NCLEX-RN
14TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)DIANE BILLINGS;
DESIREE HENSEL
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Computer
Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Stem
A recent graduate (age 24) scheduled for the NCLEX arrives with
mild tremor and heart rate 110 bpm after excessive caffeine
and poor sleep; she reports anxiety about early test termination
because the computer stopped at 67 items and gave a pass
result. She asks the test center proctor whether she should
,retake or appeal immediately. What is the nurse educator’s best
explanation/advice?
A. Advise her to request a formal score review at the test center
before leaving.
B. Explain CAT stopping rules and advise accepting the official
pass result and exit.
C. Suggest she immediately schedule another test to be certain
of competency.
D. Recommend asking the proctor to reopen the exam to
answer more items.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): CAT stops when it can determine, with statistical
confidence, that a candidate’s ability is above the passing
standard; accepting the pass result is appropriate. This
explanation addresses the candidate’s anxiety, prevents
unnecessary retesting, and aligns with test administration
policies and CJMM action-taking (act on reliable cues).
Incorrect (A): There is no on-site score review process that
changes an immediate pass; requesting a formal review at the
test center is not a valid immediate action.
Incorrect (C): Scheduling another test after an official pass
wastes resources, may violate scheduling/retake rules, and is
unnecessary since the exam’s psychometrics determined the
outcome.
Incorrect (D): Proctors cannot reopen or extend an exam once
,CAT stopping criteria are met; asking to reopen shows
misunderstanding of CAT.
Teaching point: CAT stops when ability is determined; accept a
statistically valid pass result.
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 — Exam Security
& Confidentiality
Stem
A candidate (age 29) with history of generalized anxiety
disorder sits for the NCLEX. During a break she overhears two
proctors in the hallway casually describing item content from an
earlier session. Her palms are sweaty and heart rate is 102 bpm.
What should she do first?
A. Leave the test center immediately and post the items online
to warn others.
B. Ignore it and continue testing; discussing items outside is
common and harmless.
C. Notify the on-site test center manager/proctor immediately
and document the incident.
D. Confront the proctors loudly in the hallway to demand an
explanation.
, Correct answer: C
Rationales
Correct (C): Reporting the potential security breach to on-site
staff immediately ensures the incident is officially recorded and
handled per exam security policies; documentation protects
candidate safety and test integrity (recognizing and reporting
cues → taking action).
Incorrect (A): Posting exam content violates exam
confidentiality, risks sanction, and compounds the breach.
Incorrect (B): Ignoring a credible breach fails to protect exam
security and violates confidentiality rules.
Incorrect (D): Confrontation can escalate the situation and may
breach test center policies; the appropriate action is to report
through official channels.
Teaching point: Immediately report potential breaches to on-
site staff—do not share exam content.
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 — Special
Accommodations
Stem
A graduated nursing student with insulin-dependent diabetes