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KAPLAN NCLEX READINESS TEST — COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NCLEX
Prepare for the Kaplan NCLEX Readiness Test with a focused study resource designed
to reinforce essential nursing knowledge and NCLEX-style clinical reasoning. It
supports review of core nursing concepts, prioritization, patient safety, clinical
judgment, and decision-making across major exam categories. Use the material to
assess your understanding, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence before test
day. This resource is best suited for NCLEX candidates and nursing students preparing
for a comprehensive readiness assessment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1–15)
Question 1:
The nurse is making assignments on a medical-surgical unit. Which patient
should be assigned to the most experienced RN?
A) A patient with diabetes requiring insulin administration
B) A patient with pneumonia needing respiratory assessment
C) A patient with a new tracheostomy requiring suctioning
D) A patient with hypertension requiring blood pressure monitoring
Answer: C) A patient with a new tracheostomy requiring suctioning
Rationale: A patient with a new tracheostomy requires complex airway
management and frequent assessment, making this the most appropriate
assignment for an experienced RN. Insulin administration (A) and blood
pressure monitoring (D) can be delegated to LPNs in many states;
respiratory assessment (B) is an RN responsibility but a new
tracheostomy is more complex and requires a higher level of clinical
judgment.
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Question 2:
A patient tells the nurse, "I don't want to take that medication. It makes me
feel sick." What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You need to take the medication because the doctor ordered it"
B) "Tell me more about how the medication makes you feel"
C) "I will call the doctor to change your medication"
D) "You should take the medication with food to help with nausea"
Answer: B) "Tell me more about how the medication makes you feel"
Rationale: The nurse should first explore the patient's concerns and
gather more information about the side effects. After assessing the
situation, the nurse can collaborate with the healthcare provider to
address the issue. Telling the patient they must take it (A) disregards
patient autonomy; calling the doctor (C) before assessment is premature;
suggesting food (D) is an intervention that should come after assessing
the cause.
Question 3:
The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery and obtains the signed consent
form. The patient asks, "What exactly is the doctor going to do?" What is the
nurse's best action?
A) Explain the procedure in detail
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Ask the patient to sign the consent form again
D) Review the consent form with the patient
Answer: B) Notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: Informed consent requires that the healthcare provider explain
the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient. The nurse's
role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient understands the
information. If the patient has questions, the nurse should notify the
healthcare provider to provide further explanation.
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Question 4:
The nurse is caring for a patient with a living will. The patient's family requests
that the nurse not follow the living will and continue life support. What should
the nurse do?
A) Follow the family's request
B) Follow the living will
C) Contact the ethics committee
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: B) Follow the living will
Rationale: A living will is a legal document that expresses the patient's
wishes. The nurse must honor the patient's documented preferences. The
ethics committee (C) may be consulted if there is a disagreement, but the
living will should be followed. The healthcare provider (D) should be
notified, but the nurse's priority is to honor the living will.
Question 5:
The nurse is delegating tasks to a UAP. Which task is within the UAP's scope of
practice?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Performing a sterile dressing change
C) Assisting a patient with ambulation
D) Assessing a patient's pain level
Answer: C) Assisting a patient with ambulation
Rationale: UAPs can assist with activities of daily living, including
ambulation, feeding, and hygiene. Administering medications (A) and
sterile dressing changes (B) require nursing judgment and are not within
UAP scope; pain assessment (D) is an RN responsibility as it requires
interpretation and intervention.
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Question 6:
The nurse is caring for a patient who is being discharged against medical
advice (AMA). What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Restrain the patient to prevent leaving
B) Notify security to prevent the patient from leaving
C) Discuss the risks and consequences of leaving with the patient
D) Administer sedatives to calm the patient
Answer: C) Discuss the risks and consequences of leaving with the
patient
Rationale: The nurse should inform the patient of the risks, benefits, and
potential consequences of leaving against medical advice. This ensures
the patient is making an informed decision. The nurse cannot restrain the
patient (A) or sedate them (D); security (B) may be notified but is not the
priority.
Question 7:
The nurse is caring for a patient who speaks a different language. Which
action is appropriate when obtaining informed consent?
A) Use a family member as an interpreter
B) Use a certified medical interpreter
C) Communicate using hand gestures
D) Ask the patient to sign the consent form without explanation
Answer: B) Use a certified medical interpreter
Rationale: A certified medical interpreter should be used to ensure
accurate communication and informed consent. Using family members
(A) is inappropriate due to potential errors and confidentiality concerns;
hand gestures (C) are insufficient; signing without explanation (D) violates
informed consent requirements.
Question 8:
A nurse is caring for a patient who is refusing a blood transfusion based on
KAPLAN NCLEX READINESS TEST — COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 COMPLETE (100) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
NCLEX
Prepare for the Kaplan NCLEX Readiness Test with a focused study resource designed
to reinforce essential nursing knowledge and NCLEX-style clinical reasoning. It
supports review of core nursing concepts, prioritization, patient safety, clinical
judgment, and decision-making across major exam categories. Use the material to
assess your understanding, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence before test
day. This resource is best suited for NCLEX candidates and nursing students preparing
for a comprehensive readiness assessment.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1–15)
Question 1:
The nurse is making assignments on a medical-surgical unit. Which patient
should be assigned to the most experienced RN?
A) A patient with diabetes requiring insulin administration
B) A patient with pneumonia needing respiratory assessment
C) A patient with a new tracheostomy requiring suctioning
D) A patient with hypertension requiring blood pressure monitoring
Answer: C) A patient with a new tracheostomy requiring suctioning
Rationale: A patient with a new tracheostomy requires complex airway
management and frequent assessment, making this the most appropriate
assignment for an experienced RN. Insulin administration (A) and blood
pressure monitoring (D) can be delegated to LPNs in many states;
respiratory assessment (B) is an RN responsibility but a new
tracheostomy is more complex and requires a higher level of clinical
judgment.
, Page 2 of 45
Question 2:
A patient tells the nurse, "I don't want to take that medication. It makes me
feel sick." What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You need to take the medication because the doctor ordered it"
B) "Tell me more about how the medication makes you feel"
C) "I will call the doctor to change your medication"
D) "You should take the medication with food to help with nausea"
Answer: B) "Tell me more about how the medication makes you feel"
Rationale: The nurse should first explore the patient's concerns and
gather more information about the side effects. After assessing the
situation, the nurse can collaborate with the healthcare provider to
address the issue. Telling the patient they must take it (A) disregards
patient autonomy; calling the doctor (C) before assessment is premature;
suggesting food (D) is an intervention that should come after assessing
the cause.
Question 3:
The nurse is preparing a patient for surgery and obtains the signed consent
form. The patient asks, "What exactly is the doctor going to do?" What is the
nurse's best action?
A) Explain the procedure in detail
B) Notify the healthcare provider
C) Ask the patient to sign the consent form again
D) Review the consent form with the patient
Answer: B) Notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: Informed consent requires that the healthcare provider explain
the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient. The nurse's
role is to witness the signature and ensure the patient understands the
information. If the patient has questions, the nurse should notify the
healthcare provider to provide further explanation.
, Page 3 of 45
Question 4:
The nurse is caring for a patient with a living will. The patient's family requests
that the nurse not follow the living will and continue life support. What should
the nurse do?
A) Follow the family's request
B) Follow the living will
C) Contact the ethics committee
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: B) Follow the living will
Rationale: A living will is a legal document that expresses the patient's
wishes. The nurse must honor the patient's documented preferences. The
ethics committee (C) may be consulted if there is a disagreement, but the
living will should be followed. The healthcare provider (D) should be
notified, but the nurse's priority is to honor the living will.
Question 5:
The nurse is delegating tasks to a UAP. Which task is within the UAP's scope of
practice?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Performing a sterile dressing change
C) Assisting a patient with ambulation
D) Assessing a patient's pain level
Answer: C) Assisting a patient with ambulation
Rationale: UAPs can assist with activities of daily living, including
ambulation, feeding, and hygiene. Administering medications (A) and
sterile dressing changes (B) require nursing judgment and are not within
UAP scope; pain assessment (D) is an RN responsibility as it requires
interpretation and intervention.
, Page 4 of 45
Question 6:
The nurse is caring for a patient who is being discharged against medical
advice (AMA). What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Restrain the patient to prevent leaving
B) Notify security to prevent the patient from leaving
C) Discuss the risks and consequences of leaving with the patient
D) Administer sedatives to calm the patient
Answer: C) Discuss the risks and consequences of leaving with the
patient
Rationale: The nurse should inform the patient of the risks, benefits, and
potential consequences of leaving against medical advice. This ensures
the patient is making an informed decision. The nurse cannot restrain the
patient (A) or sedate them (D); security (B) may be notified but is not the
priority.
Question 7:
The nurse is caring for a patient who speaks a different language. Which
action is appropriate when obtaining informed consent?
A) Use a family member as an interpreter
B) Use a certified medical interpreter
C) Communicate using hand gestures
D) Ask the patient to sign the consent form without explanation
Answer: B) Use a certified medical interpreter
Rationale: A certified medical interpreter should be used to ensure
accurate communication and informed consent. Using family members
(A) is inappropriate due to potential errors and confidentiality concerns;
hand gestures (C) are insufficient; signing without explanation (D) violates
informed consent requirements.
Question 8:
A nurse is caring for a patient who is refusing a blood transfusion based on
