NGN NCLEX-RN Clinical Judgment & Test-Taking Strategies Question Bank: 90
Comprehensive Practice Questions with Rationales, Key Terms, and Answer Explanations
Showing 90 questions (same pool and cap as a student attempt). Correct options are pre-
selected and highlighted as on the results page.
Bank category: NGN NCLEX-RN
1 Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client after surgery. Which finding should the nurse
recognize as the highest priority?
☑ A. Respiratory rate of 10/min after opioid administration
☐ B. Mild incisional pain rated 3/10
☐ C. Client requesting water
☐ D. Family asking for visiting hours
RATIONALE
A respiratory rate of 10/min after opioid use suggests respiratory depression, which can become
life-threatening. Airway and breathing are always the highest priority.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Respiratory depression = Slowed breathing that can reduce oxygen delivery
Opioid = Strong pain medication that may suppress breathing
Postoperative priority = Most urgent need after surgery
,2 Question 2
Which of the following best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
☑ A. Tell me more about how you are feeling
☐ B. You should not feel that way
☐ C. Everything will be fine, do not worry
☐ D. That problem is not serious
RATIONALE
Open-ended questions encourage patients to express feelings and provide more information,
which supports therapeutic communication.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Therapeutic communication = Communication that supports patient wellbeing
Open-ended question = Question requiring more than yes/no response
Emotional support = Helping the patient express concerns safely
,3 Question 3
Which of the following is an example of a negative style NCLEX question?
☑ A. Which behavior indicates the need for reteaching?
☐ B. What is the best nursing intervention?
☐ C. What should the nurse do first?
☐ D. Which action improves client safety?
RATIONALE
Negative style questions ask the student to identify incorrect actions, unsafe behavior, or signs
that further teaching is needed.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Negative question = Asks for the wrong, unsafe, or incorrect option
Reteaching = Additional teaching needed because learning was incomplete
Unsafe behavior = Action that may harm the patient
, 4 Question 4
Which of the following is an example of recognizing cues?
☑ A. Noticing a postoperative client has a temperature of 39°C
☐ B. Deciding to call the provider after assessment
☐ C. Administering prescribed antibiotics
☐ D. Evaluating whether fever improved after treatment
RATIONALE
Recognizing cues means identifying important patient findings such as abnormal temperature,
pain, or changes in condition.
KEY TERMS EXPLAINED
Cue = Important patient information or finding
Recognizing cues = Identifying signs that need attention
Postoperative fever = Possible sign of infection after surgery