Nursing Process NCLEX questions

The nurse would make which of the following inferences after performing the appropriate client assessment? A. Client is hypotensive B. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute C. Oxygen saturation of 95% D. Client relays anxiety about blood work

A. Client is hypotensive Rationale: An inference is the nurse's judgment or interpretation of cues such as judging a blood pressure to be lower than normal. A cue is any piece of data information that influences a decision. Options 2, 3, and 4 are cues that could lead to inferences.

Which of these is a correctly stated outcome goal written by the nurse? A. The client will walk 2 miles daily by March 19 B. The client will understand how to give insulin by discharge C. The client will regain their former state of health by April 1 D. The client achieve desired mobility by May 7

A. The client will walk 2 miles daily by March 19 Rationale: Outcome goals should be SMART, i.e., Specific, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, and Timely. Option 1 is the only outcome that has a specific behavior (walks daily), with measurable performance criteria (2 miles), and a time estimate for goal attainment (by March 19).

The nurse would do which of the following activities during the diagnosing phase of the nursing process? Select all that apply. A. Collect and organize client information B. Analyze data C. Identify problems, risk, and client strengths D. Develop nursing diagnoses E. Develop client goals

B. Analyze data C. Identify problems, risk, and client strengths D. Develop nursing diagnoses Rationale: The diagnosing phase of the nursing process involves data analysis, which leads to identification of problems, risks, and strengths and the development of nursing diagnoses. Collecting and organizing client data is done in the assessment phase of the nursing process. Goal setting occurs during the planning phase.

Which of the following descriptors is most appropriate to use when stating the "problem" part of a nursing diagnosis? A. Grimacing B. Anxiety C. Oxygenation saturation 93% D. Output 500 mL in 8 hours

B. Anxiety Rationale: The problem part of a nursing diagnosis should state the client's response to a life process, event, or stressor. These are categorized as nursing diagnoses. The incorrect options are cues the nurse would use to formulate the nursing diagnostic statement.

The client reports nausea and constipation. Which of the following would be the priority nursing action? A. Collect a stool sample B. Complete an abnormal assessment C. Administer an anti-nausea medication D. Notify the physician

B. Complete an Abdominal assessment Rationale: Assessment involves the systematic collection of data about an individual upon which all subsequent phases of the nursing process are built. In response to a client's complaint, a nurse assesses a specific body system to obtain data that will help the nurse make a nursing diagnosis and plan the client's care. The other options reflect interventions, which are not timely unless there is first a complete assessment.

The nurse would do which of the following during the implementation phase of the nursing process when working with a hospitalized adult? A. Formulate a nursing diagnosis of impaired gas exchange B. Record in the medical record the distance a client ambulate in the hall C. Write individualized nursing orders in the care plan D. Compare client responses to the desired outcomes for pain relief

B. Record in the medical record the distance a client ambulate in the hall Rationale: The implementation phase of the nursing process involves carrying out or delegating the nursing interventions and recording nursing activities and client responses in the medical records. Option 1 represents diagnosing. Option 3 represents planning. Option 4 represents evaluation.

The nursing diagnosis is Risk for impaired skin integrity related to immobility and pressure secondary to pain and presence of a cast. Which of the following desired outcomes should the nurse include in the care plan? A. Client will be able to turn self by day 3 B. Skin will remain intact and without redness during hospital stay C. Client will state pain relieved within 30 minutes after medication D. Pressure will be prevented by repositioning client every 2 hours

B. Skin will remain intact and without redness during hospital stay Rationale: The human response/label is what needs to change (Risk for impaired skin integrity). The label suggests the outcomes. In this case, "skin will remain intact" is the desired outcome for a client at risk for impaired skin integrity. Option 1 addresses immobility. Option 3 addresses pain. Option 4 is an intervention.

Which desired outcome written by the nurse is correctly written and measurable? A. Client will have a normal bowel pattern by April 2 B. The client will lose 4 lbs. within next 2 weeks C. The nurse will provide skin care at least 3 times each day D. The client will breathe better after resting for 10 minutes

B. The client will lose 4 lbs. within next 2 weeks Rationale: An outcome statement must describe the observable client behavior that should occur in response to the nursing interventions. It consists of a subject, action verb, conditions under which the behavior is to be performed, and the level at which the client will perform the desired behavior. Each of the incorrect options lacks one of these required elements. Option 1 is not measurable. Option 3 is a nursing goal rather than a client goal. Option 4 does not include the level at which the behavior should be performed.

A desired outcome for a client immobilized in a long leg cast reads; Client will state three signs of impaired circulation prior to discharge. When the nurse evaluates the client's progress, the client is able to state that numbness and tingling are signs of impaired circulation. What would be an appropriate evaluation statement for the nurse to write? A. Client understands the signs of impaired circulation B. Goal met: Client cited numbness and tingling as sign of impaired circulation C. Goal not met: Client able to name only two signs of impaired circulation D. Goal not met: Client unable to describe signs of impaired circulation

C. Goal not met: Client able to name only two signs of impaired circulation Rationale: The goal has not been met because the client states only two out of three signs of impaired circulation. By comparing the data with the expected outcomes, the nurse judges that while there has been progress toward the goal, it has not been completely met. The care plan may need to be revised or more effective teaching strategies may need to be implemented to achieve the goal.

The nurse informs the physical therapy department that the client is too weak to use a walker and needs to be transported by wheelchair. Which step of the nursing process is the nurse engaged in at this time? A. Assessment B. Planning C. Implementation D. Evaluation

C. Implementation Rationale: The nurse is responsible for coordinating the plan of care with other disciplines to ensure the client's safety. This action represents the implementation phase of the nursing process. Data gathering occurs during assessment. Goal setting occurs during planning. Determining attainment of client goals occurs as part of evaluation.

Which of the following items of subjective client data would be documented in the medical record by the nurse? A. Client's face is pale B. Cervical lymph nodes are palpable C. Nursing assistant reports client refused lunch D. Client feel nauseated

D. Client feel nauseated Rationale: Subjective data includes the client's sensations, feelings, and perception of health status. Subjective data can only be verified by the affected person. Options 1, 2, and 3 represent objective data that can be detected by the nurse or measured against an accepted norm.

A client on the nursing unit is terminally ill but remains alert and oriented. Three days after admission, the nurse observes signs of depression. The client states, "I'm tired of being sick. I wish I could end it all." What is the most accurate and informative way to record this data in a nursing progress note? A. Client appears to be depressed, possibly suicidal B. Client reports being tired of being ill and wants to die C. Client does not want to live any longer and is tired of being ill D. Client states, "I'm tired of being sick. I wish I could end it all."

D. Client states, "I'm tired of being sick. I wish I could end it all." Rationale: Subjective data includes thoughts, beliefs, feelings, perceptions, and sensations that are apparent only to the person affected and cannot be measured, seen, or felt by the nurse. This information should be documented using the client's exact words in quotes. The other options indicate that the nurse has drawn the conclusion that the client no longer wishes to live. From the data provided, the cues do not support this assumption. A more complete assessment should be conducted to determine if the client is suicidal.

The nurse would write which of the following outcome statements for a client starting an exercise program? A. Client will walk quickly three times a day B. Client will be able to walk a mile C. Client will have no alteration in breathing during the walk D. Client will progress to walking a 20-minute mile in one month

D. Client will progress to walking a 20-minute mile in one month Rationale: Outcome statements must be written in behavioral terms and identify specific, measurable client behaviors. They are stated in terms of the client with an action verb that, under identified conditions, will achieve the desired behavior. They should also be realistic and achievable.

For the nursing diagnostic statement, Self-care deficit: feeding related to bilateral fractured wrists in casts, what is the major related factor or risk factor identified by the nurse? A. Discomfort B. Deficit C. Feeding D. Fractured wrists

D. Fractured Wrists Rationale: The etiology or related factors of a nursing diagnostic statement define one or more probable causes of the problem and allow the nurse to individualize the client's care. In this case, the fracture is the cause of the client's feeding problem.

While assisting a client from bed to chair, the nurse observes that the client looks pale and is beginning to perspire heavily. The nurse would then do which of the following activities as a reassessment? A. Help client into the chair but more quickly B. Document client's vital signs taken just prior to moving the client C. Help client back to bed immediately D. Observe client's skin color and take another set of vital signs

D. Observe client's skin color and take another set of vital signs Rationale: Assessment is ongoing throughout the nurse-client relationship. During re-assessment, the nurse collects additional data to help evaluate the status of problems or identify new problems. Options 1, 2, and 3 are interventions.