KAPLAN NURSING CONCEPTS EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Care
- Pharmacology and Medication Safety
- Maternal-Newborn and Pediatrics
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Care
- Clinical Decision-Making & Critical Thinking
- Ethics, Law, and Professional Standards
- Safety, Infection Control, and Quality Improvement
Introduction
This exam assesses comprehensive nursing concepts to prepare candidates for clinical practice and licensure-related testing by measuring
knowledge, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills.
Items include multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that evaluate foundational theory, application of evidence-based care, legal/ethical
responsibilities, and safety practices.
The structure emphasizes real-world patient scenarios requiring prioritization, delegation, clinical reasoning, and accurate interpretation of
findings.
Use this exam to identify strengths and learning gaps and to practice applying nursing knowledge under exam conditions.
Section One: Questions 1–100
,1. A postoperative patient following abdominal surgery reports sudden sharp chest pain and shortness of breath while ambulating. Breath sounds are
diminished on the left side and oxygen saturation drops to 88%. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
B. Administer prescribed opioid analgesic
C. Obtain an ECG
D. Apply supplemental oxygen and assess respiratory status
🟢 D. Apply supplemental oxygen and assess respiratory status
🔴 RATIONALE: Immediate support of airway and oxygenation is the priority for acute respiratory compromise; assessment guides next
interventions.
2. A nurse prepares to administer 0900 medications. Which action demonstrates proper medication safety?
A. Administering medication from the package without checking the MAR
B. Checking the medication label three times and verifying patient identity with two identifiers
C. Asking a relative to confirm the patient’s name before giving meds
D. Crushing all medications to speed administration
🟢 B. Checking the medication label three times and verifying patient identity with two identifiers
🔴 RATIONALE: Following the “three checks” and two patient identifiers prevents errors and ensures safe medication administration.
3. A client with congestive heart failure has gaining 3 kg in 3 days and reports increased shortness of breath. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Review and reinforce low-sodium diet education
B. Weigh the client daily and notify the provider about weight gain
C. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
D. Provide a diuretic teaching pamphlet
🟢 B. Weigh the client daily and notify the provider about weight gain
🔴 RATIONALE: Rapid weight gain in HF signals fluid retention; reporting to provider for possible treatment adjustment is urgent.
4. A nurse caring for an older adult with wrist fracture uses Teach-Back after providing discharge instructions. Which statement by the patient best
demonstrates understanding?
A. “I will take my pain pill when I think I need it.”
B. “I will remove the cast daily to clean the skin.”
C. “I will keep my wrist elevated, avoid heavy lifting, and call if increased numbness occurs.”
D. “I can drive once my pain decreases.”
🟢 C. “I will keep my wrist elevated, avoid heavy lifting, and call if increased numbness occurs.”
🔴 RATIONALE: This response shows accurate retention of activity restrictions, swelling control, and recognizing neurovascular complications.
, 5. A client on a psychiatric unit becomes verbally aggressive and paces the hall. Which action is most appropriate initially?
A. Place the client in seclusion immediately
B. Call the provider to request restraints
C. Approach calmly, maintain a safe distance, and attempt verbal de-escalation
D. Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcement
🟢 C. Approach calmly, maintain a safe distance, and attempt verbal de-escalation
🔴 RATIONALE: Least-restrictive interventions like verbal de-escalation prioritize safety and dignity before restraints or seclusion.
6. A nurse reviews lab results: potassium 2.9 mEq/L. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness and arrhythmias
B. Hyperreflexia and paresthesia
C. Bradycardia with peaked T waves on ECG
D. Increased bowel sounds and cramping
🟢 A. Muscle weakness and arrhythmias
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypokalemia commonly causes muscle weakness and increases risk for cardiac dysrhythmias; ECG changes differ from
hyperkalemia.
7. A diabetic client with type 1 diabetes is disoriented and sweaty. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer IV insulin per sliding scale
B. Give 4 ounces of orange juice if the patient can swallow safely
C. Offer a complex carbohydrate snack
D. Call the provider for direction
🟢 B. Give 4 ounces of orange juice if the patient can swallow safely
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypoglycemia is an immediate threat; quick-acting carbohydrate is first-line if the airway is protected.
8. A nurse prepares to remove a peripheral IV; the site shows redness and warmth extending along the vein with a palpable cord. Which is the correct
next step?
A. Flush the IV with normal saline and continue infusion
B. Apply warm compresses and discontinue the IV catheter
C. Leave the catheter in place and start antibiotics at the site
D. Accelerate infusion rate to clear the vein
🟢 B. Apply warm compresses and discontinue the IV catheter
🔴 RATIONALE: Signs of phlebitis require catheter removal and warm compresses; continuing infusion risks complications.
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Care
- Pharmacology and Medication Safety
- Maternal-Newborn and Pediatrics
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Care
- Clinical Decision-Making & Critical Thinking
- Ethics, Law, and Professional Standards
- Safety, Infection Control, and Quality Improvement
Introduction
This exam assesses comprehensive nursing concepts to prepare candidates for clinical practice and licensure-related testing by measuring
knowledge, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills.
Items include multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that evaluate foundational theory, application of evidence-based care, legal/ethical
responsibilities, and safety practices.
The structure emphasizes real-world patient scenarios requiring prioritization, delegation, clinical reasoning, and accurate interpretation of
findings.
Use this exam to identify strengths and learning gaps and to practice applying nursing knowledge under exam conditions.
Section One: Questions 1–100
,1. A postoperative patient following abdominal surgery reports sudden sharp chest pain and shortness of breath while ambulating. Breath sounds are
diminished on the left side and oxygen saturation drops to 88%. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
B. Administer prescribed opioid analgesic
C. Obtain an ECG
D. Apply supplemental oxygen and assess respiratory status
🟢 D. Apply supplemental oxygen and assess respiratory status
🔴 RATIONALE: Immediate support of airway and oxygenation is the priority for acute respiratory compromise; assessment guides next
interventions.
2. A nurse prepares to administer 0900 medications. Which action demonstrates proper medication safety?
A. Administering medication from the package without checking the MAR
B. Checking the medication label three times and verifying patient identity with two identifiers
C. Asking a relative to confirm the patient’s name before giving meds
D. Crushing all medications to speed administration
🟢 B. Checking the medication label three times and verifying patient identity with two identifiers
🔴 RATIONALE: Following the “three checks” and two patient identifiers prevents errors and ensures safe medication administration.
3. A client with congestive heart failure has gaining 3 kg in 3 days and reports increased shortness of breath. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Review and reinforce low-sodium diet education
B. Weigh the client daily and notify the provider about weight gain
C. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
D. Provide a diuretic teaching pamphlet
🟢 B. Weigh the client daily and notify the provider about weight gain
🔴 RATIONALE: Rapid weight gain in HF signals fluid retention; reporting to provider for possible treatment adjustment is urgent.
4. A nurse caring for an older adult with wrist fracture uses Teach-Back after providing discharge instructions. Which statement by the patient best
demonstrates understanding?
A. “I will take my pain pill when I think I need it.”
B. “I will remove the cast daily to clean the skin.”
C. “I will keep my wrist elevated, avoid heavy lifting, and call if increased numbness occurs.”
D. “I can drive once my pain decreases.”
🟢 C. “I will keep my wrist elevated, avoid heavy lifting, and call if increased numbness occurs.”
🔴 RATIONALE: This response shows accurate retention of activity restrictions, swelling control, and recognizing neurovascular complications.
, 5. A client on a psychiatric unit becomes verbally aggressive and paces the hall. Which action is most appropriate initially?
A. Place the client in seclusion immediately
B. Call the provider to request restraints
C. Approach calmly, maintain a safe distance, and attempt verbal de-escalation
D. Ignore the behavior to avoid reinforcement
🟢 C. Approach calmly, maintain a safe distance, and attempt verbal de-escalation
🔴 RATIONALE: Least-restrictive interventions like verbal de-escalation prioritize safety and dignity before restraints or seclusion.
6. A nurse reviews lab results: potassium 2.9 mEq/L. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness and arrhythmias
B. Hyperreflexia and paresthesia
C. Bradycardia with peaked T waves on ECG
D. Increased bowel sounds and cramping
🟢 A. Muscle weakness and arrhythmias
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypokalemia commonly causes muscle weakness and increases risk for cardiac dysrhythmias; ECG changes differ from
hyperkalemia.
7. A diabetic client with type 1 diabetes is disoriented and sweaty. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer IV insulin per sliding scale
B. Give 4 ounces of orange juice if the patient can swallow safely
C. Offer a complex carbohydrate snack
D. Call the provider for direction
🟢 B. Give 4 ounces of orange juice if the patient can swallow safely
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypoglycemia is an immediate threat; quick-acting carbohydrate is first-line if the airway is protected.
8. A nurse prepares to remove a peripheral IV; the site shows redness and warmth extending along the vein with a palpable cord. Which is the correct
next step?
A. Flush the IV with normal saline and continue infusion
B. Apply warm compresses and discontinue the IV catheter
C. Leave the catheter in place and start antibiotics at the site
D. Accelerate infusion rate to clear the vein
🟢 B. Apply warm compresses and discontinue the IV catheter
🔴 RATIONALE: Signs of phlebitis require catheter removal and warm compresses; continuing infusion risks complications.
