KAPLAN NGN CASE STUDY ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
Core Domains
* Clinical Judgment and Decision Making
* Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
* Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
* Physiological Adaptation
* Health Promotion and Maintenance
* Psychosocial Integrity
* Nursing Ethics and Professional Standards
* Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice
Introduction
*The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the clinical proficiency and critical thinking skills required for entry-level nursing
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with heart failure. The client reports sudden weight gain and increasing shortness of
breath. Which assessment finding is most concerning to the nurse?
A. Pedal edema of +2
B. Crackles heard on lung auscultation
C. Blood pressure of 135/85 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
🟢 B. Crackles heard on lung auscultation
🔴 RATIONALE: Crackles indicate fluid overload in the pulmonary interstitial space, suggesting acute heart failure exacerbation, which
requires immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure.
A nurse is reviewing an informed consent form with a client scheduled for surgery. The client asks, "What exactly will the surgeon do?"
How should the nurse respond?
A. "The surgeon will explain the procedure to you."
B. "I will ask the surgeon to come and speak with you again."
,C. "You are having a routine surgery that you shouldn't worry about."
D. "The surgeon is going to remove your appendix."
🟢 B. "I will ask the surgeon to come and speak with you again."
🔴 RATIONALE: Informed consent is the responsibility of the physician; the nurse ensures the client understands and clarifies any
lingering questions by contacting the provider.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is found confused, diaphoretic, and shaking. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer subcutaneous insulin
B. Check the client’s blood glucose level
C. Provide a snack with protein
D. Call the healthcare provider
🟢 B. Check the client’s blood glucose level
🔴 RATIONALE: The symptoms indicate hypoglycemia. The priority is to confirm blood glucose levels to determine the appropriate
intervention, such as rapid-acting carbohydrates.
Which action by the nurse best demonstrates adherence to the principle of beneficence?
A. Providing honest information about a terminal diagnosis
B. Ensuring the client has autonomy in their care decisions
C. Administering pain medication promptly to relieve suffering
D. Maintaining confidentiality regarding the client's records
🟢 C. Administering pain medication promptly to relieve suffering
🔴 RATIONALE: Beneficence is the moral obligation to act for the benefit of others and to prevent or remove harm, such as addressing
a client's pain.
A nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) failing to use hand hygiene between clients. What is the most appropriate
action?
A. Report the UAP to the nursing supervisor immediately
B. Discuss the importance of hand hygiene with the UAP privately
C. Assume the UAP knows the protocols and ignore the behavior
D. Correct the UAP in front of the client to ensure safety
🟢 B. Discuss the importance of hand hygiene with the UAP privately
🔴 RATIONALE: Providing feedback in private is professional and serves as an educational opportunity to ensure adherence to
infection control standards.
A client in the emergency department has a traumatic wound. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely for
infection?
, A. Hematocrit
B. Platelet count
C. White blood cell count
D. Serum potassium
🟢 C. White blood cell count
🔴 RATIONALE: An elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis) is a primary indicator of an inflammatory or infectious process in
response to tissue trauma.
Which safety measure is essential when administering potassium chloride intravenously?
A. Administer as an IV push
B. Ensure the concentration is no greater than 10 mEq/100 mL
C. Monitor the site for phlebitis due to its irritating nature
D. Keep the infusion rate at 250 mL per hour
🟢 C. Monitor the site for phlebitis due to its irritating nature
🔴 RATIONALE: Potassium chloride is a severe vesicant and peripheral irritant; assessing for phlebitis is crucial to prevent tissue
necrosis.
A client is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which instruction should the nurse prioritize?
A. Maintain adequate fluid and sodium intake
B. Restrict intake of green leafy vegetables
C. Avoid all forms of exercise
D. Take the medication only when experiencing mood swings
🟢 A. Maintain adequate fluid and sodium intake
🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index; salt and fluid levels significantly impact its excretion, and imbalances can
lead to toxicity.
A client is scheduled for a diagnostic procedure requiring a contrast dye. Which assessment is priority?
A. Blood pressure
B. Allergies to shellfish or iodine
C. Current pain level
D. Last bowel movement
🟢 B. Allergies to shellfish or iodine
🔴 RATIONALE: Contrast dyes often contain iodine. A history of allergy to shellfish or iodine increases the risk of a severe anaphylactic
reaction.
2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
Core Domains
* Clinical Judgment and Decision Making
* Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
* Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
* Physiological Adaptation
* Health Promotion and Maintenance
* Psychosocial Integrity
* Nursing Ethics and Professional Standards
* Legal Aspects of Nursing Practice
Introduction
*The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the clinical proficiency and critical thinking skills required for entry-level nursing
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with heart failure. The client reports sudden weight gain and increasing shortness of
breath. Which assessment finding is most concerning to the nurse?
A. Pedal edema of +2
B. Crackles heard on lung auscultation
C. Blood pressure of 135/85 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
🟢 B. Crackles heard on lung auscultation
🔴 RATIONALE: Crackles indicate fluid overload in the pulmonary interstitial space, suggesting acute heart failure exacerbation, which
requires immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure.
A nurse is reviewing an informed consent form with a client scheduled for surgery. The client asks, "What exactly will the surgeon do?"
How should the nurse respond?
A. "The surgeon will explain the procedure to you."
B. "I will ask the surgeon to come and speak with you again."
,C. "You are having a routine surgery that you shouldn't worry about."
D. "The surgeon is going to remove your appendix."
🟢 B. "I will ask the surgeon to come and speak with you again."
🔴 RATIONALE: Informed consent is the responsibility of the physician; the nurse ensures the client understands and clarifies any
lingering questions by contacting the provider.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is found confused, diaphoretic, and shaking. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer subcutaneous insulin
B. Check the client’s blood glucose level
C. Provide a snack with protein
D. Call the healthcare provider
🟢 B. Check the client’s blood glucose level
🔴 RATIONALE: The symptoms indicate hypoglycemia. The priority is to confirm blood glucose levels to determine the appropriate
intervention, such as rapid-acting carbohydrates.
Which action by the nurse best demonstrates adherence to the principle of beneficence?
A. Providing honest information about a terminal diagnosis
B. Ensuring the client has autonomy in their care decisions
C. Administering pain medication promptly to relieve suffering
D. Maintaining confidentiality regarding the client's records
🟢 C. Administering pain medication promptly to relieve suffering
🔴 RATIONALE: Beneficence is the moral obligation to act for the benefit of others and to prevent or remove harm, such as addressing
a client's pain.
A nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) failing to use hand hygiene between clients. What is the most appropriate
action?
A. Report the UAP to the nursing supervisor immediately
B. Discuss the importance of hand hygiene with the UAP privately
C. Assume the UAP knows the protocols and ignore the behavior
D. Correct the UAP in front of the client to ensure safety
🟢 B. Discuss the importance of hand hygiene with the UAP privately
🔴 RATIONALE: Providing feedback in private is professional and serves as an educational opportunity to ensure adherence to
infection control standards.
A client in the emergency department has a traumatic wound. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely for
infection?
, A. Hematocrit
B. Platelet count
C. White blood cell count
D. Serum potassium
🟢 C. White blood cell count
🔴 RATIONALE: An elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis) is a primary indicator of an inflammatory or infectious process in
response to tissue trauma.
Which safety measure is essential when administering potassium chloride intravenously?
A. Administer as an IV push
B. Ensure the concentration is no greater than 10 mEq/100 mL
C. Monitor the site for phlebitis due to its irritating nature
D. Keep the infusion rate at 250 mL per hour
🟢 C. Monitor the site for phlebitis due to its irritating nature
🔴 RATIONALE: Potassium chloride is a severe vesicant and peripheral irritant; assessing for phlebitis is crucial to prevent tissue
necrosis.
A client is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which instruction should the nurse prioritize?
A. Maintain adequate fluid and sodium intake
B. Restrict intake of green leafy vegetables
C. Avoid all forms of exercise
D. Take the medication only when experiencing mood swings
🟢 A. Maintain adequate fluid and sodium intake
🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index; salt and fluid levels significantly impact its excretion, and imbalances can
lead to toxicity.
A client is scheduled for a diagnostic procedure requiring a contrast dye. Which assessment is priority?
A. Blood pressure
B. Allergies to shellfish or iodine
C. Current pain level
D. Last bowel movement
🟢 B. Allergies to shellfish or iodine
🔴 RATIONALE: Contrast dyes often contain iodine. A history of allergy to shellfish or iodine increases the risk of a severe anaphylactic
reaction.
