Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam High-Yield
Questions & Rationales 2026
PREPARATION REAL EXAM 120
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES|AGRADE
Passage 1: The Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system, often overshadowed by its more famous
counterpart, the circulatory system, plays several critical roles in
maintaining overall health. While the heart pumps blood through
a closed loop of arteries and veins, the lymphatic system operates
as an open-entry network. Its primary function is to collect excess
interstitial fluid—the fluid that bathes the cells—and return it to
the bloodstream. This fluid, now called lymph, travels through
lymphatic vessels and is filtered through lymph nodes. These
small, bean-shaped structures are packed with white blood cells
known as lymphocytes, which are crucial for mounting an immune
response against pathogens. Without a functioning lymphatic
system, fluid would accumulate in tissues, leading to severe
swelling and a drastically increased susceptibility to infection.
Furthermore, the system is responsible for transporting dietary
fats from the small intestine to the blood, ensuring the body can
absorb these essential nutrients.
,Question 1:
According to the passage, what is the primary function of the
lymphatic system?
A) Pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body
B) Collecting and returning excess interstitial fluid to the
bloodstream
C) Producing red blood cells in the bone marrow
D) Filtering solid waste from the digestive tract
Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly states, "Its primary function is to
collect excess interstitial fluid…and return it to the bloodstream."
Question 2:
The word "mounting" as used in the passage most nearly means:
A) Decreasing
B) Organizing and launching
C) Climbing
D) Carrying
Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of "mounting an immune response," the
word means organizing and launching an attack. Pathogens are
threats that the immune system must actively fight, requiring a
deliberate, coordinated response.
Question 3:
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a consequence of a
non-functioning lymphatic system?
A) An increased risk of infection
B) An accumulation of fluid in tissues
,C) A failure to transport dietary fats
D) A decrease in blood pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: The passage states that without a functioning
lymphatic system, there would be fluid accumulation, increased
infection risk, and fat transport failure. Decreased blood pressure
is not mentioned.
Question 4:
The author's main purpose in writing this passage is to:
A) Argue that the lymphatic system is more important than the
circulatory system
B) Describe the structure and function of lymph nodes
C) Explain the various critical roles the lymphatic system plays in
the body
D) Persuade the reader to adopt a diet that supports lymphatic
health
Answer: C
Rationale: The author explains multiple roles of the lymphatic
system—fluid return, immune function, and fat transport—
without arguing superiority or focusing solely on one structure.
Question 5:
Based on the passage, lymphocytes are found in:
A) The heart
B) Lymph nodes
C) Arteries
D) The small intestine
, Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states, "Lymph nodes…are packed with
white blood cells known as lymphocytes."
Passage 2: Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale is widely regarded as the founder of modern
nursing. During the Crimean War (1853–1856), she was sent to
care for wounded British soldiers at a military hospital in Scutari,
Turkey. Upon arrival, she found the hospital overcrowded,
understaffed, and filthy. Soldiers were dying from infectious
diseases like typhus and cholera at rates far higher than from
battle wounds themselves. Nightingale implemented strict
sanitation protocols—scrubbing the wards, washing linens,
improving ventilation, and ensuring clean water. Within six
months, the death rate fell from 42 % to 2 %. Nightingale believed
that nursing was both an art and a science, requiring keen
observation, rigorous data collection, and a commitment to
patient advocacy. She later founded the Nightingale Training
School for Nurses at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, establishing
nursing as a respectable profession for women. (Content
summarized from passage)
Question 6:
What was the death rate at the Scutari hospital BEFORE
Nightingale's arrival?
A) 2 %
B) 42 %
C) 25 %
D) 60 %
Questions & Rationales 2026
PREPARATION REAL EXAM 120
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES|AGRADE
Passage 1: The Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system, often overshadowed by its more famous
counterpart, the circulatory system, plays several critical roles in
maintaining overall health. While the heart pumps blood through
a closed loop of arteries and veins, the lymphatic system operates
as an open-entry network. Its primary function is to collect excess
interstitial fluid—the fluid that bathes the cells—and return it to
the bloodstream. This fluid, now called lymph, travels through
lymphatic vessels and is filtered through lymph nodes. These
small, bean-shaped structures are packed with white blood cells
known as lymphocytes, which are crucial for mounting an immune
response against pathogens. Without a functioning lymphatic
system, fluid would accumulate in tissues, leading to severe
swelling and a drastically increased susceptibility to infection.
Furthermore, the system is responsible for transporting dietary
fats from the small intestine to the blood, ensuring the body can
absorb these essential nutrients.
,Question 1:
According to the passage, what is the primary function of the
lymphatic system?
A) Pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body
B) Collecting and returning excess interstitial fluid to the
bloodstream
C) Producing red blood cells in the bone marrow
D) Filtering solid waste from the digestive tract
Answer: B
Rationale: The passage explicitly states, "Its primary function is to
collect excess interstitial fluid…and return it to the bloodstream."
Question 2:
The word "mounting" as used in the passage most nearly means:
A) Decreasing
B) Organizing and launching
C) Climbing
D) Carrying
Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of "mounting an immune response," the
word means organizing and launching an attack. Pathogens are
threats that the immune system must actively fight, requiring a
deliberate, coordinated response.
Question 3:
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a consequence of a
non-functioning lymphatic system?
A) An increased risk of infection
B) An accumulation of fluid in tissues
,C) A failure to transport dietary fats
D) A decrease in blood pressure
Answer: D
Rationale: The passage states that without a functioning
lymphatic system, there would be fluid accumulation, increased
infection risk, and fat transport failure. Decreased blood pressure
is not mentioned.
Question 4:
The author's main purpose in writing this passage is to:
A) Argue that the lymphatic system is more important than the
circulatory system
B) Describe the structure and function of lymph nodes
C) Explain the various critical roles the lymphatic system plays in
the body
D) Persuade the reader to adopt a diet that supports lymphatic
health
Answer: C
Rationale: The author explains multiple roles of the lymphatic
system—fluid return, immune function, and fat transport—
without arguing superiority or focusing solely on one structure.
Question 5:
Based on the passage, lymphocytes are found in:
A) The heart
B) Lymph nodes
C) Arteries
D) The small intestine
, Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states, "Lymph nodes…are packed with
white blood cells known as lymphocytes."
Passage 2: Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale is widely regarded as the founder of modern
nursing. During the Crimean War (1853–1856), she was sent to
care for wounded British soldiers at a military hospital in Scutari,
Turkey. Upon arrival, she found the hospital overcrowded,
understaffed, and filthy. Soldiers were dying from infectious
diseases like typhus and cholera at rates far higher than from
battle wounds themselves. Nightingale implemented strict
sanitation protocols—scrubbing the wards, washing linens,
improving ventilation, and ensuring clean water. Within six
months, the death rate fell from 42 % to 2 %. Nightingale believed
that nursing was both an art and a science, requiring keen
observation, rigorous data collection, and a commitment to
patient advocacy. She later founded the Nightingale Training
School for Nurses at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, establishing
nursing as a respectable profession for women. (Content
summarized from passage)
Question 6:
What was the death rate at the Scutari hospital BEFORE
Nightingale's arrival?
A) 2 %
B) 42 %
C) 25 %
D) 60 %
