75 Free NCLEX Practice Questions and
Explanations 2026
The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being
treated for Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. After being
told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years, the
nurse expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
2. A narrowed chest cavity
3. Clubbed fingers
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure - Correct Answers
✅1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Forced Vital Capacity is the volume of air exhaled from full
inhalation to full exhalation. A patient with COPD would have
a decrease in FVC. Incorrect.
2. A narrowed chest cavity
A patient with COPD often presents with a 'barrel chest,'
which is seen as a widened chest cavity. Incorrect.
3. Clubbed fingers - CORRECT
Clubbed fingers are a sign of a long-term, or chronic,
decrease in oxygen levels.
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure
,75 Free NCLEX Practice Questions and
Explanations 2026
Although a patient with these conditions would indeed be at
an increased risk for cardiac failure, this is a potential
complication and not an assessment finding. Incorrect.
The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient
being treated for a Duodenal Ulcer. After being told the
patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the nurse expects to
note which assessment finding?
1. Melena
2. Nausea
3. Hernia
4. Hyperthermia - Correct Answers ✅1. Melena - CORRECT
Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the
stool which presents as black, tarry feces. This is a common
manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the Duodenum is
further down the gastric anatomy.
2. Nausea
Nausea may be present, but is a generalized symptom and
by itself doesn't indicate a Duodenal Ulcer. Incorrect.
3. Hernia
A Hernia is a protrusion of a segment of the abdomen
through another abdominal structure. It is not associated with
,75 Free NCLEX Practice Questions and
Explanations 2026
an Ulcer and is a condition, not an assessment finding.
Incorrect.
4. Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia, a high temperature, is not an assessment
finding of a Duodenal Ulcer. Incorrect
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with
severe Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. Which of these
statements by the patient indicates a need for more
teaching?
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid
secretion."
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and
elevate my head when I sleep"
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any
more."
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight." - Correct
Answers ✅1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to
reduce acid secretion."
, 75 Free NCLEX Practice Questions and
Explanations 2026
CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in
the stomach and delay gastric emptying. It's recommended
instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and
elevate my head when I sleep"
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion
for GERD.
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any
more."
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion
for GERD.
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion
for GERD.
The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient
suspected to have a Peptic Ulcer. On assessing lab results,
the nurse finds that the patient's blood pressure is 95/60,
pulse is 110 beats per minute, and the patient reports
epigastric pain. What is the PRIORITY intervention?
1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
2. Ask the patient for a stool sample
Explanations 2026
The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being
treated for Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. After being
told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years, the
nurse expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
2. A narrowed chest cavity
3. Clubbed fingers
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure - Correct Answers
✅1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Forced Vital Capacity is the volume of air exhaled from full
inhalation to full exhalation. A patient with COPD would have
a decrease in FVC. Incorrect.
2. A narrowed chest cavity
A patient with COPD often presents with a 'barrel chest,'
which is seen as a widened chest cavity. Incorrect.
3. Clubbed fingers - CORRECT
Clubbed fingers are a sign of a long-term, or chronic,
decrease in oxygen levels.
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure
,75 Free NCLEX Practice Questions and
Explanations 2026
Although a patient with these conditions would indeed be at
an increased risk for cardiac failure, this is a potential
complication and not an assessment finding. Incorrect.
The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient
being treated for a Duodenal Ulcer. After being told the
patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the nurse expects to
note which assessment finding?
1. Melena
2. Nausea
3. Hernia
4. Hyperthermia - Correct Answers ✅1. Melena - CORRECT
Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the
stool which presents as black, tarry feces. This is a common
manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the Duodenum is
further down the gastric anatomy.
2. Nausea
Nausea may be present, but is a generalized symptom and
by itself doesn't indicate a Duodenal Ulcer. Incorrect.
3. Hernia
A Hernia is a protrusion of a segment of the abdomen
through another abdominal structure. It is not associated with
,75 Free NCLEX Practice Questions and
Explanations 2026
an Ulcer and is a condition, not an assessment finding.
Incorrect.
4. Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia, a high temperature, is not an assessment
finding of a Duodenal Ulcer. Incorrect
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with
severe Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease. Which of these
statements by the patient indicates a need for more
teaching?
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid
secretion."
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and
elevate my head when I sleep"
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any
more."
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight." - Correct
Answers ✅1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to
reduce acid secretion."
, 75 Free NCLEX Practice Questions and
Explanations 2026
CORRECT - Large meals increase the volume and pressure in
the stomach and delay gastric emptying. It's recommended
instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and
elevate my head when I sleep"
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion
for GERD.
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any
more."
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion
for GERD.
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
Incorrect - This is a correct verbalization of health promotion
for GERD.
The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient
suspected to have a Peptic Ulcer. On assessing lab results,
the nurse finds that the patient's blood pressure is 95/60,
pulse is 110 beats per minute, and the patient reports
epigastric pain. What is the PRIORITY intervention?
1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
2. Ask the patient for a stool sample
