SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW FOR THE
NCLEX-RN® EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
Unit I: NCLEX-RN® Exam Preparation
Chapter 1: The NCLEX-RN® Examination
Question 1 — Purpose of the NCLEX-RN® Examination
A nursing graduate asks an instructor why passing the NCLEX-RN
examination is necessary after completing an approved nursing education
program. Which response best explains the primary purpose of the
examination?
A. To determine whether the graduate has mastered every topic taught in
nursing school.
B. To establish whether the graduate has the knowledge and abilities
needed for safe, entry-level registered nursing practice.
C. To compare the graduate's academic performance with that of other
nursing graduates.
D. To determine which nursing specialty the graduate is best qualified to
enter.
Correct Answer: B. To establish whether the graduate has the knowledge
and abilities needed for safe, entry-level registered nursing practice.
1
,Rationale: The NCLEX-RN assesses whether a candidate demonstrates the
nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities required for safe and effective
entry-level practice. It supports regulatory decisions about initial RN
licensure. It is not intended to measure mastery of every subject taught in a
nursing program, rank candidates against one another, or determine
specialty placement.
Distractor Rationales:
• A. Incorrect: No examination can establish complete mastery of
every topic encountered during nursing education. The NCLEX
evaluates competencies relevant to entry-level practice.
• C. Incorrect: The examination is criterion-referenced rather than a
competition in which candidates must outperform their peers.
• D. Incorrect: Specialty selection depends on individual interests,
qualifications, experience, and additional training rather than the
NCLEX-RN result alone.
Key Teaching Point: The NCLEX-RN is a licensure examination designed to
evaluate readiness for safe, entry-level registered nursing practice.
Cognitive Level: Recall
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Assessment
Clinical Judgment Focus: Not primarily CJMM-focused
Question 2 — The Pyramid to Success
A nursing student has six weeks remaining before the NCLEX-RN
examination. The student plans to memorize practice-question answers,
study only familiar subjects, and postpone reviewing incorrect responses
until the final week. Which adjustment would best support a structured
preparation strategy consistent with a success-oriented approach?
2
,A. Concentrate on completing as many questions as possible, regardless
of whether the rationales are understood.
B. Avoid difficult content areas until the student feels confident in the
easier subjects.
C. Memorize frequently repeated answer patterns because examination
questions follow predictable sequences.
D. Establish a realistic study schedule, identify learning gaps, practice
clinical reasoning, and review rationales consistently.
Correct Answer: D. Establish a realistic study schedule, identify learning
gaps, practice clinical reasoning, and review rationales consistently.
Rationale: Effective examination preparation involves structured planning,
active learning, consistent practice, and analysis of errors. Reviewing
rationales helps the learner understand why an intervention is appropriate,
why alternatives are less appropriate, and how to transfer knowledge to
unfamiliar clinical situations. Identifying weaknesses early also provides
time for targeted remediation.
Distractor Rationales:
• A. Incorrect: High question volume without understanding the
reasoning behind answers can reinforce misconceptions and does
not reliably improve clinical judgment.
• B. Incorrect: Avoiding weak areas leaves important knowledge gaps
unresolved and reduces the opportunity for focused improvement.
• C. Incorrect: Memorized answer patterns are unreliable because
questions and response options vary, and the examination adapts to
the candidate's performance.
Key Teaching Point: A successful preparation plan combines realistic
scheduling, targeted remediation, deliberate practice, and rationale-based
learning.
3
, Cognitive Level: Application
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Planning
Clinical Judgment Focus: Generate Solutions
Question 3 — The Examination Process
A graduate has completed a nursing program and wants to take the
NCLEX-RN. The graduate registers with the examination service but has not
yet received confirmation of eligibility from the nursing regulatory body.
Which action best reflects the required examination process?
A. Complete the licensure application with the appropriate nursing
regulatory body and the separate examination registration process, then
wait for eligibility and the Authorization to Test.
B. Attend a testing center with the nursing diploma and request an
examination appointment without waiting for authorization.
C. Ask the nursing school to issue a passing score that can substitute for
the licensure examination.
D. Schedule the examination first and submit the licensure application
only after receiving the examination result.
Correct Answer: A. Complete the licensure application with the
appropriate nursing regulatory body and the separate examination
registration process, then wait for eligibility and the Authorization to Test.
Rationale: The candidate generally must complete two distinct processes:
applying to the nursing regulatory body for licensure eligibility and
registering for the examination through Pearson VUE. Once eligibility is
established and the registration requirements are satisfied, the candidate
receives an Authorization to Test (ATT), which provides the applicable
scheduling and validity information. The candidate should follow the
specific regulatory body's requirements.
4
NCLEX-RN® EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
Unit I: NCLEX-RN® Exam Preparation
Chapter 1: The NCLEX-RN® Examination
Question 1 — Purpose of the NCLEX-RN® Examination
A nursing graduate asks an instructor why passing the NCLEX-RN
examination is necessary after completing an approved nursing education
program. Which response best explains the primary purpose of the
examination?
A. To determine whether the graduate has mastered every topic taught in
nursing school.
B. To establish whether the graduate has the knowledge and abilities
needed for safe, entry-level registered nursing practice.
C. To compare the graduate's academic performance with that of other
nursing graduates.
D. To determine which nursing specialty the graduate is best qualified to
enter.
Correct Answer: B. To establish whether the graduate has the knowledge
and abilities needed for safe, entry-level registered nursing practice.
1
,Rationale: The NCLEX-RN assesses whether a candidate demonstrates the
nursing knowledge, skills, and abilities required for safe and effective
entry-level practice. It supports regulatory decisions about initial RN
licensure. It is not intended to measure mastery of every subject taught in a
nursing program, rank candidates against one another, or determine
specialty placement.
Distractor Rationales:
• A. Incorrect: No examination can establish complete mastery of
every topic encountered during nursing education. The NCLEX
evaluates competencies relevant to entry-level practice.
• C. Incorrect: The examination is criterion-referenced rather than a
competition in which candidates must outperform their peers.
• D. Incorrect: Specialty selection depends on individual interests,
qualifications, experience, and additional training rather than the
NCLEX-RN result alone.
Key Teaching Point: The NCLEX-RN is a licensure examination designed to
evaluate readiness for safe, entry-level registered nursing practice.
Cognitive Level: Recall
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Assessment
Clinical Judgment Focus: Not primarily CJMM-focused
Question 2 — The Pyramid to Success
A nursing student has six weeks remaining before the NCLEX-RN
examination. The student plans to memorize practice-question answers,
study only familiar subjects, and postpone reviewing incorrect responses
until the final week. Which adjustment would best support a structured
preparation strategy consistent with a success-oriented approach?
2
,A. Concentrate on completing as many questions as possible, regardless
of whether the rationales are understood.
B. Avoid difficult content areas until the student feels confident in the
easier subjects.
C. Memorize frequently repeated answer patterns because examination
questions follow predictable sequences.
D. Establish a realistic study schedule, identify learning gaps, practice
clinical reasoning, and review rationales consistently.
Correct Answer: D. Establish a realistic study schedule, identify learning
gaps, practice clinical reasoning, and review rationales consistently.
Rationale: Effective examination preparation involves structured planning,
active learning, consistent practice, and analysis of errors. Reviewing
rationales helps the learner understand why an intervention is appropriate,
why alternatives are less appropriate, and how to transfer knowledge to
unfamiliar clinical situations. Identifying weaknesses early also provides
time for targeted remediation.
Distractor Rationales:
• A. Incorrect: High question volume without understanding the
reasoning behind answers can reinforce misconceptions and does
not reliably improve clinical judgment.
• B. Incorrect: Avoiding weak areas leaves important knowledge gaps
unresolved and reduces the opportunity for focused improvement.
• C. Incorrect: Memorized answer patterns are unreliable because
questions and response options vary, and the examination adapts to
the candidate's performance.
Key Teaching Point: A successful preparation plan combines realistic
scheduling, targeted remediation, deliberate practice, and rationale-based
learning.
3
, Cognitive Level: Application
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Planning
Clinical Judgment Focus: Generate Solutions
Question 3 — The Examination Process
A graduate has completed a nursing program and wants to take the
NCLEX-RN. The graduate registers with the examination service but has not
yet received confirmation of eligibility from the nursing regulatory body.
Which action best reflects the required examination process?
A. Complete the licensure application with the appropriate nursing
regulatory body and the separate examination registration process, then
wait for eligibility and the Authorization to Test.
B. Attend a testing center with the nursing diploma and request an
examination appointment without waiting for authorization.
C. Ask the nursing school to issue a passing score that can substitute for
the licensure examination.
D. Schedule the examination first and submit the licensure application
only after receiving the examination result.
Correct Answer: A. Complete the licensure application with the
appropriate nursing regulatory body and the separate examination
registration process, then wait for eligibility and the Authorization to Test.
Rationale: The candidate generally must complete two distinct processes:
applying to the nursing regulatory body for licensure eligibility and
registering for the examination through Pearson VUE. Once eligibility is
established and the registration requirements are satisfied, the candidate
receives an Authorization to Test (ATT), which provides the applicable
scheduling and validity information. The candidate should follow the
specific regulatory body's requirements.
4
