NCLEX-PN – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
- Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological Therapies
- Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
*The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the entry-level competency of p
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The client is
,confused, diaphoretic, and has a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer 15 grams of rapid-acting carbohydrates orally.
B. Check the client’s vital signs.
C. Prepare to administer 50% dextrose intravenously.
D. Document the event in the client's medical record.
🟢 A. Administer 15 grams of rapid-acting carbohydrates orally.
🔴 RATIONALE: The client is exhibiting signs of hypoglycemia. If the client is conscious
and able to swallow, the priority is to provide a fast-acting source of glucose to prevent
further neurological decline.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The client's apical pulse is 58 beats
per minute. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the dose as ordered.
B. Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
C. Administer the dose and recheck the pulse in 30 minutes.
D. Check the client’s blood pressure before administering the dose.
🟢 B. Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin should generally be withheld if the adult apical pulse is less
,than 60 beats per minute. Notifying the provider ensures the safety of the client and
determines if a dose adjustment is needed.
Question 3
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which dietary instruction is
most appropriate for the nurse to provide to this client?
A. High-protein, high-fiber diet.
B. Low-fat, small, frequent meals.
C. Clear liquid diet for the next 48 hours.
D. High-carbohydrate, low-protein diet.
🟢 B. Low-fat, small, frequent meals.
🔴 RATIONALE: Pancreatitis requires minimizing pancreatic stimulation. A low-fat diet
reduces the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, and small meals prevent the digestive
system from being overwhelmed.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who has a chest tube. Which finding
should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
B. Fluctuations in the water-seal chamber with respiration.
, C. Subcutaneous emphysema around the insertion site.
D. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguineous fluid in 4 hours.
🟢 A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in
the system, which is a significant clinical finding that requires immediate assessment and
potential intervention.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which
position is contraindicated for this client?
A. Side-lying on the operative side.
B. Supine with an abduction pillow between the legs.
C. Hip flexion greater than 90 degrees.
D. Neutral hip alignment.
🟢 C. Hip flexion greater than 90 degrees.
🔴 RATIONALE: Flexion greater than 90 degrees can cause the prosthetic hip joint to
dislocate. Clients must be taught to avoid deep chairs or bending at the waist.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. Which action
should the nurse take?
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
- Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological Therapies
- Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
*The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the entry-level competency of p
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The client is
,confused, diaphoretic, and has a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer 15 grams of rapid-acting carbohydrates orally.
B. Check the client’s vital signs.
C. Prepare to administer 50% dextrose intravenously.
D. Document the event in the client's medical record.
🟢 A. Administer 15 grams of rapid-acting carbohydrates orally.
🔴 RATIONALE: The client is exhibiting signs of hypoglycemia. If the client is conscious
and able to swallow, the priority is to provide a fast-acting source of glucose to prevent
further neurological decline.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The client's apical pulse is 58 beats
per minute. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the dose as ordered.
B. Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
C. Administer the dose and recheck the pulse in 30 minutes.
D. Check the client’s blood pressure before administering the dose.
🟢 B. Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin should generally be withheld if the adult apical pulse is less
,than 60 beats per minute. Notifying the provider ensures the safety of the client and
determines if a dose adjustment is needed.
Question 3
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which dietary instruction is
most appropriate for the nurse to provide to this client?
A. High-protein, high-fiber diet.
B. Low-fat, small, frequent meals.
C. Clear liquid diet for the next 48 hours.
D. High-carbohydrate, low-protein diet.
🟢 B. Low-fat, small, frequent meals.
🔴 RATIONALE: Pancreatitis requires minimizing pancreatic stimulation. A low-fat diet
reduces the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, and small meals prevent the digestive
system from being overwhelmed.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who has a chest tube. Which finding
should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
B. Fluctuations in the water-seal chamber with respiration.
, C. Subcutaneous emphysema around the insertion site.
D. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguineous fluid in 4 hours.
🟢 A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in
the system, which is a significant clinical finding that requires immediate assessment and
potential intervention.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which
position is contraindicated for this client?
A. Side-lying on the operative side.
B. Supine with an abduction pillow between the legs.
C. Hip flexion greater than 90 degrees.
D. Neutral hip alignment.
🟢 C. Hip flexion greater than 90 degrees.
🔴 RATIONALE: Flexion greater than 90 degrees can cause the prosthetic hip joint to
dislocate. Clients must be taught to avoid deep chairs or bending at the waist.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. Which action
should the nurse take?
