BARKLEY COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Core Domains:
- Nursing Process and Clinical Decision-Making
- Pharmacology and Medication Administration
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal-Newborn and Pediatric Nursing
- Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
- Leadership, Management, and Delegation
- Community Health and Population-Focused Care
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Introduction
,This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the overall certification readiness of nursing candidates
preparing for licensure and professional practice. The examination measures foundational nursing knowledge,
critical thinking abilities, and clinical judgment across multiple content areas essential for safe and effective
patient care. The questions are structured in a multiple-choice format with scenario-based items that require
application of theoretical concepts to realistic clinical situations. Emphasis is placed on decision-making processes
that reflect current standards of practice, regulatory requirements, and ethical principles. Successful completion of
this assessment demonstrates preparedness for the demands of professional nursing practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to prevent venous thromboembolism?
A. Apply sequential compression devices
B. Place pillows under the client's knees
C. Maintain the client in a high-Fowler's position
D. Encourage the client to cross their legs
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Sequential compression devices promote venous return and reduce the risk of deep vein
thrombosis and pulmonary embolism by preventing blood stasis in the lower extremities. Placing pillows under
,the knees, crossing legs, or maintaining high-Fowler's position would increase venous stasis and risk of
thromboembolism.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 1,000 mL IV to infuse over 8 hours. The drop
factor of the IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. What is the IV flow rate in gtt/min?
A. 31 gtt/min
B. 42 gtt/min
C. 50 gtt/min
D. 63 gtt/min
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The calculation is (1,000 mL ÷ 480 minutes) × 15 gtt/mL = 31.25 gtt/min, rounded to 31
gtt/min. The total time in minutes is 8 hours × 60 minutes = 480 minutes.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following findings
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
B. Visual disturbances such as halos
C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
D. Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
, 🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Visual disturbances including halos around lights, yellow-green vision, and blurred vision are
classic signs of digoxin toxicity. A heart rate of 72 is within normal limits, and a potassium level of 4.0 is normal.
Hypertension is not a typical sign of digoxin toxicity.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with diabetes mellitus about foot care. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will soak my feet in hot water every evening"
B. "I will cut my toenails straight across"
C. "I will walk barefoot in my home to promote circulation"
D. "I will use a heating pad on my feet if they feel cold"
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Clients with diabetes should cut toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails and avoid
injury. Soaking feet in hot water, walking barefoot, and using heating pads increase the risk of burns and foot
injuries due to neuropathy.
5. A nurse is administering a blood transfusion to a client. The client develops chills, fever, and flank pain.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the infusion rate
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Core Domains:
- Nursing Process and Clinical Decision-Making
- Pharmacology and Medication Administration
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal-Newborn and Pediatric Nursing
- Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
- Leadership, Management, and Delegation
- Community Health and Population-Focused Care
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Introduction
,This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the overall certification readiness of nursing candidates
preparing for licensure and professional practice. The examination measures foundational nursing knowledge,
critical thinking abilities, and clinical judgment across multiple content areas essential for safe and effective
patient care. The questions are structured in a multiple-choice format with scenario-based items that require
application of theoretical concepts to realistic clinical situations. Emphasis is placed on decision-making processes
that reflect current standards of practice, regulatory requirements, and ethical principles. Successful completion of
this assessment demonstrates preparedness for the demands of professional nursing practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to prevent venous thromboembolism?
A. Apply sequential compression devices
B. Place pillows under the client's knees
C. Maintain the client in a high-Fowler's position
D. Encourage the client to cross their legs
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Sequential compression devices promote venous return and reduce the risk of deep vein
thrombosis and pulmonary embolism by preventing blood stasis in the lower extremities. Placing pillows under
,the knees, crossing legs, or maintaining high-Fowler's position would increase venous stasis and risk of
thromboembolism.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 1,000 mL IV to infuse over 8 hours. The drop
factor of the IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. What is the IV flow rate in gtt/min?
A. 31 gtt/min
B. 42 gtt/min
C. 50 gtt/min
D. 63 gtt/min
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: The calculation is (1,000 mL ÷ 480 minutes) × 15 gtt/mL = 31.25 gtt/min, rounded to 31
gtt/min. The total time in minutes is 8 hours × 60 minutes = 480 minutes.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has been taking digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following findings
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
B. Visual disturbances such as halos
C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
D. Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
, 🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Visual disturbances including halos around lights, yellow-green vision, and blurred vision are
classic signs of digoxin toxicity. A heart rate of 72 is within normal limits, and a potassium level of 4.0 is normal.
Hypertension is not a typical sign of digoxin toxicity.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with diabetes mellitus about foot care. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will soak my feet in hot water every evening"
B. "I will cut my toenails straight across"
C. "I will walk barefoot in my home to promote circulation"
D. "I will use a heating pad on my feet if they feel cold"
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Clients with diabetes should cut toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails and avoid
injury. Soaking feet in hot water, walking barefoot, and using heating pads increase the risk of burns and foot
injuries due to neuropathy.
5. A nurse is administering a blood transfusion to a client. The client develops chills, fever, and flank pain.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the infusion rate
