"Chamberlain BSN NCLEX prep study guide — comprehensive nursing
exam packet with rationales and practice questions to ensure exam
success."
🏆 **Ultimate Nursing School Final Exam Domination System |
Comprehensive BSN & ADN NCLEX-RN, HESI Exit, ATI Predictor, and
Kaplan Prep Review | 2025–2026 Academic Year Edition | High-Yield
Practice Questions Covering Fundamentals, Med-Surg, Pharmacology,
Maternity, Pediatrics, Mental Health, and Leadership | Aligned with
Chamberlain, WGU, Grand Canyon, Purdue Global, Walden, and All
U.S. Nursing Program Curricula**
---
**1.** A nurse is assessing a client who has just returned from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)
following an abdominal hysterectomy. Which finding would be the priority for the nurse to address?
A) Pain rating of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10.
B) Oral temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C).
C) Oxygen saturation of 89% on room air.
D) Serosanguineous drainage on the abdominal dressing.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: An oxygen saturation of 89% indicates hypoxemia, which is a life-threatening
complication that requires immediate intervention such as oxygen administration and respiratory
assessment. This NCLEX prep question emphasizes the prioritization of airway, breathing, and circulation
(ABCs). Mastering this clinical judgment scenario is vital for nursing success on HESI, ATI, and
Chamberlain BSN exams.
**2.** A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed calcium carbonate. The nurse
understands that this medication is given primarily to:
,A) Treat hyperkalemia.
B) Decrease serum phosphate levels.
C) Increase serum calcium levels.
D) Treat metabolic acidosis.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Calcium carbonate is a phosphate binder that binds dietary phosphate in the
gastrointestinal tract, preventing its absorption and lowering serum phosphate levels. 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✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Warm compresses can help relieve pain and promote vasodilation, but the correct
answer is actually D. Elevation and cold packs help reduce swelling and pain. However, the priority is to
prevent the clot from dislodging, which means strict bed rest and no massage. The best answer is to
administer anticoagulants as prescribed. None of these are a priority except for D. Elevation and cold
packs are indicated. However, ambulation is contraindicated. The most appropriate is to keep the leg
elevated and apply warm compresses for comfort, but avoiding massage. For this question, the best
answer is D, but the nurse should also prepare to administer anticoagulants. Let's re-evaluate: The
standard of care is bed rest, elevation, and warm compresses to relieve pain. Therefore, the answer is D.
This is a classic DVT management question for HESI and ATI.
💫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.
exam packet with rationales and practice questions to ensure exam
success."
🏆 **Ultimate Nursing School Final Exam Domination System |
Comprehensive BSN & ADN NCLEX-RN, HESI Exit, ATI Predictor, and
Kaplan Prep Review | 2025–2026 Academic Year Edition | High-Yield
Practice Questions Covering Fundamentals, Med-Surg, Pharmacology,
Maternity, Pediatrics, Mental Health, and Leadership | Aligned with
Chamberlain, WGU, Grand Canyon, Purdue Global, Walden, and All
U.S. Nursing Program Curricula**
---
**1.** A nurse is assessing a client who has just returned from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)
following an abdominal hysterectomy. Which finding would be the priority for the nurse to address?
A) Pain rating of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10.
B) Oral temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C).
C) Oxygen saturation of 89% on room air.
D) Serosanguineous drainage on the abdominal dressing.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: An oxygen saturation of 89% indicates hypoxemia, which is a life-threatening
complication that requires immediate intervention such as oxygen administration and respiratory
assessment. This NCLEX prep question emphasizes the prioritization of airway, breathing, and circulation
(ABCs). Mastering this clinical judgment scenario is vital for nursing success on HESI, ATI, and
Chamberlain BSN exams.
**2.** A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed calcium carbonate. The nurse
understands that this medication is given primarily to:
,A) Treat hyperkalemia.
B) Decrease serum phosphate levels.
C) Increase serum calcium levels.
D) Treat metabolic acidosis.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Calcium carbonate is a phosphate binder that binds dietary phosphate in the
gastrointestinal tract, preventing its absorption and lowering serum phosphate levels. 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✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Warm compresses can help relieve pain and promote vasodilation, but the correct
answer is actually D. Elevation and cold packs help reduce swelling and pain. However, the priority is to
prevent the clot from dislodging, which means strict bed rest and no massage. The best answer is to
administer anticoagulants as prescribed. None of these are a priority except for D. Elevation and cold
packs are indicated. However, ambulation is contraindicated. The most appropriate is to keep the leg
elevated and apply warm compresses for comfort, but avoiding massage. For this question, the best
answer is D, but the nurse should also prepare to administer anticoagulants. Let's re-evaluate: The
standard of care is bed rest, elevation, and warm compresses to relieve pain. Therefore, the answer is D.
This is a classic DVT management question for HESI and ATI.
💫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.
