NCLEX-RN Nursing Test Bank 2026-2027:
139 Practice Questions with Rationales for
Medical-Surgical, Pharmacology, &
Critical Care
Description:
Master the NCLEX-RN 2026-2027 with 139 high-yield nursing practice questions &
evidence-based rationales. Covers med-surg, pharmacology, cardiac, neuro, GI, &
emergency care.
Download Now & Ace Your Nursing Exams in 2026-2027!
,NCLEX Nursing Test Bank 2026-2027: 139 Questions & Answers
SECTION 1: MUSCULOSKELETAL & ORTHOPEDIC CONDITIONS
Question 1
A patient is admitted with a suspected hip fracture. Which clinical manifestation would the
nurse expect to observe?
A. The affected leg is shortened and internally rotated
B. The affected leg is elongated and externally rotated
C. The affected leg is shortened and externally rotated
D. The affected leg is elongated and internally rotated
Answer: C. The affected leg is shortened and externally rotated
Explanation: A classic sign of a hip fracture is external rotation and shortening of the
affected extremity. This occurs because the fracture disrupts the normal alignment of the
femoral neck, causing the leg to rotate outward and appear shorter due to muscle spasm and
displacement. Internal rotation would suggest a different orthopedic condition, and elongation
is not typically associated with hip fractures.
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a patient in Buck's traction following a hip fracture. What is the
primary purpose of this intervention?
A. To provide rigid immobilization of the fracture site
B. To reduce muscle spasms and align the fracture
C. To prepare the patient for surgical intervention
D. To prevent deep vein thrombosis formation
Answer: B. To reduce muscle spasms and align the fracture
Explanation: Buck's traction is a type of skin traction used primarily to reduce muscle
spasms and maintain proper alignment of the fractured extremity. Unlike skeletal traction, it
,does not provide rigid immobilization but rather works by applying a continuous pulling
force to decrease muscle spasm and facilitate fracture reduction before surgical intervention.
Question 3
A patient who has undergone total hip arthroplasty should be positioned with the leg in which
position?
A. Adducted with the toes pointing downward
B. Adducted with the toes pointing upward
C. Abducted with the toes pointing upward
D. Abducted with the toes pointing downward
Answer: C. Abducted with the toes pointing upward
Explanation: Following total hip arthroplasty, the affected leg must be maintained in an
abducted position with the toes pointing upward (neutral rotation). This positioning helps
prevent dislocation of the new prosthetic joint by maintaining proper alignment and reducing
stress on the surgical site. Adduction or excessive rotation could lead to prosthesis
dislocation.
Question 4
The nurse is assessing a patient who has undergone a total hip arthroplasty. Which finding
would indicate a potential complication requiring immediate intervention?
A. The patient reports mild incisional pain
B. The patient's leg appears shortened and externally rotated
C. The patient has a temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
D. The patient has mild edema in the operative leg
Answer: B. The patient's leg appears shortened and externally rotated
Explanation: A leg that appears shortened and externally rotated following total hip
arthroplasty may indicate dislocation of the prosthetic hip. This is a serious complication
requiring immediate intervention. Mild incisional pain, low-grade fever, and mild edema are
, expected findings in the immediate postoperative period and do not require urgent
intervention.
Question 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with a hip fracture who is in Buck's traction. Which nursing
action is most important?
A. Inspect the skin for breakdown and assess neurovascular status
B. Encourage the patient to perform active range of motion exercises
C. Remove the traction every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown
D. Apply heat to the affected extremity to reduce muscle spasms
Answer: A. Inspect the skin for breakdown and assess neurovascular status
Explanation: Patients in Buck's traction are at risk for skin breakdown due to the traction
device and immobility. The nurse should inspect the skin for signs of breakdown and perform
neurovascular assessments to ensure adequate circulation and nerve function. Removing the
traction is not recommended, and heat application is not indicated for this population.
SECTION 2: NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Question 6
A patient diagnosed with Bell's palsy asks the nurse about treatment options. Which
intervention would be most appropriate?
A. Application of heat packs to the affected side
B. Application of ice packs to the affected side
C. Administration of anticoagulant therapy
D. Surgical decompression of the facial nerve
Answer: B. Application of ice packs to the affected side
Explanation: Bell's palsy, a condition involving unilateral facial nerve paralysis, is often
treated with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve. Applying
139 Practice Questions with Rationales for
Medical-Surgical, Pharmacology, &
Critical Care
Description:
Master the NCLEX-RN 2026-2027 with 139 high-yield nursing practice questions &
evidence-based rationales. Covers med-surg, pharmacology, cardiac, neuro, GI, &
emergency care.
Download Now & Ace Your Nursing Exams in 2026-2027!
,NCLEX Nursing Test Bank 2026-2027: 139 Questions & Answers
SECTION 1: MUSCULOSKELETAL & ORTHOPEDIC CONDITIONS
Question 1
A patient is admitted with a suspected hip fracture. Which clinical manifestation would the
nurse expect to observe?
A. The affected leg is shortened and internally rotated
B. The affected leg is elongated and externally rotated
C. The affected leg is shortened and externally rotated
D. The affected leg is elongated and internally rotated
Answer: C. The affected leg is shortened and externally rotated
Explanation: A classic sign of a hip fracture is external rotation and shortening of the
affected extremity. This occurs because the fracture disrupts the normal alignment of the
femoral neck, causing the leg to rotate outward and appear shorter due to muscle spasm and
displacement. Internal rotation would suggest a different orthopedic condition, and elongation
is not typically associated with hip fractures.
Question 2
The nurse is caring for a patient in Buck's traction following a hip fracture. What is the
primary purpose of this intervention?
A. To provide rigid immobilization of the fracture site
B. To reduce muscle spasms and align the fracture
C. To prepare the patient for surgical intervention
D. To prevent deep vein thrombosis formation
Answer: B. To reduce muscle spasms and align the fracture
Explanation: Buck's traction is a type of skin traction used primarily to reduce muscle
spasms and maintain proper alignment of the fractured extremity. Unlike skeletal traction, it
,does not provide rigid immobilization but rather works by applying a continuous pulling
force to decrease muscle spasm and facilitate fracture reduction before surgical intervention.
Question 3
A patient who has undergone total hip arthroplasty should be positioned with the leg in which
position?
A. Adducted with the toes pointing downward
B. Adducted with the toes pointing upward
C. Abducted with the toes pointing upward
D. Abducted with the toes pointing downward
Answer: C. Abducted with the toes pointing upward
Explanation: Following total hip arthroplasty, the affected leg must be maintained in an
abducted position with the toes pointing upward (neutral rotation). This positioning helps
prevent dislocation of the new prosthetic joint by maintaining proper alignment and reducing
stress on the surgical site. Adduction or excessive rotation could lead to prosthesis
dislocation.
Question 4
The nurse is assessing a patient who has undergone a total hip arthroplasty. Which finding
would indicate a potential complication requiring immediate intervention?
A. The patient reports mild incisional pain
B. The patient's leg appears shortened and externally rotated
C. The patient has a temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C)
D. The patient has mild edema in the operative leg
Answer: B. The patient's leg appears shortened and externally rotated
Explanation: A leg that appears shortened and externally rotated following total hip
arthroplasty may indicate dislocation of the prosthetic hip. This is a serious complication
requiring immediate intervention. Mild incisional pain, low-grade fever, and mild edema are
, expected findings in the immediate postoperative period and do not require urgent
intervention.
Question 5
The nurse is caring for a patient with a hip fracture who is in Buck's traction. Which nursing
action is most important?
A. Inspect the skin for breakdown and assess neurovascular status
B. Encourage the patient to perform active range of motion exercises
C. Remove the traction every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown
D. Apply heat to the affected extremity to reduce muscle spasms
Answer: A. Inspect the skin for breakdown and assess neurovascular status
Explanation: Patients in Buck's traction are at risk for skin breakdown due to the traction
device and immobility. The nurse should inspect the skin for signs of breakdown and perform
neurovascular assessments to ensure adequate circulation and nerve function. Removing the
traction is not recommended, and heat application is not indicated for this population.
SECTION 2: NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Question 6
A patient diagnosed with Bell's palsy asks the nurse about treatment options. Which
intervention would be most appropriate?
A. Application of heat packs to the affected side
B. Application of ice packs to the affected side
C. Administration of anticoagulant therapy
D. Surgical decompression of the facial nerve
Answer: B. Application of ice packs to the affected side
Explanation: Bell's palsy, a condition involving unilateral facial nerve paralysis, is often
treated with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve. Applying
