NLN Pre-Admission Exam (PAX) Practice
Test Bank: 150 Advanced Multiple-
Choice Questions with Answer Key and
Rationales for Nursing School
Admission
Table of Contents
Section Content Area Question Range Page
I Verbal Ability – Word Knowledge Q1–Q40 2
II Verbal Ability – Reading Comprehension Q41–Q60 18
III Mathematics – Basic Operations & Fractions Q61–Q80 26
IV Mathematics – Algebra, Geometry & Conversions Q81–Q100 34
V Science – Biology & Human Anatomy/Physiology Q101–Q120 42
VI Science – Chemistry Q121–Q135 50
VII Science – Physics & Health Q136–Q150 56
SECTION I: VERBAL ABILITY – WORD KNOWLEDGE (Q1–Q40)
Directions: Each question below consists of a word printed in capital letters, followed by four lettered
options. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly opposite in meaning, or that best completes the
sentence, as indicated.
🟢 Q1. Which of the following words is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to EPHEMERAL?
,A. Brief
🟢 B. Permanent
C. Fleeting
D. Transient
Rationale: "Ephemeral" means lasting for a very short time. The opposite is "permanent," meaning
lasting indefinitely. Options A, C, and D are synonyms of ephemeral.
🟢 Q2. Select the word that best completes the sentence: "The nurse's _____ demeanor helped calm the
anxious patient."
A. Hostile
B. Frantic
C. Loud
🟢 D. Serene
Rationale: Serene describes a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. In a clinical setting, a calm
presence is essential for patient comfort. Hostile and frantic would increase anxiety. Serene is a
desirable trait for healthcare professionals working under pressure.
🟢 Q3. What is the meaning of the word DILIGENT?
A. Lazy
B. Careless
C. Fast
🟢 D. Hardworking
Rationale: Diligent means having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties. Lazy
and careless are antonyms. Fast relates to speed, not effort. Nursing requires diligent attention to detail
for patient safety.
🟢 Q4. What is the meaning of LETHARGIC?
A. Energetic
B. Hungry
C. Happy
🟢 D. Sluggish
Rationale: Lethargic describes a lack of energy or enthusiasm and feeling physically slow. Energetic is an
antonym. Identifying lethargy is a key clinical observation that can indicate various medical issues
including infection or dehydration.
🟢 Q5. Identify the antonym for TRANSPARENT.
A. Clear
B. Glassy
🟢 C. Opaque
D. See-through
,Rationale: Transparent means allowing light to pass through so objects can be distinctly seen. Clear and
see-through are synonyms. Opaque describes material that does not allow any light to pass through. In a
medical context, an opaque fluid in a scan might indicate a blockage or abnormality.
🟢 Q6. What does BENEVOLENT mean?
A. Greedy
🟢 B. Kind
C. Cruel
D. Selfish
Rationale: Benevolent means well-wishing and refers to being kind and charitable. Greedy and selfish
are antonyms. Cruel describes a desire to cause pain. In nursing, a benevolent attitude helps build trust
and rapport with patients.
🟢 Q7. Which word is a synonym for ABBREVIATE?
A. Lengthen
B. Expand
🟢 C. Shorten
D. Simplify
Rationale: The word abbreviate means to make something shorter or briefer. It is commonly used when
shortening words or phrases into symbols. Lengthen and expand are direct opposites. Simplify means to
make easier but not necessarily shorter. In nursing, abbreviations are used extensively for medical
records and prescriptions.
🟢 Q8. To OBVIATE a problem means to:
A. Ignore it completely
🟢 B. Make it unnecessary
C. Exaggerate its severity
D. Study it in detail
Rationale: "Obviate" means to remove or prevent a need or difficulty. It does not mean to ignore,
exaggerate, or study.
🟢 Q9. The word MENDACIOUS is best defined as:
A. Truthful
B. Generous
🟢 C. Lying
D. Forgetful
Rationale: "Mendacious" is an adjective meaning untruthful or deceitful. It is the direct opposite of
truthful.
🟢 Q10. A MITIGATE factor is one that:
A. Worsens the situation
🟢 B. Makes the situation less severe
, C. Causes the situation
D. Ignores the situation
Rationale: "Mitigate" means to make less severe, serious, or painful. It is the opposite of aggravating.
🟢 Q11. Despite the heavy rain, the team remained _____ in their determination to win.
A. Lackluster
B. Ambivalent
🟢 C. Resolute
D. Irresolute
Rationale: "Resolute" means admirably purposeful and determined. The word "despite" indicates a
contrast; the rain did not weaken their determination.
🟢 Q12. Which of the following is a synonym for PRODIGAL?
A. Frugal
🟢 B. Wasteful
C. Cautious
D. Thrifty
Rationale: "Prodigal" means spending resources freely and recklessly, often wastefully. Frugal, cautious,
and thrifty are antonyms.
🟢 Q13. The speaker's remarks were so _____ that the audience struggled to identify the main point.
A. Lucid
🟢 B. Rambling
C. Concise
D. Pithy
Rationale: "Rambling" means confused and lengthy, without a clear direction. If the audience struggled,
the remarks were not lucid (clear), concise (brief), or pithy (meaningful).
🟢 Q14. Her _____ demeanor made everyone in the room feel at ease.
A. Austere
B. Brusque
🟢 C. Genial
D. Terse
Rationale: "Genial" means friendly and cheerful. An austere or brusque demeanor would be stern or
abrupt, not calming.
🟢 Q15. The artist's work was criticized for being too _____, lacking any original thought.
A. Innovative
🟢 B. Derivative
C. Pioneering
D. Visionary
Test Bank: 150 Advanced Multiple-
Choice Questions with Answer Key and
Rationales for Nursing School
Admission
Table of Contents
Section Content Area Question Range Page
I Verbal Ability – Word Knowledge Q1–Q40 2
II Verbal Ability – Reading Comprehension Q41–Q60 18
III Mathematics – Basic Operations & Fractions Q61–Q80 26
IV Mathematics – Algebra, Geometry & Conversions Q81–Q100 34
V Science – Biology & Human Anatomy/Physiology Q101–Q120 42
VI Science – Chemistry Q121–Q135 50
VII Science – Physics & Health Q136–Q150 56
SECTION I: VERBAL ABILITY – WORD KNOWLEDGE (Q1–Q40)
Directions: Each question below consists of a word printed in capital letters, followed by four lettered
options. Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly opposite in meaning, or that best completes the
sentence, as indicated.
🟢 Q1. Which of the following words is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to EPHEMERAL?
,A. Brief
🟢 B. Permanent
C. Fleeting
D. Transient
Rationale: "Ephemeral" means lasting for a very short time. The opposite is "permanent," meaning
lasting indefinitely. Options A, C, and D are synonyms of ephemeral.
🟢 Q2. Select the word that best completes the sentence: "The nurse's _____ demeanor helped calm the
anxious patient."
A. Hostile
B. Frantic
C. Loud
🟢 D. Serene
Rationale: Serene describes a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. In a clinical setting, a calm
presence is essential for patient comfort. Hostile and frantic would increase anxiety. Serene is a
desirable trait for healthcare professionals working under pressure.
🟢 Q3. What is the meaning of the word DILIGENT?
A. Lazy
B. Careless
C. Fast
🟢 D. Hardworking
Rationale: Diligent means having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties. Lazy
and careless are antonyms. Fast relates to speed, not effort. Nursing requires diligent attention to detail
for patient safety.
🟢 Q4. What is the meaning of LETHARGIC?
A. Energetic
B. Hungry
C. Happy
🟢 D. Sluggish
Rationale: Lethargic describes a lack of energy or enthusiasm and feeling physically slow. Energetic is an
antonym. Identifying lethargy is a key clinical observation that can indicate various medical issues
including infection or dehydration.
🟢 Q5. Identify the antonym for TRANSPARENT.
A. Clear
B. Glassy
🟢 C. Opaque
D. See-through
,Rationale: Transparent means allowing light to pass through so objects can be distinctly seen. Clear and
see-through are synonyms. Opaque describes material that does not allow any light to pass through. In a
medical context, an opaque fluid in a scan might indicate a blockage or abnormality.
🟢 Q6. What does BENEVOLENT mean?
A. Greedy
🟢 B. Kind
C. Cruel
D. Selfish
Rationale: Benevolent means well-wishing and refers to being kind and charitable. Greedy and selfish
are antonyms. Cruel describes a desire to cause pain. In nursing, a benevolent attitude helps build trust
and rapport with patients.
🟢 Q7. Which word is a synonym for ABBREVIATE?
A. Lengthen
B. Expand
🟢 C. Shorten
D. Simplify
Rationale: The word abbreviate means to make something shorter or briefer. It is commonly used when
shortening words or phrases into symbols. Lengthen and expand are direct opposites. Simplify means to
make easier but not necessarily shorter. In nursing, abbreviations are used extensively for medical
records and prescriptions.
🟢 Q8. To OBVIATE a problem means to:
A. Ignore it completely
🟢 B. Make it unnecessary
C. Exaggerate its severity
D. Study it in detail
Rationale: "Obviate" means to remove or prevent a need or difficulty. It does not mean to ignore,
exaggerate, or study.
🟢 Q9. The word MENDACIOUS is best defined as:
A. Truthful
B. Generous
🟢 C. Lying
D. Forgetful
Rationale: "Mendacious" is an adjective meaning untruthful or deceitful. It is the direct opposite of
truthful.
🟢 Q10. A MITIGATE factor is one that:
A. Worsens the situation
🟢 B. Makes the situation less severe
, C. Causes the situation
D. Ignores the situation
Rationale: "Mitigate" means to make less severe, serious, or painful. It is the opposite of aggravating.
🟢 Q11. Despite the heavy rain, the team remained _____ in their determination to win.
A. Lackluster
B. Ambivalent
🟢 C. Resolute
D. Irresolute
Rationale: "Resolute" means admirably purposeful and determined. The word "despite" indicates a
contrast; the rain did not weaken their determination.
🟢 Q12. Which of the following is a synonym for PRODIGAL?
A. Frugal
🟢 B. Wasteful
C. Cautious
D. Thrifty
Rationale: "Prodigal" means spending resources freely and recklessly, often wastefully. Frugal, cautious,
and thrifty are antonyms.
🟢 Q13. The speaker's remarks were so _____ that the audience struggled to identify the main point.
A. Lucid
🟢 B. Rambling
C. Concise
D. Pithy
Rationale: "Rambling" means confused and lengthy, without a clear direction. If the audience struggled,
the remarks were not lucid (clear), concise (brief), or pithy (meaningful).
🟢 Q14. Her _____ demeanor made everyone in the room feel at ease.
A. Austere
B. Brusque
🟢 C. Genial
D. Terse
Rationale: "Genial" means friendly and cheerful. An austere or brusque demeanor would be stern or
abrupt, not calming.
🟢 Q15. The artist's work was criticized for being too _____, lacking any original thought.
A. Innovative
🟢 B. Derivative
C. Pioneering
D. Visionary
