NCLEX-RN Practice Questions 2026: 100 Questions
with Answers and Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which finding
requires immediate attention?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Peaked T waves
C. Nausea
D. Fatigue
Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Peaked T
waves are a classic ECG finding and require immediate intervention.
2. A client with heart failure suddenly develops severe shortness of breath and pink,
frothy sputum. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Obtain the client’s weight
D. Administer a high-protein meal
Answer: B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
Rationale: These findings suggest acute pulmonary edema. High-Fowler’s positioning
improves lung expansion and oxygenation while emergency treatment is initiated.
3. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client receiving morphine?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
C. Mild nausea
D. Drowsiness
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 8/min
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
,4. A nurse is teaching a client taking warfarin. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I should avoid all foods containing vitamin K.” B. “I will keep my vitamin K intake
consistent.” C. “I can double my dose if I miss one.” D. “I don’t need blood tests.”
Answer: B. “I will keep my vitamin K intake consistent.”
Rationale: Vitamin K affects warfarin effectiveness. Clients should maintain a consistent
intake rather than completely avoid vitamin K.
5. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis reporting pain of 6/10
B. Client with pneumonia and oxygen saturation of 86%
C. Client awaiting discharge instructions
D. Client requesting a sleeping medication
Answer: B. Client with pneumonia and oxygen saturation of 86%
Rationale: Oxygenation is an immediate priority. An SpO₂ of 86% indicates significant
hypoxemia.
6. A client with diabetes is shaky, sweaty, and confused. What should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Dehydration
Answer: B. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Shakiness, sweating, confusion, and altered mental status are common
manifestations of low blood glucose.
7. Which medication should the nurse question before administering to a client with a
heart rate of 48/min?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Metoprolol
C. Omeprazole
, D. Amoxicillin
Answer: B. Metoprolol
Rationale: Metoprolol decreases heart rate. Significant bradycardia may require
withholding the medication and notifying the provider according to the prescription
parameters.
8. A client is having a seizure. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Restrain the client’s arms
B. Insert a tongue blade
C. Protect the client from injury
D. Give oral medication
Answer: C. Protect the client from injury
Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is maintaining safety and airway protection. The
client should not be restrained or have anything inserted into the mouth.
9. Which finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes, decreased urine
output, tachycardia, and poor skin turgor.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with suspected tuberculosis. Which precaution is
appropriate?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective isolation
Answer: C. Airborne
with Answers and Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which finding
requires immediate attention?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Peaked T waves
C. Nausea
D. Fatigue
Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Peaked T
waves are a classic ECG finding and require immediate intervention.
2. A client with heart failure suddenly develops severe shortness of breath and pink,
frothy sputum. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Obtain the client’s weight
D. Administer a high-protein meal
Answer: B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
Rationale: These findings suggest acute pulmonary edema. High-Fowler’s positioning
improves lung expansion and oxygenation while emergency treatment is initiated.
3. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client receiving morphine?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
C. Mild nausea
D. Drowsiness
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 8/min
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
,4. A nurse is teaching a client taking warfarin. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I should avoid all foods containing vitamin K.” B. “I will keep my vitamin K intake
consistent.” C. “I can double my dose if I miss one.” D. “I don’t need blood tests.”
Answer: B. “I will keep my vitamin K intake consistent.”
Rationale: Vitamin K affects warfarin effectiveness. Clients should maintain a consistent
intake rather than completely avoid vitamin K.
5. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis reporting pain of 6/10
B. Client with pneumonia and oxygen saturation of 86%
C. Client awaiting discharge instructions
D. Client requesting a sleeping medication
Answer: B. Client with pneumonia and oxygen saturation of 86%
Rationale: Oxygenation is an immediate priority. An SpO₂ of 86% indicates significant
hypoxemia.
6. A client with diabetes is shaky, sweaty, and confused. What should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Dehydration
Answer: B. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Shakiness, sweating, confusion, and altered mental status are common
manifestations of low blood glucose.
7. Which medication should the nurse question before administering to a client with a
heart rate of 48/min?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Metoprolol
C. Omeprazole
, D. Amoxicillin
Answer: B. Metoprolol
Rationale: Metoprolol decreases heart rate. Significant bradycardia may require
withholding the medication and notifying the provider according to the prescription
parameters.
8. A client is having a seizure. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Restrain the client’s arms
B. Insert a tongue blade
C. Protect the client from injury
D. Give oral medication
Answer: C. Protect the client from injury
Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is maintaining safety and airway protection. The
client should not be restrained or have anything inserted into the mouth.
9. Which finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes, decreased urine
output, tachycardia, and poor skin turgor.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with suspected tuberculosis. Which precaution is
appropriate?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective isolation
Answer: C. Airborne
