a time, to maintain muscle tone, skin and joint integrity, and
circulation.
2
,The pediatrician has diagnosed tinea capitis in an 8- year-old girl and has placed her on oral
griseofulvin. The nurse should emphasize which of these instructions to the mother and/or child? A.
Administer oral griseofulvin on an empty stomach for best results.
B. Discontinue drug therapy if food tastes funny.
C. May discontinue medication when the child experiences symptomatic relief.
D. Observe for headaches, dizziness, and anorexia.
Answer: D
Explanation:
(A) Giving the drug with or after meals may allay gastrointestinal discomfort. Giving the drug with a
fatty meal (ice cream or milk) increases absorption rate. (B) Griseofulvin may alter taste sensations
and thereby decrease the appetite. Monitoring of food intake is important, and inadequate nutrient
intake should be reported to the physician. (C) The child may experience symptomatic relief after
4896 hours of therapy. It is important to stress continuing the drug therapy to prevent relapse (usually
about 6 weeks). (D) The incidence of side effects is low; however, headaches are common. Nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia may occur. Dizziness, although uncommon, should be reported to the
physician.
A client with cirrhosis of the liver becomes comatose and is started on neomycin 300 mg q6h via
nasogastric tube. The rationale for this therapy is to:
A. Prevent systemic infection
B. Promote diuresis
C. Decrease ammonia formation
D. Acidify the small bowel
Answer: C
Explanation:
(A) Neomycin is an antibiotic, but this is not the Rationale for administering it to a client in hepatic
coma. (B) Diuretics and salt-free albumin are used to promote diuresis in clients with cirrhosis of the
liver. (C) Neomycin destroys the bacteria in the intestines. It is the bacteria in the bowel that break
down protein into ammonia. (D) Lactulose is administered to create an acid environment in the bowel.
Ammonia leaves the blood and migrates to this acidic environment where it is trapped and excreted.
A 5-year-old has just had a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Which of these nursing measures should
be included in the postoperative care?
A. Encourage the child to cough up blood if present.
B. Give warm clear liquids when fully alert.
C. Have child gargle and do toothbrushing to remove old blood.
D. Observe for evidence of bleeding.
Answer: D
Explanation:
3
, (A) The nurse should discourage the child from coughing, clearing the throat, or putting objects in his
mouth. These may induce bleeding. (B) Cool, clear liquids may be given when child is fully alert.
Warm liquids may dislodge a blood clot. The nurse should avoid red- or brown-colored liquids to
distinguish fresh or old blood from ingested liquid should the child vomit. (C) Gargles and vigorous
toothbrushing could initiate bleeding. (D) Postoperative hemorrhage, though unusual, may occur. The
nurse should observe for bleeding by looking directly into the throat and for vomiting of bright red
blood, continuous swallowing, and changes in vital signs.
An 80-year-old male client with a history of arteriosclerosis is experiencing severe pain in his left
leg that started approximately 20 minutes ago. When performing the admission assessment, the nurse
would expect to observe which of the following: A. Both lower extremities warm to touch with
2_pedal pulses
B. Both lower extremities cyanotic when placed in a dependent position
C. Decreased or absent pedal pulse in the left leg
D. The left leg warmer to touch than the right leg
Answer: C
Explanation:
(A) This statement describes a normal assessment finding of the lower extremities. (B) This
assessment finding reflects problems caused by venous insufficiency. (C) Decreased or absentpedal
pulses reflect a problem caused by arterial insufficiency. (D) The leg that is experiencing arterial
insufficiency would be cool to touch due to the decreased circulation.
A 16-month-old infant is being prepared for tetralogy of Fallot repair. In the nursing assessment,
which lab value should elicit further assessment and requires notification of physician?
A. pH 7.39
B. White blood cell (WBC) count 10,000 WBCs/mm3
C. Hematocrit 60%
D. Bleeding time of 4 minutes
Answer: C
Explanation:
(A) Normal pH of arterial blood gases for an infant is 7.35-7.45. (B) Normal white blood cell count in
an infant is 6,000-17,500 WBCs/mm3. (C) Normal hematocrit in infant is 28%-42%. A 60%
hematocrit may indicate polycythemia, a common complication of cyanotic heart disease. (D) Normal
bleeding time is 2-7 minutes.
A male client is experiencing extreme distress. He begins to pace up and down the corridor.
What nursing intervention is appropriate when communicating with the pacing client? A.
Ask him to sit down. Speak slowly and use short, simple sentences.
B. Help him to recognize his anxiety.
C. Walk with him as he paces.
D. Increase the level of his supervision.
4
