NCLEX-RN ACTUAL EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⫸ How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs Answer: Address physiological needs first, followed by safety
and security needs, love and belonging needs, self esteem needs and
finally self actualization needs. *When a physiological need is not
addressed in the question, look for the option that addresses safety.
⫸ If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to
determine the step of the nursing process. What are the steps in the
nursing process and what kind of question might be related to that step.
Answer: Assessment question address the gathering and verification of
data.
Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect additional
information, identify and communicate nursing diagnoses and determine
the health team's ability to meet the pts needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying
outcomes of care.
Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of
care and the assignment and delegation of tasks. Be prepared for
questions on client teaching.
,Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care
with the expected outcomes and on communicating and documenting
findings.
⫸ What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing
implications Answer: Hemoglobin - Male 14-18 Female 12-16 Newborn
14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy.
Drug therapy can alter values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn 44-64
Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can
alter values. Abnormalities in RBC size may alter Hct values
⫸ What are the normal ranges for WBC?
What can increase values?
What can decrease values?
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal
ranges? What range is normal during the postpartum period? Answer:
Both genders 5000-10000 Newborn 9000-30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased values.
,Drug therapy can decrease values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is normal
⫸ What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? Answer: Males: 4.7-6.1
million
Female: 4.2-5.4 million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase levels
pregnancy usually lower values
drug therapy can alter values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an infusing IV.
⫸ What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values? Answer: Both Genders: 150000-400000
Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral
contraceptives may increase values
, decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced
production of platelets, infections, use of prosthetic heart valves, and
drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy, H2
blockers, INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics.
⫸ What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind
when getting a specimen? Answer: 3.5-5 is normal range for potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an increased
level. Hemolysis of specimen can result in a falsely elevated value
⫸ What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider
when collecting a specimen? Answer: 136-145 is a normal sodium range
Do Not collect from an arm with an infusing IV solution
⫸ What are the normal ranges for Ca+?
What type of drug can increase calcium levels?
What are two tests with positive results that are associated with
hypocalcemia?
How do you preform the two tests? Answer: 9-10.5 for adults. slightly
lower in the elder
Use of thiazide diuretics can cause increased levels of calcium
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau tests are associated with hypocalcemia.
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⫸ How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs Answer: Address physiological needs first, followed by safety
and security needs, love and belonging needs, self esteem needs and
finally self actualization needs. *When a physiological need is not
addressed in the question, look for the option that addresses safety.
⫸ If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to
determine the step of the nursing process. What are the steps in the
nursing process and what kind of question might be related to that step.
Answer: Assessment question address the gathering and verification of
data.
Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect additional
information, identify and communicate nursing diagnoses and determine
the health team's ability to meet the pts needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying
outcomes of care.
Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of
care and the assignment and delegation of tasks. Be prepared for
questions on client teaching.
,Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care
with the expected outcomes and on communicating and documenting
findings.
⫸ What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing
implications Answer: Hemoglobin - Male 14-18 Female 12-16 Newborn
14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy.
Drug therapy can alter values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn 44-64
Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can
alter values. Abnormalities in RBC size may alter Hct values
⫸ What are the normal ranges for WBC?
What can increase values?
What can decrease values?
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal
ranges? What range is normal during the postpartum period? Answer:
Both genders 5000-10000 Newborn 9000-30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased values.
,Drug therapy can decrease values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is normal
⫸ What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? Answer: Males: 4.7-6.1
million
Female: 4.2-5.4 million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase levels
pregnancy usually lower values
drug therapy can alter values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an infusing IV.
⫸ What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values? Answer: Both Genders: 150000-400000
Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral
contraceptives may increase values
, decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced
production of platelets, infections, use of prosthetic heart valves, and
drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy, H2
blockers, INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics.
⫸ What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind
when getting a specimen? Answer: 3.5-5 is normal range for potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an increased
level. Hemolysis of specimen can result in a falsely elevated value
⫸ What are the normal ranges for Na+? What should you consider
when collecting a specimen? Answer: 136-145 is a normal sodium range
Do Not collect from an arm with an infusing IV solution
⫸ What are the normal ranges for Ca+?
What type of drug can increase calcium levels?
What are two tests with positive results that are associated with
hypocalcemia?
How do you preform the two tests? Answer: 9-10.5 for adults. slightly
lower in the elder
Use of thiazide diuretics can cause increased levels of calcium
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau tests are associated with hypocalcemia.
