Health Promotion and Maintenance

Question 1

A nurse is teaching a 45-year-old male client with a family history of colorectal cancer about cancer screening. Which recommendation is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Start colonoscopy screening at age 40, ten years before the youngest affected relative

Answer

For individuals with a first-degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer, guidelines recommend beginning colonoscopy screening at age 40 or 10 years before the earliest diagnosis in the family, whichever comes first. Early screening detects precancerous polyps.

Question 2

A nurse is providing anticipatory guidance to parents of a 12-month-old child. Which developmental milestone should the nurse expect at this age?

Accepted Answer

Walking independently without support most of the time

Answer

By 12 months, most children are pulling to stand and beginning to take independent steps. Some walk independently by this age. Language typically consists of a few words (mama, dada). Drawing shapes and identifying colors are skills that develop later in toddlerhood.

Question 3

A nurse is counseling a pregnant client in the first trimester about nutrition. Which supplement is most critical to prevent neural tube defects?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid, ideally begun before conception and continued through the first trimester

Answer

Folic acid (400-800 mcg/day) is essential before and during the first trimester to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. The neural tube closes within the first 28 days, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

Question 4

A nurse is teaching a group of older adults about fall prevention at home. Which instruction is most important?

Accepted Answer

Install grab bars in the bathroom and remove loose rugs throughout the home

Answer

Environmental modifications are one of the most effective fall prevention strategies. Grab bars in bathrooms provide stability during transfers, and removing loose rugs eliminates a common tripping hazard. Exercise programs that improve balance and strength are also strongly recommended.

Question 5

A nurse is performing a health history on a 55-year-old woman during a wellness visit. The client smokes half a pack per day. The nurse's priority health promotion intervention is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide brief cessation counseling and offer referral to a smoking cessation program

Answer

Brief smoking cessation counseling at every clinical encounter is an evidence-based intervention (the '5 A's' model: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange). Nurses should provide counseling and connect clients with cessation resources, not prescribe medications independently.

NCLEX Practice Test

NCLEX Practice Test

Health Promotion and Maintenance