Free NCLEX Practice Questions QBank, Test 4

Question 1: A 68-year-old male with a long history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents to the emergency department with worsening respiratory symptoms. He complains of increased dyspnea, productive cough with greenish sputum, and fever. On physical examination, his respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute, and he has bilateral wheezing and coarse crackles in the lower lung fields. Laboratory results show an elevated white blood cell count (WBC) with a left shift. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis reveals respiratory acidosis. A chest X-ray shows patchy infiltrates in the lower lobes. Which of the following is the most likely complication of COPD in this patient?
A) Pneumothorax
B) Pneumonia
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Pleural effusion
E) Lung cancer


Explanation: The clinical presentation in this patient is suggestive of an acute pneumonia. Key indicators include worsening respiratory symptoms, productive cough with a change in sputum color (greenish), fever, increased respiratory rate, bilateral wheezing, coarse crackles in the lower lung fields, and an elevated white blood cell count (WBC) with a left shift. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis revealing respiratory acidosis is consistent with acute respiratory failure seen in pneumonia.

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Additionally, chest X-ray findings of patchy infiltrates in the lower lobes are typical in pneumonia. Pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, pleural effusion, and lung cancer may present with respiratory symptoms but do not typically involve the characteristic combination of symptoms and findings seen in this patient. In COPD patients, acute exacerbations can be triggered by various factors such as infection, environmental exposures, or noncompliance with medications, and they require prompt intervention to stabilize the patient’s respiratory status.

Right lung pneumothorax, NCLEX questions and answers, aanp, ancc
Right lung pneumothorax

Question 2: A 50-year-old male presents to the emergency department after a motor vehicle accident. He has chest pain, shortness of breath, and decreased breath sounds on the right side of the chest. A chest X-ray shows a large pleural effusion. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Cardiac tamponade
C) Flail chest
D) Hemothorax

Explanation: The clinical presentation with chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased breath sounds, and a large pleural effusion on chest X-ray is indicative of hemothorax. Hemothorax refers to the accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity, which can occur due to trauma or injury to the chest.

Pleural Effusion, HEMOTHORAX, nclex, AANP, ANCC, Questions
Pleural Effusion

Question 3: A 35-year-old female is brought to the emergency department after a bicycle accident. She has chest pain and tenderness over the sternum. A physical examination reveals crepitus over the sternum, and a chest X-ray shows a fracture of the sternum. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Cardiac tamponade
C) Flail chest
D) Sternal fracture

Explanation: The clinical presentation with chest pain, tenderness over the sternum, crepitus over the sternum on examination, and a chest X-ray showing a sternal fracture is indicative of a sternal fracture. Sternal fractures can occur due to direct trauma to the chest, such as in a bicycle accident.

A 45-year-old male undergoes a partial gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer. He complains of symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, weakness, and lightheadedness immediately after meals. Laboratory results show hypoglycemia. What is the most appropriate treatment for his condition?
A) Administration of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
B) Dietary modification with increased fiber intake
C) Small, frequent meals with reduced carbohydrate content
D) Intravenous administration of glucose

Explanation: The patient’s symptoms, along with postprandial hypoglycemia, are consistent with early dumping syndrome, a complication of gastrectomy. The most appropriate treatment for dumping syndrome involves dietary modifications, including consuming smaller, more frequent meals with reduced carbohydrate content to slow down gastric emptying and prevent rapid shifts in blood glucose levels.

Question 4: A 50-year-old female who underwent a total gastrectomy for peptic ulcer disease presents with symptoms of postprandial bloating, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. She has lost weight since the surgery. What is the most likely cause of her symptoms, and what treatment should be considered?
A) Dumping syndrome; dietary modification
B) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
C) Gallstone formation; cholecystectomy
D) Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); corticosteroids

Explanation: The patient’s symptoms, including postprandial bloating, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea, are characteristic of late dumping syndrome, which can occur after total gastrectomy. Treatment typically involves dietary modification, including eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding high-carbohydrate or sugary foods.

Gastrectomy, NCLEX questions and answers, aanp, ancc
Gastrectomy

Question 5: A 60-year-old male who had a subtotal gastrectomy for gastric ulcers presents with recurrent episodes of nausea, vomiting, and epigastric discomfort. Upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) reveals rapid gastric emptying and an “uncorking” appearance. What is the most likely diagnosis, and what treatment should be considered?
A) Dumping syndrome; dietary modification
B) Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
C) Gastric outlet obstruction; surgical intervention
D) Esophageal stricture; endoscopic dilation

Explanation: The patient’s symptoms and UGI findings are suggestive of gastric outlet obstruction, a complication that can occur after gastrectomy. In this case, surgical intervention may be required to address the obstruction.

Question 6: A 50-year-old male presents with sudden-onset severe pain, redness, and swelling in his right big toe. He describes the pain as excruciating and mentions that he consumes a high-purine diet and has a family history of gout. Laboratory tests show elevated serum uric acid levels. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Osteoarthritis
B) Gout
C) Ankylosing spondylitis
D) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Explanation: The clinical presentation of sudden-onset severe pain, redness, and swelling in the big toe, along with elevated serum uric acid levels, is characteristic of gout. Gout is caused by the deposition of urate crystals in joints and soft tissues, leading to acute inflammatory attacks.

AANP, ANCC, NCLEX, questions and answers HESI Exit, Acute Gout
Acute Gout

A 45-year-old male presents with diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Laboratory tests show leukocytosis and stool studies reveal the presence of fecal leukocytes. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Salmonella enterica
B) Vibrio cholerae
C) Giardia lamblia
D) Shigella species

Explanation: The clinical presentation of diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, leukocytosis, and the presence of fecal leukocytes on stool studies is suggestive of Shigella infection. Shigella species are known to cause bacillary dysentery, characterized by these symptoms.

A 45-year-old male with confirmed Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is started on oral vancomycin therapy. After a week of treatment, his symptoms improve, but he experiences a recurrence of CDI within a few days of stopping the antibiotics. What is the recommended treatment approach in this case?
A) Repeat the course of oral vancomycin
B) Switch to metronidazole therapy
C) Administer a bowel preparation
D) Consider fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)

Explanation: For patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) that does not respond to antibiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a recommended treatment option. FMT involves transplanting healthy fecal matter from a donor into the patient’s colon to restore a healthy gut microbiome.

A 60-year-old male with severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is not responding to oral vancomycin therapy. His condition is worsening, and he has developed complications such as toxic megacolon. What is the next step in the management of this patient?
A) Continue oral vancomycin therapy
B) Initiate antispasmodic agents
C) Perform surgical consultation for colectomy
D) Start proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

Explanation: In cases of severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with complications such as toxic megacolon and non-response to antibiotics, surgical consultation for colectomy may be necessary. Colectomy is considered when medical management is ineffective or when the patient’s condition deteriorates rapidly.

Large bowel dilatation,NCLEX questions and answers, aanp, ancc
Large bowel dilatation

A 30-year-old female presents with itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion during the spring season. She also has a history of allergic rhinitis. Which class of medications is the first-line treatment for her seasonal allergies?
A) Antidepressants
B) Antipyretics
C) Antihistamines
D) Antibiotics

Explanation: The first-line treatment for seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis) includes antihistamines, which help relieve symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and runny nose by blocking the action of histamine.

Question 2: A 25-year-old male presents with hives (urticaria) and swelling of the lips and tongue after eating shellfish at a restaurant. He reports difficulty breathing and anxiety. What is the immediate treatment of choice for this patient’s allergic reaction?
A) Intravenous (IV) corticosteroids
B) Oral antihistamines
C) Epinephrine injection
D) Inhaled bronchodilators

Explanation: The immediate treatment of choice for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) characterized by hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and anxiety is an epinephrine injection. Epinephrine helps reverse the symptoms and is life-saving in such cases.

Question 2: A 45-year-old female undergoes knee replacement surgery. On postoperative day 1, she complains of calf pain and swelling in her lower leg. Physical examination reveals warmth and erythema over the calf. What is the likely diagnosis, and what intervention should be initiated?
A) Surgical site infection; wound care
B) Atelectasis; incentive spirometry
C) Deep vein thrombosis; anticoagulation therapy
D) Urinary tract infection; antibiotic therapy

Explanation: The clinical presentation of calf pain, swelling, warmth, erythema, and recent surgery is suggestive of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The primary intervention is the initiation of anticoagulation therapy to prevent clot propagation and embolization.

Varicose veins, nurse practitioner exam, spider veins, DVT,NCLEX questions and answers, aanp, ancc
Ultrasound assessment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Question 3: A 55-year-old male undergoes cardiac bypass surgery. On postoperative day 3, he experiences acute shortness of breath, chest pain, and oxygen desaturation. Electrocardiogram (ECG) shows new-onset ST-segment elevation in leads V1 to V4. What is the likely diagnosis, and what intervention is indicated?
A) Pulmonary embolism; thrombolytic therapy
B) Pneumonia; broad-spectrum antibiotics
C) Atelectasis; chest physiotherapy
D) Myocardial infarction; emergent coronary angiography

Explanation: The clinical presentation of acute shortness of breath, chest pain, oxygen desaturation, and new-onset ST-segment elevation on ECG is indicative of a myocardial infarction (MI). The recommended intervention is emergent coronary angiography to assess coronary artery blockages and potential revascularization.

Chest compressions, NCLEX questions and answers, aanp, ancc
Chest compressions

Question 4: A 60-year-old female undergoes hip replacement surgery. On postoperative day 2, she develops sudden-onset chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. Chest X-ray shows a wedge-shaped infiltrate in the lung. What is the likely diagnosis, and what intervention is necessary?
A) Atelectasis; incentive spirometry
B) Surgical site infection; wound debridement
C) Pulmonary embolism; anticoagulation therapy
D) Urinary tract infection; antibiotic therapy

Explanation: The clinical presentation of sudden-onset chest pain, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and a wedge-shaped infiltrate on chest X-ray is highly suggestive of a pulmonary embolism (PE). The primary intervention is the initiation of anticoagulation therapy to prevent further clot propagation.