NCLEX : Emergency Procedures

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #671 : Nclex

A 39-year-old man presents to the ER with weakness, confusion, and vertigo. His heart rate is 91 and bounding, blood pressure is , temperature is , and blood glucose is . He is non-diabetic, he is not on any medication, and he denies recreational drug use. Which of the following is the most likely cause of his symptoms?

Possible Answers:

Infection

Hypertension

Panic attack

Hypoglycemia

Correct answer:

Hypoglycemia

Explanation:

The most likely cause of his symptoms is hypoglycemia, which is defined as a blood glucose below  in a non-diabetic patient. The symptoms of hypoglycemia include altered consciousness, tremors, weakness, vertigo, headaches, heart palpitations, and a bounding pulse.

A temperature of  is not considered abnormal as it may reflect a normal variation in body temperature.

His blood pressure is slightly elevated, but it is unclear whether this is typical for him or whether this represents a significant change from his normal blood pressure. Regardless it would not likely be sufficiently elevated to cause his symptoms.

It is also possible he may be experiencing a panic attack, but in the presence of his depressed blood sugar (and absence of signs of anxiety), hypoglycemia is the most likely cause of his symptoms.

Example Question #11 : Procedures And Care

Abdominal rigidity and decreased bowel sounds would raise your suspicions of what condition?

Possible Answers:

Cystitis

Ulcerative colitis

Cholecystitis

Peritonitis

Correct answer:

Peritonitis

Explanation:

Abdominal rigidity and decreased bowel sounds are classic signs of peritontis. In addition, the patient will often want to lie very still, as any motion often increases pain. Cystitis, ulcerative colitis, and cholecystitis all may cause significant abdominal tenderness but would not generally result in rigidity or decreased bowel sounds.

Example Question #1 : Emergency Procedures

Why are blind finger-sweeps not recommended in infants with foreign objects in their oral cavities or airways?

Possible Answers:

They may force the object in deeper

They may injure the oral cavity

They may trigger a gasping reflex

They may trigger a vomiting reflex

Correct answer:

They may force the object in deeper

Explanation:

Blind finger sweeps are not recommended in an infant with airway restriction due to a foreign object because they may inadvertently force the object deeper into the airway. A finger sweep should only be used if the object can be visualized. Injury to the oral cavity would not be a primary concern in the case of airway restriction, and a finger sweep would not be expected to trigger either gasping or vomiting in an infant.

Example Question #1 : Emergency Procedures

All of the following are forms of shock except __________.

Possible Answers:

All of these are forms of shock.

anaphylactic

hypovolemic

cardiogenic

Correct answer:

All of these are forms of shock.

Explanation:

The four main categories of shock are as follows:

  • Cardiogenic: Sudden inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to the body, most commonly due to acute myocardial infarction.
  • Hypovolemic: Due to loss of fluids or hemorrhage.
  • Septic: Also known as endotoxic shock. Dangerously low blood pressure as the result of systemic inflammatory response to infection.
  • Anaphylactic: Systemic inflammatory response to an allergen.
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