75 Free NCLEX Questions
NCLEX Practice Questions 2026
Comprehensive Study Resource
with Exam-Focused Questions
and Rationales
treated for Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. After
being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 exhalation. A patient with COPD would have a decrease in FVC. Incorrect.
years, the nurse expects to note which assessment
finding?
widened chest cavity. Incorrect.
Clubbed fingers
Incorrect.
,The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old 1. Melena - CORRECT
patient being treated for a Duodenal Ulcer. After being Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the stool which presents as
told the patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the black, tarry feces. This is a common manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the
nurse expects to note which assessment finding? Duodenum is further down the gastric anatomy.
1. Melena 2. Nausea
2. Nausea Nausea may be present, but is a generalized symptom and by itself doesn't
3. Hernia indicate a Duodenal Ulcer. Incorrect.
4. Hyperthermia
3. Hernia
A Hernia is a protrusion of a segment of the abdomen through another abdominal
structure. It is not associated with an Ulcer and is a condition, not an assessment
finding. Incorrect.
4. Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia, a high temperature, is not an assessment finding of a Duodenal
Ulcer. Incorrect
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with 1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
severe Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. Which of these CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the stomach and
statements by the patient indicates a need for more delay gastric emptying. It's recommended instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
teaching?
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my head
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce when I sleep"
acid secretion." Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals 3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."
and elevate my head when I sleep" Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate 4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
any more." Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient 1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
suspected to have a Peptic Ulcer. On assessing lab CORRECT - The nurse should suspect that the patient is haemorrhaging and will
results, the nurse finds that the patient's blood pressure is need need a fluid replacement therapy, which requires a large bore IV.
95/60, pulse is 110 beats per minute, and the patient
reports epigastric pain. What is the PRIORITY 2. Ask the patient for a stool sample
intervention? Incorrect - While this is useful in the diagnosis and assessment of Peptic Ulcer
Disease, it is not the priority intervention.
1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
2. Ask the patient for a stool sample 3. Prepare to insert an NG Tube
3. Prepare to insert an NG Tube Incorrect - While this intervention may be used in the later stages of Peptic Ulcer
4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered Disease, it is not the first and priority intervention.
4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered
Incorrect - While this is an important intervention to manage pain, it is not the
priority intervention.
, A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following 1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl
lab results: Hemoglobin of 11 g/dl, a platelet count of This is below normal, but a normal female hemoglobin is 12-14. There is a more
150,000, an INR of 2.5, and potassium of 2.7 mEq/L. Which critical lab result.
result is critical and should be reported to the physician
immediately? 2. Platelet of 150,000
This is also below the normal values, but is not the most critical lab result.
1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl
2. Platelet of 150,000 3. INR of 2.5
3. INR of 2.5 This is a therapeutic range for a patient who is taking an anticoagulant for atrial
4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L fibrillation
4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L
CORRECT - A potassium imbalance for a patient with a history of dysrhythmia can
be life-threatening and can lead to cardiac distress.
While receiving normal saline infusions to treat a GI 1. Stop the saline infusion immediately
bleed, the nurse notes that the patient's lower legs have CORRECT - the patient has a fluid volume overload as a result of overly rapid fluid
become edematous and auscultates crackles in the lungs. replacement. The nurse should stop the infusion and notify the physician.
What should the nurse do first?
2. Notify Physician
1. Stop the saline infusion immediately This is not the first action the nurse should take.
2. Notify Physician
3. Elevate the patient's legs 3. Elevate the patient's legs
4. Continue the infusion, since these are normal findings This would help with the edema, but is not a priority
4. Continue the infusion, since these are normal findings
This is not a normal finding
The nurse is working in a support group for clients with 1. They must inform household members of their condition
HIV. Which point is most important for the nurse to Incorrect - Each patient has a right to privacy of their medical condition. It is their
stress? choice whether they inform household members.
1. They must inform household members of their condition 2. They must take their medications exactly as prescribed
2. They must take their medications exactly as prescribed CORRECT - Antiretrovirals must be taken exactly as prescribed to prevent drug-
3. They must abstain from substance use resistant strains. Even missed doses can reduce the effectiveness of future
4. They must avoid large crowds treatment.
3. They must abstain from substance use
Incorrect - While substance use should be discouraged, using safe practices with
needles can prevent transmission of HIV.
4. They must avoid large crowds
Incorrect - Avoiding large crowds to prevent infection is a priority in the later
stages of HIV, when the patient has AIDS.
NCLEX Practice Questions 2026
Comprehensive Study Resource
with Exam-Focused Questions
and Rationales
treated for Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. After
being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 exhalation. A patient with COPD would have a decrease in FVC. Incorrect.
years, the nurse expects to note which assessment
finding?
widened chest cavity. Incorrect.
Clubbed fingers
Incorrect.
,The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old 1. Melena - CORRECT
patient being treated for a Duodenal Ulcer. After being Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the stool which presents as
told the patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the black, tarry feces. This is a common manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the
nurse expects to note which assessment finding? Duodenum is further down the gastric anatomy.
1. Melena 2. Nausea
2. Nausea Nausea may be present, but is a generalized symptom and by itself doesn't
3. Hernia indicate a Duodenal Ulcer. Incorrect.
4. Hyperthermia
3. Hernia
A Hernia is a protrusion of a segment of the abdomen through another abdominal
structure. It is not associated with an Ulcer and is a condition, not an assessment
finding. Incorrect.
4. Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia, a high temperature, is not an assessment finding of a Duodenal
Ulcer. Incorrect
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with 1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
severe Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. Which of these CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the stomach and
statements by the patient indicates a need for more delay gastric emptying. It's recommended instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
teaching?
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my head
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce when I sleep"
acid secretion." Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals 3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."
and elevate my head when I sleep" Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate 4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
any more." Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion for GERD.
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient 1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
suspected to have a Peptic Ulcer. On assessing lab CORRECT - The nurse should suspect that the patient is haemorrhaging and will
results, the nurse finds that the patient's blood pressure is need need a fluid replacement therapy, which requires a large bore IV.
95/60, pulse is 110 beats per minute, and the patient
reports epigastric pain. What is the PRIORITY 2. Ask the patient for a stool sample
intervention? Incorrect - While this is useful in the diagnosis and assessment of Peptic Ulcer
Disease, it is not the priority intervention.
1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
2. Ask the patient for a stool sample 3. Prepare to insert an NG Tube
3. Prepare to insert an NG Tube Incorrect - While this intervention may be used in the later stages of Peptic Ulcer
4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered Disease, it is not the first and priority intervention.
4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered
Incorrect - While this is an important intervention to manage pain, it is not the
priority intervention.
, A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following 1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl
lab results: Hemoglobin of 11 g/dl, a platelet count of This is below normal, but a normal female hemoglobin is 12-14. There is a more
150,000, an INR of 2.5, and potassium of 2.7 mEq/L. Which critical lab result.
result is critical and should be reported to the physician
immediately? 2. Platelet of 150,000
This is also below the normal values, but is not the most critical lab result.
1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl
2. Platelet of 150,000 3. INR of 2.5
3. INR of 2.5 This is a therapeutic range for a patient who is taking an anticoagulant for atrial
4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L fibrillation
4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L
CORRECT - A potassium imbalance for a patient with a history of dysrhythmia can
be life-threatening and can lead to cardiac distress.
While receiving normal saline infusions to treat a GI 1. Stop the saline infusion immediately
bleed, the nurse notes that the patient's lower legs have CORRECT - the patient has a fluid volume overload as a result of overly rapid fluid
become edematous and auscultates crackles in the lungs. replacement. The nurse should stop the infusion and notify the physician.
What should the nurse do first?
2. Notify Physician
1. Stop the saline infusion immediately This is not the first action the nurse should take.
2. Notify Physician
3. Elevate the patient's legs 3. Elevate the patient's legs
4. Continue the infusion, since these are normal findings This would help with the edema, but is not a priority
4. Continue the infusion, since these are normal findings
This is not a normal finding
The nurse is working in a support group for clients with 1. They must inform household members of their condition
HIV. Which point is most important for the nurse to Incorrect - Each patient has a right to privacy of their medical condition. It is their
stress? choice whether they inform household members.
1. They must inform household members of their condition 2. They must take their medications exactly as prescribed
2. They must take their medications exactly as prescribed CORRECT - Antiretrovirals must be taken exactly as prescribed to prevent drug-
3. They must abstain from substance use resistant strains. Even missed doses can reduce the effectiveness of future
4. They must avoid large crowds treatment.
3. They must abstain from substance use
Incorrect - While substance use should be discouraged, using safe practices with
needles can prevent transmission of HIV.
4. They must avoid large crowds
Incorrect - Avoiding large crowds to prevent infection is a priority in the later
stages of HIV, when the patient has AIDS.
