A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to a 2-month-old infant. The nurse chooses the gluteus maximus muscle as the injection site. Shortly after the injection, the infant shows signs of leg weakness and decreased movement. Which nerve may have been injured?

A nurse is caring for a child diagnosed with acute asthma who is receiving an albuterol nebulizer treatment. After the treatment, the nurse notes that the child appears restless and has a rapid heart rate. Which of the following is a common side effect of albuterol nebulizer therapy?

A 49-year-old female has just returned to the surgical unit from the postanesthesia care unit after a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for cervical cancer. The nurse begins postoperative care. Which nursing intervention should have the highest priority at this time?

A nurse is planning postoperative care for a 45-year-old woman who has just undergone an abdominal hysterectomy. To help prevent postoperative complications and promote early discharge, which nursing intervention should the nurse prioritize?

A 50-year-old woman is recovering after an abdominal total hysterectomy. During the postoperative period, the nurse closely monitors for complications. Which of the following is considered one of the common complications after this type of surgery?

A nurse is caring for a client who is 10 hours postoperative following a hysterectomy. During assessment, the nurse notes that the client’s blood pressure has dropped abruptly, and the client appears pale and weak. Which nursing action is most appropriate at this time?

A nurse is teaching a 60-year-old client during a community health screening about the risk factors for stroke (cerebrovascular accident - CVA). The client asks, “Which factor puts me at the greatest risk for having a stroke?” Which response by the nurse is most accurate?

A 67-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department with sudden right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking. The healthcare team suspects a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The nurse recognizes that the most common type of stroke is related to which of the following?

A 42-year-old woman visits the clinic complaining, “I’ve been sick for so long! My eyes are puffy, and my eyebrows and hair have become coarse and dry.” The nurse prepares to assess for other signs and symptoms associated with which condition?

A 43-year-old man is 30 hours postoperative after receiving a partial-thickness skin autograft for a burn on his lower anterior leg. During a routine assessment, the nurse observes that the wound is bleeding continuously. What should the nurse do first?

A 35-year-old woman visits the clinic complaining of fatigue, dry skin, and hair changes. On assessment, the nurse notes that her hair appears coarse and brittle. Coarse hair may indicate which of the following conditions?

During a home visit, a nurse assesses a 32-year-old woman who gave birth three days ago. The mother is concerned about breastfeeding. The nurse observes the infant feeding: the mother sits supported upright with cushions, the infant is in a cradle position with head and body aligned to the mother’s abdomen, and the infant sucks intermittently with lips turned outward and the nipple in the mouth. Which intervention is most appropriate to promote effective breastfeeding?

A 52-year-old woman is scheduled for an abdomino-perineal resection in three days to remove rectal cancer. During preoperative teaching, the nurse reviews that she will receive prophylactic antibiotics and a mechanical bowel preparation the day before surgery. Which additional preparation should the patient undertake at this time?

A nurse is admitting a six-month-old infant diagnosed with pneumonia. In addition to addressing physical needs, which intervention best supports the infant’s emotional needs during hospitalization?

A nurse is caring for a patient in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) who has developed hypovolemic shock following surgery. To promote perfusion, how should the nurse position the patient?

A 5-year-old girl presents with tenderness, headache, petechiae, pallor, and joint pain. On assessment, the nurse notes enlarged spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. A lumbar puncture indicates CNS involvement. The child has undergone chemotherapy and now attends the clinic for routine follow-up. Which condition should the nurse monitor most closely?

During a community clinic visit, a patient completes a medical history questionnaire. The nurse reviews the information to identify risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Which of the following is NOT considered a risk factor for AMI?

A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient with the nursing diagnosis of ineffective tissue perfusion. To evaluate the patient’s tissue perfusion, which of the following assessments is NOT typically used?

A patient comes to the clinic for a 2-week follow-up after a corneal transplantation (keratoplasty). The nurse observes that the patient’s sclera is red and the patient reports that the eye feels irritated. Which condition might the nurse suspect?

A nurse is caring for a patient who just returned from surgery under general anesthesia. The patient’s respiration rate is 4 per minute, and O₂ saturation is 84% on 3 L/min via nasal cannula. While awaiting arterial blood gas (ABG) results, which value is the nurse most likely to find elevated?

A patient in the immediate postoperative period is being monitored in the recovery unit. The nurse notes that the patient’s oxygen saturation is 91%. What should the nurse do first?

A nurse assesses a 23-year-old man who believes that people are spying on him. During the interview, he avoids eye contact, answers questions awkwardly, has never had an intimate relationship, avoids family contact, and is unemployed without seeking work. Using Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, which stage is this patient most likely experiencing difficulties in?

A 32-year-old woman with motor neuron disease presents with progressive weakness of cranial nerves V, IX, and XII. She has recently experienced sudden uncontrolled outbursts of crying and laughing. Stroke and myasthenia gravis have been ruled out. Which voluntary muscle activity is most likely to be significantly impacted?

A 45-year-old adult presents to the clinic with fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and cold intolerance. Laboratory tests reveal low thyroid hormone levels with elevated TSH. The nurse considers the causes of primary hypothyroidism in adults. Which of the following are common causes?

A 72-year-old patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism and is prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid). During the initiation of thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which assessment is most important for the nurse to perform?

A client presents to the clinic with muscle cramps, positive Trousseau’s sign, and laboratory results showing hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Which condition does this assessment most strongly suggest?

A 55-year-old client is diagnosed with hypertension during a routine clinic visit. The nurse reviews the treatment plan and considers which first-line drug is commonly prescribed to manage the client’s blood pressure.

A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has been prescribed clopidogrel (Plavix) following placement of a coronary stent. Which important information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client during a routine checkup and notes the total cholesterol level. To assess cardiovascular risk, the nurse considers the recommended target range for cholesterol.

A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected cataract. The client reports gradual changes in vision. Which chief clinical manifestation is most likely to be observed in the early stages of cataract formation?

A client with a history of Crohn’s disease is admitted to the hospital presenting with fever, diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Which complications should the nurse monitor for during this hospitalization?

An adult patient presents with diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and pain for the past 2 weeks. The patient reports that the pain worsens after eating and relieves with defecation. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

A 3-day-old neonate is receiving phototherapy for jaundice. Which nursing interventions should the nurse implement to ensure safe and effective treatment?

A postpartum patient who has been breastfeeding for 3 days reports nipple soreness. Which intervention should the nurse suggest to help relieve her discomfort?

A postpartum mother reports breast engorgement while breastfeeding. Which interventions would be most helpful in relieving her discomfort and promoting effective milk flow?

A nurse is teaching a mother who is 7–10 days postpartum about breastfeeding. The mother asks what type of milk she should expect at this stage. What is the nurse’s correct response?

A nurse is caring for a client who underwent a renal transplantation three days ago. Which of the following findings would most likely indicate rejection of the transplanted kidney?

A nurse is monitoring a client receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which of the following findings would indicate magnesium toxicity?

A nurse is caring for a client whose serum potassium level is 4 mEq/L. Which assessment findings should the nurse monitor for in this client?

A nurse is caring for a patient with moderate to severe hypokalemia. Which clinical manifestations is the nurse most likely to observe?

A nurse is monitoring a patient who develops premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Which electrolyte deficiency is most likely contributing to this cardiac arrhythmia?

A nurse is caring for a patient who reports recurrent vomiting and generalized weakness. Laboratory tests reveal an electrolyte imbalance. Which electrolyte decreases are most likely contributing to these symptoms?

A couple seeks guidance at a fertility clinic after experiencing difficulty conceiving. The client asks the nurse which hormone is responsible for egg production. How should the nurse respond?

A patient has a prescription to receive 45 mg of prednisone orally daily. The nurse has 10 mg tablets available. How many tablets should the nurse administer?

A nurse is caring for a 54-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus who has been hospitalized. To evaluate the patient’s long-term glucose control, which laboratory test should the nurse review?

A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus and wants to evaluate how effectively the client’s condition is being managed. Which laboratory test is most important to monitor?

A new employee with a sedentary lifestyle and obesity undergoes a workplace health screening. His fasting blood sugar is 6.9 mmol/L, which is above normal. What is the best next step to evaluate his blood sugar status?

A nurse is educating a patient with diabetes about HbA1c testing. The patient asks how long this test reflects blood glucose levels. What is the correct response?

A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a patient with suspected liver disease. Which laboratory test would most strongly indicate liver cirrhosis?

A nurse is assessing a client who reports chest discomfort. The client asks about the difference between angina pain and myocardial infarction (MI) pain. Which statement best describes the distinction?