KAPLAN COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Safe and Effective Care Environment*
*- Health Promotion and Maintenance*
*- Psychosocial Integrity*
*- Physiological Integrity*
*- Fundamentals of Nursing*
*- Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing*
*- Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies*
*- Maternal-Newborn and Pediatric Nursing*
*- Leadership, Delegation, and Prioritization*
*- Clinical Judgment and Patient Safety*
Introduction
This exam is designed to measure readiness for comprehensive nursing practice through multiple-choice and scenario-based items. It assesses
foundational theory, applied clinical reasoning, safety, ethics, professional accountability, and real-world decision-making. The questions
emphasize prioritization, delegation, infection control, medication safety, psychosocial care, maternal-child concepts, and adult health
management. Each item is intended to reflect the type of judgment required in direct patient care, leadership roles, and high-stakes testing. The
structure supports thorough review of both knowledge recall and practical application in professional nursing settings.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. Which action best demonstrates correct hand hygiene technique?
A. Rinsing hands quickly with warm water
B. Scrubbing all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
C. Using gloves instead of handwashing
D. Drying hands before washing
🟢 B. Scrubbing all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
🔴 RATIONALE: Thorough friction for at least 20 seconds removes transient microorganisms and is the standard for effective hand hygiene.
,2. A nurse is assessing a patient with shortness of breath. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Patient reports fatigue
D. Mild anxiety
🟢 B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypoxemia can become life-threatening and requires prompt action.
3. Which principle should guide patient prioritization?
A. Treat the most cooperative patient first
B. Address the highest safety risk first
C. Attend to patients in room order
D. Complete routine tasks before assessments
🟢 B. Address the highest safety risk first
🔴 RATIONALE: Patient safety and unstable conditions take priority over convenience or routine.
4. Which diet is most appropriate for a patient with hypertension?
A. High-sodium diet
B. DASH-style diet
C. High-protein diet only
D. Low-fiber diet
🟢 B. DASH-style diet
🔴 RATIONALE: The DASH diet supports blood pressure control by emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and low sodium.
5. A patient receiving opioids should be monitored primarily for:
A. Hyperactivity
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypertension
D. Increased appetite
🟢 B. Respiratory depression
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Opioids can suppress respiratory drive and cause dangerous sedation.
6. Which infection control measure is most effective in preventing transmission?
A. Wearing clean gloves at all times
B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Reusing masks for all patients
D. Keeping doors open during care
🟢 B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
🔴 RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is the most effective single method for preventing spread of infection.
7. A patient says, “I do not want this treatment.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. Proceed because the provider ordered it
B. Ask the patient to sign without discussion
C. Assess understanding and notify the provider
D. Tell the patient refusal is not allowed
🟢 C. Assess understanding and notify the provider
🔴 RATIONALE: Patients have the right to refuse treatment, and the nurse must respect autonomy and report the decision.
8. Which finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Bounding pulse
D. Weight gain
🟢 B. Decreased skin turgor
🔴 RATIONALE: Fluid deficit often causes poor skin turgor and other signs of volume depletion.
9. A nurse is preparing to give medication. The first action should be to:
A. Check the patient’s allergies
B. Document the dose
C. Offer water
D. Explain side effects after administration
🟢 A. Check the patient’s allergies
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Safe and Effective Care Environment*
*- Health Promotion and Maintenance*
*- Psychosocial Integrity*
*- Physiological Integrity*
*- Fundamentals of Nursing*
*- Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing*
*- Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies*
*- Maternal-Newborn and Pediatric Nursing*
*- Leadership, Delegation, and Prioritization*
*- Clinical Judgment and Patient Safety*
Introduction
This exam is designed to measure readiness for comprehensive nursing practice through multiple-choice and scenario-based items. It assesses
foundational theory, applied clinical reasoning, safety, ethics, professional accountability, and real-world decision-making. The questions
emphasize prioritization, delegation, infection control, medication safety, psychosocial care, maternal-child concepts, and adult health
management. Each item is intended to reflect the type of judgment required in direct patient care, leadership roles, and high-stakes testing. The
structure supports thorough review of both knowledge recall and practical application in professional nursing settings.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. Which action best demonstrates correct hand hygiene technique?
A. Rinsing hands quickly with warm water
B. Scrubbing all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
C. Using gloves instead of handwashing
D. Drying hands before washing
🟢 B. Scrubbing all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
🔴 RATIONALE: Thorough friction for at least 20 seconds removes transient microorganisms and is the standard for effective hand hygiene.
,2. A nurse is assessing a patient with shortness of breath. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Patient reports fatigue
D. Mild anxiety
🟢 B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypoxemia can become life-threatening and requires prompt action.
3. Which principle should guide patient prioritization?
A. Treat the most cooperative patient first
B. Address the highest safety risk first
C. Attend to patients in room order
D. Complete routine tasks before assessments
🟢 B. Address the highest safety risk first
🔴 RATIONALE: Patient safety and unstable conditions take priority over convenience or routine.
4. Which diet is most appropriate for a patient with hypertension?
A. High-sodium diet
B. DASH-style diet
C. High-protein diet only
D. Low-fiber diet
🟢 B. DASH-style diet
🔴 RATIONALE: The DASH diet supports blood pressure control by emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and low sodium.
5. A patient receiving opioids should be monitored primarily for:
A. Hyperactivity
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hypertension
D. Increased appetite
🟢 B. Respiratory depression
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Opioids can suppress respiratory drive and cause dangerous sedation.
6. Which infection control measure is most effective in preventing transmission?
A. Wearing clean gloves at all times
B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Reusing masks for all patients
D. Keeping doors open during care
🟢 B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
🔴 RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is the most effective single method for preventing spread of infection.
7. A patient says, “I do not want this treatment.” What is the nurse’s best response?
A. Proceed because the provider ordered it
B. Ask the patient to sign without discussion
C. Assess understanding and notify the provider
D. Tell the patient refusal is not allowed
🟢 C. Assess understanding and notify the provider
🔴 RATIONALE: Patients have the right to refuse treatment, and the nurse must respect autonomy and report the decision.
8. Which finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Bounding pulse
D. Weight gain
🟢 B. Decreased skin turgor
🔴 RATIONALE: Fluid deficit often causes poor skin turgor and other signs of volume depletion.
9. A nurse is preparing to give medication. The first action should be to:
A. Check the patient’s allergies
B. Document the dose
C. Offer water
D. Explain side effects after administration
🟢 A. Check the patient’s allergies
