1
“Saunders NCLEX-RN 9th Edition Chapter 4: Test-Taking
Strategies & Clinical Reasoning Tips | 2025-2026 A+ Verified
NGN Prep | 100% Pass Guarantee”
Question 1 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication but notices that the patient’s name
band is missing. What is the best initial action?
A. Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth
B. Notify the charge nurse about the missing name band
C. Delay the medication until a name band is placed
D. Check the medical record for the patient’s room number
Correct Answer: C. Delay the medication until a name band is placed
Rationale:
The nurse must never administer medication without properly verifying the
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patient’s identity. The absence of a name band creates a high risk for a medication
error. Delaying the medication until a new name band is placed is the safest initial
action because it ensures proper patient identification before proceeding. Asking
the patient their name or checking the medical record is not sufficient for safe
identification, and notifying the charge nurse is not a direct safety intervention.
Question 2 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
When using clinical reasoning during an NCLEX question, which step should the
nurse take first?
A. Identify the key words in the stem
B. Eliminate all incorrect options
C. Choose the answer that matches personal experience
D. Read the rationales before answering
Correct Answer: A. Identify the key words in the stem
Rationale:
Effective test-taking begins with recognizing the focus of the question. Identifying
key words in the stem allows the nurse to understand exactly what the question is
asking and which patient need or nursing priority is being assessed. Eliminating
answers should come after understanding the question, while relying on personal
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experience can lead to errors because NCLEX questions focus on ideal nursing
practice. Reading rationales is helpful for review but occurs after submitting an
answer, not before.
Question 3 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
A patient reports new-onset chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Call the health care provider
B. Assess the patient’s vital signs
C. Administer prescribed nitroglycerin
D. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
Correct Answer: D. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
Rationale:
Chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia, and the nurse must follow the ABCs
of priority setting: airway, breathing, and circulation. Providing oxygen first helps
improve oxygen delivery to the heart and prevent tissue damage. Assessing vital
signs and administering nitroglycerin are appropriate next steps after oxygen is
applied, and contacting the health care provider occurs after immediate life-saving
interventions.
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Question 4 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
Which action demonstrates priority setting using Maslow’s hierarchy?
A. Ambulating a stable postoperative patient
B. Administering pain medication for 7/10 pain
C. Teaching a patient about a new medication
D. Reassessing a patient’s IV site
Correct Answer: B. Administering pain medication for 7/10 pain
Rationale:
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, physiological needs such as pain
management are prioritized over psychosocial needs like education. Severe pain
can affect breathing, blood pressure, and overall physiologic stability, making it the
most urgent need in this scenario. Ambulation and IV reassessment are important
but are lower priority than addressing acute pain, and teaching is postponed until
the patient is more comfortable.
Question 5 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
“Saunders NCLEX-RN 9th Edition Chapter 4: Test-Taking
Strategies & Clinical Reasoning Tips | 2025-2026 A+ Verified
NGN Prep | 100% Pass Guarantee”
Question 1 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication but notices that the patient’s name
band is missing. What is the best initial action?
A. Ask the patient to state their full name and date of birth
B. Notify the charge nurse about the missing name band
C. Delay the medication until a name band is placed
D. Check the medical record for the patient’s room number
Correct Answer: C. Delay the medication until a name band is placed
Rationale:
The nurse must never administer medication without properly verifying the
, 2
patient’s identity. The absence of a name band creates a high risk for a medication
error. Delaying the medication until a new name band is placed is the safest initial
action because it ensures proper patient identification before proceeding. Asking
the patient their name or checking the medical record is not sufficient for safe
identification, and notifying the charge nurse is not a direct safety intervention.
Question 2 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
When using clinical reasoning during an NCLEX question, which step should the
nurse take first?
A. Identify the key words in the stem
B. Eliminate all incorrect options
C. Choose the answer that matches personal experience
D. Read the rationales before answering
Correct Answer: A. Identify the key words in the stem
Rationale:
Effective test-taking begins with recognizing the focus of the question. Identifying
key words in the stem allows the nurse to understand exactly what the question is
asking and which patient need or nursing priority is being assessed. Eliminating
answers should come after understanding the question, while relying on personal
, 3
experience can lead to errors because NCLEX questions focus on ideal nursing
practice. Reading rationales is helpful for review but occurs after submitting an
answer, not before.
Question 3 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
A patient reports new-onset chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Call the health care provider
B. Assess the patient’s vital signs
C. Administer prescribed nitroglycerin
D. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
Correct Answer: D. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
Rationale:
Chest pain may indicate myocardial ischemia, and the nurse must follow the ABCs
of priority setting: airway, breathing, and circulation. Providing oxygen first helps
improve oxygen delivery to the heart and prevent tissue damage. Assessing vital
signs and administering nitroglycerin are appropriate next steps after oxygen is
applied, and contacting the health care provider occurs after immediate life-saving
interventions.
, 4
Question 4 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
Which action demonstrates priority setting using Maslow’s hierarchy?
A. Ambulating a stable postoperative patient
B. Administering pain medication for 7/10 pain
C. Teaching a patient about a new medication
D. Reassessing a patient’s IV site
Correct Answer: B. Administering pain medication for 7/10 pain
Rationale:
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, physiological needs such as pain
management are prioritized over psychosocial needs like education. Severe pain
can affect breathing, blood pressure, and overall physiologic stability, making it the
most urgent need in this scenario. Ambulation and IV reassessment are important
but are lower priority than addressing acute pain, and teaching is postponed until
the patient is more comfortable.
Question 5 (Multiple Choice - Single Response)
