Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is assisting with postmortem care for a client who was a devout follower of Islam. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Allow a family member of the client to stay with the client's body until burial
While it is common in some cultural and religious practices for family members to stay with the deceased until burial, this may vary depending on the specific beliefs and customs of the family. It is important to respect the family's wishes and cultural practices, but it is not solely specific to Islam.
B. Position the client's head toward Mecca
In Islam, it is customary to position the deceased's head toward Mecca, which is considered the holiest city in Islam. Mecca is the direction toward which Muslims face during prayer. Orienting the client's head toward Mecca is a sign of respect for their religious beliefs and customs.
C. Allow a family member to stay with the client's body for 8 hr
The duration of time for a family member to stay with the deceased can vary depending on cultural and religious practices, but there is no specific set duration of 8 hours in Islamic customs.
D. Position the client's head northward
In Islam, the direction of Mecca is significant, and positioning the client's head toward Mecca is the customary practice. There is no specific requirement to position the head northward in Islamic customs.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Proctored Exam 1. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
In Islam, it is customary to position the deceased's head toward Mecca, which is considered the holiest city in Islam. Mecca is the direction toward which Muslims face during prayer. Orienting the client's head toward Mecca is a sign of respect for their religious beliefs and customs.
While it is common in some cultural and religious practices for family members to stay with the deceased until burial, this may vary depending on the specific beliefs and customs of the family. It is important to respect the family's wishes and cultural practices, but it is not solely specific to Islam.
The duration of time for a family member to stay with the deceased can vary depending on cultural and religious practices, but there is no specific set duration of 8 hours in Islamic customs.
In Islam, the direction of Mecca is significant, and positioning the client's head toward Mecca is the customary practice. There is no specific requirement to position the head northward in Islamic customs.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about breastfeeding with the mother of a full-term newbornwho is 5 days old.
Which of the following statements by the mother indicates an understandingof the teaching?
A. My baby should breastfeed 5 to 10 minutes on each breast.
The duration of breastfeeding can vary from baby to baby, but it is generally recommended to allow the baby to breastfeed until they are satisfied and have emptied one breast before switching to the other breast. This ensures that the baby receives both the foremilk and the hindmilk, which are important for adequate nutrition.
B. I should not wake my baby during the night to breastfeed.
In the early days after birth, it is important to establish frequent and regular breastfeeding to support milk production and ensure the baby receives enough nourishment. Newborns typically need to breastfeed at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, including during the night. If the baby is sleeping for a long period, it may be necessary to wake them for feeding to ensure proper nutrition and hydration.
C. I should keep my baby on a strict feeding schedule.
Breastfeeding should be based on the baby's cues and demand rather than a strict schedule. Newborns should be breastfed whenever they show hunger signs, such as rooting, sucking motions, or increased alertness. This helps establish a good milk supply and allows the baby to feed according to their individual needs.
D. I should have my baby latch on to my nipple and areola during feeding.
Having the baby latch on to both the nipple and areola during breastfeeding is essential for effective milk transfer and optimal breastfeeding. The baby should take in a good portion of the areola along with the nipple to ensure a proper latch and a comfortable feeding experience for both the mother and the baby. This allows the baby to obtain enough milk and stimulates milk production in the mother.
Full Explanation
Having the baby latch on to both the nipple and areola during breastfeeding is essential for effective milk transfer and optimal breastfeeding. The baby should take in a good portion of the areola along with the nipple to ensure a proper latch and a comfortable feeding experience for both the mother and the baby. This allows the baby to obtain enough milk and stimulates milk production in the mother.
Let's briefly discuss the other statements:
A- "My baby should breastfeed 5 to 10 minutes on each breast": The duration of breastfeeding can vary from baby to baby, but it is generally recommended to allow the baby to breastfeed until they are satisfied and have emptied one breast before switching to the other breast. This ensures that the baby receives both the foremilk and the hindmilk, which are important for adequate nutrition.
B- "I should not wake my baby during the night to breastfeed": In the early days after birth, it is important to establish frequent and regular breastfeeding to support milk production and ensure the baby receives enough nourishment. Newborns typically need to breastfeed at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, including during the night. If the baby is sleeping for a long period, it may be necessary to wake them for feeding to ensure proper nutrition and hydration.
C- "I should keep my baby on a strict feeding schedule": Breastfeeding should be based on the baby's cues and demand rather than a strict schedule. Newborns should be breastfed whenever they show hunger signs, such as rooting, sucking motions, or increased alertness. This helps establish a good milk supply and allows the baby to feed according to their individual needs.

A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client who has varicella zoster.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to implement?
A. Assign the client to a negative pressure airflow room
Varicella zoster is highly contagious, and airborne precautions should be implemented. Assigning the client to a negative pressure airflow room helps prevent the spread of the virus to others by containing and filtering the air within the room.
B. Have visitors remain at least 0.91 m (3 feet) away from the client
While it is important to minimize close contact with an infectious client, varicella zoster is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets. Visitors should follow the appropriate precautions, such as wearing masks and adhering to hand hygiene, rather than just maintaining a certain distance.
C. Initiate contact precautions for the client
In addition to airborne precautions, contact precautions should also be implemented. This includes using gloves and gowns when providing care to the client to minimize direct contact with infectious materials.
D. Administer aspirin if the client develops a fever
Aspirin should not be given to clients with varicella zoster, especially children, due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can cause swelling in the liver and brain. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is typically recommended for managing fever in clients with varicella zoster.
Full Explanation
Varicella zoster is highly contagious, and airborne precautions should be implemented. Assigning the client to a negative pressure airflow room helps prevent the spread of the virus to others by containing and filtering the air within the room.
In addition to airborne precautions, contact precautions should also be implemented. This includes using gloves and gowns when providing care to the client to minimize direct contact with infectious materials.

The other options listed are not appropriate interventions for a client with varicella zoster: While it is important to minimize close contact with an infectious client, varicella zoster is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets. Visitors should follow the appropriate precautions, such as wearing masks and adhering to hand hygiene, rather than just maintaining a certain distance.
Aspirin should not be given to clients with varicella zoster, especially children, due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can cause swelling in the liver and brain. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is typically recommended for managing fever in clients with varicella zoster.
A nurse is preparing to test a client's plantar Babinski reflex. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give to prepare the client for this test?
A. "Place your foot in my hand and I will tap the back of your heel."
"Place your foot in my hand and I will tap the back of your heel": This instruction is more relevant to testing the Achilles tendon reflex, where the nurse taps the back of the heel to elicit a plantarflexion response.
B. "Lie down and I will stroke the bottom of your foot."
The plantar Babinski reflex is assessed by stroking the sole of the foot from the heel towards the toes. A normal response is the flexion or curling of the toes. An abnormal response, known as a positive Babinski sign, is the extension and fanning out of the toes, which indicates an upper motor neuron lesion.
C. "Sit on the edge of the bed while I tap your knee."
"Sit on the edge of the bed while I tap your knee": This instruction is more relevant to testing the patellar reflex, also known as the knee-jerk reflex. The nurse taps the patellar tendon just below the kneecap to elicit a reflexive contraction of the quadriceps muscle.
D. "Relax your arm across your chest and I will test your elbow extension."
"Relax your arm across your chest and I will test your elbow extension": This instruction is more relevant to testing the triceps reflex, where the nurse taps the triceps tendon to elicit a reflexive extension of the elbow.
Full Explanation
The plantar Babinski reflex is assessed by stroking the sole of the foot from the heel towards the toes. A normal response is the flexion or curling of the toes. An abnormal response, known as a positive Babinski sign, is the extension and fanning out of the toes, which indicates an upper motor neuron lesion.

"Place your foot in my hand and I will tap the back of your heel": This instruction is more relevant to testing the Achilles tendon reflex, where the nurse taps the back of the heel to elicit a plantarflexion response.

"Sit on the edge of the bed while I tap your knee": This instruction is more relevant to testing the patellar reflex, also known as the knee-jerk reflex. The nurse taps the patellar tendon just below the kneecap to elicit a reflexive contraction of the quadriceps muscle.

"Relax your arm across your chest and I will test your elbow extension": This instruction is more relevant to testing the triceps reflex, where the nurse taps the triceps tendon to elicit a reflexive extension of the elbow.
