KAPLAN READINESS ASSESSMENT A QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Fundamentals of Nursing*
*Medical-Surgical Nursing*
*Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies*
*Mental Health Nursing*
*Maternal-Newborn Nursing*
*Pediatric Nursing*
*Nursing Leadership and Management*
*Ethics and Legal Issues*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the clinical readiness and critical thinking proficiency of
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
A nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who reports increased dyspnea. Which assessment
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Barrel chest
B. Productive cough
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Oxygen saturation of 90%
🟢 C. Use of accessory muscles
🔴 RATIONALE: The use of accessory muscles indicates severe respiratory distress and an increased work of breathing. This requires
immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure.
A client is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg orally daily. Before administering the medication, the nurse assesses an apical pulse of 52 beats
per minute. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the dose as prescribed.
B. Withhold the dose and notify the healthcare provider.
,C. Reassess the apical pulse in 30 minutes.
D. Administer half the dose.
🟢 B. Withhold the dose and notify the healthcare provider.
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin should generally be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in adults to prevent further
bradycardia and toxicity.
Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse advocates for a client’s right to refuse a recommended treatment?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
🟢 C. Autonomy
🔴 RATIONALE: Autonomy is the right of a client to make their own healthcare decisions, including the right to refuse treatment.
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. What is the priority intervention during the active seizure phase?
A. Restrain the client’s extremities.
B. Insert a padded tongue blade into the mouth.
C. Turn the client to a side-lying position.
D. Administer IV diazepam immediately.
🟢 C. Turn the client to a side-lying position.
🔴 RATIONALE: Turning the client to a side-lying position maintains an open airway and prevents aspiration of secretions during a
seizure.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus presents with a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL. Which symptom should the nurse expect to
observe?
A. Polyuria
B. Diaphoresis
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Fruity breath odor
🟢 B. Diaphoresis
🔴 RATIONALE: Diaphoresis (sweating) is a classic symptom of hypoglycemia due to the release of epinephrine as the body attempts
to raise blood glucose levels.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a myocardial infarction. Which statement indicates an understanding of the
dietary modifications?
A. I will increase my intake of red meats.
, B. I will avoid foods high in saturated fats.
C. I will consume more sodium to maintain blood pressure.
D. I will eliminate all forms of carbohydrates.
🟢 B. I will avoid foods high in saturated fats.
🔴 RATIONALE: Limiting saturated fats is essential for cardiac health to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent further plaque buildup in
coronary arteries.
Which laboratory value is most indicative of impaired renal function?
A. Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
B. Elevated serum creatinine
C. Hemoglobin of 14 g/dL
D. Serum sodium of 138 mEq/L
🟢 B. Elevated serum creatinine
🔴 RATIONALE: Serum creatinine is a specific indicator of renal function; elevated levels suggest that the kidneys are not filtering
waste products effectively.
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this finding
indicate?
A. Normal lung re-expansion
B. An air leak in the system
C. The system is functioning correctly
D. The client needs increased suction
🟢 B. An air leak in the system
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber suggests an air leak in the drainage system, which must be identified
and corrected.
A client is receiving an intravenous infusion of potassium chloride. The nurse notes redness and swelling at the insertion site. What is
the first action?
A. Slow the infusion rate.
B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV.
C. Apply a warm compress to the area.
D. Document the finding and continue the infusion.
🟢 B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV.
🔴 RATIONALE: Redness and swelling suggest infiltration or phlebitis; the infusion must be stopped immediately to prevent further
tissue damage.
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
*CORE DOMAINS*
*Fundamentals of Nursing*
*Medical-Surgical Nursing*
*Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies*
*Mental Health Nursing*
*Maternal-Newborn Nursing*
*Pediatric Nursing*
*Nursing Leadership and Management*
*Ethics and Legal Issues*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the clinical readiness and critical thinking proficiency of
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
A nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who reports increased dyspnea. Which assessment
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Barrel chest
B. Productive cough
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Oxygen saturation of 90%
🟢 C. Use of accessory muscles
🔴 RATIONALE: The use of accessory muscles indicates severe respiratory distress and an increased work of breathing. This requires
immediate intervention to prevent respiratory failure.
A client is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg orally daily. Before administering the medication, the nurse assesses an apical pulse of 52 beats
per minute. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the dose as prescribed.
B. Withhold the dose and notify the healthcare provider.
,C. Reassess the apical pulse in 30 minutes.
D. Administer half the dose.
🟢 B. Withhold the dose and notify the healthcare provider.
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin should generally be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in adults to prevent further
bradycardia and toxicity.
Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse advocates for a client’s right to refuse a recommended treatment?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
🟢 C. Autonomy
🔴 RATIONALE: Autonomy is the right of a client to make their own healthcare decisions, including the right to refuse treatment.
A nurse is caring for a client experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. What is the priority intervention during the active seizure phase?
A. Restrain the client’s extremities.
B. Insert a padded tongue blade into the mouth.
C. Turn the client to a side-lying position.
D. Administer IV diazepam immediately.
🟢 C. Turn the client to a side-lying position.
🔴 RATIONALE: Turning the client to a side-lying position maintains an open airway and prevents aspiration of secretions during a
seizure.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus presents with a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL. Which symptom should the nurse expect to
observe?
A. Polyuria
B. Diaphoresis
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Fruity breath odor
🟢 B. Diaphoresis
🔴 RATIONALE: Diaphoresis (sweating) is a classic symptom of hypoglycemia due to the release of epinephrine as the body attempts
to raise blood glucose levels.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a myocardial infarction. Which statement indicates an understanding of the
dietary modifications?
A. I will increase my intake of red meats.
, B. I will avoid foods high in saturated fats.
C. I will consume more sodium to maintain blood pressure.
D. I will eliminate all forms of carbohydrates.
🟢 B. I will avoid foods high in saturated fats.
🔴 RATIONALE: Limiting saturated fats is essential for cardiac health to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent further plaque buildup in
coronary arteries.
Which laboratory value is most indicative of impaired renal function?
A. Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
B. Elevated serum creatinine
C. Hemoglobin of 14 g/dL
D. Serum sodium of 138 mEq/L
🟢 B. Elevated serum creatinine
🔴 RATIONALE: Serum creatinine is a specific indicator of renal function; elevated levels suggest that the kidneys are not filtering
waste products effectively.
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this finding
indicate?
A. Normal lung re-expansion
B. An air leak in the system
C. The system is functioning correctly
D. The client needs increased suction
🟢 B. An air leak in the system
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber suggests an air leak in the drainage system, which must be identified
and corrected.
A client is receiving an intravenous infusion of potassium chloride. The nurse notes redness and swelling at the insertion site. What is
the first action?
A. Slow the infusion rate.
B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV.
C. Apply a warm compress to the area.
D. Document the finding and continue the infusion.
🟢 B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV.
🔴 RATIONALE: Redness and swelling suggest infiltration or phlebitis; the infusion must be stopped immediately to prevent further
tissue damage.
