"Exclusive Chamberlain University BSN exam guide — NCLEX prep
questions with rationales designed to guarantee nursing success.
Perfect for students aiming to pass with confidence."
🏆 **2025-2026 Comprehensive NCLEX-RN, HESI Exit, and ATI
Predictor Master Review System | Nursing Fundamentals,
Pharmacology, Med-Surg, Maternity, Pediatrics, and Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing | Aligned with Chamberlain, Walden, Grand
Canyon, Purdue Global, Kaplan, and All U.S. Nursing Program
Standards**
---
**1.** A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours post-operative following a right total hip
arthroplasty. The client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
B) Assess the client's surgical site for bleeding.
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D) Place the client in a supine position.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Sudden shortness of breath and chest pain post-operatively are classic signs of a
pulmonary embolism. The priority is to administer oxygen to address hypoxia. This NCLEX prep question
is critical for Chamberlain BSN and all nursing students to recognize life-threatening complications.
Mastering this clinical judgment scenario is vital for nursing success on HESI and ATI exams.
**2.** A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed calcium carbonate as a phosphate binder. The
nurse should instruct the client to take this medication:
A) With meals.
,B) On an empty stomach.
C) At bedtime.
D) With a full glass of water.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Phosphate binders like calcium carbonate should be taken with meals to bind dietary
phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a key concept in CKD management, frequently tested on
nursing exam guides and NCLEX prep materials.
**3.** A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed clopidogrel (Plavix) following a coronary
stent placement. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should report any unusual bleeding or bruising."
B) "I will take this medication with food to prevent stomach upset."
C) "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
D) "I will avoid taking over-the-counter NSAIDs."
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Clopidogrel must be continued for the duration prescribed (often 12 months or
longer) to prevent stent thrombosis. Stopping it prematurely can be life-threatening. This patient safety
teaching is a core component of pharmacology review for all nursing students.
**4.** A nurse is assessing a newborn infant. Which finding would require immediate intervention?
A) Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet.
B) Respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute.
C) Apical heart rate of 180 beats per minute.
D) Presence of a Moro reflex.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A heart rate of 180 bpm in a newborn is significantly above the normal range (120-
160 bpm) and may indicate hypoxia, distress, or an underlying condition. This high-yield pediatric
question is essential for nursing exam practice and NCLEX readiness.
,**5.** A client is admitted with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left lower extremity. Which nursing
intervention is a priority?
A) Massage the affected leg to promote circulation.
B) Apply warm, moist compresses to the leg.
C) Encourage ambulation to prevent further clotting.
D) Elevate the affected leg and apply cold packs.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: For a DVT, the affected leg should be elevated to reduce swelling, and cold packs can
be applied. Warm compresses may increase the risk of clot dislodgement if applied over the clot.
Massage is absolutely contraindicated. This is a critical safety question for nursing success.
**6.** A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which
dietary instruction is most important?
A) Increase intake of fluids to 3 liters per day.
B) Limit sodium intake to less than 2 grams per day.
C) Increase intake of high-fat foods for energy.
D) Limit potassium intake to prevent hyperkalemia.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Sodium restriction is crucial for heart failure management to prevent fluid retention
and reduce the workload on the heart. The typical recommendation is less than 2 grams of sodium per
day. This is a fundamental teaching point for cardiovascular nursing, frequently tested on NCLEX prep
and nursing exam guides.
**7.** A client is receiving morphine sulfate for post-operative pain. The nurse should monitor for
which adverse effect?
A) Respiratory depression.
B) Tachycardia.
C) Hypertension.
, D) Diarrhea.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that causes central nervous system depression,
including respiratory depression. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory rate and depth
frequently. This is a core pharmacology safety concept for all nursing students and is heavily tested on
HESI and ATI exams.
**8.** A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke. Which finding is indicative of a stroke?
A) Unilateral facial droop.
B) Bilateral arm weakness.
C) Clear and coherent speech.
D) Normal vision.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Unilateral facial droop is a classic sign of a stroke. Other signs include unilateral
weakness, slurred speech, and vision changes. This is a high-yield neurological assessment question for
NCLEX prep and nursing exam practice.
**9.** A client with diabetes is receiving NPH and regular insulin. The nurse knows that the regular
insulin should be drawn up first. Why?
A) To prevent contamination of the regular insulin vial.
B) To ensure accurate dosing of the NPH insulin.
C) Because regular insulin is more stable.
D) Because NPH insulin is a suspension and can contaminate the regular insulin.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Drawing up regular insulin (clear) before NPH (cloudy) prevents the suspension of
NPH from contaminating the regular insulin vial. This is a standard procedure for mixing insulins. This is a
key pharmacology skill for nursing success and is tested on ATI and HESI exams.
questions with rationales designed to guarantee nursing success.
Perfect for students aiming to pass with confidence."
🏆 **2025-2026 Comprehensive NCLEX-RN, HESI Exit, and ATI
Predictor Master Review System | Nursing Fundamentals,
Pharmacology, Med-Surg, Maternity, Pediatrics, and Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing | Aligned with Chamberlain, Walden, Grand
Canyon, Purdue Global, Kaplan, and All U.S. Nursing Program
Standards**
---
**1.** A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours post-operative following a right total hip
arthroplasty. The client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
B) Assess the client's surgical site for bleeding.
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D) Place the client in a supine position.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Sudden shortness of breath and chest pain post-operatively are classic signs of a
pulmonary embolism. The priority is to administer oxygen to address hypoxia. This NCLEX prep question
is critical for Chamberlain BSN and all nursing students to recognize life-threatening complications.
Mastering this clinical judgment scenario is vital for nursing success on HESI and ATI exams.
**2.** A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed calcium carbonate as a phosphate binder. The
nurse should instruct the client to take this medication:
A) With meals.
,B) On an empty stomach.
C) At bedtime.
D) With a full glass of water.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Phosphate binders like calcium carbonate should be taken with meals to bind dietary
phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a key concept in CKD management, frequently tested on
nursing exam guides and NCLEX prep materials.
**3.** A nurse is providing education to a client prescribed clopidogrel (Plavix) following a coronary
stent placement. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should report any unusual bleeding or bruising."
B) "I will take this medication with food to prevent stomach upset."
C) "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
D) "I will avoid taking over-the-counter NSAIDs."
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Clopidogrel must be continued for the duration prescribed (often 12 months or
longer) to prevent stent thrombosis. Stopping it prematurely can be life-threatening. This patient safety
teaching is a core component of pharmacology review for all nursing students.
**4.** A nurse is assessing a newborn infant. Which finding would require immediate intervention?
A) Acrocyanosis of the hands and feet.
B) Respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute.
C) Apical heart rate of 180 beats per minute.
D) Presence of a Moro reflex.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A heart rate of 180 bpm in a newborn is significantly above the normal range (120-
160 bpm) and may indicate hypoxia, distress, or an underlying condition. This high-yield pediatric
question is essential for nursing exam practice and NCLEX readiness.
,**5.** A client is admitted with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left lower extremity. Which nursing
intervention is a priority?
A) Massage the affected leg to promote circulation.
B) Apply warm, moist compresses to the leg.
C) Encourage ambulation to prevent further clotting.
D) Elevate the affected leg and apply cold packs.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: For a DVT, the affected leg should be elevated to reduce swelling, and cold packs can
be applied. Warm compresses may increase the risk of clot dislodgement if applied over the clot.
Massage is absolutely contraindicated. This is a critical safety question for nursing success.
**6.** A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which
dietary instruction is most important?
A) Increase intake of fluids to 3 liters per day.
B) Limit sodium intake to less than 2 grams per day.
C) Increase intake of high-fat foods for energy.
D) Limit potassium intake to prevent hyperkalemia.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Sodium restriction is crucial for heart failure management to prevent fluid retention
and reduce the workload on the heart. The typical recommendation is less than 2 grams of sodium per
day. This is a fundamental teaching point for cardiovascular nursing, frequently tested on NCLEX prep
and nursing exam guides.
**7.** A client is receiving morphine sulfate for post-operative pain. The nurse should monitor for
which adverse effect?
A) Respiratory depression.
B) Tachycardia.
C) Hypertension.
, D) Diarrhea.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that causes central nervous system depression,
including respiratory depression. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory rate and depth
frequently. This is a core pharmacology safety concept for all nursing students and is heavily tested on
HESI and ATI exams.
**8.** A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke. Which finding is indicative of a stroke?
A) Unilateral facial droop.
B) Bilateral arm weakness.
C) Clear and coherent speech.
D) Normal vision.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Unilateral facial droop is a classic sign of a stroke. Other signs include unilateral
weakness, slurred speech, and vision changes. This is a high-yield neurological assessment question for
NCLEX prep and nursing exam practice.
**9.** A client with diabetes is receiving NPH and regular insulin. The nurse knows that the regular
insulin should be drawn up first. Why?
A) To prevent contamination of the regular insulin vial.
B) To ensure accurate dosing of the NPH insulin.
C) Because regular insulin is more stable.
D) Because NPH insulin is a suspension and can contaminate the regular insulin.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Drawing up regular insulin (clear) before NPH (cloudy) prevents the suspension of
NPH from contaminating the regular insulin vial. This is a standard procedure for mixing insulins. This is a
key pharmacology skill for nursing success and is tested on ATI and HESI exams.
