Chapter 5. NCLEX-RN Examination
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Key Solutions
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1
The graduate nurse understands the purpose of the NCLEX-RN exam when stating which of the following?
a. "The exam provides feedback to the candidate regarding areas of weakness in nursing practice."
b. "The exam determines the candidate's ability or inability to meet minimum standards for safe practice."
c. "The exam gives employers an opportunity to hire graduates who have scored highest among first-time licensure
candidates."
d. "The exam prepares new graduates as efficient, effective staff nurses."
Correct Answer
ANS: B
The purpose of the NCLEX-RN® Exam is to determine whether a candidate is competent to perform safe, effective, entry-
level nursing care. It does not prepare nurses but rather measures their performance on a test. Candidates who are
unsuccessful receive information about their weak areas on the test, but this is not the purpose of it. Employers want to
know if the person has passed because there is no specific score given other than pass or fail
Question 2
Which statement by the nursing professor is accurate about the NCLEX-RN exam? The purpose of the NCLEX-RN® test plan
is to ensure that all
a. "test takers answer items of comparable difficulty."
b. "test takers answer approximately the same number of items."
c. "test items are job related."
d. "clinical specialties will be equally represented."
Correct Answer
ANS: C
The content of the NCLEX® Exam is based on a test plan that is determined by the National Council. The test plan reflects
entry-level nursing practice as identified by research and the job analysis study of newly licensed registered nurses. Each
candidate will receive different levels of questions in a computer adaptive format. The focus of the exam is not on clinical
specialties. The test has a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 265 questions, so a test taker can answer any
number of questions between these two numbers until they either reaches a passing standard or fails.
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, Question 3
In trends class, a student tells the instructor, "I don't think I can possibly pass the NCLEX-RN. I hated psych nursing, but now
I've heard that a huge amount of the NCLEX is psych related." What is the best response from the instructor?
a. "Perhaps you should consider retaking the psychiatric nursing course."
b. "There are equal numbers of questions related to each aspect of client needs."
c. "Psychosocial integrity is the basis for 6% to 12% of the examination."
d. "You will need to take a review course in which they teach psychiatric nursing principles."
Correct Answer
ANS: C
The last detailed test plan (2013) from the National Council designated from 6% to 12% of the total questions to be from
the area of psychosocial integrity. The student may not be able to retake nursing courses or a review course. Stating that
content area has the same amount of questions would be inaccurate. Each of the categories of client needs has a different
percentage, so questions are based on that percentage from the detailed test plan, not on equal numbers from each area.
Students often hear incorrect information and rumors about NCLEX.
Question 4
Which statement indicates the graduate nurses understanding of the process at the NCLEX testing site?
a. "I will be thumb-printed and photographed."
b. "I will be placed in a locked testing cubicle."
c. "I will answer 300 test questions."
d. "I will be given some questions as a paper-and-pencil test."
Correct Answer
ANS: A
Read the Candidate Bulletin and the instruction packet carefully. An Authorization to Test (ATT) will be required for
admission into the testing center; however, after January 1, 2014, the NCLEX will be going paperless, so the ATT will not
have to be brought to the testing center. All candidates will be thumb-printed and photographed and will have a palm
vein reader as part of the identification process at the testing location. Candidates are not locked in a testing cubicle or
given a paper-and-pencil test. The number of questions on each candidates test may vary with a minimum of 75
questions and a maximum of 265 questions
Question 5
Which statement made by the graduate nurse indicates understanding of the NCLEX-RN exam passing score?
a. "Candidates seeking licensure in California and New York must score higher."
b. "The passing score is the same for licensure in all states."
c. "Candidates from BSN programs must score one standard deviation higher than the ADN graduates."
d. "ADN graduates must answer 80% of the 265 questions correctly to pass."
Correct Answer
ANS: B
Every state has the same passing criteria. There is no percentage identified as to the number to get correct. The test has a
minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 265 questions. When the student reaches a passing level of competency or
has not reached the passing competency, the test turns off. There is no differentiation in education level or state
requirements.
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and the New Graduate
(Latest 2025-2026 Edition) 100% Verified Q&A + Answer
25+
Key Solutions
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Question 1
The graduate nurse understands the purpose of the NCLEX-RN exam when stating which of the following?
a. "The exam provides feedback to the candidate regarding areas of weakness in nursing practice."
b. "The exam determines the candidate's ability or inability to meet minimum standards for safe practice."
c. "The exam gives employers an opportunity to hire graduates who have scored highest among first-time licensure
candidates."
d. "The exam prepares new graduates as efficient, effective staff nurses."
Correct Answer
ANS: B
The purpose of the NCLEX-RN® Exam is to determine whether a candidate is competent to perform safe, effective, entry-
level nursing care. It does not prepare nurses but rather measures their performance on a test. Candidates who are
unsuccessful receive information about their weak areas on the test, but this is not the purpose of it. Employers want to
know if the person has passed because there is no specific score given other than pass or fail
Question 2
Which statement by the nursing professor is accurate about the NCLEX-RN exam? The purpose of the NCLEX-RN® test plan
is to ensure that all
a. "test takers answer items of comparable difficulty."
b. "test takers answer approximately the same number of items."
c. "test items are job related."
d. "clinical specialties will be equally represented."
Correct Answer
ANS: C
The content of the NCLEX® Exam is based on a test plan that is determined by the National Council. The test plan reflects
entry-level nursing practice as identified by research and the job analysis study of newly licensed registered nurses. Each
candidate will receive different levels of questions in a computer adaptive format. The focus of the exam is not on clinical
specialties. The test has a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 265 questions, so a test taker can answer any
number of questions between these two numbers until they either reaches a passing standard or fails.
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, Question 3
In trends class, a student tells the instructor, "I don't think I can possibly pass the NCLEX-RN. I hated psych nursing, but now
I've heard that a huge amount of the NCLEX is psych related." What is the best response from the instructor?
a. "Perhaps you should consider retaking the psychiatric nursing course."
b. "There are equal numbers of questions related to each aspect of client needs."
c. "Psychosocial integrity is the basis for 6% to 12% of the examination."
d. "You will need to take a review course in which they teach psychiatric nursing principles."
Correct Answer
ANS: C
The last detailed test plan (2013) from the National Council designated from 6% to 12% of the total questions to be from
the area of psychosocial integrity. The student may not be able to retake nursing courses or a review course. Stating that
content area has the same amount of questions would be inaccurate. Each of the categories of client needs has a different
percentage, so questions are based on that percentage from the detailed test plan, not on equal numbers from each area.
Students often hear incorrect information and rumors about NCLEX.
Question 4
Which statement indicates the graduate nurses understanding of the process at the NCLEX testing site?
a. "I will be thumb-printed and photographed."
b. "I will be placed in a locked testing cubicle."
c. "I will answer 300 test questions."
d. "I will be given some questions as a paper-and-pencil test."
Correct Answer
ANS: A
Read the Candidate Bulletin and the instruction packet carefully. An Authorization to Test (ATT) will be required for
admission into the testing center; however, after January 1, 2014, the NCLEX will be going paperless, so the ATT will not
have to be brought to the testing center. All candidates will be thumb-printed and photographed and will have a palm
vein reader as part of the identification process at the testing location. Candidates are not locked in a testing cubicle or
given a paper-and-pencil test. The number of questions on each candidates test may vary with a minimum of 75
questions and a maximum of 265 questions
Question 5
Which statement made by the graduate nurse indicates understanding of the NCLEX-RN exam passing score?
a. "Candidates seeking licensure in California and New York must score higher."
b. "The passing score is the same for licensure in all states."
c. "Candidates from BSN programs must score one standard deviation higher than the ADN graduates."
d. "ADN graduates must answer 80% of the 265 questions correctly to pass."
Correct Answer
ANS: B
Every state has the same passing criteria. There is no percentage identified as to the number to get correct. The test has a
minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 265 questions. When the student reaches a passing level of competency or
has not reached the passing competency, the test turns off. There is no differentiation in education level or state
requirements.
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