NLN NEX RN Comprehensive Exam Questions and
Answers with Rationales 2026/2027 Update
1. The word alleviate most nearly means:
A. Intensify
B. Relieve
C. Prevent
D. Measure
Answer: B. Relieve
Rationale: To alleviate means to reduce the severity, intensity, or
discomfort of something.
2. A patient is described as ambivalent about treatment. What does this
mean?
A. Completely opposed
B. Certain about the decision
C. Having conflicting feelings
D. Unable to understand the treatment
Answer: C. Having conflicting feelings
Rationale: Ambivalence means experiencing opposing or conflicting
feelings about something.
3. The word benign most nearly means:
A. Harmful
B. Nonmalignant or harmless
C. Infectious
D. Progressive
,Answer: B. Nonmalignant or harmless
Rationale: In a medical context, benign generally describes a condition
that is not cancerous or harmful.
4. If a patient's condition begins to deteriorate, it is:
A. Improving
B. Stabilizing
C. Becoming worse
D. Resolving
Answer: C. Becoming worse
Rationale: Deterioration refers to a decline or worsening of condition.
5. The word meticulous most nearly means:
A. Careless
B. Extremely careful
C. Impulsive
D. Uncertain
Answer: B. Extremely careful
Rationale: A meticulous person pays close attention to details and
accuracy.
6. To exacerbate a patient's symptoms means to:
A. Relieve them
B. Diagnose them
C. Worsen them
D. Hide them
,Answer: C. Worsen them
Rationale: Exacerbate means to make something more severe or
problematic.
7. A prudent decision is one that is:
A. Reckless
B. Sensible and cautious
C. Emotional
D. Immediate
Answer: B. Sensible and cautious
Rationale: Prudence involves careful consideration and good judgment.
8. The word concurrent means:
A. Occurring at the same time
B. Occurring before
C. Occurring afterward
D. Unrelated
Answer: A. Occurring at the same time
Rationale: Concurrent events happen simultaneously.
9. If information is ambiguous, it is:
A. Clearly stated
B. Open to more than one interpretation
C. Proven false
D. Highly technical
, Answer: B. Open to more than one interpretation
Rationale: Ambiguous information can reasonably have multiple
meanings.
10. The word subsequent means:
A. Previous
B. Following
C. Unrelated
D. Simultaneous
Answer: B. Following
Rationale: Subsequent means occurring later or afterward.
11. A credible source is one that is:
A. Popular
B. Trustworthy
C. Brief
D. Expensive
Answer: B. Trustworthy
Rationale: Credibility refers to reliability and trustworthiness.
12. The word impartial means:
A. Unbiased
B. Emotional
C. Uncertain
D. Inexperienced
Answers with Rationales 2026/2027 Update
1. The word alleviate most nearly means:
A. Intensify
B. Relieve
C. Prevent
D. Measure
Answer: B. Relieve
Rationale: To alleviate means to reduce the severity, intensity, or
discomfort of something.
2. A patient is described as ambivalent about treatment. What does this
mean?
A. Completely opposed
B. Certain about the decision
C. Having conflicting feelings
D. Unable to understand the treatment
Answer: C. Having conflicting feelings
Rationale: Ambivalence means experiencing opposing or conflicting
feelings about something.
3. The word benign most nearly means:
A. Harmful
B. Nonmalignant or harmless
C. Infectious
D. Progressive
,Answer: B. Nonmalignant or harmless
Rationale: In a medical context, benign generally describes a condition
that is not cancerous or harmful.
4. If a patient's condition begins to deteriorate, it is:
A. Improving
B. Stabilizing
C. Becoming worse
D. Resolving
Answer: C. Becoming worse
Rationale: Deterioration refers to a decline or worsening of condition.
5. The word meticulous most nearly means:
A. Careless
B. Extremely careful
C. Impulsive
D. Uncertain
Answer: B. Extremely careful
Rationale: A meticulous person pays close attention to details and
accuracy.
6. To exacerbate a patient's symptoms means to:
A. Relieve them
B. Diagnose them
C. Worsen them
D. Hide them
,Answer: C. Worsen them
Rationale: Exacerbate means to make something more severe or
problematic.
7. A prudent decision is one that is:
A. Reckless
B. Sensible and cautious
C. Emotional
D. Immediate
Answer: B. Sensible and cautious
Rationale: Prudence involves careful consideration and good judgment.
8. The word concurrent means:
A. Occurring at the same time
B. Occurring before
C. Occurring afterward
D. Unrelated
Answer: A. Occurring at the same time
Rationale: Concurrent events happen simultaneously.
9. If information is ambiguous, it is:
A. Clearly stated
B. Open to more than one interpretation
C. Proven false
D. Highly technical
, Answer: B. Open to more than one interpretation
Rationale: Ambiguous information can reasonably have multiple
meanings.
10. The word subsequent means:
A. Previous
B. Following
C. Unrelated
D. Simultaneous
Answer: B. Following
Rationale: Subsequent means occurring later or afterward.
11. A credible source is one that is:
A. Popular
B. Trustworthy
C. Brief
D. Expensive
Answer: B. Trustworthy
Rationale: Credibility refers to reliability and trustworthiness.
12. The word impartial means:
A. Unbiased
B. Emotional
C. Uncertain
D. Inexperienced
