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NCLEX Study

Question bank.

Four tiers, sorted by trust. Green is verified against 2025 and 2026 sources. Amber is real but older. The rest are research and format prompts with no provided answer. Use the confidence filter to show only what you want.

Confidence

Showing 294 of 294 questions

Verified current

132 items

Post-NGN questions with verified answers and rationales. This is the core drill.

A nurse is preparing a patient for surgery. Which of the following should be included in the preoperative teachi ng?

Verified current
  • aThe patient should refrain from eating or drinking for 12 hours before surgeryCorrect
  • bThe patient will need to provide a stool sample after surgery
  • cThe patient’s vital signs will not be monitored after surgery
  • dThe patient should avoid coughing or deep breathing after surgery
Rationale

This is standard preoperative care (care given before surgery). It lowers the risk of aspiration (food or liquid going into the lungs) during anesthesia (medicine that makes you sleep for surgery).

Source recency: 2025

Which of the following safety protocols is most important when caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous potassium?

Verified current
  • aMonitor the patient’s blood glucose levels every 2 hours
  • bEnsure the IV potassium is given via an infusion pumpCorrect
  • cAssess the patient’s lung sounds for congestion every 4 hours
  • dCheck the patient’s blood pressure every 4 hours
Rationale

Give potassium slowly. Never push it fast as a quick IV injection, because it can cause cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). An infusion pump controls the speed, so it is administered (given) safely.

Source recency: 2025

The nurse is assessing a postoperative patient and notices the patient has a rapid, weak pulse, hypotension, and confusion. W hich condition is the nurse most concerned about?

Verified current
  • aInfection
  • bAcute renal failure
  • cHypovolemic shockCorrect
  • dHypertensive crisis
Rationale

A fast, weak pulse, hypotension (low blood pressure), and confusion are signs of hypovolemic shock (shock from losing too much blood or fluid). It often comes from blood loss or fluid depletion (losing too much body fluid).

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is educating a patient about the importance of hand hygiene in preventing healthcare -associated infections (HAIs). Whi ch statement made by the patient indicates understanding?

Verified current
  • a"I should wash my hands only if they are visibly dirty."
  • b"I should wash my hands before touching food and after using the restroom."Correct
  • c"Hand hygiene is only necessary if I am in the hospital. "
  • d"Hand hygiene is not important if I wear gloves."
Rationale

Do proper hand hygiene (clean your hands well) before eating and after using the restroom. This helps stop the spread of infection.

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is caring for a patient who is immunocompromised due to chemotherapy. Which of the following is the most important intervention to prevent the spread of infection?

Verified current
  • aMaintain the patient’s roo m temperature at 72°F (22°C)
  • bProvide the patient with a high -fiber diet
  • cUse strict hand hygiene and isolation precautionsCorrect
  • dEncourage the patient to remain in a sitting position at all times
Rationale

Immunocompromised patients (people with a weak immune system) catch infections more easily. So isolation precautions (steps that keep germs away) and hand hygiene (clean hands) are needed to prevent infection.

Source recency: 2025

When delegating tasks to a nursing assistant, which of the following is the nurse’s responsibility?

Verified current
  • aTo evaluate the patient’s response to the delegated taskCorrect
  • bTo perform the delegated task
  • cTo ensure the nursing assistant completes the task independently
  • dTo ignore the task if it is outside the scope of t he nursing assistant’s abilities
Rationale

The nurse is still responsible for the patient's overall care. The nurse must check how the patient responds, even for tasks that are delegated (assigned) to other staff.

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU who is on mechanical ventilation. Which of the following interventions is essential to prevent ventilator -associated pneumonia (VAP)?

Verified current
  • aEncourage the patient to speak every hour
  • bAdminister antibiotics prophylactically every 6 hours
  • cElevate the head of the bed to 30 –45 degreesCorrect
  • dSedate the patient to prevent agitation
Rationale

Raising the head of the bed lowers the risk of VAP (ventilator-associated pneumonia, a lung infection linked to a breathing machine). It helps prevent aspiration (fluid entering the lungs) and helps the lungs expand.

Source recency: 2025

Which of the following would the nurse identify as a primary source of infection in a healthcare setting?

Verified current
  • aA patient’s Foley catheterCorrect
  • bA nurse’s stethoscope
  • cThe hospital’s cafeteria
  • dThe patient’s family members
Rationale

A Foley catheter (a tube that drains urine from the bladder) is a common source of infection in healthcare, especially when it is not cared for properly.

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is observing a newly hired nurse perform a sterile procedure. The newly hired nurse places a sterile instrument on a non -sterile surface . What is the nurse’s next step?

Verified current
  • aRemind the nurse to correct the mistake immediatelyCorrect
  • bAllow the nurse to continue and correct the error later
  • cContinue the procedure, as the mistake is not critical
  • dCall for help and delay the procedure
Rationale

If a sterile (germ-free) instrument is placed on a non-sterile (not germ-free) surface, fix it right away to prevent contamination (the spread of germs).

Source recency: 2025

The nurse is planning care for a patient with an infectious disease. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the care plan to reduce the risk of transmission?

Verified current
  • aPlace the patient in a private room and use standard precautionsCorrect
  • bRestrict visitors to the patient’s room
  • cAdminister a prophylactic antibiotic
  • dHave the patient wear a mask when leaving the room
Rationale

Isolation precautions (steps that keep germs away) depend on the patient's condition. But standard precautions (basic safety steps used for every patient) are always needed to stop the spread of infection.

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is working with a team to manage a patient’s care following a stroke. Which of the following demonstrates effective resource manage ment by the nurse?

Verified current
  • aCoordinating with physical therapy for the patient’s rehabilitation needsCorrect
  • bAssigning the patient’s entire care to one nurse
  • cIgnoring the family’s concerns about the patient’s progress
  • dReferring the patient for additional diagn ostic testing without consulting the healthcare provider
Rationale

Good resource management means working together with all the health workers who care for the patient. This includes physical therapy (PT, the team that helps patients move and get stronger).

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is caring for a patient in an isolation room who requires assistance with feeding. Which action demonstrates the nurse’s understanding of patient rights?

Verified current
  • aThe nurse provides assistance with feeding while following proper precautionsCorrect
  • bThe nurse refuses to provide assistance due to isolation protocols
  • cThe nurse allows family members to feed the patient without any precautions
  • dThe nurse leaves the patient alone during mealtime due to th e isolation status
Rationale

Even with isolation protocols (rules that keep germs away), the nurse should still help the patient eat, while following infection control measures (steps that prevent the spread of germs).

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is caring for a patient who requires both surgical intervention and post -operative pain management. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to coordinate care?

Verified current
  • aContact the anesthesiologist to discuss pain manageme nt optionsCorrect
  • bInform the patient to expect pain relief in 24 hours
  • cAdminister all prescribed pain medications at once
  • dAsk the patient to wait for a pain management plan until after surgery
Rationale

Coordinating care means contacting the right specialists. For example, an anesthesiologist (a doctor who manages anesthesia and pain) for pain management.

Source recency: 2025

When supervising a nursing assistant, the nurse observes that the assistant is not using proper infection control techniques while cleaning the patient’s wound. What should the nurse do first?

Verified current
  • aReprimand the assistant for not following proper procedures
  • bCorrect the assistant’s technique and explain the rational eCorrect
  • cReport the assistant to the manager
  • dIgnore the issue, as the assistant is new to the unit
Rationale

Correct the assistant's technique right away. Then explain why proper infection control measures (steps that prevent the spread of germs) are important.

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is discussing informed consent with a patient scheduled for surgery. Which of the following is the most important point for the nurse to convey?

Verified current
  • aTh e surgeon will explain the procedure in detailCorrect
  • bThe patient must sign the consent form before any information is provided
  • cThe patient can change their mind at any time during the procedure
  • dThe nurse is responsible for obtaining the patient’s consen t
Rationale

Informed consent is a process. The surgeon explains the procedure, its risks, and its benefits to the patient.

Source recency: 2025

Challenge and research

132 items

Research prompt, investigate at the source. No answer is provided.

The nurse is preparing to teach a client with microcytic hypochromic anemia abou t the diet to follow after discharge. Which of the following foods should be included in the diet?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
Nutrition / Diet
Where to look

NCSBN: Basic Care and Comfort | Topics: Nutrition / Diet

Source recency: 2014

The nurse would instruct the client to eat which of the following foods to obtain the best supply of vitamin B12?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: | Topics: General Nursing

Source recency: 2014

The nurse devises a teaching plan for the patient with aplastic anemia. Which of the following is the most important concept to teach for health maintenance?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: Physiological Adaptation | Topics: General Nursing

Source recency: 2014

A client comes into the health clinic 3 years after undergoing a resection of the terminal ileum complaining of weakness, shortness of breath, and a sore tongue. Which client statement indicates a need for intervention and client teaching?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
Respiratory
Where to look

NCSBN: | Topics: Respiratory

Source recency: 2014

A client was admitted with iron deficiency anemia and blood -streaked emesis. Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask in determining the extent of the client’s activity intoler ance?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: Physiological Adaptation | Topics: General Nursing

Source recency: 2014

When comparing the hematocrit levels of a post-op client, the nurse notes that the hematocrit decreased from 36% to 34% on the third day even though the RBC and hemoglobin values remained stable at 4.5 million and 11.9 g/dL, respectively. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
Perioperative
Where to look

NCSBN: | Topics: Perioperative

Verify at source

Source recency: 2014

A client states that she is afraid of receiving vitamin B12 injections because of the potential toxic reactions. What is the nurse’s best response to relieve these fears?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: | Topics: General Nursing

Source recency: 2014

A client with microcytic anemia is having trouble selecting food items from the hospital menu. Which food is best for the nurse to suggest for satisfying the client’s nutritional needs and personal preferences? 17

Research prompt, investigate at the source
Nutrition / Diet
Where to look

NCSBN: Basic Care and Comfort | Topics: Nutrition / Diet

Source recency: 2014

A client with macrocytic anemia has a burn on her foot and states that she had been watching television while lying on a heating pad. What is the nurse’s first response?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
Wound / Skin
Where to look

NCSBN: Physiological Adaptation | Topics: Wound / Skin

Source recency: 2014

Which of the following nursing assessments is a late symptom of polycythemia vera?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: Reduction of Risk Potential | Topics: General Nursing

Verify at source

Source recency: 2014

Which of the following blood components is decreased in anemia?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: Physiological Adaptation | Topics: General Nursing

Source recency: 2014

A client with anemia may be tired due to a tissue deficiency of which of the following substances?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
Mental Health / Psych
Where to look

NCSBN: Physiological Adaptation | Topics: Mental Health / Psych

Source recency: 2014

Which of the following cells is the precursor to the red blood cell (RBC)?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: | Topics: General Nursing

Source recency: 2014

Which of the following symptoms is expected with hemoglobin of 10 g/dl?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: | Topics: General Nursing

Verify at source

Source recency: 2014

Which of the following diagnostic findings are most likely for a client with aplastic anemia?

Research prompt, investigate at the source
General Nursing
Where to look

NCSBN: Reduction of Risk Potential | Topics: General Nursing

Verify at source

Source recency: 2014

Format practice

30 items

Current-era format practice, no source answer.

A nurse discovers an unconscious person in the hospital parking lot. Place the following actions in the correct order of priority.

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aCheck for breathing and pulse
  • bCall for help and activate the emergency response system
  • cBegin chest compressions if no pulse is detected
  • dEnsure the scene is safe before approaching e) Open the airway using head tilt -chin lift

Source recency: 2025

A patient with dementia frequently attempts to leave the nursing unit. Select all appropriat e interventions for this patient.

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aApply a wrist restraint to prevent wandering
  • bPlace the patient in a room near the nursing station
  • cUse an electronic tracking device with family consent
  • dAdminister sedatives as needed to decrease wandering b ehavior e) Establish a routine for regular physical activity f) Implement an hourly rounding schedule

Source recency: 2025

A charge nurse discovers that the unit is short -staffed for the upcoming shift. Which of the following actions by the charge nurse would best address this situation?

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aCalling in additional staff even if it means paying overtime
  • bRequesting tha t nurses work a double shift
  • cRedistributing patient assignments based on acuity and available staff
  • dClosing the unit to new admissions without administrative approval

Source recency: 2025

A patient who speaks limited English requires discharge instructions. What is the best approach for the nurse to take?

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aSpeak slowly and lo udly to help the patient understand
  • bUse a certified medical interpreter
  • cAsk a bilingual family member to translate
  • dProvide written instructions in English and ask the patient to have them translated later

Source recency: 2025

A nurse -manager is implementing a quality improvement project on a medical -surgical unit. Which of the following best describes a component of the " Plan" phase in the PDCA (Plan - Do-Check -Act) cycle?

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aCollecting data to evaluate if the change resulte d in improvement
  • bIdentifying the problem and analyzing relevant data
  • cImplementing the planned change on a small scale
  • dStandardizing the successful approach and monitoring results

Source recency: 2025

A hospital is implementing a new computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system. Arrange the following implementation steps in the most appropriate order.

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aSchedule staff training sessions on using the new system
  • bForm a multidisciplina ry team to evaluate system requirements
  • cConduct post -implementation evaluation and make necessary adjustments
  • dConduct a pilot test on one unit before hospital -wide implementation e) Analyze workflow processes to identify potential issues

Source recency: 2025

A nurse i s preparing to administer an IV medication and realizes the pharmacy has sent a concentration different from what is usually stocked on the unit. The nurse's most appropriate action is to:

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aCalculate a new administration rate for the different concentra tion
  • bReturn the medication to the pharmacy and request the usual concentration
  • cVerify with pharmacy that the concentration is appropriate before administering
  • dAsk another nurse to check the calculation before administration

Source recency: 2025

A patient's family member becomes verbally aggressive toward nursing staff. The nurse's best initial action is to:

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aCall security immediately
  • bRespond firmly that such behavior will not be tolerated
  • cMove to a private area and listen to the family member's concerns
  • dAsk another staff member to take over care of the patient

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is monitoring a post -operative patient who received morphine 2 hours ago. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aBlood pressure 110/70 mmHg, down from 128/84 mmHg
  • bRespiratory rate 8 breaths per minute, down from 16
  • cPain level 3/10, down from 7/10
  • dUrinary output 50 mL over the past hour

Source recency: 2025

A nurse suspects that a colleague is diverting narcotics for personal use. The most approp riate initial action is to:

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aConfront the colleague privately about the suspicion
  • bReport the suspicion to the charge nurse or supervisor
  • cMonitor the colleague's behavior for additional evidence
  • dDocument patterns of medication discrepancies f or future reference

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is caring for a patie nt who requires isolation due to Clostridioides difficile infection. When exiting the isolation room, in what order should the following items be removed?

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aMask
  • bGloves
  • cGown
  • dPerform hand hygiene

Source recency: 2025

A central venous catheter dressing is due to be changed. The nurse should:

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aApply sterile gloves immediately before touching the dressing materials
  • bPrepare all supplies, perform hand hygiene, then apply sterile gloves
  • cPerform hand hygiene, apply sterile gloves, then prepare supplies
  • dAppl y clean gloves, remove old dressing, then apply sterile gloves

Source recency: 2025

A nurse is administering medications to multiple patients. For which patient should the nurse question the medication order?

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aA patient with a penicillin allergy ordered cephalexin
  • bA patient with a heart rate of 52 ordered digoxin
  • cA patient with a creatinine of 1.0 mg/dL ordered gentamicin
  • dA patient with a systolic blood pressure of 136 ordered lisinopril

Source recency: 2025

A 28 -year-old female who is 8 we eks pregnant asks the nurse about appropriate weight gain during pregnancy. Based on her pre -pregnancy BMI of 24, the nurse should recommend a total weight gain of:

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • a11 -20 pounds
  • b15 -25 pounds
  • c25 -35 pounds
  • d28 -40 pounds

Source recency: 2025

A school nurse is planning a health screening program. Which of the following screenings is most appropriate for elementary school children?

Current-era format practice, no source answer
  • aDepression screening
  • bVision and hearing screening
  • cSexually transmitted infection screening
  • dOsteoporosis screening

Source recency: 2025

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