NCLEX-RN

To be a registered nurse one must
1) Complete an accredited nursing program
2) Pass the NCLEX-RN

NCLEX-RN stands for "The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. It is basically, "boards."

In preparation for the NCLEX, it is recommended that a student answer 5,000 practice NCLEX questions. I have 2 books dedicated to NCLEX questions and an online subscription as well that I've been using. Not sure how close I am to 5,000...but I'm on my way. I sent in my application for the test yesterday!

For fun, I'll post some NCLEX questions here from time to time..... And, since this blog is birth related, I'll make sure they are mostly OB/GYN questions.
Here are some to start.

1) A 19-year old primigravida is admitted to the labor and delivery unit in labor. She is 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced, and the fetal head is at 0 station. She is having moderately strong 40-second contractions every 5 minutes. She seems rather anxious and becomes very tense during each contraction. When the client asks for pain relief, what should the nurse do next?

a) Determine the source of her anxiety and institute interventions to help her relax.
b) Immediately check the physician's orders and give her the analgesic ordered.
c) Inform her that the baby's head is not down fa enough just yet, but that as soon as it is, medication will be given.
d) Tell her that her contractions are only moderately strong, and that she should wait until later to take medication.

2) A 17 year old primigavida with severe PIH has been receiving magnesium sulfate IV for 3 hours. The nurse assesses deep tendon reflexes (DTR), vital signs, and fetal heart tones every 15 minutes and urine output hourly. The latest assessment yields the following data: DTR, +1; blood pressure, 150/100mm Hg; pulse, 92 beats/minute; respirations, 10; urine output, 20ml/hour. The client appears flushed and complains of feeling warm. Which nursing action would be most appropriate in light of the current assessment data?

a) Take no action; continue monitoring per standards of care.
b) Discontinue the magnesium sulfate infusion.
c) Increase the infusion rate by 5 gtt/min.
d) Decrease the infusion rate by 5 gtt/min.

3) Which of the following indicates fetal distress?

a) FHR of 144 beats per minute.
b) Acceleration of FHR with contractions
c) Long-term variability
d) Fetal scalp pH of 7.14

4) A baby born at 34 weeks' gestation has a surfactant deficit. Which of the following conditions would the nurse most likely find in completing a newborn assessment?

a) Jaundice
b) Sternal retractions
c) Abdominal distention
d) Frothy, blood-tinged sputum

5) A client has a boggy uterus during Stage IV of her delivery. Four hours postpartum, the nurse is preparing to administer methylergonovine maleate (Methergine) 0.2mg PO as prescribed every 6 hours. The client's vital signs are: T 100.4, P 60, R 14, BP 140/90. Which is the most appropriate intervention?

a) Administer the drug STAT.
b) Administer the drug and call the physician.
c) Do not administer the drug.
d) Administer the drug and recheck vital signs.

6) A client who has suffered a closed head injury has been placed on a cooling blanket and given an antipyretic, as prescribed. In evaluating the client's response to these treatments, the nurse should anticipate that the therapeutic effects of these measures will do which of the following?

a) Prevent hypoxia secondary to diaphoresis.
b) Reduce brain metabolism and limit bain hypoxia.
c) Promote integrity of intracerebral neurons.
d) Promote equalization of osmotic factors.

For answers see below. If you would like rationale for any, let me know.

Answers: 1) a, 2) b, 3) d, 4) b, 5) c, 6) b
Questions from American Nursing Review Questions & Answers for NCLEX-RN, second edition.