NCLEX-RN 2026 Questions with Correct Answers
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1. The nurse reviews the electrolyte results of a client with chronic kidney
disease and notes that the potassium level is 5.7 mEq/L (5.7 mmol/L). Which
patterns would the nurse watch for on the cardiac monitor as a result of the
laboratory value? Select all that apply.
A. ST depression
B. Prominent U wave
C. Tall peaked T waves
D. Prolonged ST segment
E. Widened QRS complexes: C, E
Rationale:
The client with chronic kidney disease is at risk for hyperkalemia. The normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5
to 5.0 mmol/L). A serum potassium level greater than 5.0 mEq/L (5.0 mmol/L) indicates hyperkalemia. Electrocardio-
graphic changes associated with hyperkalemia include flat P waves, prolonged PR intervals, widened QRS complexes,
and tall peaked T waves. ST depression and a prominent U wave occurs in hypokalemia. A prolonged ST segment
occurs in hypocalcemia.
2. The nurse is instructing a client how to perform a testicular self-examination
(TSE). The nurse should explain that which is the best time to perform this
exam?
A. After a shower or bath
B. While standing to void
C. After having a bowel movement
D. While lying in bed before arising: A
Rationale:
The nurse needs to teach the client how to perform a TSE. The nurse should instruct the client to perform the exam
on the same day each month. The nurse should also instruct the client that the best time to perform a TSE is after a
shower or bath when the hands are warm and soapy and the scrotum is warm. Palpation is easier and the client will
be better able to identify any abnormalities. The client would stand to perform the exam, but it would be difficult to
perform the exam while voiding. Having a bowel movement is unrelated to performing a TSE.
, NCLEX-RN 2026 Questions with Correct Answers
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3. The clinic nurse prepares to perform a focused assessment on a client who
is complaining of symptoms of a cold, a cough, and lung congestion. Which
should the nurse include for this type of assessment? Select all that apply.
A. Auscultating lung sounds
B. Obtaining the client's temperature
C. Assessing the strength of peripheral pulses
D. Obtaining information about the client's respirations
E. Performing a musculoskeletal and neurological examination
F. Asking the client about a family history of any illness or disease: A, B, D
Rationale:
A focused assessment focuses on a limited or short-term problem, such as the client's complaint. Because the client
is complaining of symptoms of a cold, a cough, and lung congestion, the nurse would focus on the respiratory system
and the presence of an infection. A complete assessment includes a complete health history and physical examination
and forms a baseline database. Assessing the strength of peripheral pulses relates to a vascular assessment, which is
not related to this client's complaints. A musculoskeletal and neurological examination also is not related to this client's
complaints. However, strength of peripheral pulses and a musculoskeletal and neurological examination would be
included in a complete assessment. Likewise, asking the client about a family history of any illness or disease would
be included in a complete assessment.
4. The clinic nurse is preparing to explain the concepts of Kohlberg's theory of
moral development with a parent. The nurse should tell the parent that which
factor motivates good and bad actions for the child at the preconventional
level?
A. Peer pressure
B. Social pressure
C. Parents' behavior
D. Punishment and reward: D
Rationale:
In the preconventional stage, morals are thought to be motivated by punishment and reward. If the child is obedient
, NCLEX-RN 2026 Questions with Correct Answers
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and is not punished, then the child is being moral. The child sees actions as good or bad. If the child's actions are
good, the child is praised. If the child's actions are bad, the child is punished. Options 1, 2, and 3 are not associated
factors for this stage of moral development.
5. The maternity nurse is providing instructions to a new mother regarding
the psychosocial development of the newborn infant. Using Erikson's psy-
chosocial development theory, the nurse instructs the mother to take which
measure?
A. Allow the newborn infant to signal a need.
B. Anticipate all needs of the newborn infant.
C. Attend to the newborn infant immediately when crying.
D. Avoid the newborn infant during the first 10 minutes of crying.: A
Rationale:According to Erikson, the caregiver should not try to anticipate the newborn infant's needs at all times but
must allow the newborn infant to signal needs. If a newborn infant is not allowed to signal a need, the newborn
will not learn how to control the environment. Erikson believed that a delayed or prolonged response to a newborn
infant's signal would inhibit the development of trust and lead to mistrust of others.
6. A nursing student is presenting a clinical conference to peers regarding
Freud's psychosexual stages of development, specifically the anal stage. The
student explains to the group that which characteristic relates to the anal
stage?
A. This stage is associated with toilet training.
B. This stage is characterized by the gratification of self.
C. This stage is characterized by a tapering off of conscious biological and
sexual urges.
D. This stage is associated with pleasurable and conflicting feelings about the
genital organs.: A
Rationale:
In general, toilet training occurs during the anal stage. According to Freud, the child gains pleasure from the
, NCLEX-RN 2026 Questions with Correct Answers
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elimination of feces and from their retention. Option 2 relates to the oral stage. Option 3 relates to the latency period.
Option 4 relates to the phallic stage.
7. A client with diabetes mellitus has a glycosylated hemoglobin A1c level of
8%. On the basis of this test result, the nurse plans to teach the client about
the need for which measure?
A. Avoiding infection
B. Taking in adequate fluids
C. Preventing and recognizing hypoglycemia
D. Preventing and recognizing hyperglycemia: D
Rationale:
The normal reference range for the glycosylated hemoglobin A1c is less than 6.0%. This test measures the amount
of glucose that has become permanently bound to the red blood cells from circulating glucose. Erythrocytes live for
about 120 days, giving feedback about blood glucose for the past 120 days. Elevations in the blood glucose level
will cause elevations in the amount of glycosylation. Thus, the test is useful in identifying clients who have periods
of hyperglycemia that are undetected in other ways. The estimated average glucose for a glycosylated hemoglobin
A1c of 8% is 205 mg/dL (11.42 mmol/L). Elevations indicate continued need for teaching related to the prevention
of hyperglycemic episodes.
8. The nurse is describing Piaget's cognitive developmental theory to pediatric
nursing staff. The nurse should tell that staff that which child behavior is
characteristic of the formal operations stage?
A. The child has the ability to think abstractly.
B. The child begins to understand the environment.
C. The child is able to classify, order, and sort facts.
D. The child learns to think in terms of past, present, and future.: A
Rationale:
In the formal operations stage, the child has the ability to think abstractly and logically. Option 2 identifies the
sensorimotor stage. Option 3 identifies the concrete operational stage. Option 4 identifies the preoperational stage.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fapo8w
1. The nurse reviews the electrolyte results of a client with chronic kidney
disease and notes that the potassium level is 5.7 mEq/L (5.7 mmol/L). Which
patterns would the nurse watch for on the cardiac monitor as a result of the
laboratory value? Select all that apply.
A. ST depression
B. Prominent U wave
C. Tall peaked T waves
D. Prolonged ST segment
E. Widened QRS complexes: C, E
Rationale:
The client with chronic kidney disease is at risk for hyperkalemia. The normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5
to 5.0 mmol/L). A serum potassium level greater than 5.0 mEq/L (5.0 mmol/L) indicates hyperkalemia. Electrocardio-
graphic changes associated with hyperkalemia include flat P waves, prolonged PR intervals, widened QRS complexes,
and tall peaked T waves. ST depression and a prominent U wave occurs in hypokalemia. A prolonged ST segment
occurs in hypocalcemia.
2. The nurse is instructing a client how to perform a testicular self-examination
(TSE). The nurse should explain that which is the best time to perform this
exam?
A. After a shower or bath
B. While standing to void
C. After having a bowel movement
D. While lying in bed before arising: A
Rationale:
The nurse needs to teach the client how to perform a TSE. The nurse should instruct the client to perform the exam
on the same day each month. The nurse should also instruct the client that the best time to perform a TSE is after a
shower or bath when the hands are warm and soapy and the scrotum is warm. Palpation is easier and the client will
be better able to identify any abnormalities. The client would stand to perform the exam, but it would be difficult to
perform the exam while voiding. Having a bowel movement is unrelated to performing a TSE.
, NCLEX-RN 2026 Questions with Correct Answers
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fapo8w
3. The clinic nurse prepares to perform a focused assessment on a client who
is complaining of symptoms of a cold, a cough, and lung congestion. Which
should the nurse include for this type of assessment? Select all that apply.
A. Auscultating lung sounds
B. Obtaining the client's temperature
C. Assessing the strength of peripheral pulses
D. Obtaining information about the client's respirations
E. Performing a musculoskeletal and neurological examination
F. Asking the client about a family history of any illness or disease: A, B, D
Rationale:
A focused assessment focuses on a limited or short-term problem, such as the client's complaint. Because the client
is complaining of symptoms of a cold, a cough, and lung congestion, the nurse would focus on the respiratory system
and the presence of an infection. A complete assessment includes a complete health history and physical examination
and forms a baseline database. Assessing the strength of peripheral pulses relates to a vascular assessment, which is
not related to this client's complaints. A musculoskeletal and neurological examination also is not related to this client's
complaints. However, strength of peripheral pulses and a musculoskeletal and neurological examination would be
included in a complete assessment. Likewise, asking the client about a family history of any illness or disease would
be included in a complete assessment.
4. The clinic nurse is preparing to explain the concepts of Kohlberg's theory of
moral development with a parent. The nurse should tell the parent that which
factor motivates good and bad actions for the child at the preconventional
level?
A. Peer pressure
B. Social pressure
C. Parents' behavior
D. Punishment and reward: D
Rationale:
In the preconventional stage, morals are thought to be motivated by punishment and reward. If the child is obedient
, NCLEX-RN 2026 Questions with Correct Answers
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fapo8w
and is not punished, then the child is being moral. The child sees actions as good or bad. If the child's actions are
good, the child is praised. If the child's actions are bad, the child is punished. Options 1, 2, and 3 are not associated
factors for this stage of moral development.
5. The maternity nurse is providing instructions to a new mother regarding
the psychosocial development of the newborn infant. Using Erikson's psy-
chosocial development theory, the nurse instructs the mother to take which
measure?
A. Allow the newborn infant to signal a need.
B. Anticipate all needs of the newborn infant.
C. Attend to the newborn infant immediately when crying.
D. Avoid the newborn infant during the first 10 minutes of crying.: A
Rationale:According to Erikson, the caregiver should not try to anticipate the newborn infant's needs at all times but
must allow the newborn infant to signal needs. If a newborn infant is not allowed to signal a need, the newborn
will not learn how to control the environment. Erikson believed that a delayed or prolonged response to a newborn
infant's signal would inhibit the development of trust and lead to mistrust of others.
6. A nursing student is presenting a clinical conference to peers regarding
Freud's psychosexual stages of development, specifically the anal stage. The
student explains to the group that which characteristic relates to the anal
stage?
A. This stage is associated with toilet training.
B. This stage is characterized by the gratification of self.
C. This stage is characterized by a tapering off of conscious biological and
sexual urges.
D. This stage is associated with pleasurable and conflicting feelings about the
genital organs.: A
Rationale:
In general, toilet training occurs during the anal stage. According to Freud, the child gains pleasure from the
, NCLEX-RN 2026 Questions with Correct Answers
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_fapo8w
elimination of feces and from their retention. Option 2 relates to the oral stage. Option 3 relates to the latency period.
Option 4 relates to the phallic stage.
7. A client with diabetes mellitus has a glycosylated hemoglobin A1c level of
8%. On the basis of this test result, the nurse plans to teach the client about
the need for which measure?
A. Avoiding infection
B. Taking in adequate fluids
C. Preventing and recognizing hypoglycemia
D. Preventing and recognizing hyperglycemia: D
Rationale:
The normal reference range for the glycosylated hemoglobin A1c is less than 6.0%. This test measures the amount
of glucose that has become permanently bound to the red blood cells from circulating glucose. Erythrocytes live for
about 120 days, giving feedback about blood glucose for the past 120 days. Elevations in the blood glucose level
will cause elevations in the amount of glycosylation. Thus, the test is useful in identifying clients who have periods
of hyperglycemia that are undetected in other ways. The estimated average glucose for a glycosylated hemoglobin
A1c of 8% is 205 mg/dL (11.42 mmol/L). Elevations indicate continued need for teaching related to the prevention
of hyperglycemic episodes.
8. The nurse is describing Piaget's cognitive developmental theory to pediatric
nursing staff. The nurse should tell that staff that which child behavior is
characteristic of the formal operations stage?
A. The child has the ability to think abstractly.
B. The child begins to understand the environment.
C. The child is able to classify, order, and sort facts.
D. The child learns to think in terms of past, present, and future.: A
Rationale:
In the formal operations stage, the child has the ability to think abstractly and logically. Option 2 identifies the
sensorimotor stage. Option 3 identifies the concrete operational stage. Option 4 identifies the preoperational stage.
