NCLEX NCLEX-RN Exam Questions
National Council Licensure Examination - NCLEX-RN (Page 39 )

Updated On: 17-Feb-2026

During burn therapy, morphine is primarily administered IV for pain management because this route:

  1. Delays absorption to provide continuous pain relief
  2. Facilitates absorption because absorption from muscles is not dependable
  3. Allows for discontinuance of the medication if respiratory depression develops
  4. Avoids causing additional pain from IM injections

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

(A) Absorption would be increased, not decreased. (B) IM injections should not be used until the client is hemodynamically stable and has adequate tissue perfusion. Medications will remain in the subcutaneous tissue with the fluid that is present in the interstitial spaces in the acute phase of the thermal injury. The client will have a poor response to the medication administered, and a "dumping" of the medication can occur when the medication and fluid are shifted back into the intravascular spaces in the next phase of healing. (C) IV administration of the medication would hasten respiratory compromise, if present. (D) The desire to avoid causing the client additional pain is not a primary reason for this route of administration.



A long-term goal for the nurse in planning care for a depressed, suicidal client would be to:

  1. Provide him with a safe and structured environment.
  2. Assist him to develop more effective coping mechanisms.
  3. Have him sign a "no-suicide" contract.
  4. Isolate him from stressful situations that may precipitate a depressive episode.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

(A) This statement represents a short-term goal. (B) Long-term therapy should be directed toward assisting the client to cope effectively with stress. (C) Suicide contracts represent short-term interventions. (D) This statement represents an unrealistic goal. Stressful situations cannot be avoided in reality.



A long-term goal for the nurse in planning care for a depressed, suicidal client would be to:

  1. Provide him with a safe and structured environment.
  2. Assist him to develop more effective coping mechanisms.
  3. Have him sign a "no-suicide" contract.
  4. Isolate him from stressful situations that may precipitate a depressive episode.

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

(A) This statement represents a short-term goal. (B) Long-term therapy should be directed toward assisting the client to cope effectively with stress. (C) Suicide contracts represent short-term interventions. (D) This statement represents an unrealistic goal. Stressful situations cannot be avoided in reality.



When the nurse is evaluating lab data for a client 18­24 hours after a major thermal burn, the expected physiological changes would include which of the following?

  1. Elevated serum sodium
  2. Elevated serum calcium
  3. Elevated serum protein
  4. Elevated hematocrit

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

(A) Sodium enters the edema fluid in the burned area, lowering the sodium content of the vascular fluid. Hyponatremia may continue for days to several weeks because of sodium loss to edema, sodium shifting into the cells, and later, diuresis. (B) Hypocalcemia occurs because of calcium loss to edema fluid at the burned site (third space fluid). (C) Protein loss occurs at the burn site owing to increased capillary permeability. Serum protein levels remain low until healing occurs. (D) Hematocrit level is elevated owing to hemoconcentration from hypovolemi
A. Anemia is present in the postburn stage owing to blood loss and hemolysis, but it cannot be assessed until the client is adequately hydrated.



When the nurse is evaluating lab data for a client 18­24 hours after a major thermal burn, the expected physiological changes would include which of the following?

  1. Elevated serum sodium
  2. Elevated serum calcium
  3. Elevated serum protein
  4. Elevated hematocrit

Answer(s): D

Explanation:

(A) Sodium enters the edema fluid in the burned area, lowering the sodium content of the vascular fluid. Hyponatremia may continue for days to several weeks because of sodium loss to edema, sodium shifting into the cells, and later, diuresis. (B) Hypocalcemia occurs because of calcium loss to edema fluid at the burned site (third space fluid). (C) Protein loss occurs at the burn site owing to increased capillary permeability. Serum protein levels remain low until healing occurs. (D) Hematocrit level is elevated owing to hemoconcentration from hypovolemi
A. Anemia is present in the postburn stage owing to blood loss and hemolysis, but it cannot be assessed until the client is adequately hydrated.






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