NCLEX-RN Management of Care
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. A charge nurse is assigning four clients to an RN. Which client should the
nurse assign to the RN who has the most experience?
A. A client 1 day after cataract surgery reporting mild eye discomfort
B. A client with heart failure who has gained 2 kg in 48 hours and has new crackles
C. A client with a healed pressure injury awaiting discharge instructions
D. A client receiving oral antibiotics for uncomplicated cellulitis
Answer: B. A client with heart failure who has gained 2 kg in 48 hours and has
new crackles
Rationale: The client has evidence of acute fluid overload and possible
pulmonary edema, requiring advanced assessment and rapid intervention. The
experienced RN is best prepared to manage this unstable client.
2. The nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
first?
A. A postoperative client requesting medication for pain rated 7/10
B. A client with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from 94% to 88%
C. A client with diabetes whose blood glucose is 210 mg/dL
D. A client awaiting discharge who needs medication teaching
,Answer: B. A client with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from 94% to
88%
Rationale: A new decline in oxygen saturation indicates an acute respiratory
change. Airway and breathing take priority over pain, hyperglycemia, and
discharge teaching.
3. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse see
first?
A. A client with a urinary tract infection and temperature of 38.1°C
B. A client with pneumonia who is newly confused and has a respiratory rate of
30/min
C. A client with chronic kidney disease and potassium of 5.2 mEq/L
D. A client with postoperative nausea requesting an antiemetic
Answer: B. A client with pneumonia who is newly confused and has a
respiratory rate of 30/min
Rationale: Acute confusion and tachypnea in a client with pneumonia may
indicate worsening hypoxemia or sepsis. This client has the most immediate
threat to physiologic stability.
4. Which task is most appropriate for the RN to delegate to an experienced
UAP?
A. Assessing a client who reports new chest pressure
B. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Obtaining routine vital signs on a stable postoperative client
D. Evaluating whether a client understands discharge instructions
Answer: C. Obtaining routine vital signs on a stable postoperative client
,Rationale: Routine vital signs for a stable client are within the UAP role when
the RN retains responsibility for assessment, interpretation, and follow-up.
5. A nurse delegates ambulation of a postoperative client to a UAP. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. “Walk the client and report anything unusual.”
B. “Ambulate the client independently after lunch.”
C. “Assist the client to walk 50 feet and immediately report dizziness, shortness of
breath, or weakness.”
D. “Determine whether the client is safe to walk.”
Answer: C. Assist the client to walk 50 feet and immediately report dizziness,
shortness of breath, or weakness.
Rationale: Effective delegation includes a specific task, expected outcome, and
clear parameters for reporting abnormal findings. Assessment and clinical
judgment remain with the RN.
6. The nurse is assigning clients to an LPN/LVN. Which client is most
appropriate?
A. A client admitted 30 minutes ago with suspected sepsis
B. A client requiring initial teaching about a new colostomy
C. A stable client receiving scheduled oral medications for hypertension
D. A client experiencing sudden unilateral weakness
Answer: C. A stable client receiving scheduled oral medications for hypertension
Rationale: LPN/LVNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes
according to state law and facility policy. Initial assessment, teaching, and
unstable conditions require RN-level judgment.
, 7. A nurse discovers that a prescribed medication dose appears unusually
high. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication and monitor the client
B. Ask another nurse to verify the dose
C. Hold the medication and clarify the prescription with the prescriber
D. Document that the medication was not given
Answer: C. Hold the medication and clarify the prescription with the prescriber
Rationale: The nurse must prevent a potential medication error. The
questionable order should be clarified before administration rather than relying
solely on another nurse's verification.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who refuses a recommended blood transfusion
because of personal beliefs. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Ask the family to convince the client
B. Administer the transfusion because it is medically necessary
C. Respect the refusal and notify the provider
D. Request that the client sign a refusal after the transfusion begins
Answer: C. Respect the refusal and notify the provider
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment. The nurse
should respect autonomy, ensure informed decision-making, notify the provider,
and document appropriately.
9. Which statement by a nurse demonstrates correct understanding of
informed consent?
A. “The nurse is responsible for explaining all risks of the procedure.”
B. “The provider performing the procedure is responsible for explaining the
procedure and its risks and benefits.”
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. A charge nurse is assigning four clients to an RN. Which client should the
nurse assign to the RN who has the most experience?
A. A client 1 day after cataract surgery reporting mild eye discomfort
B. A client with heart failure who has gained 2 kg in 48 hours and has new crackles
C. A client with a healed pressure injury awaiting discharge instructions
D. A client receiving oral antibiotics for uncomplicated cellulitis
Answer: B. A client with heart failure who has gained 2 kg in 48 hours and has
new crackles
Rationale: The client has evidence of acute fluid overload and possible
pulmonary edema, requiring advanced assessment and rapid intervention. The
experienced RN is best prepared to manage this unstable client.
2. The nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
first?
A. A postoperative client requesting medication for pain rated 7/10
B. A client with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from 94% to 88%
C. A client with diabetes whose blood glucose is 210 mg/dL
D. A client awaiting discharge who needs medication teaching
,Answer: B. A client with COPD whose oxygen saturation decreased from 94% to
88%
Rationale: A new decline in oxygen saturation indicates an acute respiratory
change. Airway and breathing take priority over pain, hyperglycemia, and
discharge teaching.
3. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse see
first?
A. A client with a urinary tract infection and temperature of 38.1°C
B. A client with pneumonia who is newly confused and has a respiratory rate of
30/min
C. A client with chronic kidney disease and potassium of 5.2 mEq/L
D. A client with postoperative nausea requesting an antiemetic
Answer: B. A client with pneumonia who is newly confused and has a
respiratory rate of 30/min
Rationale: Acute confusion and tachypnea in a client with pneumonia may
indicate worsening hypoxemia or sepsis. This client has the most immediate
threat to physiologic stability.
4. Which task is most appropriate for the RN to delegate to an experienced
UAP?
A. Assessing a client who reports new chest pressure
B. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Obtaining routine vital signs on a stable postoperative client
D. Evaluating whether a client understands discharge instructions
Answer: C. Obtaining routine vital signs on a stable postoperative client
,Rationale: Routine vital signs for a stable client are within the UAP role when
the RN retains responsibility for assessment, interpretation, and follow-up.
5. A nurse delegates ambulation of a postoperative client to a UAP. Which
instruction is most appropriate?
A. “Walk the client and report anything unusual.”
B. “Ambulate the client independently after lunch.”
C. “Assist the client to walk 50 feet and immediately report dizziness, shortness of
breath, or weakness.”
D. “Determine whether the client is safe to walk.”
Answer: C. Assist the client to walk 50 feet and immediately report dizziness,
shortness of breath, or weakness.
Rationale: Effective delegation includes a specific task, expected outcome, and
clear parameters for reporting abnormal findings. Assessment and clinical
judgment remain with the RN.
6. The nurse is assigning clients to an LPN/LVN. Which client is most
appropriate?
A. A client admitted 30 minutes ago with suspected sepsis
B. A client requiring initial teaching about a new colostomy
C. A stable client receiving scheduled oral medications for hypertension
D. A client experiencing sudden unilateral weakness
Answer: C. A stable client receiving scheduled oral medications for hypertension
Rationale: LPN/LVNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes
according to state law and facility policy. Initial assessment, teaching, and
unstable conditions require RN-level judgment.
, 7. A nurse discovers that a prescribed medication dose appears unusually
high. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication and monitor the client
B. Ask another nurse to verify the dose
C. Hold the medication and clarify the prescription with the prescriber
D. Document that the medication was not given
Answer: C. Hold the medication and clarify the prescription with the prescriber
Rationale: The nurse must prevent a potential medication error. The
questionable order should be clarified before administration rather than relying
solely on another nurse's verification.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who refuses a recommended blood transfusion
because of personal beliefs. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Ask the family to convince the client
B. Administer the transfusion because it is medically necessary
C. Respect the refusal and notify the provider
D. Request that the client sign a refusal after the transfusion begins
Answer: C. Respect the refusal and notify the provider
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment. The nurse
should respect autonomy, ensure informed decision-making, notify the provider,
and document appropriately.
9. Which statement by a nurse demonstrates correct understanding of
informed consent?
A. “The nurse is responsible for explaining all risks of the procedure.”
B. “The provider performing the procedure is responsible for explaining the
procedure and its risks and benefits.”
