NCLEX-RN BASIC CARE & COMFORT MARATHON
(2025/2026)
Comprehensive Assessment | 150 Questions & Verified Answers | Nursing Fundamentals |
NCLEX®-RN® Readiness
Answer Format
Correct answers in bold green with:
● Comprehensive intervention rationales (evidence-based, pathophysiology-linked)
● Safety protocol applications
● Patient education components
● Outcome evaluation criteria
PERSONAL HYGIENE & GROOMING (Questions 1–30)
1. A client with dementia refuses bathing. The nurse should first:
a) Force the bath
b) Assess triggers and offer choices
c) Document refusal
d) Medicate with PRN lorazepam
b) Assess triggers and offer choices
Rationale: Dementia impairs executive function; refusal stems from fear, sensory overload, or
loss of control. AGS 2025 person-centered care reduces agitation by identifying triggers (cold,
noise) and offering autonomy (“tub or sponge?”).
Safety: Warm room (75–80°F), non-slip mats.
Education: “Would you like warm or cool water?”
Evaluation: Bath completed calmly within 30 min.
2. When providing oral care to a ventilated client, the nurse uses:
a) Hydrogen peroxide
b) Chlorhexidine 0.12% q12h
c) Lemon-glycerin swabs
d) Toothpaste only
b) Chlorhexidine 0.12% q12h
Rationale: VAP results from oropharyngeal biofilm. SCCM 2025 VAP Bundle mandates
chlorhexidine 0.12% q12h for antimicrobial efficacy.
Safety: Suction, side-lying.
Education: N/A.
Evaluation: Clean mucosa, no plaque.
,3. A client with xerostomia (dry mouth) benefits from:
a) Alcohol-based mouthwash
b) Saliva substitute spray
c) Hard candy
d) Glycerin swabs
b) Saliva substitute spray
Rationale: Xerostomia increases caries risk. ADA 2025 recommends sugar-free saliva
substitutes to lubricate mucosa.
Safety: Sugar-free gum OK.
Education: Sip water.
Evaluation: Moist mucosa.
4. The nurse notes pediculosis capitis. First action:
a) Shave head
b) Apply permethrin 1% lotion
c) Use regular shampoo
d) Isolate client
b) Apply permethrin 1% lotion
Rationale: CDC 2025: Permethrin 1% kills lice/nits via neurotoxicity.
Safety: Wash linens 60°C.
Education: Comb nits.
Evaluation: No live lice.
5. A client with psoriasis on scalp. The nurse recommends shampoo with:
a) Coal tar
b) Ketoconazole
c) Baby shampoo
d) Sodium lauryl sulfate
a) Coal tar
Rationale: AAD 2025: Coal tar reduces scaling via anti-proliferative action.
Safety: Avoid eyes.
Education: Leave 5 min.
Evaluation: ↓ flakes.
6. Perineal care for a male client with urinary incontinence includes
cleansing:
a) Scrotum first
b) Penis tip to base
c) Base to tip
d) Circular motion only
b) Penis tip to base
Rationale: CDC 2025: Prevents UTI by moving contaminants outward.
Safety: Retract foreskin if needed.
Education: Pat dry.
Evaluation: No odor.
,7. A client with trach reports dry skin around stoma. The nurse applies:
a) Alcohol
b) Petrolatum-based ointment
c) Hydrogen peroxide
d) Steroid cream
b) Petrolatum-based ointment
Rationale: AACN 2025: Moisturizes, prevents cracking.
Safety: Clean site first.
Education: Thin layer.
Evaluation: Intact skin.
8. The nurse performs foot care on a client with PVD. Contraindicated:
a) Soaking 10 min
b) Cutting calluses
c) Filing nails
d) Lotion between toes
b) Cutting calluses
Rationale: SVS 2025: Risk of injury in ischemic tissue.
Safety: Refer podiatry.
Education: Inspect daily.
Evaluation: No wounds.
9. A client with eczema uses fragrance-free products. The nurse reinforces
avoiding:
a) Emollients
b) Wool clothing
c) Oatmeal baths
d) Lukewarm water
b) Wool clothing
Rationale: AAD 2025: Wool triggers irritation.
Safety: Cotton only.
Education: Patch test.
Evaluation: ↓ flare-ups.
10. The nurse teaches nail care to prevent ingrown toenail:
a) Cut rounded
b) Cut straight across
c) Cut diagonally
d) Soak in vinegar
b) Cut straight across
Rationale: APMA 2025: Prevents nail edge growth into skin.
Safety: File edges.
Education: Proper shoes.
Evaluation: No redness.
, 11. A pediatric client with chemotherapy-induced mucositis requires oral
care with:
a) Hard toothbrush
b) Soft sponge toothettes
c) Saltwater rinse only
d) Alcohol swabs
b) Soft sponge toothettes
Rationale: ONS 2025: Prevents trauma to fragile mucosa.
Safety: Avoid peroxide.
Education: Rinse with NS.
Evaluation: Mucosa pink.
12. A client with cultural preference avoids water on head. The nurse offers:
a) Full bed bath
b) Modified bed bath excluding head
c) Shower only
d) No hygiene
b) Modified bed bath excluding head
Rationale: TJC 2025: Respects cultural beliefs.
Safety: Privacy.
Education: Dry shampoo.
Evaluation: Client accepts care.
13. A burn client with facial burns needs eye care. The nurse uses:
a) Sterile saline irrigation
b) Tap water
c) Antibiotic ointment
d) Vaseline gauze
a) Sterile saline irrigation
Rationale: ABA 2025: Removes debris, prevents corneal damage.
Safety: pH neutral.
Education: Blink frequently.
Evaluation: Clear corneas.
14. A client with C. diff requires hand hygiene with:
a) Alcohol gel
b) Soap and water
c) Hand wipes
d) No washing
b) Soap and water
Rationale: CDC 2025: Removes spores.
Safety: 15 sec friction.
Education: Teach visitors.
Evaluation: No transmission.
(2025/2026)
Comprehensive Assessment | 150 Questions & Verified Answers | Nursing Fundamentals |
NCLEX®-RN® Readiness
Answer Format
Correct answers in bold green with:
● Comprehensive intervention rationales (evidence-based, pathophysiology-linked)
● Safety protocol applications
● Patient education components
● Outcome evaluation criteria
PERSONAL HYGIENE & GROOMING (Questions 1–30)
1. A client with dementia refuses bathing. The nurse should first:
a) Force the bath
b) Assess triggers and offer choices
c) Document refusal
d) Medicate with PRN lorazepam
b) Assess triggers and offer choices
Rationale: Dementia impairs executive function; refusal stems from fear, sensory overload, or
loss of control. AGS 2025 person-centered care reduces agitation by identifying triggers (cold,
noise) and offering autonomy (“tub or sponge?”).
Safety: Warm room (75–80°F), non-slip mats.
Education: “Would you like warm or cool water?”
Evaluation: Bath completed calmly within 30 min.
2. When providing oral care to a ventilated client, the nurse uses:
a) Hydrogen peroxide
b) Chlorhexidine 0.12% q12h
c) Lemon-glycerin swabs
d) Toothpaste only
b) Chlorhexidine 0.12% q12h
Rationale: VAP results from oropharyngeal biofilm. SCCM 2025 VAP Bundle mandates
chlorhexidine 0.12% q12h for antimicrobial efficacy.
Safety: Suction, side-lying.
Education: N/A.
Evaluation: Clean mucosa, no plaque.
,3. A client with xerostomia (dry mouth) benefits from:
a) Alcohol-based mouthwash
b) Saliva substitute spray
c) Hard candy
d) Glycerin swabs
b) Saliva substitute spray
Rationale: Xerostomia increases caries risk. ADA 2025 recommends sugar-free saliva
substitutes to lubricate mucosa.
Safety: Sugar-free gum OK.
Education: Sip water.
Evaluation: Moist mucosa.
4. The nurse notes pediculosis capitis. First action:
a) Shave head
b) Apply permethrin 1% lotion
c) Use regular shampoo
d) Isolate client
b) Apply permethrin 1% lotion
Rationale: CDC 2025: Permethrin 1% kills lice/nits via neurotoxicity.
Safety: Wash linens 60°C.
Education: Comb nits.
Evaluation: No live lice.
5. A client with psoriasis on scalp. The nurse recommends shampoo with:
a) Coal tar
b) Ketoconazole
c) Baby shampoo
d) Sodium lauryl sulfate
a) Coal tar
Rationale: AAD 2025: Coal tar reduces scaling via anti-proliferative action.
Safety: Avoid eyes.
Education: Leave 5 min.
Evaluation: ↓ flakes.
6. Perineal care for a male client with urinary incontinence includes
cleansing:
a) Scrotum first
b) Penis tip to base
c) Base to tip
d) Circular motion only
b) Penis tip to base
Rationale: CDC 2025: Prevents UTI by moving contaminants outward.
Safety: Retract foreskin if needed.
Education: Pat dry.
Evaluation: No odor.
,7. A client with trach reports dry skin around stoma. The nurse applies:
a) Alcohol
b) Petrolatum-based ointment
c) Hydrogen peroxide
d) Steroid cream
b) Petrolatum-based ointment
Rationale: AACN 2025: Moisturizes, prevents cracking.
Safety: Clean site first.
Education: Thin layer.
Evaluation: Intact skin.
8. The nurse performs foot care on a client with PVD. Contraindicated:
a) Soaking 10 min
b) Cutting calluses
c) Filing nails
d) Lotion between toes
b) Cutting calluses
Rationale: SVS 2025: Risk of injury in ischemic tissue.
Safety: Refer podiatry.
Education: Inspect daily.
Evaluation: No wounds.
9. A client with eczema uses fragrance-free products. The nurse reinforces
avoiding:
a) Emollients
b) Wool clothing
c) Oatmeal baths
d) Lukewarm water
b) Wool clothing
Rationale: AAD 2025: Wool triggers irritation.
Safety: Cotton only.
Education: Patch test.
Evaluation: ↓ flare-ups.
10. The nurse teaches nail care to prevent ingrown toenail:
a) Cut rounded
b) Cut straight across
c) Cut diagonally
d) Soak in vinegar
b) Cut straight across
Rationale: APMA 2025: Prevents nail edge growth into skin.
Safety: File edges.
Education: Proper shoes.
Evaluation: No redness.
, 11. A pediatric client with chemotherapy-induced mucositis requires oral
care with:
a) Hard toothbrush
b) Soft sponge toothettes
c) Saltwater rinse only
d) Alcohol swabs
b) Soft sponge toothettes
Rationale: ONS 2025: Prevents trauma to fragile mucosa.
Safety: Avoid peroxide.
Education: Rinse with NS.
Evaluation: Mucosa pink.
12. A client with cultural preference avoids water on head. The nurse offers:
a) Full bed bath
b) Modified bed bath excluding head
c) Shower only
d) No hygiene
b) Modified bed bath excluding head
Rationale: TJC 2025: Respects cultural beliefs.
Safety: Privacy.
Education: Dry shampoo.
Evaluation: Client accepts care.
13. A burn client with facial burns needs eye care. The nurse uses:
a) Sterile saline irrigation
b) Tap water
c) Antibiotic ointment
d) Vaseline gauze
a) Sterile saline irrigation
Rationale: ABA 2025: Removes debris, prevents corneal damage.
Safety: pH neutral.
Education: Blink frequently.
Evaluation: Clear corneas.
14. A client with C. diff requires hand hygiene with:
a) Alcohol gel
b) Soap and water
c) Hand wipes
d) No washing
b) Soap and water
Rationale: CDC 2025: Removes spores.
Safety: 15 sec friction.
Education: Teach visitors.
Evaluation: No transmission.
