KENTUCKY NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT
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Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
,Introduction
This practice examination is designed to prepare nursing candidates for the NCLEX-RN licensing
examination administered in Kentucky. The exam assesses essential knowledge, clinical judgment, and
decision-making abilities required for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. Questions are presented
in multiple-choice format with scenario-based content that mirrors real-world clinical situations. The test
emphasizes critical thinking, prioritization, and application of nursing principles across diverse patient
populations and healthcare settings. Success on this examination demonstrates competency in delivering
quality care while adhering to professional standards, regulatory requirements, and ethical guidelines
fundamental to the nursing profession.
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been admitted with acute myocardial infarction. Which action
should the nurse prioritize first?
A. Administer aspirin 325 mg orally
B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram
C. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Assess pain level using a standardized scale
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Obtaining a 12-lead ECG is the priority initial action to confirm MI diagnosis and guide
treatment decisions. Early ECG acquisition within 10 minutes is critical for determining need for reperfusion
therapy.
A patient with a new prescription for lisinopril asks about potential side effects. What should the nurse include
in the teaching?
A. Increased urine output
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Muscle weakness
D. Blurred vision
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that commonly causes a persistent dry cough in up to 20% of
patients due to increased angiotensin II and bradykinin levels. This side effect may require medication
discontinuation.
The nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a patient's wound drainage
B. Administering oral medications
C. Collecting a urine specimen
D. Teaching a patient about diabetes management
🟢 Correct answer: C
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Collecting a urine specimen is within the UAP's scope of practice as it does not require
nursing assessment, clinical judgment, or medication administration skills.
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which laboratory value requires monitoring before
starting this medication?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum creatinine
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum glucose
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Metformin should not be initiated if serum creatinine indicates renal impairment (≥1.5
mg/dL in men, ≥1.4 mg/dL in women) due to increased risk of lactic acidosis.
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving heparin infusion for deep vein thrombosis. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Platelet count of 150,000/mm³
B. INR of 2.5
C. Hemoglobin of 10.5 g/dL
D. PT of 18 seconds
🟢 Correct answer: A
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
,Introduction
This practice examination is designed to prepare nursing candidates for the NCLEX-RN licensing
examination administered in Kentucky. The exam assesses essential knowledge, clinical judgment, and
decision-making abilities required for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. Questions are presented
in multiple-choice format with scenario-based content that mirrors real-world clinical situations. The test
emphasizes critical thinking, prioritization, and application of nursing principles across diverse patient
populations and healthcare settings. Success on this examination demonstrates competency in delivering
quality care while adhering to professional standards, regulatory requirements, and ethical guidelines
fundamental to the nursing profession.
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been admitted with acute myocardial infarction. Which action
should the nurse prioritize first?
A. Administer aspirin 325 mg orally
B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram
C. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Assess pain level using a standardized scale
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Obtaining a 12-lead ECG is the priority initial action to confirm MI diagnosis and guide
treatment decisions. Early ECG acquisition within 10 minutes is critical for determining need for reperfusion
therapy.
A patient with a new prescription for lisinopril asks about potential side effects. What should the nurse include
in the teaching?
A. Increased urine output
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Muscle weakness
D. Blurred vision
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that commonly causes a persistent dry cough in up to 20% of
patients due to increased angiotensin II and bradykinin levels. This side effect may require medication
discontinuation.
The nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a patient's wound drainage
B. Administering oral medications
C. Collecting a urine specimen
D. Teaching a patient about diabetes management
🟢 Correct answer: C
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Collecting a urine specimen is within the UAP's scope of practice as it does not require
nursing assessment, clinical judgment, or medication administration skills.
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which laboratory value requires monitoring before
starting this medication?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum creatinine
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum glucose
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Metformin should not be initiated if serum creatinine indicates renal impairment (≥1.5
mg/dL in men, ≥1.4 mg/dL in women) due to increased risk of lactic acidosis.
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving heparin infusion for deep vein thrombosis. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Platelet count of 150,000/mm³
B. INR of 2.5
C. Hemoglobin of 10.5 g/dL
D. PT of 18 seconds
🟢 Correct answer: A
