KAPLAN INTEGRATED NURSING EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Community and Public Health Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management
Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapy
Fundamentals of Nursing and Health Assessment
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the nursing candidate's ability to synthesize and
apply foundational knowledge, advanced clinical reasoning, and professional judgment in a variety of patient care
scenarios. The test evaluates competency across core domains, including medical-surgical care, maternal-child
health, mental health nursing, and leadership principles. Through a series of multiple-choice questions and
scenario-based items, candidates will demonstrate their capacity for critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and
safe, patient-centered care. This assessment emphasizes the practical application of theory, ethical-legal standards,
and evidence-based practice to prepare the nurse for the complexities of the modern healthcare environment.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
,1. A nurse is providing education to a client who has been prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should avoid eating aged cheeses and cured meats while on this medication."
B. "I can take over-the-counter cold medications for a stuffy nose."
C. "I will need to avoid drinking red wine and beer."
D. "I should discuss any new prescription medications with my healthcare provider."
🟢 B. "I can take over-the-counter cold medications for a stuffy nose."
🔴 RATIONALE: MAOIs have a dangerous interaction with sympathomimetic agents found in many over-the-
counter cold and decongestant medications. These can cause a severe hypertensive crisis. The other options
reflect accurate understanding of MAOI dietary restrictions and medication precautions.
2. A client with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus is being discharged. Which instruction is most
important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching plan?
A. "Insulin can be stored at room temperature for up to one month."
B. "Always rotate your insulin injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
C. "You should check your blood glucose level before each meal and at bedtime."
D. "If you feel shaky and sweaty, you should drink 4 ounces of orange juice."
🟢 C. "You should check your blood glucose level before each meal and at bedtime."
🔴 RATIONALE: The most critical instruction for a client with type 1 diabetes is frequent blood glucose
monitoring to guide insulin therapy and prevent both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. While all options are
correct, monitoring is the foundation of management.
,3. A postpartum client who is 24 hours post-delivery reports a sudden onset of severe chest pain and
shortness of breath. Her heart rate is 120 bpm, and she is anxious. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic.
B. Place the client in a high-Fowler's position.
C. Instruct the client to take slow, deep breaths.
D. Elevate the client's legs to improve venous return.
🟢 B. Place the client in a high-Fowler's position.
🔴 RATIONALE: The client's symptoms are indicative of a potential pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening
postpartum complication. The priority action is to position the client in high-Fowler's to facilitate breathing and
oxygenation while awaiting emergency interventions. Analgesia and deep breathing are not the priority until
the cause is confirmed, and elevating the legs would be contraindicated in suspected PE.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client with severe anemia. Which IV solution is
the most appropriate to use as a primary infusion with blood products?
A. 0.9% Normal Saline
B. 0.45% Normal Saline
C. 5% Dextrose in Water
D. Lactated Ringer's Solution
🟢 A. 0.9% Normal Saline
🔴 RATIONALE: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is the only solution that is isotonic and compatible with blood
products. Solutions containing dextrose can cause hemolysis of red blood cells, and Lactated Ringer's contains
calcium, which can cause clotting in the IV line.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-baby visit. Which developmental milestone would
the nurse expect to observe?
A. The infant is able to sit unsupported.
B. The infant has developed a pincer grasp.
C. The infant can transfer objects from one hand to the other.
D. The infant can say "mama" and "dada" specifically.
🟢 C. The infant can transfer objects from one hand to the other.
🔴 RATIONALE: At 6 months, infants typically can transfer objects from one hand to the other. Sitting
unsupported usually occurs around 8 months. A pincer grasp develops around 9 months. Saying "mama" and
"dada" specifically occurs around 10 months.
6. A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen saturation of 88%.
The nurse initiates oxygen therapy at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment finding indicates a
complication of this intervention?
A. The client's respiratory rate decreases from 24 to 18 breaths per minute.
B. The client reports feeling less dyspneic.
C. The client's oxygen saturation increases to 92%.
D. The client's respiratory rate decreases from 22 to 12 breaths per minute.
🟢 D. The client's respiratory rate decreases from 22 to 12 breaths per minute.
🔴 RATIONALE: In clients with COPD, oxygen can be a respiratory depressant due to a blunted hypoxic drive. A
significant decrease in respiratory rate indicates the client is not responding appropriately and is at risk for
respiratory failure. A decrease to a more normal rate or improved saturation indicates effective therapy.
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Community and Public Health Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management
Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapy
Fundamentals of Nursing and Health Assessment
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the nursing candidate's ability to synthesize and
apply foundational knowledge, advanced clinical reasoning, and professional judgment in a variety of patient care
scenarios. The test evaluates competency across core domains, including medical-surgical care, maternal-child
health, mental health nursing, and leadership principles. Through a series of multiple-choice questions and
scenario-based items, candidates will demonstrate their capacity for critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and
safe, patient-centered care. This assessment emphasizes the practical application of theory, ethical-legal standards,
and evidence-based practice to prepare the nurse for the complexities of the modern healthcare environment.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1 – 100
,1. A nurse is providing education to a client who has been prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should avoid eating aged cheeses and cured meats while on this medication."
B. "I can take over-the-counter cold medications for a stuffy nose."
C. "I will need to avoid drinking red wine and beer."
D. "I should discuss any new prescription medications with my healthcare provider."
🟢 B. "I can take over-the-counter cold medications for a stuffy nose."
🔴 RATIONALE: MAOIs have a dangerous interaction with sympathomimetic agents found in many over-the-
counter cold and decongestant medications. These can cause a severe hypertensive crisis. The other options
reflect accurate understanding of MAOI dietary restrictions and medication precautions.
2. A client with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus is being discharged. Which instruction is most
important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching plan?
A. "Insulin can be stored at room temperature for up to one month."
B. "Always rotate your insulin injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy."
C. "You should check your blood glucose level before each meal and at bedtime."
D. "If you feel shaky and sweaty, you should drink 4 ounces of orange juice."
🟢 C. "You should check your blood glucose level before each meal and at bedtime."
🔴 RATIONALE: The most critical instruction for a client with type 1 diabetes is frequent blood glucose
monitoring to guide insulin therapy and prevent both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. While all options are
correct, monitoring is the foundation of management.
,3. A postpartum client who is 24 hours post-delivery reports a sudden onset of severe chest pain and
shortness of breath. Her heart rate is 120 bpm, and she is anxious. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic.
B. Place the client in a high-Fowler's position.
C. Instruct the client to take slow, deep breaths.
D. Elevate the client's legs to improve venous return.
🟢 B. Place the client in a high-Fowler's position.
🔴 RATIONALE: The client's symptoms are indicative of a potential pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening
postpartum complication. The priority action is to position the client in high-Fowler's to facilitate breathing and
oxygenation while awaiting emergency interventions. Analgesia and deep breathing are not the priority until
the cause is confirmed, and elevating the legs would be contraindicated in suspected PE.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client with severe anemia. Which IV solution is
the most appropriate to use as a primary infusion with blood products?
A. 0.9% Normal Saline
B. 0.45% Normal Saline
C. 5% Dextrose in Water
D. Lactated Ringer's Solution
🟢 A. 0.9% Normal Saline
🔴 RATIONALE: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is the only solution that is isotonic and compatible with blood
products. Solutions containing dextrose can cause hemolysis of red blood cells, and Lactated Ringer's contains
calcium, which can cause clotting in the IV line.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-baby visit. Which developmental milestone would
the nurse expect to observe?
A. The infant is able to sit unsupported.
B. The infant has developed a pincer grasp.
C. The infant can transfer objects from one hand to the other.
D. The infant can say "mama" and "dada" specifically.
🟢 C. The infant can transfer objects from one hand to the other.
🔴 RATIONALE: At 6 months, infants typically can transfer objects from one hand to the other. Sitting
unsupported usually occurs around 8 months. A pincer grasp develops around 9 months. Saying "mama" and
"dada" specifically occurs around 10 months.
6. A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an oxygen saturation of 88%.
The nurse initiates oxygen therapy at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment finding indicates a
complication of this intervention?
A. The client's respiratory rate decreases from 24 to 18 breaths per minute.
B. The client reports feeling less dyspneic.
C. The client's oxygen saturation increases to 92%.
D. The client's respiratory rate decreases from 22 to 12 breaths per minute.
🟢 D. The client's respiratory rate decreases from 22 to 12 breaths per minute.
🔴 RATIONALE: In clients with COPD, oxygen can be a respiratory depressant due to a blunted hypoxic drive. A
significant decrease in respiratory rate indicates the client is not responding appropriately and is at risk for
respiratory failure. A decrease to a more normal rate or improved saturation indicates effective therapy.
