Unlock your nursing potential with this NCLEX-style prep and student success
resource. Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an official
exam.
---
## 🏆 Nursing Fundamentals Practice Guide – 2026 Success Pack | Complete
NCLEX-Style Revision Notes
---
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which action is most
important to prevent infection?
A. Use sterile technique throughout the procedure.
B. Inflate the balloon with sterile water.
C. Clean the meatus with an antiseptic solution from front to back.
D. Secure the catheter to the client's thigh.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Sterile technique is the most critical measure to prevent introducing microorganisms
into the bladder. While cleaning, inflating, and securing are important, they are secondary to
maintaining asepsis. This nursing exam prep question highlights the priority of infection control, a core
concept in nursing study guides. Remember the mnemonic "STOP" – Sterile Technique Overrides all
other precautions.
2. A client is receiving a continuous tube feeding via a nasogastric tube. The nurse checks the gastric
residual volume (GRV) and finds it to be 400 mL. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Continue the feeding as ordered.
B. Re-instill the residual and continue the feeding.
C. Hold the feeding and notify the healthcare provider.
D. Increase the feeding rate to ensure adequate nutrition.
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A GRV of 400 mL or greater is generally considered high and indicates delayed gastric
emptying, which increases the risk of aspiration. The nurse should hold the feeding and notify the
provider. This is a critical safety measure in enteral nutrition, a key topic in nursing study guides. "High
residual? Hold and call" is a helpful phrase for student success in clinical settings.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following an abdominal surgery. The client's
wound edges are separated, and the client reports a feeling of "something giving way." What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Cover the wound with a sterile, saline-moistened dressing.
B. Place the client in a supine position with knees bent.
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D. Document the findings and continue to monitor.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: This scenario describes wound dehiscence. The priority is to cover the wound with a
sterile, saline-moistened dressing to keep it moist and protect the tissues. This is a crucial intervention
to prevent evisceration. These practice questions are designed for student success in recognizing and
managing post-operative complications.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer 750 mg of an oral antibiotic that is available as a liquid with a
concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 10 mL
B. 15 mL
C. 20 mL
D. 25 mL
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Use the formula: Desired/Available x Volume = 750 mg / 250 mg x 5 mL = 15 mL. This
is a basic dosage calculation, essential for nursing exam prep and safe medication administration.
"Divide and conquer" is a handy mnemonic for these problems. The incorrect options result from
common mathematical errors.
5. A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value is the most
important to monitor?
,A. Serum sodium.
B. Serum potassium.
C. Serum calcium.
D. Serum magnesium.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
This can potentiate digoxin toxicity and cause cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring potassium is a key safety
measure in pharmacology. "Furosemide flushes potassium" is a simple mnemonic for nursing study
guides.
6. A client is experiencing chest pain. The nurse administers sublingual nitroglycerin. What is the
therapeutic action of this medication?
A. Decreases preload and afterload.
B. Increases cardiac contractility.
C. Decreases heart rate.
D. Increases cardiac output.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that reduces preload and afterload, decreasing
myocardial oxygen demand and relieving chest pain. This is a fundamental concept in cardiovascular
nursing and a frequent question in nursing exam prep.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke. Which finding is the most concerning?
A. Difficulty finding the right words.
B. Numbness in the right arm.
C. Sudden, severe headache.
D. Blurred vision.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A sudden, severe headache is often described as "the worst headache of my life" and
can indicate a hemorrhagic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a life-threatening emergency.
While the other options are also signs of stroke, this finding is the most concerning due to its potential
for rapid deterioration. This is a high-priority assessment in neurological nursing.
, 8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new colostomy. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will change my appliance every 3 to 5 days."
B. "I will avoid foods that cause gas."
C. "I can eat a low-fiber diet for the first few weeks."
D. "I will irrigate my colostomy daily."
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Colostomy irrigation is not required for all clients and is often discouraged. The stool
in a colostomy is usually semi-formed, and the appliance can be managed by emptying it. This statement
indicates a misunderstanding of colostomy care. This is a key teaching point in ostomy care.
9. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse assesses the client and notes dullness
to percussion over the left lower lobe. This finding is consistent with:
A. Atelectasis.
B. Pleural effusion.
C. Consolidation.
D. Pneumothorax.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Dullness to percussion indicates consolidation of the lung tissue, which is a classic
sign of pneumonia. Fluid or exudate fills the alveoli, making the tissue dense. This is a key assessment
finding for respiratory nursing.
10. A client is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should hold the medication and notify the healthcare
provider if the client's apical pulse is less than:
A. 50 beats per minute.
B. 60 beats per minute.
C. 70 beats per minute.
D. 80 beats per minute.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The apical pulse should be checked for a full minute before administering digoxin. If
the pulse is below 60 bpm, the medication should be held and the provider notified to prevent
bradycardia and toxicity. "Hold at 60" is a standard safety rule for nursing study guides.
resource. Compiled from student notes and practice resources — not an official
exam.
---
## 🏆 Nursing Fundamentals Practice Guide – 2026 Success Pack | Complete
NCLEX-Style Revision Notes
---
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which action is most
important to prevent infection?
A. Use sterile technique throughout the procedure.
B. Inflate the balloon with sterile water.
C. Clean the meatus with an antiseptic solution from front to back.
D. Secure the catheter to the client's thigh.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Sterile technique is the most critical measure to prevent introducing microorganisms
into the bladder. While cleaning, inflating, and securing are important, they are secondary to
maintaining asepsis. This nursing exam prep question highlights the priority of infection control, a core
concept in nursing study guides. Remember the mnemonic "STOP" – Sterile Technique Overrides all
other precautions.
2. A client is receiving a continuous tube feeding via a nasogastric tube. The nurse checks the gastric
residual volume (GRV) and finds it to be 400 mL. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Continue the feeding as ordered.
B. Re-instill the residual and continue the feeding.
C. Hold the feeding and notify the healthcare provider.
D. Increase the feeding rate to ensure adequate nutrition.
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A GRV of 400 mL or greater is generally considered high and indicates delayed gastric
emptying, which increases the risk of aspiration. The nurse should hold the feeding and notify the
provider. This is a critical safety measure in enteral nutrition, a key topic in nursing study guides. "High
residual? Hold and call" is a helpful phrase for student success in clinical settings.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following an abdominal surgery. The client's
wound edges are separated, and the client reports a feeling of "something giving way." What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Cover the wound with a sterile, saline-moistened dressing.
B. Place the client in a supine position with knees bent.
C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
D. Document the findings and continue to monitor.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: This scenario describes wound dehiscence. The priority is to cover the wound with a
sterile, saline-moistened dressing to keep it moist and protect the tissues. This is a crucial intervention
to prevent evisceration. These practice questions are designed for student success in recognizing and
managing post-operative complications.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer 750 mg of an oral antibiotic that is available as a liquid with a
concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 10 mL
B. 15 mL
C. 20 mL
D. 25 mL
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Use the formula: Desired/Available x Volume = 750 mg / 250 mg x 5 mL = 15 mL. This
is a basic dosage calculation, essential for nursing exam prep and safe medication administration.
"Divide and conquer" is a handy mnemonic for these problems. The incorrect options result from
common mathematical errors.
5. A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value is the most
important to monitor?
,A. Serum sodium.
B. Serum potassium.
C. Serum calcium.
D. Serum magnesium.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
This can potentiate digoxin toxicity and cause cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring potassium is a key safety
measure in pharmacology. "Furosemide flushes potassium" is a simple mnemonic for nursing study
guides.
6. A client is experiencing chest pain. The nurse administers sublingual nitroglycerin. What is the
therapeutic action of this medication?
A. Decreases preload and afterload.
B. Increases cardiac contractility.
C. Decreases heart rate.
D. Increases cardiac output.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that reduces preload and afterload, decreasing
myocardial oxygen demand and relieving chest pain. This is a fundamental concept in cardiovascular
nursing and a frequent question in nursing exam prep.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected stroke. Which finding is the most concerning?
A. Difficulty finding the right words.
B. Numbness in the right arm.
C. Sudden, severe headache.
D. Blurred vision.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A sudden, severe headache is often described as "the worst headache of my life" and
can indicate a hemorrhagic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a life-threatening emergency.
While the other options are also signs of stroke, this finding is the most concerning due to its potential
for rapid deterioration. This is a high-priority assessment in neurological nursing.
, 8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new colostomy. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will change my appliance every 3 to 5 days."
B. "I will avoid foods that cause gas."
C. "I can eat a low-fiber diet for the first few weeks."
D. "I will irrigate my colostomy daily."
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Colostomy irrigation is not required for all clients and is often discouraged. The stool
in a colostomy is usually semi-formed, and the appliance can be managed by emptying it. This statement
indicates a misunderstanding of colostomy care. This is a key teaching point in ostomy care.
9. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The nurse assesses the client and notes dullness
to percussion over the left lower lobe. This finding is consistent with:
A. Atelectasis.
B. Pleural effusion.
C. Consolidation.
D. Pneumothorax.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Dullness to percussion indicates consolidation of the lung tissue, which is a classic
sign of pneumonia. Fluid or exudate fills the alveoli, making the tissue dense. This is a key assessment
finding for respiratory nursing.
10. A client is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should hold the medication and notify the healthcare
provider if the client's apical pulse is less than:
A. 50 beats per minute.
B. 60 beats per minute.
C. 70 beats per minute.
D. 80 beats per minute.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The apical pulse should be checked for a full minute before administering digoxin. If
the pulse is below 60 bpm, the medication should be held and the provider notified to prevent
bradycardia and toxicity. "Hold at 60" is a standard safety rule for nursing study guides.
