Published - Thu, 23 Feb 2023

NCLEX-RN Exam Questions - Part 88

1. A 52-year-old client is scheduled for a small-bowel resection in the morning. In conjunction with other preoperative preparation, the nurse is teaching her diaphragmatic breathing exercises. She will teach the client to:

A) Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose until the lungs are fully expanded, hold the breath a couple of seconds, and then exhale slowly through the mouth. Repeat 23 more times to complete the series every 12 hours while awake
B) Purse the lips and take quick, short breaths approximately 18 - 20 times/min
C) Take a large gulp of air into the mouth, hold it for 10 - 15 seconds, and then expel it through the nose. Repeat 4 - 5 times to complete the series
D) Inhale as deeply as possible and then immediately exhale as deeply as possible at a rate of approximately 20 - 24 times/min

2. A 27-year-old healthy primigravida is brought to the labor and birthing room by her husband at 32 weeks gestation. She experienced a sudden onset of painless vaginal bleeding. Following an ultrasound examination, the diagnosis of bleeding secondary to complete placenta previa is made. Expected assessment findings concerning the abdomen would include:

A) A rigid, boardlike abdomen
B) Uterine atony
C) A soft relaxed abdomen
D) Hypertonicity of the uterus

3. A 27-year-old primigravida stated that she got up from the chair to fix dinner and bright red blood was running down her legs. She denies any pain previously or currently. The client is very concerned about whether her baby will be all right. Her vital signs include P 120 bpm, respirations 26 breaths/min, BP 104/58 mm Hg, temperature 98.2_F, and fetal heart rate 146 bpm. Laboratory findings revealed hemoglobin 9.0 g/dL, hematocrit 26%, and coagulation studies within normal range. On admission, the peripad she wore was noted to be half saturated with bright red blood. A medical diagnosis of placenta previa is made. The priority nursing diagnosis for this client would be:

A) Decreased cardiac output related to excessive bleeding
B) Potential for fluid volume excess related to fluid resuscitation
C) Anxiety related to threat to self
D) Alteration in parenting related to potential fetal injury

4. A 27-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks gestation has been diagnosed with complete placenta previa. Conservative management including bed rest is the proper medical management. The goal for fetal survival is based on fetal lung maturity. The test used to determine fetal lung maturity is:

A) Dinitrophenylhydrazine
B) Metachromatic stain
C) Blood serum phenylalanine test
D) Lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio

5. The nurse is notified that a 27-year-old primigravida diagnosed with complete placenta previa is to be admitted to the hospital for a cesarean section. The client is now at 36 weeks gestation and is presently having bright red bleeding of moderate amount. On admission, the nursing intervention that the nurse should give the highest priority to is:

A) Shave the client - s abdomen and arrange her lab work
B) Determine the status of the fetus by fetal heart tones
C) Start an IV infusion in the client - s arm
D) Insert an indwelling catheter into her bladder

1. Right Answer: A
Explanation: (A) This is the correct method of teaching diaphragmatic breathing, which allows full lung expansion to increase oxygenation, prevent atelectasis, and move secretions up and out of the lungs to decrease risk of pneumonia. (B) Quick, short breaths do not allow for full lung expansion and movement of secretions up and out of the lungs. Quick, short breaths may lead to O2 depletion, hyperventilation, and hypoxia. (C) Expelling breaths through the nose does not allow for full lung expansion and the use of diaphragmatic muscles to assist in moving secretions up and out of the lungs. (D) Inhaling and exhaling at a rate of 2024 times/min does not allow time for full lung expansion to increase oxygenation. This would most likely lead to O2 depletion and hypoxia.

2. Right Answer: C
Explanation: (A) A rigid, boardlike abdomen is an assessment finding indicative of placenta abruptio. (B) A cause of postbirth hemorrhage is uterine atony. With placenta previa, uterine tone is within normal range. (C) The placenta is located directly over the cervical os in complete previa. Blood will escape through the os, resulting in the uterus and abdomen remaining soft and relaxed. (D) In placenta abruptio, hypertonicity of the uterus is caused by the entrapment of blood between the placenta and uterine wall, a retroplacental bleed. This does not exist in placenta previa.

3. Right Answer: A
Explanation: (A) Based on the clients history, presence of bright red vaginal bleeding, and hemoglobin value on admission, the priority nursing diagnosis would be decreased cardiac output related to excessive bleeding. (B) This nursing diagnosis is a potential problem that does not exist at the present time, and therefore is not the priority problem. (C) The clients expressed anxiety is for her child. The fetus will remain physiologically safe if the decreased cardiac output is resolved. (D) Initial spontaneous bleeding with placenta previa is rarely life threatening to the mother or the fetus. Delivery of the fetus will be postponed until fetal maturity is achieved and survival is likely.

4. Right Answer: D
Explanation: (A) Dinitrophenylhydrazine is a laboratory test used to detect phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease, and Lowes syndrome. (B) Metachromatic stain is a laboratory test that may be used to diagnose Tay-Sachs and other lipid diseases of the central nervous system. (C) The blood serum phenylalanine test is diagnostic of phenylketonuria and can be used for wide-scale screening. (D) A lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio of at least 2:1 is indicative of fetal lung maturity, and survival of the fetus is likely.

5. Right Answer: B
Explanation: (A) These nursing actions are necessary prior to the cesarean section, but not immediately necessary to maintain physiological equilibrium. (B) Determining the physiological status of the fetus would constitute the highest priority in evaluating and maintaining fetal life. (C) These nursing actions are necessary prior to the cesarean section, but not immediately necessary to maintain physiological equilibrium. (D) These nursing actions are necessary prior to the cesarean section, but not immediately necessary to maintain physiological equilibrium.

80% DISCOUNT: NCLEX-RN PRACTICE EXAMS