HEALTHCARE EXAM PREP 2026: 110 Q&A
Comprehensive Nursing Practice Exam Bank
With Verified Answers & Detailed Explanations
EXAM INFORMATION
University/Institution: Various U.S. nursing programs, healthcare certification courses, and
NCLEX preparation nationwide
Subject/Course: Nursing – Healthcare Fundamentals & Clinical Practice
Reference Materials: Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN®, ATI Nursing Content,
HESI Exam Standards, NGN Clinical Judgment Framework
Number of Questions: 110 Multiple Choice Questions
Answer Format: Correct answer indicated with detailed rationale
Exam Year: 2026/2027 Updated Standards
SECTION 1: NURSING FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1–15)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. According to the "Five Rights" of
medication administration, which of the following is NOT one of the five rights?
A) Right patient
B) Right drug
C) Right time
D) Right documentation
Answer: D) Right documentation
Rationale: The Five Rights of medication administration are: Right Patient, Right Drug, Right
Dose, Right Route, and Right Time. Right documentation is often added as a sixth right but is
not part of the original five. Safe medication administration requires verifying all five rights
before administering any medication.
,QUESTION 2
A patient is prescribed 500 mg of an antibiotic. The available medication is 250 mg per tablet.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 1.5 tablets
C) 2 tablets
D) 2.5 tablets
Answer: C) 2 tablets
Rationale: To calculate: 500 mg ÷ 250 mg per tablet = 2 tablets. Always double-check
calculations and verify with another nurse before administering high-risk medications.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
B) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
C) Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
D) Goggles, mask, gown, gloves
Answer: A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is: gown first, then mask, then goggles/face
shield, and gloves last. This ensures the gloves cover the cuffs of the gown and provides
maximum protection.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action is MOST important
before administering medication through the tube?
A) Flush the tube with cold water
B) Verify tube placement
C) Elevate the head of the bed to 15 degrees
D) Crush all medications together
Answer: B) Verify tube placement
,Rationale: Before administering anything through an NG tube, the nurse must verify correct
placement to prevent aspiration. This can be done by checking the pH of aspirated gastric
contents, auscultation, or X-ray confirmation.
QUESTION 5
A patient is placed in restraints. How often must the nurse assess the patient?
A) Every hour
B) Every 2 hours
C) Every 4 hours
D) Every 8 hours
Answer: B) Every 2 hours
Rationale: Patients in restraints require assessment at least every 2 hours (or more frequently
based on facility policy) to ensure safety, check circulation, provide range of motion, and meet
elimination and hydration needs.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of pain?
A) Patient's vital signs
B) Patient's self-report of pain
C) Nurse's observation of the patient
D) Family member's report
Answer: B) Patient's self-report of pain
Rationale: Pain is subjective, and the patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain.
Healthcare professionals should believe and respect the patient's report of their pain
experience.
QUESTION 7
A patient with diabetes is experiencing tremors, diaphoresis, and confusion. What is the nurse's
PRIORITY action?
A) Administer insulin
, B) Check blood glucose
C) Give orange juice
D) Call the physician
Answer: B) Check blood glucose
Rationale: These symptoms indicate possible hypoglycemia. The nurse should first check the
patient's blood glucose to confirm the diagnosis before administering treatment. If the blood
glucose is low (<70 mg/dL), the patient should receive fast-acting carbohydrates.
QUESTION 8
A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding would indicate digoxin toxicity?
A) Tachycardia and hypertension
B) Bradycardia and visual disturbances (yellow halos)
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Constipation and abdominal pain
Answer: B) Bradycardia and visual disturbances (yellow halos)
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity presents with bradycardia, visual disturbances (yellow or green halos
around lights), nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window and
requires careful monitoring of serum levels.
QUESTION 9
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a new colostomy. Which statement
indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A) "I should change the appliance only when it leaks"
B) "I can resume normal activities once the stoma heals"
C) "I should use harsh soaps to clean around the stoma"
D) "I will avoid eating any foods that produce gas"
Answer: B) "I can resume normal activities once the stoma heals"
Rationale: Patients with a new colostomy can resume normal activities once the stoma heals.
The appliance should be changed regularly, not only when it leaks. Mild soap and water should
be used to clean the stoma, and patients can gradually reintroduce foods.
Comprehensive Nursing Practice Exam Bank
With Verified Answers & Detailed Explanations
EXAM INFORMATION
University/Institution: Various U.S. nursing programs, healthcare certification courses, and
NCLEX preparation nationwide
Subject/Course: Nursing – Healthcare Fundamentals & Clinical Practice
Reference Materials: Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN®, ATI Nursing Content,
HESI Exam Standards, NGN Clinical Judgment Framework
Number of Questions: 110 Multiple Choice Questions
Answer Format: Correct answer indicated with detailed rationale
Exam Year: 2026/2027 Updated Standards
SECTION 1: NURSING FUNDAMENTALS (Questions 1–15)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. According to the "Five Rights" of
medication administration, which of the following is NOT one of the five rights?
A) Right patient
B) Right drug
C) Right time
D) Right documentation
Answer: D) Right documentation
Rationale: The Five Rights of medication administration are: Right Patient, Right Drug, Right
Dose, Right Route, and Right Time. Right documentation is often added as a sixth right but is
not part of the original five. Safe medication administration requires verifying all five rights
before administering any medication.
,QUESTION 2
A patient is prescribed 500 mg of an antibiotic. The available medication is 250 mg per tablet.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 1.5 tablets
C) 2 tablets
D) 2.5 tablets
Answer: C) 2 tablets
Rationale: To calculate: 500 mg ÷ 250 mg per tablet = 2 tablets. Always double-check
calculations and verify with another nurse before administering high-risk medications.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is the correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
B) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
C) Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
D) Goggles, mask, gown, gloves
Answer: A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
Rationale: The correct sequence for donning PPE is: gown first, then mask, then goggles/face
shield, and gloves last. This ensures the gloves cover the cuffs of the gown and provides
maximum protection.
QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which action is MOST important
before administering medication through the tube?
A) Flush the tube with cold water
B) Verify tube placement
C) Elevate the head of the bed to 15 degrees
D) Crush all medications together
Answer: B) Verify tube placement
,Rationale: Before administering anything through an NG tube, the nurse must verify correct
placement to prevent aspiration. This can be done by checking the pH of aspirated gastric
contents, auscultation, or X-ray confirmation.
QUESTION 5
A patient is placed in restraints. How often must the nurse assess the patient?
A) Every hour
B) Every 2 hours
C) Every 4 hours
D) Every 8 hours
Answer: B) Every 2 hours
Rationale: Patients in restraints require assessment at least every 2 hours (or more frequently
based on facility policy) to ensure safety, check circulation, provide range of motion, and meet
elimination and hydration needs.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of pain?
A) Patient's vital signs
B) Patient's self-report of pain
C) Nurse's observation of the patient
D) Family member's report
Answer: B) Patient's self-report of pain
Rationale: Pain is subjective, and the patient's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain.
Healthcare professionals should believe and respect the patient's report of their pain
experience.
QUESTION 7
A patient with diabetes is experiencing tremors, diaphoresis, and confusion. What is the nurse's
PRIORITY action?
A) Administer insulin
, B) Check blood glucose
C) Give orange juice
D) Call the physician
Answer: B) Check blood glucose
Rationale: These symptoms indicate possible hypoglycemia. The nurse should first check the
patient's blood glucose to confirm the diagnosis before administering treatment. If the blood
glucose is low (<70 mg/dL), the patient should receive fast-acting carbohydrates.
QUESTION 8
A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding would indicate digoxin toxicity?
A) Tachycardia and hypertension
B) Bradycardia and visual disturbances (yellow halos)
C) Polyuria and polydipsia
D) Constipation and abdominal pain
Answer: B) Bradycardia and visual disturbances (yellow halos)
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity presents with bradycardia, visual disturbances (yellow or green halos
around lights), nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window and
requires careful monitoring of serum levels.
QUESTION 9
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a new colostomy. Which statement
indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A) "I should change the appliance only when it leaks"
B) "I can resume normal activities once the stoma heals"
C) "I should use harsh soaps to clean around the stoma"
D) "I will avoid eating any foods that produce gas"
Answer: B) "I can resume normal activities once the stoma heals"
Rationale: Patients with a new colostomy can resume normal activities once the stoma heals.
The appliance should be changed regularly, not only when it leaks. Mild soap and water should
be used to clean the stoma, and patients can gradually reintroduce foods.
