NCLEX-RN Test 1 for 2026 QUESTIONS WITH WELL VERIFIED
ANSWERS
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of
hemothorax or tension pneumothorax. Each finding may support more than one disease
process.
Hemothorax: results from the accumulation of blood loss in the pleural cavity --> loss of
intravascular blood vlolume: tachycardia, hypotension, unilateral diminished breath sounds
Pneumothorax is characterized by air inside the pleural space, which disrupts the negative
pressure that maintains lung expansion, causing the lung to collapse either partially or
completely. Tension pneumothorax develops if air enters but cannot escape the pleural space --
> this trapping compresses the heart and great vessels and displaces the midline structures
(trachea) to the opposite side. Tension pneumothorax: tachycardia, hypotension, subcutaneous
emphysema/crepitus on palpitation (air gets into the tissue under the skin), unilateral
diminished breath sounds (also tracheal deviation, hyperresonance to percussion)
Endoctracheal intubation would worsen the existing pneumothorax by delivering positive
pressure ventilation, which would increase intrathoracic pressure ==> compress the heart and
great vessels and lead to cardiac arrest.
The charger nurse is responsible for making room assignments multiple clients. Which pari of
client assignments to a shared room is appropriate?
3. Client who had a bowel resection 1 day ago and client with asthma exacerbation.
When making room assignments, it is important to remember that a client with an active or
suspected infection should not be paired with a client who has a fresh surgical wound or is
immunocompromised. A client having an asthma exacerbation does not have an infection and is
not at risk for spreading infection to a client who had a recent bowel resection surgery.
The clinic nurse is assessing a client who is being treated for depression and suicidal ideation.
Which client statement best indicates that the client is not currently at risk for suicide?
2. "I plan to attend my grandchild's graduation next month"
,Clients receiving treatment for depression and suicidal ideation must be carefully monitored for
indications of increasing suicidal intent. During a client interview, the nurse should assess:
- Access to psychiatric medications
- Availability of help during a crisis (counselor, family)
- Future goals and plans
- Home and environment risks
- Overall affect and level of energy
- Possible access to weapons
Clients who articulate long-term personal goals and family milestones are less likely to attempt
death by suicide
The nurse is caring for a client who had an anterior wall myocardial infarction 2 days ago. The
telemetry technician notifies the nurse at 8:30 AM that the client is in ventricular trigeminy.
What is the nurse's priority intervention?
1. Administer potassium supplement
In ventricular trigeminy, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) occur every third heartbeat.
Myocardial injury (eg, myocardial infarction) predisposes the client to ectopy (eg, PVCs), which
increases the client's risk for lethal dysrhythmias (eg, ventricular tachycardia). PVCs are caused
and/or exacerbated by hypoxia, electrolyte imbalances, emotional stress, stimulants, fever, and
exercise.
This client's morning laboratory results show hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L [3.5
mmol/L]); therefore, the priority is treatment of the underlying cause of the ectopy by
administering the prescribed potassium replacement (Option 1). Health care providers (HCPs)
often prescribe electrolyte replacement algorithms to clients at risk for electrolyte imbalances
(eg, myocardial injury, receiving diuretics) unless a contraindication exists (eg, serum creatinine
>1.5 mg/dL [133 µmol/L], anuric, weight <99.2 lb [45 kg]).
The nurse cares for a client with a terminal disease who created a do not attempt resuscitation
(DNAR) directive. The client stops breathing and loses their pulse. The client's adult child states,
"Please, do whatever you can to save them!" Which intervention is appropriate?
,3. Explain the client's resuscitation directive to the client's child
Clients can create a do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) directive instructing that CPR and
other life-saving measures be withheld. With an advance directive in place, the client's wishes
should be followed, even if they conflict with the wishes of loved ones
The nurse in the cardiac intensive care unit receives report on 4 clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?
2. Client who underwent coronary artery stent placement via femoral approach 3 hours ago and
is reporting severe back pain
A client who undergoes percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and intracoronary stent
placement using the femoral approach is at increased risk for retroperitoneal hemorrhage.
Administration of antithrombotic drugs before, during, and after PCI can exacerbate potentially
life-threatening bleeding from the femoral artery.
Hypotension, back pain, flank ecchymosis (eg, Grey Turner sign), hematoma formation, and
diminished distal pulses can be early signs of bleeding into the retroperitoneal space and
require immediate intervention (eg, notify health care provider, serial complete blood count, CT
scan of the abdomen)
The nurse is reviewing the medical history of a client who has sustained a right tibia/fibula
fracture from a fall. The nurse identifies which finding as most likely to hinder healing?
4. Peripheral arterial disease
Bone healing depends on multiple factors, including nutrition, adequate circulation, and age. A
client with peripheral arterial disease has decreased perfusion to the extremities due to
atherosclerotic changes in the arteries. Without adequate perfusion, the bone is not supplied
with the oxygen and nutrients required for healing
Based on the nursing assessment progress notes, what is the correct staging of the client's
pressure injury? Click on the exhibit button for additional information.
WRONG
, 2. Stage 2: Stage 2 pressure injuries have partial-thickness skin loss (abrasion, blister, or shallow
crater). The skin blisters or forms an open sore, and the area around the sore may be red and
irritated. (shallow, open ulcer, red-pink wound with no sloughing and possible intact or ruptured
blister)
Stage 1: Intact skin with nonblanchable redness
Stage 2: Partial-thickness skin loss (abrasion, blister, or shallow crater) involving the dermis or
epidermis; the wound bed is red or pink and may be shiny or dry
Stage 3: Full-thickness skin loss; subcutaneous fat is visible but not tendon, muscle, or bone;
tunneling may be present
Stage 4: Full-thickness skin loss with visible tendon, muscle, or bone; slough or eschar
(scabbing, dead tissue) may be present; undermining and tunneling may be present
Pressure injuries are described as "unstageable" if the base is covered by necrotic tissue or
eschar
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus has prescriptions for NPH insulin and regular insulin. At
0730, the client's blood glucose level is 322 mg/dL (17.9 mmol/L), and the breakfast tray has
arrived. What action should the nurse take? Click the exhibit button for additional information.
4. Administer 37 units of insulin: 25 units of NPH mixed with 12 units of regular insulin in the
same syringe, drawing up the regular insulin first
Intermediate-acting insulins (NPH) can be safely mixed with short-acting (regular) and rapid-
acting (eg, lispro, aspart) insulins in one syringe. Regular insulin should be drawn into the
syringe before intermediate-acting insulin to avoid cross-contaminating multidose vials
(mnemonic - RN: Regular before NPH).
To prepare the mixed dose:
Inject 25 units of air into the NPH insulin vial without inverting the vial or passing the needle
into the solution.
Inject 12 units of air into the regular insulin vial and withdraw the dose, leaving no air bubbles.
Draw 25 units of NPH insulin, totaling 37 units in one syringe. Any overdraw of NPH into the
syringe will necessitate wasting the entire quantity.
ANSWERS
For each finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of
hemothorax or tension pneumothorax. Each finding may support more than one disease
process.
Hemothorax: results from the accumulation of blood loss in the pleural cavity --> loss of
intravascular blood vlolume: tachycardia, hypotension, unilateral diminished breath sounds
Pneumothorax is characterized by air inside the pleural space, which disrupts the negative
pressure that maintains lung expansion, causing the lung to collapse either partially or
completely. Tension pneumothorax develops if air enters but cannot escape the pleural space --
> this trapping compresses the heart and great vessels and displaces the midline structures
(trachea) to the opposite side. Tension pneumothorax: tachycardia, hypotension, subcutaneous
emphysema/crepitus on palpitation (air gets into the tissue under the skin), unilateral
diminished breath sounds (also tracheal deviation, hyperresonance to percussion)
Endoctracheal intubation would worsen the existing pneumothorax by delivering positive
pressure ventilation, which would increase intrathoracic pressure ==> compress the heart and
great vessels and lead to cardiac arrest.
The charger nurse is responsible for making room assignments multiple clients. Which pari of
client assignments to a shared room is appropriate?
3. Client who had a bowel resection 1 day ago and client with asthma exacerbation.
When making room assignments, it is important to remember that a client with an active or
suspected infection should not be paired with a client who has a fresh surgical wound or is
immunocompromised. A client having an asthma exacerbation does not have an infection and is
not at risk for spreading infection to a client who had a recent bowel resection surgery.
The clinic nurse is assessing a client who is being treated for depression and suicidal ideation.
Which client statement best indicates that the client is not currently at risk for suicide?
2. "I plan to attend my grandchild's graduation next month"
,Clients receiving treatment for depression and suicidal ideation must be carefully monitored for
indications of increasing suicidal intent. During a client interview, the nurse should assess:
- Access to psychiatric medications
- Availability of help during a crisis (counselor, family)
- Future goals and plans
- Home and environment risks
- Overall affect and level of energy
- Possible access to weapons
Clients who articulate long-term personal goals and family milestones are less likely to attempt
death by suicide
The nurse is caring for a client who had an anterior wall myocardial infarction 2 days ago. The
telemetry technician notifies the nurse at 8:30 AM that the client is in ventricular trigeminy.
What is the nurse's priority intervention?
1. Administer potassium supplement
In ventricular trigeminy, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) occur every third heartbeat.
Myocardial injury (eg, myocardial infarction) predisposes the client to ectopy (eg, PVCs), which
increases the client's risk for lethal dysrhythmias (eg, ventricular tachycardia). PVCs are caused
and/or exacerbated by hypoxia, electrolyte imbalances, emotional stress, stimulants, fever, and
exercise.
This client's morning laboratory results show hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L [3.5
mmol/L]); therefore, the priority is treatment of the underlying cause of the ectopy by
administering the prescribed potassium replacement (Option 1). Health care providers (HCPs)
often prescribe electrolyte replacement algorithms to clients at risk for electrolyte imbalances
(eg, myocardial injury, receiving diuretics) unless a contraindication exists (eg, serum creatinine
>1.5 mg/dL [133 µmol/L], anuric, weight <99.2 lb [45 kg]).
The nurse cares for a client with a terminal disease who created a do not attempt resuscitation
(DNAR) directive. The client stops breathing and loses their pulse. The client's adult child states,
"Please, do whatever you can to save them!" Which intervention is appropriate?
,3. Explain the client's resuscitation directive to the client's child
Clients can create a do not attempt resuscitation (DNAR) directive instructing that CPR and
other life-saving measures be withheld. With an advance directive in place, the client's wishes
should be followed, even if they conflict with the wishes of loved ones
The nurse in the cardiac intensive care unit receives report on 4 clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?
2. Client who underwent coronary artery stent placement via femoral approach 3 hours ago and
is reporting severe back pain
A client who undergoes percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and intracoronary stent
placement using the femoral approach is at increased risk for retroperitoneal hemorrhage.
Administration of antithrombotic drugs before, during, and after PCI can exacerbate potentially
life-threatening bleeding from the femoral artery.
Hypotension, back pain, flank ecchymosis (eg, Grey Turner sign), hematoma formation, and
diminished distal pulses can be early signs of bleeding into the retroperitoneal space and
require immediate intervention (eg, notify health care provider, serial complete blood count, CT
scan of the abdomen)
The nurse is reviewing the medical history of a client who has sustained a right tibia/fibula
fracture from a fall. The nurse identifies which finding as most likely to hinder healing?
4. Peripheral arterial disease
Bone healing depends on multiple factors, including nutrition, adequate circulation, and age. A
client with peripheral arterial disease has decreased perfusion to the extremities due to
atherosclerotic changes in the arteries. Without adequate perfusion, the bone is not supplied
with the oxygen and nutrients required for healing
Based on the nursing assessment progress notes, what is the correct staging of the client's
pressure injury? Click on the exhibit button for additional information.
WRONG
, 2. Stage 2: Stage 2 pressure injuries have partial-thickness skin loss (abrasion, blister, or shallow
crater). The skin blisters or forms an open sore, and the area around the sore may be red and
irritated. (shallow, open ulcer, red-pink wound with no sloughing and possible intact or ruptured
blister)
Stage 1: Intact skin with nonblanchable redness
Stage 2: Partial-thickness skin loss (abrasion, blister, or shallow crater) involving the dermis or
epidermis; the wound bed is red or pink and may be shiny or dry
Stage 3: Full-thickness skin loss; subcutaneous fat is visible but not tendon, muscle, or bone;
tunneling may be present
Stage 4: Full-thickness skin loss with visible tendon, muscle, or bone; slough or eschar
(scabbing, dead tissue) may be present; undermining and tunneling may be present
Pressure injuries are described as "unstageable" if the base is covered by necrotic tissue or
eschar
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus has prescriptions for NPH insulin and regular insulin. At
0730, the client's blood glucose level is 322 mg/dL (17.9 mmol/L), and the breakfast tray has
arrived. What action should the nurse take? Click the exhibit button for additional information.
4. Administer 37 units of insulin: 25 units of NPH mixed with 12 units of regular insulin in the
same syringe, drawing up the regular insulin first
Intermediate-acting insulins (NPH) can be safely mixed with short-acting (regular) and rapid-
acting (eg, lispro, aspart) insulins in one syringe. Regular insulin should be drawn into the
syringe before intermediate-acting insulin to avoid cross-contaminating multidose vials
(mnemonic - RN: Regular before NPH).
To prepare the mixed dose:
Inject 25 units of air into the NPH insulin vial without inverting the vial or passing the needle
into the solution.
Inject 12 units of air into the regular insulin vial and withdraw the dose, leaving no air bubbles.
Draw 25 units of NPH insulin, totaling 37 units in one syringe. Any overdraw of NPH into the
syringe will necessitate wasting the entire quantity.
