NCLEX-RN Exam Guide
What Kind of Questions Can I Expect to See on the NCLEX-RN Test?
You will see different levels of questions on the NCLEX-RN Examination.
The levels of questions on the NCLEX-RN Examination include knowledge and recall,
comprehension of the material, application of the material into nursing practice, and higher
levels of the cognitive domain of nursing.
The practice of nursing requires the application of knowledge, skills, and abilities in all aspects
of nursing care; therefore, the majority of items are written at the application or higher levels of
cognitive ability.
Knowledge and recall questions are the simplest of all the types of questions that you will get on
the NCLEX examination.
An example of a knowledge and recall question is:
You are caring for a client at the end of life. The client tells you that they are grateful for having
considered and decided upon some end of life decisions and the appointments of those who they
wish to make decisions for them when they are no longer able to do so. During this discussion
with the client and the client’s wife, the client states that “my wife and I are legally married so I
am so glad that she can automatically make all healthcare decisions on my behalf without a legal
durable power of attorney when I am no longer able to do so myself” and the wife responds to
this statement with, “that is not completely true. I can only make decisions for you and on your
behalf when these decisions are not already documented on your advance directive.” How should
you, as the nurse, respond to and address this conversation between the husband and wife and the
end of life?
A. You should respond to the couple by stating that only unanticipated treatments
and procedures that are not included in the advance directive can be made by the
legally appointed durable power of attorney for healthcare decisions.
B. You should be aware of the fact that the wife of the client has a knowledge deficit
relating to advance directives and durable powers of attorney for healthcare decisions
and plan an educational activity to meet this learning need.
C. You should be aware of the fact that the client has a knowledge deficit relating to
advance directives and durable powers of attorney for healthcare decisions and plan an
educational activity to meet this learning need.
D. You should reinforce the wife’s belief that legally married spouses automatically serve
for the other spouse’s durable power of attorney for health care decisions and that
others than the spouse cannot be legally appointed while people are married
, Correct Response: A
You should respond to the couple by stating that only unanticipated treatments and procedures
that are not included in the advance directive can be made by the legally appointed durable
power of attorney for healthcare decisions.
Both the client and the client’s spouse have knowledge deficits relating to advance directives.
Legally married spouses do not automatically serve for the other spouse’s durable power of
attorney for health care decisions; others than the spouse can be legally appointed while people
are married.
Now, here is another knowledge and recall question.
Who is a nurse who worked with the wounded during the Crimean War?
A. Martha Washington
B. Dolly Madison
C. Dorothea Orem
D. Florence Nightingale
The answer to this question is D, Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale cared for the
wounded soldiers of the Crimean War. Again, this question is rather simple; it just tests your
ability to remember facts that you have learned.
Comprehension questions test your ability to apply a principle to a situation. Now, let's try a
comprehension-level question.
Proper handwashing ensures:
A. Breaking the mode of transmission.
B. Skin sterility.
C. Surgical asepsis.
D. Skin integrity.
The answer to this question is A, breaking the mode of transmission. In this question, you had to
apply the principles of infection control to proper handwashing.
Now, here is another comprehension-level question.
What type of asepsis is used for the administration of topical medications?
A. Medication asepsis
B. Surgical asepsis
C. Sterile asepsis
D. Medical asepsis
What Kind of Questions Can I Expect to See on the NCLEX-RN Test?
You will see different levels of questions on the NCLEX-RN Examination.
The levels of questions on the NCLEX-RN Examination include knowledge and recall,
comprehension of the material, application of the material into nursing practice, and higher
levels of the cognitive domain of nursing.
The practice of nursing requires the application of knowledge, skills, and abilities in all aspects
of nursing care; therefore, the majority of items are written at the application or higher levels of
cognitive ability.
Knowledge and recall questions are the simplest of all the types of questions that you will get on
the NCLEX examination.
An example of a knowledge and recall question is:
You are caring for a client at the end of life. The client tells you that they are grateful for having
considered and decided upon some end of life decisions and the appointments of those who they
wish to make decisions for them when they are no longer able to do so. During this discussion
with the client and the client’s wife, the client states that “my wife and I are legally married so I
am so glad that she can automatically make all healthcare decisions on my behalf without a legal
durable power of attorney when I am no longer able to do so myself” and the wife responds to
this statement with, “that is not completely true. I can only make decisions for you and on your
behalf when these decisions are not already documented on your advance directive.” How should
you, as the nurse, respond to and address this conversation between the husband and wife and the
end of life?
A. You should respond to the couple by stating that only unanticipated treatments
and procedures that are not included in the advance directive can be made by the
legally appointed durable power of attorney for healthcare decisions.
B. You should be aware of the fact that the wife of the client has a knowledge deficit
relating to advance directives and durable powers of attorney for healthcare decisions
and plan an educational activity to meet this learning need.
C. You should be aware of the fact that the client has a knowledge deficit relating to
advance directives and durable powers of attorney for healthcare decisions and plan an
educational activity to meet this learning need.
D. You should reinforce the wife’s belief that legally married spouses automatically serve
for the other spouse’s durable power of attorney for health care decisions and that
others than the spouse cannot be legally appointed while people are married
, Correct Response: A
You should respond to the couple by stating that only unanticipated treatments and procedures
that are not included in the advance directive can be made by the legally appointed durable
power of attorney for healthcare decisions.
Both the client and the client’s spouse have knowledge deficits relating to advance directives.
Legally married spouses do not automatically serve for the other spouse’s durable power of
attorney for health care decisions; others than the spouse can be legally appointed while people
are married.
Now, here is another knowledge and recall question.
Who is a nurse who worked with the wounded during the Crimean War?
A. Martha Washington
B. Dolly Madison
C. Dorothea Orem
D. Florence Nightingale
The answer to this question is D, Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale cared for the
wounded soldiers of the Crimean War. Again, this question is rather simple; it just tests your
ability to remember facts that you have learned.
Comprehension questions test your ability to apply a principle to a situation. Now, let's try a
comprehension-level question.
Proper handwashing ensures:
A. Breaking the mode of transmission.
B. Skin sterility.
C. Surgical asepsis.
D. Skin integrity.
The answer to this question is A, breaking the mode of transmission. In this question, you had to
apply the principles of infection control to proper handwashing.
Now, here is another comprehension-level question.
What type of asepsis is used for the administration of topical medications?
A. Medication asepsis
B. Surgical asepsis
C. Sterile asepsis
D. Medical asepsis
