COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION 10

1. The nurse is caring for a 10 year-old on admission to the burn unit. One assessment
parameter that will indicate that the child has adequate fluid replacement is

A) urinary output of 30 ml per hour

B) no complaints of thirst
C) increased hematocrit
D) good skin turgor around burn

2. A registered nurse (RN) is assigned to work at the Poison Control Center telephone
hotline. In which of these cases of childhood poisoning would the nurse suggest that parents
have the child drink orange juice?

A) An 18 month-old who ate an undetermined amount of crystal drain cleaner

B) A 14 month-old who chewed 2 leaves of a philodendron plant
C) A 20 month-old who is found sitting on the bathroom floor beside an empty
bottle of diazepam (Valium)
D) A 30 month-old who has swallowed a mouthful of charcoal lighter fluid

3. Which of the following conditions assessed by the nurse would contraindicate the use of
benztropine (Cogentin)?

A) Neuro malignant syndrome

B) Acute extrapyramidal syndrome
C) Glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy
D) Parkinson's disease, atypical tremors

4. While assessing a client in an outpatient facility with a panic disorder, the nurse completes
a thorough health history and physical exam. Which finding is most significant for this client?

A) Compulsive behavior
B) Sense of impending doom
C) Fear of flying
D) Predictable episodes

5. The nursing care plan for a client with decreased adrenal function should include

A) encouraging activity
B) placing client in reverse isolation
C) limiting visitors
D) measures to prevent constipation
6. A client is in the third month of her first pregnancy. During the interview, she tells the
nurse that she has several sex partners and is unsure of the identity of the baby's father.
Which of the following nursing interventions is a priority?

A) Counsel the woman to consent to HIV screening

B) Perform tests for sexually transmitted diseases
C) Discuss her high risk for cervical cancer
D) Refer the client to a family planning clinic

7. A client has developed thrombophlebitis of the left leg. Which nursing intervention should
be given the highest priority?

A) Elevate the leg on 2 pillows

B) Apply support stockings
C) Apply warm compresses
D) Maintain complete bed rest

8. The nurse is assessing a 2 year-old client with a possible diagnosis of congenital heart
disease. Which of these is most likely to be seen with this diagnosis?

A) Several otitis media episodes in the last year

B) Weight and height in the 10th percentile since birth
C) Takes frequent rest periods while playing
D) Changing food preferences and dislikes

9. The nurse enters the room as a 3 year-old is having a generalized seizure. Which
intervention should the nurse perform first?

A) Clear the area of any hazards

B) Place the child on its side
C) Restrain the child
D) Give the prescribed anticonvulsant

10. While planning care for a 2 year-old hospitalized child, which situation would the nurse
expect to most likely affect the behavior?

A) Strange bed and surroundings

B) Separation from parents
C) Presence of other toddlers
D) Unfamiliar toys and games
11. The registered nurse has just admitted a client with severe depression. What domain
should be the priority focus as the nurse identifies the nursing diagnoses?

A) Nutrition
B) Elimination
C) Activity
D) Safety

12. When using an interpreter to teach a client about a procedure to do in the home, the
nurse should take which approach?

A) Speak directly to the interpreter while presenting information and use

pause for questions.
B) Talk to the interpreter in advance and leave the client and interpreter alone
C) Include a family member and direct communications to that person
D) Face the client while presenting the information as the interpreter talks in
the native language

13. The nurse is planning care for a client with pneumococcal pneumonia. Which of the
following would be most effective in removing respiratory secretions?

A) Administration of cough suppressants

B) Increasing oral fluid intake to 3000 cc per day
C) Maintaining bed rest with bathroom privileges
D) Performing chest physiotherapy twice a day

14. A 23 year-old single client is in the 33rd week of her first pregnancy. She tells the nurse
that she has everything ready for the baby and has made plans for the first weeks together at
home. Which normal emotional reaction does the nurse recognize?

A) Acceptance of the pregnancy

B) Focus on fetal development
C) Anticipation of the birth
D) Ambivalence about pregnancy

15. The nurse in a well-child clinic examines many children on a daily basis. Which of the
following toddlers requires further follow up?

A) A 13 month-old unable to walk

B) A 20 month-old only using 2 and 3 word sentences
C) A 24 month-old who cries during examination
D) A 30 month-old only drinking from a sippy cup
16. Which of the following would be the best strategy for the nurse to use when teaching
insulin injection techniques to a newly diagnosed client with diabetes?

A) Give written pre and post tests

B) Ask questions during practice
C) Allow another diabetic to assist
D) Observe a return demonstration

17. The nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. After pain management, which
intervention should be included in the plan of care?

A) Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe every 2 hours

B) Place the client in contact isolation
C) Provide a diet high in protein
D) Institute seizure precautions

18. A nurse who is evaluating a developmentally challenged 2 year-old should stress which
goal when talking to the child's mother?

A) Teaching the child self care skills

B) Preparing for independent toileting
C) Promoting the child's optimal development
D) Helping the family decide on long term care

19. A client has just been admitted with portal hypertension. Which nursing diagnosis would
be a priority in planning care?

A) Altered nutrition: less than body requirements

B) Potential complication hemorrhage
C) Ineffective individual coping
D) Fluid volume excess

20. A client is discharged following hospitalization for congestive heart failure. The nurse
teaching the family suggests they encourage the client to rest frequently in which of the
following positions?

A) High Fowler's
B) Supine
C) Left lateral
D) Low Fowler's
21. The initial response by the nurse to a delusional client who refuses to eat because of a
belief that the food is poisoned is

A) "You think that someone wants to poison you?"

B "Why do you think the food is poisoned?"
C) "These feelings are a symptom of your illness."
D) "You’re safe here. I won’t let anyone poison you."

22. Which of the following should the nurse teach the client to avoid when taking
chlorpromazine HCL (Thorazine)?

A) Direct sunlight
B) Foods containing tyramine
C) Foods fermented with yeast
D) Canned citrus fruit drinks

23. The nurse is caring for a client in the coronary care unit. The display on the cardiac
monitor indicates ventricular fibrillation. What should the nurse do first?

A) perform defibrillation
B) administer epinephrine as ordered
C) assess for presence of pulse
D) institute CPR

24. The nurse is caring for a child who has just returned from surgery following a
tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

A) Offer ice cream every 2 hours

B) Place the child in a supine position
C) Allow the child to drink through a straw
D) Observe swallowing patterns

25. A nurse from the surgical department is reassigned to the pediatric unit. The charge nurse
should recognize that the child at highest risk for cardiac arrest and is the least likely to be
assigned to this nurse is which child?

A) congenital cardiac defects

B) an acute febrile illness
C) prolonged hypoxemia
D) severe multiple trauma
26. A client has just returned to the medical-surgical unit following a segmental lung
resection. After assessing the client, the first nursing action would
be to
A) administer pain medication
B) suction excessive tracheobronchial secretions
C) assist client to turn, deep breathe and cough
D) monitor oxygen saturation

27. The nurse is performing physical assessments on adolescents. What finding would the
nurse anticipate concerning female growth spurts?

A) They occur about 2 years earlier than for males.

B) They begin about the same time for males.
C) They begin just prior to the onset of puberty.
D) They are characterized by an increase in height of 4 inches each year.

28. The nurse is caring for a client with cirrhosis of the liver with ascites. When instructing
nursing assistants in the care of the client, the nurse should emphasize that the client
A) should remain on bed rest in a semi-Fowler's position
B) should alternate ambulation with bed rest with legs elevated
C) may ambulate and sit in chair as tolerated
D) may ambulate as tolerated and remain in semi-Fowlers position in bed

29. A client treated for depression tells the nurse at the mental health clinic that he recently
purchased a handgun because he is thinking about suicide. The first nursing action should be
to

A) Notify the primary care provider immediately

B) Suggest in-patient psychiatric care
C) Respect the client's confidential disclosure
D) Phone the family to warn them of the risk

30. The nurse is assigned to a newly delivered woman with HIV/AIDS. The student asks the
nurse about how it is determined that a person has AIDS other than a positive HIV test. The
nurse responds:

A) "The complaints of at least 3 common findings."

B) "The absence of any opportunistic infection."
C) "CD4 lymphocyte count is less than 200."
D) "Developmental delays in children."
31. The nurse is caring for a client with trigeminal neuralgia (tic douloureux). To assist the
client with nutrition needs, the nurse should

A) Offer small meals of high calorie soft food

B) Assist the client to sit in a chair for meals
C) Provide additional servings of fruits and raw vegetables
D) Encourage the client to eat fish, liver and chicken

32. A 2 month-old child has had a cleft lip repair. The selection of which restraint would
require nofurther action by the charge nurse?

A) elbow
B) mummy
C) jacket
D) clove hitch

33. The nurse is reviewing a depressed client's history from aearliera

admission.Documentation of anhedonia is noted. The nurse understands that this
finding refers to

A) reports of difficulty falling and staying asleep

B) expression of persistent suicidal thoughts
C) lack of enjoyment in usual pleasures
D) reduced senses of taste and smell

34. The nurse is discussing dietary intake with an adolescent who has acne. The most
appropriate statement for the nurse is

A) "Eat a balanced diet for your age."

B) "Increase your intake of protein and Vitamin A."
C) "Decrease fatty foods from your diet."
D) "Do not use caffeine in any form, including chocolate."

35. While explaining an illness to a 10 year-old, what should the nurse keep in mind about the
cognitive development at this age?

A) They are able to make simple association ofideas

B) They are able to think logically in organizing facts
C) Interpretation of events originate from their own perspective
D) Conclusions are based on previous experiences
36. Which of these variations in the newborn results from the presence of maternal
hormones?

A) Engorgement of the breasts

B) Mongolian spots
C) Edema of the scrotum
D) Lanugo

37. A 15 year-old client with a lengthy confining illness is most at risk for altered psycho-
emotionalgrowth and development due to

A) loss of control
B) insecurity
C) dependence
D) lack of trust

38. A 16 month-old child has just been admitted to the hospital. As the nurse assigned to this
child enters the hospital room for the first time, the toddler runs to the mother, clings to her
and begins to cry. What would be the initial action by the nurse?

A) Arrange to change client care assignments

B) Explain that this behavior is expected
C) Discuss the appropriate use of "time-out"
D) Explain that the child needs extra attention

39. Which playroom activities should the nurse organize for a small group of 7 year-old
hospitalized children?

A) Sports and games with rules

B) Finger paints and water play
C) "Dress-up" clothes and props
D) Chess and television programs

40. Upon examining the mouth of a 3 year-old child, the nurse discovers that the teeth have
chalky white-to-yellowish staining with pitting of the enamel. Which of the following
conditions would most likely explain these findings?

A) Ingestion of tetracycline
B) Excessive fluoride intake
C) Oral iron therapy
D) Poor dental hygiene