NCLEX-RN COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAM (2026 Edition) Questions with
Answers & Full Rationales for Each Option
Including: Test Center Availability &
Scheduling Guide for May 2026
: PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
CATEGORY: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A nurse is delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP). Which task is MOST appropriate for the UAP to perform?
A. Administering oral medications to a stable client
B. Assessing a postoperative client's pain level
C. Assisting a client with morning hygiene and ambulation
D. Developing a teaching plan for a newly diagnosed diabetic client
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale for Each Option
• A. Incorrect: Administering medications (even oral) requires licensed nursing judgment
regarding assessment, evaluation, and potential side effects. This is outside the UAP scope of
practice.
• B. Incorrect: Pain assessment is a nursing judgment requiring interpretation of
subjective/objective data. Only RNs/LPNs should perform assessments.
• C. CORRECT: Assisting with ADLs (activities of daily living) like hygiene and ambulation for stable
clients is within the UAP's training and scope. The RN retains responsibility for supervision.
• D. Incorrect: Developing teaching plans requires assessment of learning needs, cognitive ability,
and evaluation of understanding—skills requiring RN-level education and licensure.
, Question 2
The nurse manager is reviewing the unit's incident reports. Which situation requires an incident report
to be filed?
A. A client refuses a scheduled medication after education about its purpose
B. A nurse administers a medication 30 minutes later than scheduled
C. A client falls while attempting to get out of bed unassisted, with no injury
D. A family member complains about the quality of food served
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale for Each Option
• A. Incorrect: Clients have the legal right to refuse treatment. Documenting the refusal in the
medical record is sufficient; no incident report is needed.
• B. Incorrect: A 30-minute delay for a non-time-critical medication is a minor variance. Document
in the medication record; incident reports are for events with potential for harm.
• C. CORRECT: Any client fall, regardless of injury, requires an incident report per most facility
policies. This supports risk management, quality improvement, and potential pattern
identification.
• D. Incorrect: Complaints about non-clinical services (like food) are handled through customer
service channels, not clinical incident reporting systems.
Question 3 (NGN Case Study Item)
Case Scenario: A 68-year-old client with heart failure is admitted with worsening shortness of breath.
The nurse notes bilateral crackles, +2 pedal edema, and oxygen saturation of 91% on room air. Orders
include furosemide 40 mg IV, oxygen 2L via nasal cannula, and daily weights.
Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A. Obtain a detailed dietary history
B. Administer furosemide as prescribed
C. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Weigh the client on admission scale
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale for Each Option
• A. Incorrect: While dietary history (especially sodium intake) is relevant for heart failure
management, it is not the priority when the client is hypoxic. Address ABCs (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) first.
• B. Incorrect: Furosemide will help reduce fluid overload, but improving oxygenation takes
precedence. Medication administration follows stabilization of breathing.
EXAM (2026 Edition) Questions with
Answers & Full Rationales for Each Option
Including: Test Center Availability &
Scheduling Guide for May 2026
: PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
CATEGORY: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A nurse is delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP). Which task is MOST appropriate for the UAP to perform?
A. Administering oral medications to a stable client
B. Assessing a postoperative client's pain level
C. Assisting a client with morning hygiene and ambulation
D. Developing a teaching plan for a newly diagnosed diabetic client
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale for Each Option
• A. Incorrect: Administering medications (even oral) requires licensed nursing judgment
regarding assessment, evaluation, and potential side effects. This is outside the UAP scope of
practice.
• B. Incorrect: Pain assessment is a nursing judgment requiring interpretation of
subjective/objective data. Only RNs/LPNs should perform assessments.
• C. CORRECT: Assisting with ADLs (activities of daily living) like hygiene and ambulation for stable
clients is within the UAP's training and scope. The RN retains responsibility for supervision.
• D. Incorrect: Developing teaching plans requires assessment of learning needs, cognitive ability,
and evaluation of understanding—skills requiring RN-level education and licensure.
, Question 2
The nurse manager is reviewing the unit's incident reports. Which situation requires an incident report
to be filed?
A. A client refuses a scheduled medication after education about its purpose
B. A nurse administers a medication 30 minutes later than scheduled
C. A client falls while attempting to get out of bed unassisted, with no injury
D. A family member complains about the quality of food served
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale for Each Option
• A. Incorrect: Clients have the legal right to refuse treatment. Documenting the refusal in the
medical record is sufficient; no incident report is needed.
• B. Incorrect: A 30-minute delay for a non-time-critical medication is a minor variance. Document
in the medication record; incident reports are for events with potential for harm.
• C. CORRECT: Any client fall, regardless of injury, requires an incident report per most facility
policies. This supports risk management, quality improvement, and potential pattern
identification.
• D. Incorrect: Complaints about non-clinical services (like food) are handled through customer
service channels, not clinical incident reporting systems.
Question 3 (NGN Case Study Item)
Case Scenario: A 68-year-old client with heart failure is admitted with worsening shortness of breath.
The nurse notes bilateral crackles, +2 pedal edema, and oxygen saturation of 91% on room air. Orders
include furosemide 40 mg IV, oxygen 2L via nasal cannula, and daily weights.
Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A. Obtain a detailed dietary history
B. Administer furosemide as prescribed
C. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Weigh the client on admission scale
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale for Each Option
• A. Incorrect: While dietary history (especially sodium intake) is relevant for heart failure
management, it is not the priority when the client is hypoxic. Address ABCs (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) first.
• B. Incorrect: Furosemide will help reduce fluid overload, but improving oxygenation takes
precedence. Medication administration follows stabilization of breathing.
