1|Page
NCSBN Test Bank for the NCLEX-RN (NGN) –
2025/2026 Edition | Verified Questions &
Rationales
Prepare for the NCLEX-RN (NGN) with this 2025/2026 NCSBN
Test Bank. Features 265 verified questions with detailed
rationales covering clinical judgment, prioritization,
pharmacology, medical-surgical, cardiac, respiratory, endocrine,
renal, and neurological nursing. Includes NGN case studies,
bowtie items, and matrix questions. Ideal for nursing graduates
seeking comprehensive exam preparation and clinical reasoning
practice
1. A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
(a) A client with a new prescription for antihypertensives
(b) A client with stable vital signs post-surgery
(c) A client reporting chest pain rated 8/10
(d) A client reporting chest pain rated 8/10
Rationale: Chest pain rated 8/10 indicates a potential cardiac emergency, requiring
immediate assessment per American Heart Association guidelines.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention. Which action should the
nurse prioritize?
(a) Encouraging the client to walk without assistance
(b) Ensuring the client uses a walker and removes tripping hazards
(c) Advising the client to increase activity without supervision
(d) Suggesting the client rely on family for all mobility
,2|Page
Rationale: Using a walker and removing hazards aligns with The Joint Commission
standards for fall prevention.
3. A client receives morphine 2 mg IV for pain. The nurse should monitor for
which adverse effect?
(a) Hypertension
(b) Respiratory depression
(c) Hyperglycemia
(d) Bradycardia without symptoms
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a priority adverse effect of morphine, per the
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
4. A client with heart failure has a sudden increase in shortness of breath. What
should the nurse do first?
(a) Administer a PRN diuretic
(b) Assess oxygen saturation and respiratory status
(c) Encourage fluid intake
(d) Reposition the client to a supine position
Rationale: Assessing oxygen saturation and respiratory status is the priority to address
potential respiratory compromise, per the American Heart Association.
5. A nurse is administering insulin to a client with diabetes. Which action is
most important?
(a) Verify the dose with another nurse
(b) Verify the dose with another nurse
(c) Administer without double-checking
(d) Delay administration if the client is eating
Rationale: Double-checking the dose with another nurse prevents medication errors,
per the National Patient Safety Goals.
6. A client with depression refuses to eat. What is the nurse’s best initial
response?
(a) Force the client to eat
(b) Assess the client’s feelings and offer support
,3|Page
(c) Document the refusal and ignore it
(d) Restrict the client’s privileges
Rationale: Assessing feelings supports therapeutic communication, per the American
Psychiatric Nurses Association.
7. A nurse is caring for a client post-operatively. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
(a) Temperature of 99.2°F
(b) Oxygen saturation of 88%
(c) Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
(d) Heart rate of 72 bpm
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxia, requiring immediate action
per the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
8. A client is prescribed warfarin. The nurse should teach the client to avoid
which food?
(a) Apples
(b) Leafy green vegetables
(c) Carrots
(d) Bananas
Rationale: Leafy greens are high in vitamin K, which can reduce warfarin’s
effectiveness, per the American Heart Association.
9. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. What is the first step?
(a) Apply sterile gloves
(b) Perform hand hygiene
(c) Position the client
(d) Open the catheter kit
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the first step to prevent infection, per the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
10. A client with a new colostomy asks about diet. What should the nurse
recommend?
(a) Avoid all fiber
, 4|Page
(b) Gradually introduce high-fiber foods
(c) Limit fluids to prevent leakage
(d) Eat only low-residue foods
Rationale: Gradual fiber introduction supports bowel function, per the Wound, Ostomy,
and Continence Nurses Society.
11. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke. Which action is
priority?
(a) Obtain a medical history
(b) Perform the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
(c) Administer aspirin
(d) Check blood glucose
Rationale: The stroke scale assesses for stroke signs, per the American Stroke
Association.
12. A client with pneumonia has a fever of 102°F. What intervention is most
appropriate?
(a) Apply a heating pad
(b) Administer antipyretics as prescribed
(c) Increase room temperature
(d) Encourage heavy blankets
Rationale: Antipyretics reduce fever safely, per the Infectious Diseases Society of
America.
13. A nurse is teaching a client about hypertension management. Which
statement is correct?
(a) Salt intake should be increased
(b) Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure
(c) Stress has no effect on blood pressure
(d) Medication is not needed with diet changes
Rationale: Exercise lowers blood pressure, per the American Heart Association.
14. A client with schizophrenia hears voices. What is the nurse’s best response?
(a) Tell the client the voices are not real
NCSBN Test Bank for the NCLEX-RN (NGN) –
2025/2026 Edition | Verified Questions &
Rationales
Prepare for the NCLEX-RN (NGN) with this 2025/2026 NCSBN
Test Bank. Features 265 verified questions with detailed
rationales covering clinical judgment, prioritization,
pharmacology, medical-surgical, cardiac, respiratory, endocrine,
renal, and neurological nursing. Includes NGN case studies,
bowtie items, and matrix questions. Ideal for nursing graduates
seeking comprehensive exam preparation and clinical reasoning
practice
1. A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
(a) A client with a new prescription for antihypertensives
(b) A client with stable vital signs post-surgery
(c) A client reporting chest pain rated 8/10
(d) A client reporting chest pain rated 8/10
Rationale: Chest pain rated 8/10 indicates a potential cardiac emergency, requiring
immediate assessment per American Heart Association guidelines.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention. Which action should the
nurse prioritize?
(a) Encouraging the client to walk without assistance
(b) Ensuring the client uses a walker and removes tripping hazards
(c) Advising the client to increase activity without supervision
(d) Suggesting the client rely on family for all mobility
,2|Page
Rationale: Using a walker and removing hazards aligns with The Joint Commission
standards for fall prevention.
3. A client receives morphine 2 mg IV for pain. The nurse should monitor for
which adverse effect?
(a) Hypertension
(b) Respiratory depression
(c) Hyperglycemia
(d) Bradycardia without symptoms
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a priority adverse effect of morphine, per the
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
4. A client with heart failure has a sudden increase in shortness of breath. What
should the nurse do first?
(a) Administer a PRN diuretic
(b) Assess oxygen saturation and respiratory status
(c) Encourage fluid intake
(d) Reposition the client to a supine position
Rationale: Assessing oxygen saturation and respiratory status is the priority to address
potential respiratory compromise, per the American Heart Association.
5. A nurse is administering insulin to a client with diabetes. Which action is
most important?
(a) Verify the dose with another nurse
(b) Verify the dose with another nurse
(c) Administer without double-checking
(d) Delay administration if the client is eating
Rationale: Double-checking the dose with another nurse prevents medication errors,
per the National Patient Safety Goals.
6. A client with depression refuses to eat. What is the nurse’s best initial
response?
(a) Force the client to eat
(b) Assess the client’s feelings and offer support
,3|Page
(c) Document the refusal and ignore it
(d) Restrict the client’s privileges
Rationale: Assessing feelings supports therapeutic communication, per the American
Psychiatric Nurses Association.
7. A nurse is caring for a client post-operatively. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
(a) Temperature of 99.2°F
(b) Oxygen saturation of 88%
(c) Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
(d) Heart rate of 72 bpm
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxia, requiring immediate action
per the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
8. A client is prescribed warfarin. The nurse should teach the client to avoid
which food?
(a) Apples
(b) Leafy green vegetables
(c) Carrots
(d) Bananas
Rationale: Leafy greens are high in vitamin K, which can reduce warfarin’s
effectiveness, per the American Heart Association.
9. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. What is the first step?
(a) Apply sterile gloves
(b) Perform hand hygiene
(c) Position the client
(d) Open the catheter kit
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the first step to prevent infection, per the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
10. A client with a new colostomy asks about diet. What should the nurse
recommend?
(a) Avoid all fiber
, 4|Page
(b) Gradually introduce high-fiber foods
(c) Limit fluids to prevent leakage
(d) Eat only low-residue foods
Rationale: Gradual fiber introduction supports bowel function, per the Wound, Ostomy,
and Continence Nurses Society.
11. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke. Which action is
priority?
(a) Obtain a medical history
(b) Perform the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
(c) Administer aspirin
(d) Check blood glucose
Rationale: The stroke scale assesses for stroke signs, per the American Stroke
Association.
12. A client with pneumonia has a fever of 102°F. What intervention is most
appropriate?
(a) Apply a heating pad
(b) Administer antipyretics as prescribed
(c) Increase room temperature
(d) Encourage heavy blankets
Rationale: Antipyretics reduce fever safely, per the Infectious Diseases Society of
America.
13. A nurse is teaching a client about hypertension management. Which
statement is correct?
(a) Salt intake should be increased
(b) Regular exercise can help lower blood pressure
(c) Stress has no effect on blood pressure
(d) Medication is not needed with diet changes
Rationale: Exercise lowers blood pressure, per the American Heart Association.
14. A client with schizophrenia hears voices. What is the nurse’s best response?
(a) Tell the client the voices are not real
