NCSBN ACTUAL PRACTICE EXAM 2026
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS VIEW
AHEAD
◉ A nurse is caring for a client suspected to have a diagnosis of
active tuberculosis (TB). Which diagnostic tests is essential for the
nurse to obtain for the determination of the presence of active TB?
A. Sputum culture for cytology
B. Tuberculin skin testing
C. White blood cell count
D. Chest x-ray anterior/posterior and lateral
Answer: A
The sputum culture is the method for the determination if active TB
is present. This test takes one to two weeks to get the results. Thus,
these clients would need to be in isolation or on medication and not
coughing during the wait.
◉ The client is taking bupropion to treat depression and is worried
about taking the medication. The client tells the nurse a friend said
the medication was removed from the market because it caused
seizures. What is an appropriate response by the nurse?
,A. "Omit the next doses until you talk with the health care provider."
B. "Your health care provider knows the best drug for your
condition."
C. "Ask your friend about the source of this information."
D. "There were problems, but the recommended dose is changed."
Answer: D
Bupropion (Budeprion, Buproban, Wellbutrin, Zyban) was
introduced in the United States in 1985 and then withdrawn
because of the occurrence of seizures in some clients who took the
drug. The drug was reintroduced in 1989 with specific
recommendations about dose ranges to limit the occurrence of
seizures. The risk of seizure appears to be strongly associated with
higher dosages.
◉ The nurse is caring for a 17 month-old child diagnosed with
acetaminophen poisoning. Which of these lab reports should the
nurse review first?
A. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine transaminase
(ALT)
B. Prothrombin Time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
C. Red blood cell and white blood cell counts
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine clearance
Answer: A
,Acetaminophen is toxic to the liver and causes hepatic cellular
necrosis. This causes the liver enzymes AST and ALT to be released
into the blood stream, which elevates serum levels. The next lab
values to review are those associated with coagulation, then the
blood counts and lastly the renal-associated labs, including BUN and
creatinine.
◉ The client undergoes a laparoscopic removal of the appendix.
Which postoperative instructions will the nurse reinforce? (Select all
that apply.)
A. No showering for 48 hours after surgery
B. Maintain bedrest for 24 hours before gradually resuming regular
activities
C. Some shoulder discomfort can be expected
D. Use 2 tablespoons of Milk of E. Magnesia if no bowel movement 3
days after surgery
E. Restrict diet to bland, easily digestible food for a few days
F. Gently scrub off the "skin glue" when you feel able
Answer: A,C,D,E
Laparoscopic surgery involves using carbon dioxide gas to open the
inside of the abdomen, which pushes up the diaphragm; this may
cause shoulder discomfort postoperatively. Clients should keep the
dressings clean and dry for 48 hours before they can shower, but no
tub baths for a few weeks. If "skin glue" is used over the incision(s),
, the client should not try to scrub it off because it will wear off on its
own. Clients may resume normal activities as soon as they are able
but no heavy lifting or aerobic exercise for about 2 weeks. If they do
not have a BM after 2-3 days, clients can take 2 tablespoons of MOM
several times a day until they have a BM. Diet can be advanced as
tolerated but it's best to stick to non-greasy, non-spicy foods for a
few days.
◉ The home health nurse observes the client change an ileostomy
pouch. Which action is best to help prevent skin breakdown?
A. Use deodorant soaps the contain lotion to clean the stoma
B. Change the stoma pouch daily
C. Apply antiseptic cream to reddened stoma
D. Make sure the skin around the stoma is wrinkle-free
Answer: D
The ileostomy pouch should be changed approximately every 5 to 7
days; the bag should be emptied about every 4 to 6 hours. Before
applying a pouch, the stoma and skin around the stoma should be
gently cleaned using mild soap and water and allowed to dry. A skin
barrier powder or other skin prep can be applied to intact skin
around the stoma - but not to the stoma. The skin around the stoma
should be dry and wrinkle-free before applying a new pouch or
wafer to ensure a tight, leak-free seal.
FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS VIEW
AHEAD
◉ A nurse is caring for a client suspected to have a diagnosis of
active tuberculosis (TB). Which diagnostic tests is essential for the
nurse to obtain for the determination of the presence of active TB?
A. Sputum culture for cytology
B. Tuberculin skin testing
C. White blood cell count
D. Chest x-ray anterior/posterior and lateral
Answer: A
The sputum culture is the method for the determination if active TB
is present. This test takes one to two weeks to get the results. Thus,
these clients would need to be in isolation or on medication and not
coughing during the wait.
◉ The client is taking bupropion to treat depression and is worried
about taking the medication. The client tells the nurse a friend said
the medication was removed from the market because it caused
seizures. What is an appropriate response by the nurse?
,A. "Omit the next doses until you talk with the health care provider."
B. "Your health care provider knows the best drug for your
condition."
C. "Ask your friend about the source of this information."
D. "There were problems, but the recommended dose is changed."
Answer: D
Bupropion (Budeprion, Buproban, Wellbutrin, Zyban) was
introduced in the United States in 1985 and then withdrawn
because of the occurrence of seizures in some clients who took the
drug. The drug was reintroduced in 1989 with specific
recommendations about dose ranges to limit the occurrence of
seizures. The risk of seizure appears to be strongly associated with
higher dosages.
◉ The nurse is caring for a 17 month-old child diagnosed with
acetaminophen poisoning. Which of these lab reports should the
nurse review first?
A. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine transaminase
(ALT)
B. Prothrombin Time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
C. Red blood cell and white blood cell counts
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine clearance
Answer: A
,Acetaminophen is toxic to the liver and causes hepatic cellular
necrosis. This causes the liver enzymes AST and ALT to be released
into the blood stream, which elevates serum levels. The next lab
values to review are those associated with coagulation, then the
blood counts and lastly the renal-associated labs, including BUN and
creatinine.
◉ The client undergoes a laparoscopic removal of the appendix.
Which postoperative instructions will the nurse reinforce? (Select all
that apply.)
A. No showering for 48 hours after surgery
B. Maintain bedrest for 24 hours before gradually resuming regular
activities
C. Some shoulder discomfort can be expected
D. Use 2 tablespoons of Milk of E. Magnesia if no bowel movement 3
days after surgery
E. Restrict diet to bland, easily digestible food for a few days
F. Gently scrub off the "skin glue" when you feel able
Answer: A,C,D,E
Laparoscopic surgery involves using carbon dioxide gas to open the
inside of the abdomen, which pushes up the diaphragm; this may
cause shoulder discomfort postoperatively. Clients should keep the
dressings clean and dry for 48 hours before they can shower, but no
tub baths for a few weeks. If "skin glue" is used over the incision(s),
, the client should not try to scrub it off because it will wear off on its
own. Clients may resume normal activities as soon as they are able
but no heavy lifting or aerobic exercise for about 2 weeks. If they do
not have a BM after 2-3 days, clients can take 2 tablespoons of MOM
several times a day until they have a BM. Diet can be advanced as
tolerated but it's best to stick to non-greasy, non-spicy foods for a
few days.
◉ The home health nurse observes the client change an ileostomy
pouch. Which action is best to help prevent skin breakdown?
A. Use deodorant soaps the contain lotion to clean the stoma
B. Change the stoma pouch daily
C. Apply antiseptic cream to reddened stoma
D. Make sure the skin around the stoma is wrinkle-free
Answer: D
The ileostomy pouch should be changed approximately every 5 to 7
days; the bag should be emptied about every 4 to 6 hours. Before
applying a pouch, the stoma and skin around the stoma should be
gently cleaned using mild soap and water and allowed to dry. A skin
barrier powder or other skin prep can be applied to intact skin
around the stoma - but not to the stoma. The skin around the stoma
should be dry and wrinkle-free before applying a new pouch or
wafer to ensure a tight, leak-free seal.
