SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
FOR THE NCLEX-RN® EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
TEST BANK
1) Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Reference: The NCLEX-RN® Examination — Computer Adaptive
Testing
Clinical Stem:
A nursing graduate says, “I am worried because the NCLEX
gives harder questions when you get one right.” The instructor
explains that the exam changes after each response to measure
the candidate’s ability. The graduate asks what this means for
test-taking.
,Options:
A. The computer gives easier questions after every correct
answer to build confidence.
B. The computer adjusts question difficulty based on the
candidate’s previous response.
C. Every candidate receives the same number and difficulty of
questions.
D. The candidate must answer all questions correctly to pass.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
B is correct. CAT modifies the difficulty of each next question
based on the candidate’s performance, allowing the exam to
measure competence efficiently. This supports a more precise
pass-fail decision.
A is incorrect. CAT does not lower difficulty to make the exam
easier.
C is incorrect. Number and difficulty vary by candidate.
D is incorrect. Passing does not require every item to be
correct.
Teaching Point: CAT adapts to performance to measure
competence, not to “punish” correct answers.
Citation: Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review
for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (8th ed.), Chapter 1: The
NCLEX-RN® Examination.
,2) Purpose of the Test Plan
Reference: Development of the Test Plan
Clinical Stem:
A student asks why the NCLEX covers many different nursing
topics instead of focusing only on medical-surgical nursing. The
faculty member explains that the exam is built from a test plan.
The student wants to know the purpose of that plan.
Options:
A. It organizes the exam so all candidates get the same case
studies.
B. It ensures the exam reflects entry-level nursing practice
across client needs.
C. It allows schools to choose which content their graduates
will be tested on.
D. It focuses only on the most difficult diseases seen in
hospitals.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
B is correct. The test plan ensures the exam reflects safe,
entry-level nursing practice and the full range of client needs. It
guides content distribution and exam validity.
A is incorrect. The exam does not use identical case studies for
, all candidates.
C is incorrect. Schools do not control NCLEX content.
D is incorrect. The exam is not built around rare or simply
difficult diseases.
Teaching Point: The test plan ensures fair, practice-based
coverage of nursing care.
Citation: Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review
for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (8th ed.), Chapter 1: The
NCLEX-RN® Examination.
3) Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
Reference: Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Item Types
Clinical Stem:
A faculty advisor tells students that some NCLEX items present
unfolding patient data and ask them to make decisions step by
step. One student asks why these questions were added. The
advisor explains that the items are designed to measure a
specific nursing skill.
Options:
A. They measure memorization of textbook facts only.
B. They measure clinical judgment in realistic patient
situations.
C. They test whether the candidate can identify the longest
FOR THE NCLEX-RN® EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
TEST BANK
1) Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Reference: The NCLEX-RN® Examination — Computer Adaptive
Testing
Clinical Stem:
A nursing graduate says, “I am worried because the NCLEX
gives harder questions when you get one right.” The instructor
explains that the exam changes after each response to measure
the candidate’s ability. The graduate asks what this means for
test-taking.
,Options:
A. The computer gives easier questions after every correct
answer to build confidence.
B. The computer adjusts question difficulty based on the
candidate’s previous response.
C. Every candidate receives the same number and difficulty of
questions.
D. The candidate must answer all questions correctly to pass.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
B is correct. CAT modifies the difficulty of each next question
based on the candidate’s performance, allowing the exam to
measure competence efficiently. This supports a more precise
pass-fail decision.
A is incorrect. CAT does not lower difficulty to make the exam
easier.
C is incorrect. Number and difficulty vary by candidate.
D is incorrect. Passing does not require every item to be
correct.
Teaching Point: CAT adapts to performance to measure
competence, not to “punish” correct answers.
Citation: Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review
for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (8th ed.), Chapter 1: The
NCLEX-RN® Examination.
,2) Purpose of the Test Plan
Reference: Development of the Test Plan
Clinical Stem:
A student asks why the NCLEX covers many different nursing
topics instead of focusing only on medical-surgical nursing. The
faculty member explains that the exam is built from a test plan.
The student wants to know the purpose of that plan.
Options:
A. It organizes the exam so all candidates get the same case
studies.
B. It ensures the exam reflects entry-level nursing practice
across client needs.
C. It allows schools to choose which content their graduates
will be tested on.
D. It focuses only on the most difficult diseases seen in
hospitals.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
B is correct. The test plan ensures the exam reflects safe,
entry-level nursing practice and the full range of client needs. It
guides content distribution and exam validity.
A is incorrect. The exam does not use identical case studies for
, all candidates.
C is incorrect. Schools do not control NCLEX content.
D is incorrect. The exam is not built around rare or simply
difficult diseases.
Teaching Point: The test plan ensures fair, practice-based
coverage of nursing care.
Citation: Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review
for the NCLEX-RN® Examination (8th ed.), Chapter 1: The
NCLEX-RN® Examination.
3) Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
Reference: Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Item Types
Clinical Stem:
A faculty advisor tells students that some NCLEX items present
unfolding patient data and ask them to make decisions step by
step. One student asks why these questions were added. The
advisor explains that the items are designed to measure a
specific nursing skill.
Options:
A. They measure memorization of textbook facts only.
B. They measure clinical judgment in realistic patient
situations.
C. They test whether the candidate can identify the longest
