NCLEX-RN
14TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)DIANE BILLINGS;
DESIREE HENSEL
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination —
Overview
Stem: A new nursing graduate is planning when to schedule the
NCLEX-RN. She completed her program but has unresolved
remediation in one course and feels underprepared. She asks
you whether to schedule the exam immediately to “get it over
with” or delay until she feels ready. As her nurse educator, what
is the best recommendation?
,A. Encourage her to schedule immediately because passing
depends only on test-taking ability.
B. Advise delaying the exam until remediation is complete and
she demonstrates readiness.
C. Recommend taking the exam immediately because delaying
may reduce momentum.
D. Tell her to schedule now and withdraw later if she feels
unprepared.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): Advise delaying until remediation is complete
because the NCLEX assesses entry-level competence; taking it
before addressing knowledge gaps increases risk of failure. This
prioritizes patient safety and aligns with CJMM steps of
analyzing cues and prioritizing hypotheses (candidate readiness
→ risk of public harm).
Incorrect (A): Overemphasizes test-taking skill and ignores
content deficits; not safe or evidence-based.
Incorrect (C): Momentum is not a safety justification;
unprepared candidates risk failing and delayed licensure.
Incorrect (D): Scheduling with intent to withdraw is impractical
and may incur fees and administrative complications; it does
not address preparedness.
Teaching Point: Take NCLEX when competence and remediation
are complete, prioritizing safety over speed.
,Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination —
The Test Plan
Stem: A nursing program director is writing guidance for
students about the NCLEX Test Plan. A student asks which test
items most closely reflect safe entry-level practice and are
weighted more heavily on the exam. Which guidance best aligns
with the Test Plan?
A. Memorization of pharmacologic facts is the primary focus of
the Test Plan.
B. The Test Plan emphasizes clinical judgment, safety, and
delegation across client needs.
C. The Test Plan favors long case-study essays over multiple-
choice items.
D. The Test Plan prioritizes instructor preferences from
individual schools.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct (B): The NCLEX Test Plan focuses on client needs,
clinical judgment (including safety, risk reduction, and
delegation), and application of knowledge to practice; this
should guide preparation.
, Incorrect (A): Memorization alone is insufficient; NCLEX
emphasizes application and judgment, not rote facts.
Incorrect (C): The exam uses multiple-choice and other item
formats aligned with CJMM, not essay-format testing.
Incorrect (D): The Test Plan is standardized nationally and not
determined by individual programs’ preferences.
Teaching Point: The NCLEX Test Plan centers on clinical
judgment and client safety across categories.
Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination —
Practice Analysis: The Foundation of the Test Plan
Stem: As a faculty member involved in NCLEX prep, you must
explain to students why the Test Plan changes periodically.
Which explanation best matches the purpose of the practice
analysis?
A. The practice analysis surveys students’ opinions about test
difficulty.
B. The practice analysis identifies current entry-level nursing
tasks to update the Test Plan.
C. The practice analysis measures only the popularity of clinical
specialties.
D. The practice analysis predicts individual student pass rates.