NCLEX-RN COMPREHENSIVE
PREDICTOR EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. A nurse is assessing a client who suddenly develops shortness of breath, chest
pain, and tachycardia after surgery. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. Heart failure
D. Asthma attack
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Pulmonary embolism
RATIONALE: Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and hypoxemia following
surgery are classic manifestations of a pulmonary embolism and require immediate intervention.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
Which assessment finding is expected?
A. Muscle weakness and irregular cardiac rhythm
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Bradycardia with hypertension only
D. Warm, flushed skin
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Muscle weakness and irregular cardiac rhythm
RATIONALE: Hypokalemia commonly causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac
dysrhythmias.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should the medication
be given?
A. Within 15 minutes before a meal
B. At bedtime only
C. Two hours after eating
D. One hour before breakfast
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Within 15 minutes before a meal
RATIONALE: Insulin lispro has a rapid onset and should be administered immediately before
meals to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
4. A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has a respiratory
rate of 7 breaths/minute. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Vitamin K
D. Flumazenil
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Naloxone
RATIONALE: Naloxone is the opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory
depression.
5. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing chest pain. Which action should the
nurse perform first?
A. Assess the client's pain and obtain vital signs.
B. Notify dietary services.
C. Encourage ambulation.
D. Obtain a urine specimen.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Assess the client's pain and obtain vital signs.
RATIONALE: Initial assessment guides urgent treatment and determines the severity of the
client's condition.
, 6. A client with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 2.3 kg (5 lb) in three
days. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Notify the healthcare provider.
B. Encourage increased fluid intake.
C. Recommend reducing activity permanently.
D. Reassure the client that this is expected.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Notify the healthcare provider.
RATIONALE: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
7. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client reporting crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm.
B. A client requesting pain medication for arthritis.
C. A client awaiting discharge instructions.
D. A client requesting assistance with bathing.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client reporting crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm.
RATIONALE: This presentation is highly suggestive of an acute myocardial infarction and
requires immediate assessment.
8. Which laboratory result requires immediate follow-up?
A. Blood glucose 42 mg/dL
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Potassium 4.1 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 13.8 g/dL
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood glucose 42 mg/dL
RATIONALE: Severe hypoglycemia is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
9. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Which finding
indicates a possible transfusion reaction?
PREDICTOR EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a client who suddenly develops shortness of breath, chest
pain, and tachycardia after surgery. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. Heart failure
D. Asthma attack
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Pulmonary embolism
RATIONALE: Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and hypoxemia following
surgery are classic manifestations of a pulmonary embolism and require immediate intervention.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
Which assessment finding is expected?
A. Muscle weakness and irregular cardiac rhythm
B. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
C. Bradycardia with hypertension only
D. Warm, flushed skin
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Muscle weakness and irregular cardiac rhythm
RATIONALE: Hypokalemia commonly causes muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac
dysrhythmias.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should the medication
be given?
A. Within 15 minutes before a meal
B. At bedtime only
C. Two hours after eating
D. One hour before breakfast
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Within 15 minutes before a meal
RATIONALE: Insulin lispro has a rapid onset and should be administered immediately before
meals to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
4. A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has a respiratory
rate of 7 breaths/minute. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Vitamin K
D. Flumazenil
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Naloxone
RATIONALE: Naloxone is the opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory
depression.
5. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing chest pain. Which action should the
nurse perform first?
A. Assess the client's pain and obtain vital signs.
B. Notify dietary services.
C. Encourage ambulation.
D. Obtain a urine specimen.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Assess the client's pain and obtain vital signs.
RATIONALE: Initial assessment guides urgent treatment and determines the severity of the
client's condition.
, 6. A client with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 2.3 kg (5 lb) in three
days. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Notify the healthcare provider.
B. Encourage increased fluid intake.
C. Recommend reducing activity permanently.
D. Reassure the client that this is expected.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Notify the healthcare provider.
RATIONALE: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
7. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client reporting crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm.
B. A client requesting pain medication for arthritis.
C. A client awaiting discharge instructions.
D. A client requesting assistance with bathing.
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client reporting crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm.
RATIONALE: This presentation is highly suggestive of an acute myocardial infarction and
requires immediate assessment.
8. Which laboratory result requires immediate follow-up?
A. Blood glucose 42 mg/dL
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Potassium 4.1 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 13.8 g/dL
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood glucose 42 mg/dL
RATIONALE: Severe hypoglycemia is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
9. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Which finding
indicates a possible transfusion reaction?
