NCLEX-RN Exam Review 2026 |
Comprehensive Practice Questions
with Detailed Rationales
When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority
what should you remember or use and what is the exception? - answer-
Use the ABC rule: Airway breathing, and circulation. The exception to
the rule is with actual CPR, use C-A-B for CPR. Also remember safety
first and acute before chronic. If the pt. is not in distress then you
assess. If the pt is in distress then you should do something. If the pt
has diaphorisis you should always do something.
How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs - answer-Address physiological needs first, followed by safety
and security needs, love and belonging needs, self esteem needs and
finally self actualization needs. *When a physiological need is not
addressed in the question, look for the option that addresses safety.
If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to
determine the step of the nursing process. What are the steps in the
nursing process and what kind of question might be related to that
step. - answer-Assessment question address the gathering and
verification of data.
,Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect
additional information, identify and communicate nursing diagnoses
and determine the health team's ability to meet the pts needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying
outcomes of care.
Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of
care and the assignment and delegation of tasks. Be prepared for
questions on client teaching.
Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care
with the expected outcomes and on communicating and documenting
findings.
What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing
implications - answer-Hemoglobin - Male 14-18 Female 12-16 Newborn
14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy.
Drug therapy can alter values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn 44-64
,Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can
alter values. Abnormalities in RBC size may alter Hct values
What are the normal ranges for WBC?
What can increase values?
What can decrease values?
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal
ranges? What range is normal during the postpartum period? - answer-
Both genders 5000-10000 Newborn 9000-30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased values.
Drug therapy can decrease values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is normal
What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? - answer-Males: 4.7-6.1
million
Female: 4.2-5.4 million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase levels
pregnancy usually lower values
, drug therapy can alter values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an infusing IV.
What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values? - answer-Both Genders: 150000-400000
Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral
contraceptives may increase values
decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced
production of platelets, infections, use of prosthetic heart valves, and
drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy,
H2 blockers, INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide
diuretics.
What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind
when getting a specimen? - answer-3.5-5 is normal range for potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an
increased level. Hemolysis of specimen can result in a falsely elevated
value
Comprehensive Practice Questions
with Detailed Rationales
When selecting an NCLEX answer or determining the order of priority
what should you remember or use and what is the exception? - answer-
Use the ABC rule: Airway breathing, and circulation. The exception to
the rule is with actual CPR, use C-A-B for CPR. Also remember safety
first and acute before chronic. If the pt. is not in distress then you
assess. If the pt is in distress then you should do something. If the pt
has diaphorisis you should always do something.
How should you address questions related to Maslow's Hierarchy of
Needs - answer-Address physiological needs first, followed by safety
and security needs, love and belonging needs, self esteem needs and
finally self actualization needs. *When a physiological need is not
addressed in the question, look for the option that addresses safety.
If a question is related to the nursing process, read the question to
determine the step of the nursing process. What are the steps in the
nursing process and what kind of question might be related to that
step. - answer-Assessment question address the gathering and
verification of data.
,Analysis questions require the nurse to: interpret data, collect
additional information, identify and communicate nursing diagnoses
and determine the health team's ability to meet the pts needs.
Planning questions ask about determining, prioritizing, and modifying
outcomes of care.
Implementation questions reflect the management and organization of
care and the assignment and delegation of tasks. Be prepared for
questions on client teaching.
Evaluation questions focus on comparing the actual outcomes of care
with the expected outcomes and on communicating and documenting
findings.
What are the normal ranges for H&H? What are the nursing
implications - answer-Hemoglobin - Male 14-18 Female 12-16 Newborn
14-24
High altitude living increases value, slight decrease during pregnancy.
Drug therapy can alter values.
Hematocrit - Male 42-52 Female 37-47 Newborn 44-64
,Prolonged stasis from vasoconstriction secondary to the tourniquet can
alter values. Abnormalities in RBC size may alter Hct values
What are the normal ranges for WBC?
What can increase values?
What can decrease values?
How long does the postpartum period of pregnancy affect normal
ranges? What range is normal during the postpartum period? - answer-
Both genders 5000-10000 Newborn 9000-30000
Anesthetics, stress, exercise, and convulsions can increased values.
Drug therapy can decrease values.
24-28 hr postpartum: a count as high as 25000 is normal
What are the normal ranges for RBC?
What can increase levels
What happens to levels during pregnancy? - answer-Males: 4.7-6.1
million
Female: 4.2-5.4 million
Exercise and high altitudes can cause an increase levels
pregnancy usually lower values
, drug therapy can alter values
Never draw a specimen from an arm with an infusing IV.
What are the normal ranges for PLATELETS?
What may increase values?
What may decrease values?
What drugs decrease values? - answer-Both Genders: 150000-400000
Living at high altitudes, exercising strenuously or taking oral
contraceptives may increase values
decreased values may be caused by hemorrhage, DIC, reduced
production of platelets, infections, use of prosthetic heart valves, and
drugs.
Drugs that decrease platelets: acetaminophen, aspirin, chemotherapy,
H2 blockers, INH, Levaquin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, thiazide
diuretics.
What are the normal ranges for K+? What should you keep in mind
when getting a specimen? - answer-3.5-5 is normal range for potassium
Exercise of the forearm with tourniquet in place may cause an
increased level. Hemolysis of specimen can result in a falsely elevated
value
