NCLEX PN Practice Test with NGN Practice Question

Scenario/Extract:

The nurse is caring for an 8-year-old client who was brought to the emergency department after
becoming short of breath at school.
History and Physical
General
Well-nourished child; currently sitting in the tripod position; patches of dry, scaly, reddened skin are present in the creases of bilateral elbows and behind both knees; client reports that these areas itch

Neurological
Alert and oriented to person, place, and time

Eye, Ear, Nose, andThroat (EENT)
Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation; client reports no nasal congestion

Pulmonary
Vital signs: RR 34, SpO 92% on room air, airway patent, intercostal retractions noted during inspiration; expiratory wheezes auscultated bilaterally; dry, spasmodic cough is noted; no stridor; difficulty speaking in complete sentences

Cardiovascular
Vital signs: T 98.8 F (37.1 C), P 110, BP 94/60; S1 and S2 heard on auscultation; nom murmurs noted; peripheral pulses 2+; capillary refill 3 seconds; no edema

Gastrointestinal
Abdomen soft; bowel sounds normal

Psychosocial
Client appears anxious and is crying, client speaks in short phrases, stating, "left my medicine at a friend's house" and "feels like I can't breathe"; client cannot remember the name of the prescribed home medication; client's parents were notified and are en route to hospital

Progress Notes
0910:
Client's parents were spoken to over the phone. Last evening, the client spent the night at a friend's housewhere some family members smoke cigarettes and have a pet cat that lives in the home.

Medical history:
No accidents or injuries were reported, vaccinations are up to date, mild persistent asthma was diagnosed at age 7, and client has atopic dermatitis.

Allergies: No known allergies.

Family history:
Client is an only child. Parents report having no known medical conditions. Paternal grandfather died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and maternal grandmother has heart disease.

Social history:
Client lives with parents; they do not smoke cigarettes. There are no pets in the client's home.

Current medications:
Beclomethasone inhaler 2 puffs twice a day, albuterol (salbutamol) inhaler 2 puffs
every 4 hours as needed for quick relief of symptoms.

The nurse should anticipate interventions for treatment of...... due to the risk of.......

Correct Answer: C,F

Rationale: The client's history of asthma, exposure to triggers (cigarette smoke, pet dander), and symptoms (wheezing, retractions, SpO2 92%) indicate an asthma exacerbation. Untreated, this can lead to respiratory acidosis due to impaired gas exchange and carbon dioxide retention.

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