NCLEX EXAM STUDY GUIDE
1. The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for Emphysema and
Chronic Bronchitis. After being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years,
the nurse expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
2. A narrowed chest cavity
3. Clubbed fingers
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure
ANSWERS 1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Forced Vital Capacity is the volume of air exhaled from full inhalation to full exhalation. A
patient with COPD would have a decrease in FVC. Incorrect.
2. A narrowed chest cavity
A patient with COPD often presents with a 'barrel chest,' which is seen as a widened chest
cavity. Incorrect.
3.Clubbed fingers - CORRECT
Clubbed fingers are a sign of a long-term, or chronic, decrease in oxygen levels.
4.An increased risk of cardiac failure
Although a patient with these conditions would indeed be at an increased risk for cardiac
failure, this is a potential complication and not an assessment finding. Incorrect.
, NCLEX EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2. The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient being treated for a
Duodenal Ulcer. After being told the patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the nurse
expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Melena
2. Nausea
3. Hernia
4. Hyperthermia
ANSWERS 1. Melena - CORRECT
Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the stool which presents as black,
tarry feces. This is a common manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the Duodenum is
further down the gastric anatomy.
2.Nausea
Nausea may be present, but is a generalized symptom and by itself doesn't indicate a
Duodenal Ulcer. Incorrect.
3.Hernia
A Hernia is a protrusion of a segment of the abdomen through another abdominal
structure. It is not associated with an Ulcer and is a condition, not an assessment finding.
Incorrect.
4. Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia, a high temperature, is not an assessment finding of a Duodenal Ulcer.
Incorrect
, NCLEX EXAM STUDY GUIDE
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease. Which of these statements by the patient indicates a need for more
teaching?
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my head when I
sleep"
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
ANSWERS 1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the stomach and delay gastric
emptying. It's recommended instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
2."I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my head
when I sleep" Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion
for GERD.
3."I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more." Incorrect -
This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
4."I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
, NCLEX EXAM STUDY GUIDE
4. The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient suspected to have a Peptic
Ulcer. On assessing lab results, the nurse finds that the patient's blood pressure is
95/60, pulse is 110 beats per minute, and the patient reports epigastric pain. What is
the PRIORITY intervention?
1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
2. Ask the patient for a stool sample
3. Prepare to insert an NG Tube
4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered
ANSWERS 1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
CORRECT - The nurse should suspect that the patient is hemorrhaging and will need a fluid
replacement therapy, which requires a large bore IV.
2.Ask the patient for a stool sample
Incorrect - While this is useful in the diagnosis and assessment of Peptic Ulcer Disease, it is
not the priority intervention.
3.Prepare to insert an NG Tube
Incorrect - While this intervention may be used in the later stages of Peptic Ulcer Disease,
it is not the first and priority intervention.
4.Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered
Incorrect - While this is an important intervention to manage pain, it is not the priority
intervention.
1. The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for Emphysema and
Chronic Bronchitis. After being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years,
the nurse expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
2. A narrowed chest cavity
3. Clubbed fingers
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure
ANSWERS 1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Forced Vital Capacity is the volume of air exhaled from full inhalation to full exhalation. A
patient with COPD would have a decrease in FVC. Incorrect.
2. A narrowed chest cavity
A patient with COPD often presents with a 'barrel chest,' which is seen as a widened chest
cavity. Incorrect.
3.Clubbed fingers - CORRECT
Clubbed fingers are a sign of a long-term, or chronic, decrease in oxygen levels.
4.An increased risk of cardiac failure
Although a patient with these conditions would indeed be at an increased risk for cardiac
failure, this is a potential complication and not an assessment finding. Incorrect.
, NCLEX EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2. The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient being treated for a
Duodenal Ulcer. After being told the patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the nurse
expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Melena
2. Nausea
3. Hernia
4. Hyperthermia
ANSWERS 1. Melena - CORRECT
Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the stool which presents as black,
tarry feces. This is a common manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the Duodenum is
further down the gastric anatomy.
2.Nausea
Nausea may be present, but is a generalized symptom and by itself doesn't indicate a
Duodenal Ulcer. Incorrect.
3.Hernia
A Hernia is a protrusion of a segment of the abdomen through another abdominal
structure. It is not associated with an Ulcer and is a condition, not an assessment finding.
Incorrect.
4. Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia, a high temperature, is not an assessment finding of a Duodenal Ulcer.
Incorrect
, NCLEX EXAM STUDY GUIDE
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease. Which of these statements by the patient indicates a need for more
teaching?
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my head when I
sleep"
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
ANSWERS 1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the stomach and delay gastric
emptying. It's recommended instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
2."I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my head
when I sleep" Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion
for GERD.
3."I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more." Incorrect -
This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
4."I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
, NCLEX EXAM STUDY GUIDE
4. The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient suspected to have a Peptic
Ulcer. On assessing lab results, the nurse finds that the patient's blood pressure is
95/60, pulse is 110 beats per minute, and the patient reports epigastric pain. What is
the PRIORITY intervention?
1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
2. Ask the patient for a stool sample
3. Prepare to insert an NG Tube
4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered
ANSWERS 1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
CORRECT - The nurse should suspect that the patient is hemorrhaging and will need a fluid
replacement therapy, which requires a large bore IV.
2.Ask the patient for a stool sample
Incorrect - While this is useful in the diagnosis and assessment of Peptic Ulcer Disease, it is
not the priority intervention.
3.Prepare to insert an NG Tube
Incorrect - While this intervention may be used in the later stages of Peptic Ulcer Disease,
it is not the first and priority intervention.
4.Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered
Incorrect - While this is an important intervention to manage pain, it is not the priority
intervention.
