Kaplan Diagnostic A Exam Questions With Correct
Answers 2026/Kaplan Diagnostic A Exam Questions
With Correct Answers 2026
The nurse cares for the client diagnosed as being in the manic phase of bipolar disorder.
Which behavior indicates to the nurse the client condition is improving?
a. The client offers suggestions to other clients on the unit
b. The client begins to write a book about life
c. The client sits and eats with other clients on unit
d. The client talks with other clients a group meeting
C
The nurse cares for four clients. Which client is the nurse see first?
a. A five-year-old child with croup and who has respirations of 35
b. A four-year-old child with pneumonia and who has a temperature of 10 1°F (38.3°C)
c. a three-year-old child receives parenteral nutrition (PN) through a peripherally inserted
central catheter (PICC)
d. A two days after surgical repair of a strangulated abdominal hernia
A
The nurse observed the student nurse section a client. The nurse determines that proper
suctioning technique is used if which action is observed?
a. Apply suction each time the client inhales
b. Apply suction as the catheter is both inserted and withdrawn for no more than 10 seconds
c. Apply suction as the catheter is withdrawn from no more than 10 seconds
d. Apply suction at the catheter is inserted for no more than 20 seconds
C
,The nurse cares for the client following a right total hip arthroplasty. The client has an IV of
0.9% NaCl and has a Hemovac drain in place. Prior to discharge from the post anesthesia care
unit, which finding justifies the nurse calling the healthcare provider?
a. The client reports pain at incision site
b. There is 200 mL of blood in the Hemovac drain
c. The client cannot move the toes of the right foot
d. There is a small amount of blood on the clients dressing
C
The client hospitalized for treatment of a bleeding peptic ulcer reports substernal chest pain.
The nurse finds the client diaphoretic and cool with vital signs: BP 110/56 mm Hg, T 98.4°F
(36.8°C), P 76 bpm, RR 28 breaths/min. The client IV of 0.9% NaCl in fuses at 80 mL/hr. Lab
results show potassium 3.2 mEq/L (3.2 mmol/L), sodium 140 mEq/L (140 mmol/L), and
chloride 93 mEq/L (93 mmol?L). Cardiac monitoring shows multifocal premature ventricular
contractions (PVCs). The nurse identifies which condition is the most likely cause of the
clients PVCs?
a. Hypoxemia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Hypovolemia
d. Hyponatremia
B
The nurse cares for the adolescent diagnosed with full thickness burns on the upper chest and
partial thickness burns on the hands, arms, and face. Which method does the nurse
encourage the client to use to communicate?
a. Winks
b. Paper and pencil
c. The foot
d. Gestures
C
The parent of a preschooler with a tracheostomy asks the nurse, "Why is my child section so
frequently?" The nurses response is based on the knowledge that it is not as important to
section the child when which situation occurs?
a. The child secretions become tenacious
b. The child's color worsens
,c. The child's respiratory rate decreases
d. The child's lung sounds are congested
D
Immediately after a percutaneous liver biopsy, the nurse places the client in which position?
a. Semi Fowler's
b. Supine
c. Left side lying
d. Right side lying
D
The adolescent client had surgery yesterday for repair of a torn rotator cuff in the right
shoulder. Although fentanyl 100 mcg intravenously is ordered every three hours PRN, the
client has refused the medication since surgery. During morning rounds, the the nurse notes
the client has teeth clenched and is diaphoretic. Which action does the nurse take first?
a. Ask the client, "Why have you refused pain medication?"
b. Administer the fentanyl 100 mcg intravenously as ordered
c. Explain that taking medication will not lead to medication addiction
d. Question the client, "Are you experiencing any pain?"
D
The nurse understands that the test for phenlketonuria (PKU) is most reliable at which
timeframe?
a. After two weeks of age
b. After a source of protein has been ingested
c. After a source of fat has been ingested
d. After the danger of hyperbilirubinemia has passed
B
The nurse cares for the client after the delivery of an 8 lbs. 7 oz. newborn. Which measures by
the nurse received the highest priority during the first day postpartum?
a. Check the signs of hypertension and albuminuria
b. Gently massage the fundus every four hours
c. Observed for signs of hemorrhage and infection
d. Encourage direct contact with the infant to facilitate bonding
C
, The parent brings a five month old infant to the well baby clinic for a routine checkup. Which
finding, if observed by the nurse is unexpected?
a. The child is able to sit erect if propped with a pillow
b. The child grasp objects with both hands
c. The child's drools frequently
d. The child has slight head lag when pulled to sitting position
D
The nurse cares for the client who just delivered an 8 lbs. 4 oz. baby. The nurse knows which
finding is most significant?
a. The woman reports a moderate amount of abdominal pain and cramping
b. The woman's vital signs change from blood pressure (BP) 136/78 mm Hg, polls 76 bpm to
BP 124/66 mm Hg, pulse 90 bpm
c. The woman voices ambivalent feelings about becoming a mother at her age
d. The woman saturates a peripad with sanguinous drainage in one hour
B
The nurse cares for the adolescent being evaluated for type I diabetes. Which statement does
the nurse expect the parents to make?
a. My child has become very picky about the food choices
b. My child seems to get feet tangled and fall
c. My child has started to wet the bed at night
d. My child has only one close friend at school
C
The nurse observes and LPN/LVN irrigate an abdominal wound for the client. Which action, if
observed by the nurse, requires an intervention?
a. The LPN/LVN instills the irrigating solutions with flows away from the wound
b. The LPN/LVN remove the old dressing and then discard the gloves
c. The LPN/LB inputs on sterile gloves and pours the irrigating solution into the sterile
container
d. The LPN/LVN warms the irrigating solution to 90 - 95°F (32.2 - 35°C)
C
The nurse cares for the client after a left total hip arthroplasty. The client post operative
orders include turning. To implement this order the nurse places the client in which position?
Answers 2026/Kaplan Diagnostic A Exam Questions
With Correct Answers 2026
The nurse cares for the client diagnosed as being in the manic phase of bipolar disorder.
Which behavior indicates to the nurse the client condition is improving?
a. The client offers suggestions to other clients on the unit
b. The client begins to write a book about life
c. The client sits and eats with other clients on unit
d. The client talks with other clients a group meeting
C
The nurse cares for four clients. Which client is the nurse see first?
a. A five-year-old child with croup and who has respirations of 35
b. A four-year-old child with pneumonia and who has a temperature of 10 1°F (38.3°C)
c. a three-year-old child receives parenteral nutrition (PN) through a peripherally inserted
central catheter (PICC)
d. A two days after surgical repair of a strangulated abdominal hernia
A
The nurse observed the student nurse section a client. The nurse determines that proper
suctioning technique is used if which action is observed?
a. Apply suction each time the client inhales
b. Apply suction as the catheter is both inserted and withdrawn for no more than 10 seconds
c. Apply suction as the catheter is withdrawn from no more than 10 seconds
d. Apply suction at the catheter is inserted for no more than 20 seconds
C
,The nurse cares for the client following a right total hip arthroplasty. The client has an IV of
0.9% NaCl and has a Hemovac drain in place. Prior to discharge from the post anesthesia care
unit, which finding justifies the nurse calling the healthcare provider?
a. The client reports pain at incision site
b. There is 200 mL of blood in the Hemovac drain
c. The client cannot move the toes of the right foot
d. There is a small amount of blood on the clients dressing
C
The client hospitalized for treatment of a bleeding peptic ulcer reports substernal chest pain.
The nurse finds the client diaphoretic and cool with vital signs: BP 110/56 mm Hg, T 98.4°F
(36.8°C), P 76 bpm, RR 28 breaths/min. The client IV of 0.9% NaCl in fuses at 80 mL/hr. Lab
results show potassium 3.2 mEq/L (3.2 mmol/L), sodium 140 mEq/L (140 mmol/L), and
chloride 93 mEq/L (93 mmol?L). Cardiac monitoring shows multifocal premature ventricular
contractions (PVCs). The nurse identifies which condition is the most likely cause of the
clients PVCs?
a. Hypoxemia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Hypovolemia
d. Hyponatremia
B
The nurse cares for the adolescent diagnosed with full thickness burns on the upper chest and
partial thickness burns on the hands, arms, and face. Which method does the nurse
encourage the client to use to communicate?
a. Winks
b. Paper and pencil
c. The foot
d. Gestures
C
The parent of a preschooler with a tracheostomy asks the nurse, "Why is my child section so
frequently?" The nurses response is based on the knowledge that it is not as important to
section the child when which situation occurs?
a. The child secretions become tenacious
b. The child's color worsens
,c. The child's respiratory rate decreases
d. The child's lung sounds are congested
D
Immediately after a percutaneous liver biopsy, the nurse places the client in which position?
a. Semi Fowler's
b. Supine
c. Left side lying
d. Right side lying
D
The adolescent client had surgery yesterday for repair of a torn rotator cuff in the right
shoulder. Although fentanyl 100 mcg intravenously is ordered every three hours PRN, the
client has refused the medication since surgery. During morning rounds, the the nurse notes
the client has teeth clenched and is diaphoretic. Which action does the nurse take first?
a. Ask the client, "Why have you refused pain medication?"
b. Administer the fentanyl 100 mcg intravenously as ordered
c. Explain that taking medication will not lead to medication addiction
d. Question the client, "Are you experiencing any pain?"
D
The nurse understands that the test for phenlketonuria (PKU) is most reliable at which
timeframe?
a. After two weeks of age
b. After a source of protein has been ingested
c. After a source of fat has been ingested
d. After the danger of hyperbilirubinemia has passed
B
The nurse cares for the client after the delivery of an 8 lbs. 7 oz. newborn. Which measures by
the nurse received the highest priority during the first day postpartum?
a. Check the signs of hypertension and albuminuria
b. Gently massage the fundus every four hours
c. Observed for signs of hemorrhage and infection
d. Encourage direct contact with the infant to facilitate bonding
C
, The parent brings a five month old infant to the well baby clinic for a routine checkup. Which
finding, if observed by the nurse is unexpected?
a. The child is able to sit erect if propped with a pillow
b. The child grasp objects with both hands
c. The child's drools frequently
d. The child has slight head lag when pulled to sitting position
D
The nurse cares for the client who just delivered an 8 lbs. 4 oz. baby. The nurse knows which
finding is most significant?
a. The woman reports a moderate amount of abdominal pain and cramping
b. The woman's vital signs change from blood pressure (BP) 136/78 mm Hg, polls 76 bpm to
BP 124/66 mm Hg, pulse 90 bpm
c. The woman voices ambivalent feelings about becoming a mother at her age
d. The woman saturates a peripad with sanguinous drainage in one hour
B
The nurse cares for the adolescent being evaluated for type I diabetes. Which statement does
the nurse expect the parents to make?
a. My child has become very picky about the food choices
b. My child seems to get feet tangled and fall
c. My child has started to wet the bed at night
d. My child has only one close friend at school
C
The nurse observes and LPN/LVN irrigate an abdominal wound for the client. Which action, if
observed by the nurse, requires an intervention?
a. The LPN/LVN instills the irrigating solutions with flows away from the wound
b. The LPN/LVN remove the old dressing and then discard the gloves
c. The LPN/LB inputs on sterile gloves and pours the irrigating solution into the sterile
container
d. The LPN/LVN warms the irrigating solution to 90 - 95°F (32.2 - 35°C)
C
The nurse cares for the client after a left total hip arthroplasty. The client post operative
orders include turning. To implement this order the nurse places the client in which position?
