NCLEX-RN Reduction of Risk Potential Practice Test
Labs to report, procedure prep and post-op complications. Here are 6 NCLEX-RN reduction of risk potential questions, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Based on the NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan Client Needs categories. Original questions, not affiliated with NCSBN.
1000: Returned from bronchoscopy with biopsy. Gag reflex absent. 1100: Gag reflex still absent. Small amount of blood-streaked sputum. Reports sore throat. 1115: High-pitched sound heard on inspiration. SpO2 90%.
1.The nurse reviews notes on a client who had a bronchoscopy with biopsy. Which finding requires immediate follow-up?
- A.
Small blood-streaked sputum
- B.
Sore and scratchy throat
- C.
Noisy high-pitched breathing
- D.
Gag reflex not yet returned
Answer: C.High-pitched inspiratory noise is stridor, a sign of laryngeal edema or laryngospasm that threatens the airway. Blood-streaked sputum after biopsy, a sore throat and a gag reflex still absent at 1 hour are expected.
- A.
- 2.
Two hours after a cardiac catheterization through the right femoral artery, the nurse finds the dressing saturated and blood pooling under the client's thigh. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A.
Elevate the head of the bed
- B.
Recheck the vital signs in 15 minutes
- C.
Apply firm pressure above the site
- D.
Notify the HCP of the bleeding
Answer: C.Active arterial bleeding is stopped with direct manual pressure just above the puncture site, then the HCP is notified. Raising the head of the bed flexes the hip and can worsen bleeding, and waiting to recheck vitals delays control of hemorrhage.
- A.
- 3.
One hour after a thoracentesis, which finding should the nurse report to the HCP immediately?
- A.
Soreness at puncture site
- B.
New dyspnea, SpO2 88%
- C.
Pinpoint serous drainage
- D.
Heart rate 88 beats/min
Answer: B.Sudden shortness of breath with falling oxygen saturation after thoracentesis suggests pneumothorax and needs immediate follow-up. Mild site soreness and a small spot of serous drainage are expected after the procedure.
- A.
- 4.
A client with ascites is scheduled for a paracentesis. Which action should the nurse take just before the procedure?
- A.
Keep the client NPO for 12 hours
- B.
Position the client supine and flat
- C.
Have the client empty the bladder
- D.
Give a cleansing enema
Answer: C.Emptying the bladder lowers the risk of puncturing it when the needle enters the lower abdomen. The client sits upright or in high Fowler's position, not flat, and fasting and an enema are not required.
- A.
- 5.
A client is back on the unit after an upper endoscopy (EGD) with moderate sedation and asks for something to drink. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A.
Offer small sips of water
- B.
Assess the gag reflex
- C.
Provide ice chips only
- D.
Give warm tea for the throat
Answer: B.The throat is anesthetized for the procedure, so the gag reflex must return before any fluids, including ice chips, to prevent aspiration. Offering sips first skips that safety check.
- A.
- 6.
On the first day after abdominal surgery, a client has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) and diminished breath sounds in both bases. Which action should the nurse take?
- A.
Coach incentive spirometer use
- B.
Obtain blood cultures right away
- C.
Apply a hypothermia blanket
- D.
Increase the IV infusion rate
Answer: A.A low-grade fever with diminished bases in the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery most often reflects atelectasis, which is treated with deep breathing and incentive spirometry. Blood cultures are not the first step for this pattern this early after surgery.
- A.
Drill every reduction of risk potential question in the NCLEX-RN Reduction of Risk Potential drill: questions you miss come back until you have mastered them. Then take a timed practice test with the NCLEX-RN section in it.
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