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NCLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS NEW REVISION
2026 LATEST VERSION UPDATED 2026
MED SURGE
A client with epilepsy is having bilateral rhythmic jerking movements of all
extremities. After calling for help, which action should the practical nurse (PN) do
next? (Arrange the interventions from first to last.)
1.
Maintain the client's airway. 2.
Observe the client for incontinence. 3.
Apply pads to the bedside rails. 4.
Avoid stimulation during post-ictal phase.
1.
Maintain the client's airway. 2.
Apply pads to the bedside rails. 3.
Observe the client for incontinence. 4.
Avoid stimulation during post-ictal phase.
Rationale
During a tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal), the PN should maintain the client's airway.
Next, the client should be protected from injury by padding the side rails.
Observation of the client's behaviors, such as incontinence, should be noted during a
seizure. Minimal stimulation should be maintained during the post-ictal phase to
prevent precipitation of subsequent seizures.
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,2
A male client is having an intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement using a
tonometer for the first time. The client is fearful that the test hurts and may
damage his vision. Which explanation should the practical nurse provide?
Eyedrops will be prescribed for abnormal IOP readings.
A topical anesthetic will be used on the eye surface.
The test is quick and does not cause injury or blindness.
Reassure the client that the procedure does not hurt.
Rationale
Pain sensation is eliminated by the use of a topical ophthalmic anesthetic (B) placed in
the conjunctival sac prior to the placement of a tonometer when measuring IOP for
glaucoma, which is a common cause of blindness if early treatment is not implemented.
(A, C, and D) do not provide the client with specific measures taken to prevent
discomfort during the procedure.
An older female client with osteoporosis asks the practical nurse (PN) to explain why
she is now 2 inches shorter than when she was younger. What information is best for
the practical nurse (PN) to provide?
Loss of calcium in the bones causes the change. Bones get
shorter with age due to wear and tear.
Less fluid in each of the disks between the vertebrae occurs with degeneration.
It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that causes the change.
It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that causes the change.
Rationale
A biological theory of aging includes the wear-and-tear theory, which explains that
after repeated use and damage, body structures and functions wear out because of
stress. A normal spine at 40 years of age and osteoporotic changes at 60 and 70 years of
age can cause a loss of as much as 6 inches in height. Small losses in the thickness of
each of the intervertebral disks, which results from changes in disk consistency,
erosion, and osteoporosis, can lead to significant changes in height (D). Calcium
changes (A) and wear and tear (B and C) alone do not support significant height loss in
aging, but a basic
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, 3
explanation of disk degeneration that combines several factors provides the client
with the best information.
An older client who has had a cataract in the right eye for several years tells the
practical nurse (PN), "Now I have lost the sight in my right eye because I waited too
long for treatment." What information should the PN provide?
Prompt treatment can save the sight in both of eyes. Nothing can
be done once sight is lost in the affected eye.
Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or glasses. Explain that
surgery cannot provide optimal results immediately.
Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or glasses.
Rationale
Removal of a cataract results in restoration of vision with corrective lenses based on the
client's underlying error of refraction and retinal integrity. (A and D) are vague and do
not focus on the client's fear and specific treatment. (B) is incorrect.
A client with major burns is receiving cimetidine (Tagamet). Which finding should the
practical nurse (PN) obtain to best evaluate the effectiveness of the medication?
Soft, non-tender abdomen. Change
in stool frequency. Hyperactive
bowel sounds. Absence of blood in
the stool. Absence of blood in the
stool.
Rationale
In burns, Curling's ulcer, a type of gastroduodenal stress ulcer, is caused by a
generalized stress response resulting in decreased production of mucus and increased
gastric acid secretion, which can cause epigastric pain, gastric ulceration, and bleeding.
Cimetidine (Tagamet), a histamine blocker, reduces gastric acid secretion and is used
for prevention of Curling's ulcers associated with severe trauma, such as major burns.
Absence of blood in the stool (D) or
messages.downloaded_by
NCLEX PRACTICE QUESTIONS NEW REVISION
2026 LATEST VERSION UPDATED 2026
MED SURGE
A client with epilepsy is having bilateral rhythmic jerking movements of all
extremities. After calling for help, which action should the practical nurse (PN) do
next? (Arrange the interventions from first to last.)
1.
Maintain the client's airway. 2.
Observe the client for incontinence. 3.
Apply pads to the bedside rails. 4.
Avoid stimulation during post-ictal phase.
1.
Maintain the client's airway. 2.
Apply pads to the bedside rails. 3.
Observe the client for incontinence. 4.
Avoid stimulation during post-ictal phase.
Rationale
During a tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal), the PN should maintain the client's airway.
Next, the client should be protected from injury by padding the side rails.
Observation of the client's behaviors, such as incontinence, should be noted during a
seizure. Minimal stimulation should be maintained during the post-ictal phase to
prevent precipitation of subsequent seizures.
messages.downloaded_by
,2
A male client is having an intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement using a
tonometer for the first time. The client is fearful that the test hurts and may
damage his vision. Which explanation should the practical nurse provide?
Eyedrops will be prescribed for abnormal IOP readings.
A topical anesthetic will be used on the eye surface.
The test is quick and does not cause injury or blindness.
Reassure the client that the procedure does not hurt.
Rationale
Pain sensation is eliminated by the use of a topical ophthalmic anesthetic (B) placed in
the conjunctival sac prior to the placement of a tonometer when measuring IOP for
glaucoma, which is a common cause of blindness if early treatment is not implemented.
(A, C, and D) do not provide the client with specific measures taken to prevent
discomfort during the procedure.
An older female client with osteoporosis asks the practical nurse (PN) to explain why
she is now 2 inches shorter than when she was younger. What information is best for
the practical nurse (PN) to provide?
Loss of calcium in the bones causes the change. Bones get
shorter with age due to wear and tear.
Less fluid in each of the disks between the vertebrae occurs with degeneration.
It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that causes the change.
It is a combination of wear and tear and calcium loss that causes the change.
Rationale
A biological theory of aging includes the wear-and-tear theory, which explains that
after repeated use and damage, body structures and functions wear out because of
stress. A normal spine at 40 years of age and osteoporotic changes at 60 and 70 years of
age can cause a loss of as much as 6 inches in height. Small losses in the thickness of
each of the intervertebral disks, which results from changes in disk consistency,
erosion, and osteoporosis, can lead to significant changes in height (D). Calcium
changes (A) and wear and tear (B and C) alone do not support significant height loss in
aging, but a basic
messages.downloaded_by
, 3
explanation of disk degeneration that combines several factors provides the client
with the best information.
An older client who has had a cataract in the right eye for several years tells the
practical nurse (PN), "Now I have lost the sight in my right eye because I waited too
long for treatment." What information should the PN provide?
Prompt treatment can save the sight in both of eyes. Nothing can
be done once sight is lost in the affected eye.
Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or glasses. Explain that
surgery cannot provide optimal results immediately.
Surgery can restore vision with corrective lens implants or glasses.
Rationale
Removal of a cataract results in restoration of vision with corrective lenses based on the
client's underlying error of refraction and retinal integrity. (A and D) are vague and do
not focus on the client's fear and specific treatment. (B) is incorrect.
A client with major burns is receiving cimetidine (Tagamet). Which finding should the
practical nurse (PN) obtain to best evaluate the effectiveness of the medication?
Soft, non-tender abdomen. Change
in stool frequency. Hyperactive
bowel sounds. Absence of blood in
the stool. Absence of blood in the
stool.
Rationale
In burns, Curling's ulcer, a type of gastroduodenal stress ulcer, is caused by a
generalized stress response resulting in decreased production of mucus and increased
gastric acid secretion, which can cause epigastric pain, gastric ulceration, and bleeding.
Cimetidine (Tagamet), a histamine blocker, reduces gastric acid secretion and is used
for prevention of Curling's ulcers associated with severe trauma, such as major burns.
Absence of blood in the stool (D) or
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