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NLN NEX (NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR NURSING ENTRANCE EXAM — COMPREHENSIVE —
EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
,
Section 1: Verbal Ability (Q1–Q100)
Part A: Vocabulary in Context (Q1–Q40)
Q1. In the context of a medication’s side effects, the word “adverse” most nearly means
which of the following?
A) Beneficial
B) Harmful or unfavorable
C) Neutral
D) Temporary
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: “Adverse” means unfavorable or harmful; an adverse effect is an unintended negative
reaction.
Q2. The word “ubiquitous” most nearly means which of the following?
A) Rare
B) Present everywhere
C) Hidden
D) Temporary
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ubiquitous describes something that is present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Q3. Choose the synonym for “cogent.”
A) Confusing
B) Convincing and clearly reasoned
C) Irrelevant
D) Lengthy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cogent means clear, logical, and convincing.
Q4. The word “ephemeral” most nearly means which of the following?
A) Permanent
B) Short-lived
C) Ancient
D) Powerful
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ephemeral describes something lasting for a very short time.
Q5. The word “fatigue” most nearly means which of the following?
A) Extreme energy
B) Extreme tiredness
C) Hunger
D) Pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fatigue is a state of extreme tiredness or exhaustion.
Q6. Choose the word that is most nearly the opposite of “gratuitous.”
A) Unnecessary
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B) Justified or warranted
C) Free of charge
D) Generous
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gratuitous means unnecessary or uncalled for; its opposite is something justified or
warranted.
Q7. In the sentence “The nurse’s prognosis was guarded,” the word “guarded” most nearly
means which of the following?
A) Optimistic
B) Cautious and reserved
C) Certain
D) Dismissive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A guarded prognosis is cautious and not overly hopeful.
Q8. The word “auscultation” refers to which of the following?
A) Visual inspection
B) Listening to body sounds
C) Palpation of organs
D) Measuring temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Auscultation is the act of listening to sounds within the body, typically with a
stethoscope.
Q9. Choose the synonym for “malaise.”
A) Energetic well-being
B) General feeling of discomfort or unease
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C) Sharp pain
D) High fever
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Malaise is a vague feeling of bodily discomfort, often the first sign of illness.
Q10. The word “prophylaxis” most nearly means which of the following?
A) Treatment of existing disease
B) Prevention of disease
C) Diagnosis of disease
D) Exacerbation of disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prophylaxis refers to measures taken to prevent disease.
Q11. In the sentence “The patient’s condition was described as idiopathic,” the word
“idiopathic” means which of the following?
A) Of known cause
B) Of unknown cause
C) Contagious
D) Hereditary
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Idiopathic describes a condition with no identifiable cause.
Q12. Choose the word that is most nearly the opposite of “benign.”
A) Harmless
B) Malignant
C) Mild
D) Curable
Correct Answer: B
NLN NEX (NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR NURSING ENTRANCE EXAM — COMPREHENSIVE —
EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
,
Section 1: Verbal Ability (Q1–Q100)
Part A: Vocabulary in Context (Q1–Q40)
Q1. In the context of a medication’s side effects, the word “adverse” most nearly means
which of the following?
A) Beneficial
B) Harmful or unfavorable
C) Neutral
D) Temporary
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: “Adverse” means unfavorable or harmful; an adverse effect is an unintended negative
reaction.
Q2. The word “ubiquitous” most nearly means which of the following?
A) Rare
B) Present everywhere
C) Hidden
D) Temporary
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ubiquitous describes something that is present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Q3. Choose the synonym for “cogent.”
A) Confusing
B) Convincing and clearly reasoned
C) Irrelevant
D) Lengthy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cogent means clear, logical, and convincing.
Q4. The word “ephemeral” most nearly means which of the following?
A) Permanent
B) Short-lived
C) Ancient
D) Powerful
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ephemeral describes something lasting for a very short time.
Q5. The word “fatigue” most nearly means which of the following?
A) Extreme energy
B) Extreme tiredness
C) Hunger
D) Pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fatigue is a state of extreme tiredness or exhaustion.
Q6. Choose the word that is most nearly the opposite of “gratuitous.”
A) Unnecessary
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B) Justified or warranted
C) Free of charge
D) Generous
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gratuitous means unnecessary or uncalled for; its opposite is something justified or
warranted.
Q7. In the sentence “The nurse’s prognosis was guarded,” the word “guarded” most nearly
means which of the following?
A) Optimistic
B) Cautious and reserved
C) Certain
D) Dismissive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A guarded prognosis is cautious and not overly hopeful.
Q8. The word “auscultation” refers to which of the following?
A) Visual inspection
B) Listening to body sounds
C) Palpation of organs
D) Measuring temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Auscultation is the act of listening to sounds within the body, typically with a
stethoscope.
Q9. Choose the synonym for “malaise.”
A) Energetic well-being
B) General feeling of discomfort or unease
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C) Sharp pain
D) High fever
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Malaise is a vague feeling of bodily discomfort, often the first sign of illness.
Q10. The word “prophylaxis” most nearly means which of the following?
A) Treatment of existing disease
B) Prevention of disease
C) Diagnosis of disease
D) Exacerbation of disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prophylaxis refers to measures taken to prevent disease.
Q11. In the sentence “The patient’s condition was described as idiopathic,” the word
“idiopathic” means which of the following?
A) Of known cause
B) Of unknown cause
C) Contagious
D) Hereditary
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Idiopathic describes a condition with no identifiable cause.
Q12. Choose the word that is most nearly the opposite of “benign.”
A) Harmless
B) Malignant
C) Mild
D) Curable
Correct Answer: B
