Nursing Process NCLEX Questions

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Completes a comprehensive database. During the first phase of the nursing process (assessment), the nurse collects data to establish a comprehensive database of the patient's health status. This information serves as the foundation for identifying nursing diagnoses, planning interventions, and evaluating outcomes. Identifying nursing diagnoses (B) occurs in the second phase (diagnosis), intervening based on priorities (C) in the third phase (planning), and determining outcomes achieved (D) in the fourth phase (evaluation). Completing a comprehensive database is crucial in the initial assessment phase to gather accurate information for the subsequent steps in the nursing process.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 0.45% saline. This solution is hypotonic because it has a lower osmolarity compared to the intracellular fluid. It contains fewer solutes than the cells, causing water to move into the cells by osmosis, potentially causing them to swell. Normal saline (A) and Ringer's lactate (B) are isotonic solutions, meaning they have a similar osmolarity to the intracellular fluid and do not cause significant water shifts. 5% dextrose in normal saline (D) is a hypertonic solution, containing more solutes than the cells, leading to water movement out of the cells.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thymectomy. The thymus gland is often found to be abnormal in individuals with myasthenia gravis, and removing it through thymectomy can lead to substantial remission of symptoms. This is because the thymus plays a role in the development of the immune system and may be producing antibodies that attack neuromuscular junctions in myasthenia gravis. Choice A, esophagostomy, is a surgical procedure to create an opening in the esophagus for feeding and has no direct impact on myasthenia gravis. Choice C, myomectomy, is the removal of uterine fibroids and is unrelated to myasthenia gravis. Choice D, spleenectomy, is the removal of the spleen and is not a treatment for myasthenia gravis as the spleen is not implicated in the disease process.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because during the first phase of the nursing process (assessment), the nurse gathers a comprehensive database of information about the patient's health status. This includes collecting subjective and objective data to form a baseline for further decision-making. Identifying nursing diagnoses (B) occurs in the second phase (diagnosis), intervening based on priorities of patient care (C) is part of the third phase (planning), and determining outcomes (D) is done in the final phase (evaluation). Therefore, completing a comprehensive database is the most appropriate action in the first phase.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. When auscultating the lungs of a client with pleural effusion, the examiner would note decreased or absent breath sounds over the area where the fluid has accumulated. This is due to the fluid blocking the transmission of sound through the lungs. Pronounced breath sounds (choice A) would not be present due to the fluid obstructing the normal sound transmission. Expiratory wheezes (choice B) are associated with airway obstruction, not fluid accumulation. Friction rub (choice C) is a dry, grating sound heard with inflammation of the pleura, not specifically related to pleural effusion.