Chapter 4 – Understanding the
NCLEX-RN 2026 | Comprehensive
Exam Overview, Key Concepts &
Study Guide
1. What is the NCLEX RN exam? - answer-A national exam that must
be passed before the RN license will be awarded by the state
Board of Nursing (BON) allowing practice
2. National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses
(NCLEX-RN) - answer-This examination must be taken by all
graduates of diploma, associate degree, and baccalaureate degree
nursing programs prior to a license being issued. Successful
completion of the examination is a requirement for practice as a
registered nurse.
3. Who takes the NCLEX? - answer-Taken by all graduates of
diploma, associate degree and baccalaureate degree nursing
programs
4. Who provides and is responsible for the development of the
NCLEX - answer-Provided by the National Council of State Boards
of Nursing (NCSBN)
, 5. National Council of State BOards of Nursing (NCSBN) - answer-The
nursing regulatory body given the task of providing a means to
ensure that those who are licensed to practice as nurses are
"safe" in terms of their knowledge base
6. What is the purpose of the NCLEX-RN? - answer-To determine if
you are a safe, competent beginning level nurse
7. What is the responsibility of nursing? - answer-To protect the
public from unsafe care
8. What year did every state institute permissive licensure? -
answer-1923 - while licensure not mandatory, was required to use
title "registered nurse"
9. When did licensure become mandatory in all 50 states? - answer-
Mid-20th century
10. Test plan - answer-A blueprint for the licensing examination
that outlines the examination's content areas and the percentage
of questions devoted to each content area
11. Why are students encouraged to go to the NCSBN website
and obtain a copy of the test plan? - answer-Because it provides a
framework for the development of test items and can be used by
NCLEX-RN 2026 | Comprehensive
Exam Overview, Key Concepts &
Study Guide
1. What is the NCLEX RN exam? - answer-A national exam that must
be passed before the RN license will be awarded by the state
Board of Nursing (BON) allowing practice
2. National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses
(NCLEX-RN) - answer-This examination must be taken by all
graduates of diploma, associate degree, and baccalaureate degree
nursing programs prior to a license being issued. Successful
completion of the examination is a requirement for practice as a
registered nurse.
3. Who takes the NCLEX? - answer-Taken by all graduates of
diploma, associate degree and baccalaureate degree nursing
programs
4. Who provides and is responsible for the development of the
NCLEX - answer-Provided by the National Council of State Boards
of Nursing (NCSBN)
, 5. National Council of State BOards of Nursing (NCSBN) - answer-The
nursing regulatory body given the task of providing a means to
ensure that those who are licensed to practice as nurses are
"safe" in terms of their knowledge base
6. What is the purpose of the NCLEX-RN? - answer-To determine if
you are a safe, competent beginning level nurse
7. What is the responsibility of nursing? - answer-To protect the
public from unsafe care
8. What year did every state institute permissive licensure? -
answer-1923 - while licensure not mandatory, was required to use
title "registered nurse"
9. When did licensure become mandatory in all 50 states? - answer-
Mid-20th century
10. Test plan - answer-A blueprint for the licensing examination
that outlines the examination's content areas and the percentage
of questions devoted to each content area
11. Why are students encouraged to go to the NCSBN website
and obtain a copy of the test plan? - answer-Because it provides a
framework for the development of test items and can be used by
