Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a newborn about newborn genetic screening.
Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. A nurse will draw blood from your baby’s inner elbow
is wrong because the blood sample is not drawn from the baby’s inner elbow, but from the heel. Choice
B. Your baby will be given 2 ounces of water to drink prior to the test
wrong because the baby does not need to drink water prior to the test, as this could dilute the blood sample and affect the results.
C. This test will be repeated when your baby is 2 months old
wrong because the test does not need to be repeated when the baby is 2 months old, unless there is a positive or inconclusive result from the first test.
D. This test should be performed after your baby is 24 hours old
This test should be performed after your baby is 24 hours old. This is because newborn genetic screening is a set of laboratory tests that detect a set of known genetic diseases that can affect a child’s long-term health or survival. The test is performed on a blood sample obtained from a heel prick when the baby is two or three days old. Performing the test after 24 hours ensures that the baby has had enough time to metabolize certain substances that could interfere with the accuracy of the test.
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Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. This test should be performed after your baby is 24 hours old. This is because newborn genetic screening is a set of laboratory tests that detect a set of known genetic diseases that can affect a child’s long-term health or survival. The test is performed on a blood sample obtained from a heel prick when the baby is two or three days old. Performing the test after 24 hours ensures that the baby has had enough time to metabolize certain substances that could interfere with the accuracy of the test.
Choice A is wrong because the blood sample is not drawn from the baby’s inner elbow, but from the heel. Choice B is wrong because the baby does not need to drink water prior to the test, as this could dilute the blood sample and affect the results. Choice C is wrong because the test does not need to be repeated when the baby is 2 months old, unless there is a positive or inconclusive result from the first test.
Newborn genetic screening is important for early detection and intervention of certain conditions that can cause serious health problems or disability if left untreated. Parents should be informed about the benefits and limitations of the test, as well as their rights and options regarding consent and confidentiality.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who is at 33 weeks of gestation following an amniocentesis.
The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following complications?
A. Epigastric pain
Epigastric pain is not a common complication following an amniocentesis. It is more often associated with conditions like preeclampsia or gastrointestinal issues.
B. Hypertension
Hypertension is not directly related to amniocentesis. It is more commonly associated with conditions like preeclampsia or chronic hypertension in pregnancy.
C. Contractions
Contractions are a significant complication to monitor for after an amniocentesis, especially at 33 weeks of gestation. The procedure can sometimes induce preterm labor.
D. Vomiting
Vomiting is not a typical complication following an amniocentesis. It may occur due to other unrelated reasons but is not directly linked to the procedure.
Full Explanation

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The correct answer is choice c. Contractions.
Choice A rationale:
Epigastric pain is not a common complication following an amniocentesis. It is more often associated with conditions like preeclampsia or gastrointestinal issues.
Choice B rationale:
Hypertension is not directly related to amniocentesis. It is more commonly associated with conditions like preeclampsia or chronic hypertension in pregnancy.
Choice C rationale:
Contractions are a significant complication to monitor for after an amniocentesis, especially at 33 weeks of gestation. The procedure can sometimes induce preterm labor.
Choice D rationale:
Vomiting is not a typical complication following an amniocentesis. It may occur due to other unrelated reasons but is not directly linked to the procedure.
A nurse is caring for an infant who has coarctation of the aorta.
Which of the following should the nurse identify as an expected finding?
A. Frequent nosebleeds
frequent nosebleeds, is not a typical sign of coarctation of the aorta. Nosebleeds can be caused by many factors, such as dry air, allergies, trauma, or bleeding disorders.
B. Upper extremity hypotension
upper extremity hypotension, is also not a common finding in coarctation of the aorta. In fact, patients with this condition may have high blood pressure in the upper extremities due to the increased resistance of the narrowed aorta.
C. Weak femoral pulses.
This is because coarctation of the aorta is a congenital condition where the aorta is narrow, usually in the area where the ductus arteriosus inserts. This causes a decrease in blood flow to the lower body, resulting in weak or absent pulses in the femoral arteries.
D. Increased intracranial pressure
, increased intracranial pressure, is not directly related to coarctation of the aorta. Increased intracranial pressure can be caused by various conditions that affect the brain, such as head injury, stroke, infection, or tumor.
Full Explanation

This is because coarctation of the aorta is a congenital condition where the aorta is narrow, usually in the area where the ductus arteriosus inserts. This causes a decrease in blood flow to the lower body, resulting in weak or absent pulses in the femoral arteries.
The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
- Choice A, frequent nosebleeds, is not a typical sign of coarctation of the aorta.
Nosebleeds can be caused by many factors, such as dry air, allergies, trauma, or bleeding disorders.
- Choice B, upper extremity hypotension, is also not a common finding in coarctation of the aorta. In fact, patients with this condition may have high blood pressure in the upper extremities due to the increased resistance of the narrowed aorta.
- Choice D, increased intracranial pressure, is not directly related to coarctation of the aorta.
Increased intracranial pressure can be caused by various conditions that affect the brain, such as head injury, stroke, infection, or tumor.
Normal ranges for blood pressure and pulse vary depending on age, sex, and health status.
However, some general guidelines are:
- Blood pressure: less than 120/80 mmHg for adults; less than 95/65 mmHg for infants.
- Pulse: 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults; 100 to 160 beats per minute for infants.
A nurse in an emergency department is assessing an adolescent who has conduct disorder.
Which of the following questions is the priority for the nurse to ask the client?
A. How do you get along with your peers at school?
How do you get along with your peers at school?” is wrong because it is not the most urgent question to ask the client. While it is important to assess the client’s social relationships and possible peer rejection, this can be done after addressing the client’s safety and mental status.
B. Do you have a criminal record
How do you get along with your peers at school?” is wrong because it is not the most urgent question to ask the client. While it is important to assess the client’s social relationships and possible peer rejection, this can be done after addressing the client’s safety and mental status.
C. Do you have thoughts of harming yourself
Do you have thoughts of harming yourself?”. This is the priority question for the nurse to ask the client because it assesses the client’s risk for suicide, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of conduct disorder. The nurse should use a direct and nonjudgmental approach when asking about suicidal ideation and plan.
D. How do you manage your behavior
How do you manage your behavior?” is wrong because it is not appropriate for the nurse to ask the client in an emergency department setting.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice C: “Do you have thoughts of harming yourself?”.
This is the priority question for the nurse to ask the client because it assesses the client’s risk for suicide, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of conduct disorder. The nurse should use a direct and nonjudgmental approach when asking about suicidal ideation and plan.
Choice A: “How do you get along with your peers at school?” is wrong because it is not the most urgent question to ask the client.
While it is important to assess the client’s social relationships and possible peer rejection, this can be done after addressing the client’s safety and mental status.
Choice B: “Do you have a criminal record?” is wrong because it is not relevant to the client’s current condition and might make the client feel defensive or stigmatized.
The nurse should avoid asking questions that imply blame or judgment and focus on the client’s strengths and coping skills.
Choice D: “How do you manage your behavior?” is wrong because it is not appropriate for the nurse to ask the client in an emergency department setting.
This question might imply that the client is responsible for their conduct disorder, which is a complex and multifactorial mental health condition. The nurse should collaborate with the client and their family to develop a behavior management plan that involves positive reinforcement, limit setting, and consistent consequences.
Normal ranges: According to the DSM-5, conduct disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or societal norms.
The symptoms of conduct disorder include aggression, deceitfulness, destruction of property, serious rule violations, and lack of remorse.
Conduct disorder can cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The prevalence of conduct disorder is estimated to be 4% among children and adolescents.
The risk factors for conduct disorder include genetic factors, neurobiological factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors.