NCLEX-RN Exam Review Questions & Answers 2026 |
Latest Review Guide
1. Which electrolyte is key in maintaining extracellular fluid balance?
Na+
Cl-
HCO3-
K+
2. Describe how changes in pH can influence calcium homeostasis in the body.
Increased pH has no impact on calcium levels in the body.
Calcium levels are unaffected by pH changes in the blood.
Decreased pH increases calcium absorption in the intestines.
Increased pH can lead to decreased ionized calcium levels,
affecting calcium homeostasis.
3. Why is it important to avoid hemolysis when obtaining a potassium
specimen?
Hemolysis can falsely elevate potassium levels in the sample.
Hemolysis does not affect potassium levels.
Hemolysis is necessary for accurate potassium measurement.
Hemolysis makes the sample unusable for testing.
,4. Nurses are governed by civil and criminal law in roles as providers of
services, employees of institutions, and private citizens. A nurse who does
not meet the standards of care may be held liable and may be subjected to
civil cases. What is a civil law?
Concerned with the enforcement of agreements among private
individuals
Concerned with relationships between individuals and governments,
and with acts that threaten society and its order
Concerned with relationships among persons and the protection of
a person's rights
Civil wrong
5. Which serum lab finding is of concern and should be reported to the primary
provider?
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) = 210 units/L (210 IU/L)
Calcium = 9 mg/dL (2.10 mmol/L)
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) = 150 units/L (150 IU/L)
Phosphorus = 4.5 mg/dL (1.45 mmol/L)
6. Describe the significance of maintaining normal potassium (K+) levels in the
body.
Normal potassium levels are only relevant in kidney function.
Normal potassium levels are only important for muscle contraction.
Normal potassium levels have no significant impact on heart function.
Normal potassium levels are crucial for proper muscle function,
nerve transmission, and maintaining heart rhythm.
,7. Of the four elements of malpractice, which number of elements must be
shown for a court to find liability against a nurse?
Three
One
Two
Four
8. A patient presents with symptoms of dehydration and low blood pressure.
What nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Monitor vital signs every hour
Provide patient education on fluid intake
Administer intravenous fluids
Encourage oral hydration
9. Describe the potential symptoms a patient with Hypernatremia might exhibit.
Symptoms may include increased appetite and weight gain.
Symptoms may include fever and rash.
Symptoms may include low blood pressure and bradycardia.
Symptoms may include thirst, confusion, muscle twitching, and
seizures.
10. Describe how fluid volume deficit can impact a patient's vital signs.
Fluid volume deficit can lead to increased heart rate and
decreased blood pressure.
Fluid volume deficit results in a steady heart rate and normal blood
pressure.
, Fluid volume deficit has no effect on vital signs.
Fluid volume deficit causes a decrease in respiratory rate and
increased blood pressure.
11. If a patient presents with symptoms of Hyponatremia, what is the most
appropriate initial treatment approach?
Encourage the patient to drink more water.
Provide a high-sodium diet without medical supervision.
Administer intravenous saline solution to correct sodium levels.
Administer diuretics to promote sodium excretion.
12. What are the five rights of delegation in nursing practice?
Right task, right timing, right person, right communication, right
evaluation
Right task, right circumstances, right person, right
direction/communication, right supervision/evaluation
Right task, right conditions, right individual, right guidance, right
assessment
Right task, right environment, right person, right instruction, right
feedback
13. In a scenario where a patient is incapacitated and has not designated a
durable power of attorney for healthcare, what is the likely course of action
for the healthcare team?
The healthcare team will automatically defer to hospital policy.
The healthcare team will wait for the patient to regain capacity.
Latest Review Guide
1. Which electrolyte is key in maintaining extracellular fluid balance?
Na+
Cl-
HCO3-
K+
2. Describe how changes in pH can influence calcium homeostasis in the body.
Increased pH has no impact on calcium levels in the body.
Calcium levels are unaffected by pH changes in the blood.
Decreased pH increases calcium absorption in the intestines.
Increased pH can lead to decreased ionized calcium levels,
affecting calcium homeostasis.
3. Why is it important to avoid hemolysis when obtaining a potassium
specimen?
Hemolysis can falsely elevate potassium levels in the sample.
Hemolysis does not affect potassium levels.
Hemolysis is necessary for accurate potassium measurement.
Hemolysis makes the sample unusable for testing.
,4. Nurses are governed by civil and criminal law in roles as providers of
services, employees of institutions, and private citizens. A nurse who does
not meet the standards of care may be held liable and may be subjected to
civil cases. What is a civil law?
Concerned with the enforcement of agreements among private
individuals
Concerned with relationships between individuals and governments,
and with acts that threaten society and its order
Concerned with relationships among persons and the protection of
a person's rights
Civil wrong
5. Which serum lab finding is of concern and should be reported to the primary
provider?
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) = 210 units/L (210 IU/L)
Calcium = 9 mg/dL (2.10 mmol/L)
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) = 150 units/L (150 IU/L)
Phosphorus = 4.5 mg/dL (1.45 mmol/L)
6. Describe the significance of maintaining normal potassium (K+) levels in the
body.
Normal potassium levels are only relevant in kidney function.
Normal potassium levels are only important for muscle contraction.
Normal potassium levels have no significant impact on heart function.
Normal potassium levels are crucial for proper muscle function,
nerve transmission, and maintaining heart rhythm.
,7. Of the four elements of malpractice, which number of elements must be
shown for a court to find liability against a nurse?
Three
One
Two
Four
8. A patient presents with symptoms of dehydration and low blood pressure.
What nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Monitor vital signs every hour
Provide patient education on fluid intake
Administer intravenous fluids
Encourage oral hydration
9. Describe the potential symptoms a patient with Hypernatremia might exhibit.
Symptoms may include increased appetite and weight gain.
Symptoms may include fever and rash.
Symptoms may include low blood pressure and bradycardia.
Symptoms may include thirst, confusion, muscle twitching, and
seizures.
10. Describe how fluid volume deficit can impact a patient's vital signs.
Fluid volume deficit can lead to increased heart rate and
decreased blood pressure.
Fluid volume deficit results in a steady heart rate and normal blood
pressure.
, Fluid volume deficit has no effect on vital signs.
Fluid volume deficit causes a decrease in respiratory rate and
increased blood pressure.
11. If a patient presents with symptoms of Hyponatremia, what is the most
appropriate initial treatment approach?
Encourage the patient to drink more water.
Provide a high-sodium diet without medical supervision.
Administer intravenous saline solution to correct sodium levels.
Administer diuretics to promote sodium excretion.
12. What are the five rights of delegation in nursing practice?
Right task, right timing, right person, right communication, right
evaluation
Right task, right circumstances, right person, right
direction/communication, right supervision/evaluation
Right task, right conditions, right individual, right guidance, right
assessment
Right task, right environment, right person, right instruction, right
feedback
13. In a scenario where a patient is incapacitated and has not designated a
durable power of attorney for healthcare, what is the likely course of action
for the healthcare team?
The healthcare team will automatically defer to hospital policy.
The healthcare team will wait for the patient to regain capacity.
