NCLEX NURSING EXAMS –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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*Core Domains*
*Management of Care*
*Safety and Infection Control*
*Health Promotion and Maintenance*
*Psychosocial Integrity*
*Basic Care and Comfort*
*Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies*
*Reduction of Risk Potential*
*Physiological Adaptation*
*Introduction*
This examination is designed to assess the entry-level competence of nursing candidates, ensuring they possess the essential knowledge
and critical thinking skills required for safe, effective practice. The assessment covers a comprehensive range of clinical scenarios,
pharmacological management, and professional standards, reflecting the complexities of modern healthcare environments. Through a
structured series of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, candidates must demonstrate their ability to prioritize care, apply
evidence-based interventions, and adhere to legal and ethical guidelines. Success on this exam indicates that the practitioner is prepared to
make sound clinical decisions and provide high-quality, patient-centered care in real-world professional settings.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a suspected diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis. Which diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate to
confirm the diagnosis?
A. Tensilon test
B. Electromyography
C. Lumbar puncture
D. MRI of the brain
🟢 A. Tensilon test
🔴 RATIONALE: The Tensilon test involves the administration of edrophonium, which temporarily improves muscle strength in clients
with Myasthenia Gravis, making it the diagnostic test of choice.
,2. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory finding is the most specific indicator of this condition?
A. Elevated white blood cell count
B. Elevated serum lipase
C. Elevated serum glucose
D. Decreased serum calcium
🟢 B. Elevated serum lipase
🔴 RATIONALE: Serum lipase is an enzyme that remains elevated longer than amylase in acute pancreatitis and is highly specific for
pancreatic damage.
3. When assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which finding is a priority for the nurse to report to the
healthcare provider?
A. Barrel chest
B. Productive cough
C. Dyspnea on exertion
D. Presence of cyanosis
🟢 D. Presence of cyanosis
🔴 RATIONALE: Cyanosis indicates severe hypoxemia and is an emergency that requires immediate intervention to ensure adequate
tissue oxygenation.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which action is the highest priority before administration?
A. Check the client's blood pressure
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
C. Ensure the client is sitting upright
D. Verify the client's potassium level
🟢 B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate; checking the apical pulse for a full minute is essential to prevent bradycardia and
potential toxicity.
5. A client diagnosed with hyperthyroidism is prescribed propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse monitors the client for which primary adverse
effect?
A. Weight gain
B. Bradycardia
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Excessive lacrimation
🟢 C. Agranulocytosis
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Agranulocytosis is a rare but life-threatening side effect of PTU that manifests as a drop in white blood cell count,
making the client susceptible to infection.
6. A client in the emergency department exhibits signs of autonomic dysreflexia. What is the nurse's first intervention?
A. Administer an antihypertensive
B. Elevate the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position
C. Check for bladder distension
D. Notify the physician immediately
🟢 B. Elevate the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position
🔴 RATIONALE: Elevating the head of the bed immediately helps lower blood pressure by using gravity to decrease intracranial
pressure and venous return.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about lithium carbonate therapy. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. I should restrict my sodium intake
B. I will need regular blood tests to monitor levels
C. I can stop taking the medication once I feel better
D. It is normal to experience constant tremors
🟢 B. I will need regular blood tests to monitor levels
🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, necessitating regular serum level monitoring to prevent toxicity.
8. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this suggest to the nurse?
A. Normal lung re-expansion
B. An air leak in the system
C. The tube is obstructed
D. Expected drainage
🟢 B. An air leak in the system
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber signifies an air leak between the patient and the drainage system,
which is a clinical concern.
9. A client is admitted with a hip fracture. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention to promote comfort and safety?
A. Maintain traction as ordered
B. Provide pain medication
C. Immobilize the affected extremity
D. Apply warm compresses
🟢 C. Immobilize the affected extremity
🔴 RATIONALE: Stabilizing and immobilizing the fracture prevents further tissue, nerve, and vascular damage before further treatment.
DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Management of Care*
*Safety and Infection Control*
*Health Promotion and Maintenance*
*Psychosocial Integrity*
*Basic Care and Comfort*
*Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies*
*Reduction of Risk Potential*
*Physiological Adaptation*
*Introduction*
This examination is designed to assess the entry-level competence of nursing candidates, ensuring they possess the essential knowledge
and critical thinking skills required for safe, effective practice. The assessment covers a comprehensive range of clinical scenarios,
pharmacological management, and professional standards, reflecting the complexities of modern healthcare environments. Through a
structured series of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, candidates must demonstrate their ability to prioritize care, apply
evidence-based interventions, and adhere to legal and ethical guidelines. Success on this exam indicates that the practitioner is prepared to
make sound clinical decisions and provide high-quality, patient-centered care in real-world professional settings.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a suspected diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis. Which diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate to
confirm the diagnosis?
A. Tensilon test
B. Electromyography
C. Lumbar puncture
D. MRI of the brain
🟢 A. Tensilon test
🔴 RATIONALE: The Tensilon test involves the administration of edrophonium, which temporarily improves muscle strength in clients
with Myasthenia Gravis, making it the diagnostic test of choice.
,2. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory finding is the most specific indicator of this condition?
A. Elevated white blood cell count
B. Elevated serum lipase
C. Elevated serum glucose
D. Decreased serum calcium
🟢 B. Elevated serum lipase
🔴 RATIONALE: Serum lipase is an enzyme that remains elevated longer than amylase in acute pancreatitis and is highly specific for
pancreatic damage.
3. When assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which finding is a priority for the nurse to report to the
healthcare provider?
A. Barrel chest
B. Productive cough
C. Dyspnea on exertion
D. Presence of cyanosis
🟢 D. Presence of cyanosis
🔴 RATIONALE: Cyanosis indicates severe hypoxemia and is an emergency that requires immediate intervention to ensure adequate
tissue oxygenation.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which action is the highest priority before administration?
A. Check the client's blood pressure
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
C. Ensure the client is sitting upright
D. Verify the client's potassium level
🟢 B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate; checking the apical pulse for a full minute is essential to prevent bradycardia and
potential toxicity.
5. A client diagnosed with hyperthyroidism is prescribed propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse monitors the client for which primary adverse
effect?
A. Weight gain
B. Bradycardia
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Excessive lacrimation
🟢 C. Agranulocytosis
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Agranulocytosis is a rare but life-threatening side effect of PTU that manifests as a drop in white blood cell count,
making the client susceptible to infection.
6. A client in the emergency department exhibits signs of autonomic dysreflexia. What is the nurse's first intervention?
A. Administer an antihypertensive
B. Elevate the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position
C. Check for bladder distension
D. Notify the physician immediately
🟢 B. Elevate the head of the bed to a high Fowler's position
🔴 RATIONALE: Elevating the head of the bed immediately helps lower blood pressure by using gravity to decrease intracranial
pressure and venous return.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about lithium carbonate therapy. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. I should restrict my sodium intake
B. I will need regular blood tests to monitor levels
C. I can stop taking the medication once I feel better
D. It is normal to experience constant tremors
🟢 B. I will need regular blood tests to monitor levels
🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, necessitating regular serum level monitoring to prevent toxicity.
8. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this suggest to the nurse?
A. Normal lung re-expansion
B. An air leak in the system
C. The tube is obstructed
D. Expected drainage
🟢 B. An air leak in the system
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber signifies an air leak between the patient and the drainage system,
which is a clinical concern.
9. A client is admitted with a hip fracture. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention to promote comfort and safety?
A. Maintain traction as ordered
B. Provide pain medication
C. Immobilize the affected extremity
D. Apply warm compresses
🟢 C. Immobilize the affected extremity
🔴 RATIONALE: Stabilizing and immobilizing the fracture prevents further tissue, nerve, and vascular damage before further treatment.
