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Page | 1
Test Bank for Fundamentals of Nursing
11th Edition by Potter & Perry | 2025–2026
NCLEX-Style Questions with Answers &
Rationales
, 2
Q1. A nurse is caring for a patient with type 2 diabetes who is prescribed metformin. Which
lab result requires immediate follow-up?
Page | 2 a. Hemoglobin A1c: 6.8%
b. BUN: 22 mg/dL
c. Creatinine: 2.1 mg/dL ✅✅✅
d. Potassium: 4.6 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in renal impairment. Creatinine >1.5 mg/dL (men)
or >1.4 mg/dL (women) increases risk of lactic acidosis.
DIF: Analyze
TOP: Medication Safety
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
Q2. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. What action best maintains
sterile technique?
a. Don sterile gloves after opening catheter kit ✅✅✅
b. Ask the patient to hold the catheter
c. Use clean gloves to position the drape
d. Open the kit on a nearby table and leave it unattended
Answer: A
Rationale: Sterile gloves are required for insertion to prevent introducing pathogens into the
urinary tract. Maintaining sterility is critical.
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DIF: Apply
TOP: Infection Prevention
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
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Q3. During morning rounds, a patient reports new shortness of breath while lying flat. What
term best describes this symptom?
a. Dyspnea
b. Orthopnea ✅✅✅
c. Tachypnea
d. Apnea
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing when lying flat, often associated with heart
failure or pulmonary congestion.
DIF: Understand
TOP: Respiratory Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
Q4. Which nursing action best reduces risk of aspiration during oral feeding of a stroke
patient?
a. Offering fluids before solids
b. Encouraging supine positioning
c. Asking the patient to lie down after meals
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d. Positioning the patient upright at 90 degrees ✅✅✅
Page | 4
Answer: D
Rationale: Keeping the patient upright minimizes aspiration risk and improves swallowing.
Supine positions increase aspiration risk.
DIF: Apply
TOP: Nutrition and Swallowing
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
Q5. A nurse is evaluating a newly admitted patient's vital signs: BP 88/56 mmHg, HR 110
bpm, RR 22, Temp 36.8°C. What should the nurse do first?
a. Recheck the blood pressure in 30 minutes
b. Notify the healthcare provider immediately ✅✅✅
c. Administer IV fluids without delay
d. Document the findings and continue the assessment
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension with tachycardia may indicate shock or fluid volume deficit. This
requires immediate provider notification.
DIF: Analyze
TOP: Vital Signs
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
Page | 1
Test Bank for Fundamentals of Nursing
11th Edition by Potter & Perry | 2025–2026
NCLEX-Style Questions with Answers &
Rationales
, 2
Q1. A nurse is caring for a patient with type 2 diabetes who is prescribed metformin. Which
lab result requires immediate follow-up?
Page | 2 a. Hemoglobin A1c: 6.8%
b. BUN: 22 mg/dL
c. Creatinine: 2.1 mg/dL ✅✅✅
d. Potassium: 4.6 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in renal impairment. Creatinine >1.5 mg/dL (men)
or >1.4 mg/dL (women) increases risk of lactic acidosis.
DIF: Analyze
TOP: Medication Safety
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
Q2. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. What action best maintains
sterile technique?
a. Don sterile gloves after opening catheter kit ✅✅✅
b. Ask the patient to hold the catheter
c. Use clean gloves to position the drape
d. Open the kit on a nearby table and leave it unattended
Answer: A
Rationale: Sterile gloves are required for insertion to prevent introducing pathogens into the
urinary tract. Maintaining sterility is critical.
, 3
DIF: Apply
TOP: Infection Prevention
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Page | 3
Q3. During morning rounds, a patient reports new shortness of breath while lying flat. What
term best describes this symptom?
a. Dyspnea
b. Orthopnea ✅✅✅
c. Tachypnea
d. Apnea
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing when lying flat, often associated with heart
failure or pulmonary congestion.
DIF: Understand
TOP: Respiratory Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
Q4. Which nursing action best reduces risk of aspiration during oral feeding of a stroke
patient?
a. Offering fluids before solids
b. Encouraging supine positioning
c. Asking the patient to lie down after meals
, 4
d. Positioning the patient upright at 90 degrees ✅✅✅
Page | 4
Answer: D
Rationale: Keeping the patient upright minimizes aspiration risk and improves swallowing.
Supine positions increase aspiration risk.
DIF: Apply
TOP: Nutrition and Swallowing
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
Q5. A nurse is evaluating a newly admitted patient's vital signs: BP 88/56 mmHg, HR 110
bpm, RR 22, Temp 36.8°C. What should the nurse do first?
a. Recheck the blood pressure in 30 minutes
b. Notify the healthcare provider immediately ✅✅✅
c. Administer IV fluids without delay
d. Document the findings and continue the assessment
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension with tachycardia may indicate shock or fluid volume deficit. This
requires immediate provider notification.
DIF: Analyze
TOP: Vital Signs
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
