Page 1 of 46
KAPLAN NCLEX-RN FUNDAMENTALS TEST 2026/2027
COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NCLEX-RN
Prepare for the Kaplan NCLEX-RN Fundamentals Test with a focused study resource
covering essential foundational nursing concepts and clinical principles. It supports
review of patient safety, basic nursing skills, assessment, infection control,
communication, prioritization, and evidence-based patient care. Use the material to
reinforce knowledge, strengthen clinical reasoning, and identify areas that may
require additional study. This resource is best suited for NCLEX-RN candidates and
nursing students preparing for fundamentals assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
1. The nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
technique is essential to maintain surgical asepsis?
• A) Clean gloves and sterile drapes only
• B) Sterile gloves, sterile drapes, sterile solution, and sterile catheter
• C) Clean gloves and sterile catheter only
• D) Sterile gloves and clean drapes
Answer: B
Rationale: Inserting a urinary catheter requires sterile (surgical)
technique, which includes sterile gloves, sterile drapes, sterile antiseptic
solution, and a sterile catheter. Clean gloves are not sufficient for a sterile
procedure. All supplies must remain sterile to prevent introducing pathogens
into the bladder.
2. The nurse is caring for a client in restraints. Which of the following
actions is most important?
• A) Remove the restraints every 4 hours to perform range of motion
, Page 2 of 46
• B) Document the client's behavior every shift
• C) Check the restraints every 2 hours and release for 5–10 minutes
• D) Tie the restraints to the bed frame using a quick-release knot
Answer: D
Rationale: Restraints must be secured with a quick-release knot that can
be untied easily in an emergency. They should never be tied to the side
rails. Restraints should be removed and skin checked at least every 2
hours (not 4 hours), and documentation should be done at least every
hour.
3. A client is on fall precautions. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
• A) Place the bed in the lowest position
• B) Apply a bed alarm
• C) Keep the call light within reach
• D) Complete a fall risk assessment
Answer: D
Rationale: The first step in fall prevention is completing a validated fall
risk assessment (e.g., Morse scale) to identify specific risk factors and
tailor interventions. Options A, B, and C are important interventions but are
implemented after the risk has been identified.
4. The nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP). Which task can the nurse safely delegate?
• A) Assessing a client's skin turgor for dehydration
• B) Feeding a client with dysphagia
• C) Obtaining a routine blood pressure on a stable client
• D) Evaluating the effectiveness of a pain medication
, Page 3 of 46
Answer: C
Rationale: Obtaining routine vital signs on a stable client is within the
scope of a UAP. Assessment, evaluation, and complex feeding (dysphagia)
require nursing judgment and cannot be delegated. The RN must perform
the initial assessment and evaluation.
5. A client is 2 days post-operative. The nurse notes serosanguineous
drainage on the surgical dressing. What is the most appropriate action?
• A) Notify the provider immediately
• B) Document the finding and continue to monitor
• C) Apply a pressure dressing
• D) Culture the drainage
Answer: B
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage (pink, watery, mixture of serum and
blood) is a normal finding in the early post-operative period. The nurse
should document the amount, color, and consistency and continue
routine monitoring. Purulent drainage or excessive bleeding would require
provider notification.
6. The nurse is administering a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which
site is most appropriate?
• A) Deltoid muscle
• B) Dorsogluteal muscle
• C) Abdomen (2 inches away from the umbilicus)
• D) Ventrogluteal site
Answer: C
Rationale: Heparin is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen, at
least 2 inches away from the umbilicus, to promote absorption and
, Page 4 of 46
reduce the risk of hematoma. The deltoid, dorsogluteal, and ventrogluteal
are intramuscular sites.
7. A client's oxygen saturation is 88% on room air. The nurse should:
• A) Apply oxygen and notify the provider
• B) Have the client cough and deep breathe
• C) Ambulate the client to improve oxygenation
• D) Document the finding as a normal variation
Answer: A
Rationale: A normal SpO₂ is 95–100%; 88% indicates hypoxemia requiring
intervention. The nurse should initiate oxygen therapy per protocol and
notify the provider. Coughing and deep breathing may help but are
insufficient for an SpO₂ of 88%; ambulation could worsen the condition.
8. Which of the following is a correct step in performing hand hygiene with
an alcohol-based hand sanitizer?
• A) Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet
• B) Apply sanitizer and rub until hands are visibly dry
• C) Rinse hands with water before applying sanitizer
• D) Use only if hands are visibly soiled
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be applied to dry hands
and rubbed together until completely dry to ensure effectiveness. It
should not be used on visibly soiled hands (those require soap and water).
Paper towels are for faucet control with handwashing, not sanitizer.
KAPLAN NCLEX-RN FUNDAMENTALS TEST 2026/2027
COMPLETE (100) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
NCLEX-RN
Prepare for the Kaplan NCLEX-RN Fundamentals Test with a focused study resource
covering essential foundational nursing concepts and clinical principles. It supports
review of patient safety, basic nursing skills, assessment, infection control,
communication, prioritization, and evidence-based patient care. Use the material to
reinforce knowledge, strengthen clinical reasoning, and identify areas that may
require additional study. This resource is best suited for NCLEX-RN candidates and
nursing students preparing for fundamentals assessments.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
1. The nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
technique is essential to maintain surgical asepsis?
• A) Clean gloves and sterile drapes only
• B) Sterile gloves, sterile drapes, sterile solution, and sterile catheter
• C) Clean gloves and sterile catheter only
• D) Sterile gloves and clean drapes
Answer: B
Rationale: Inserting a urinary catheter requires sterile (surgical)
technique, which includes sterile gloves, sterile drapes, sterile antiseptic
solution, and a sterile catheter. Clean gloves are not sufficient for a sterile
procedure. All supplies must remain sterile to prevent introducing pathogens
into the bladder.
2. The nurse is caring for a client in restraints. Which of the following
actions is most important?
• A) Remove the restraints every 4 hours to perform range of motion
, Page 2 of 46
• B) Document the client's behavior every shift
• C) Check the restraints every 2 hours and release for 5–10 minutes
• D) Tie the restraints to the bed frame using a quick-release knot
Answer: D
Rationale: Restraints must be secured with a quick-release knot that can
be untied easily in an emergency. They should never be tied to the side
rails. Restraints should be removed and skin checked at least every 2
hours (not 4 hours), and documentation should be done at least every
hour.
3. A client is on fall precautions. Which intervention should the nurse
implement first?
• A) Place the bed in the lowest position
• B) Apply a bed alarm
• C) Keep the call light within reach
• D) Complete a fall risk assessment
Answer: D
Rationale: The first step in fall prevention is completing a validated fall
risk assessment (e.g., Morse scale) to identify specific risk factors and
tailor interventions. Options A, B, and C are important interventions but are
implemented after the risk has been identified.
4. The nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP). Which task can the nurse safely delegate?
• A) Assessing a client's skin turgor for dehydration
• B) Feeding a client with dysphagia
• C) Obtaining a routine blood pressure on a stable client
• D) Evaluating the effectiveness of a pain medication
, Page 3 of 46
Answer: C
Rationale: Obtaining routine vital signs on a stable client is within the
scope of a UAP. Assessment, evaluation, and complex feeding (dysphagia)
require nursing judgment and cannot be delegated. The RN must perform
the initial assessment and evaluation.
5. A client is 2 days post-operative. The nurse notes serosanguineous
drainage on the surgical dressing. What is the most appropriate action?
• A) Notify the provider immediately
• B) Document the finding and continue to monitor
• C) Apply a pressure dressing
• D) Culture the drainage
Answer: B
Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage (pink, watery, mixture of serum and
blood) is a normal finding in the early post-operative period. The nurse
should document the amount, color, and consistency and continue
routine monitoring. Purulent drainage or excessive bleeding would require
provider notification.
6. The nurse is administering a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which
site is most appropriate?
• A) Deltoid muscle
• B) Dorsogluteal muscle
• C) Abdomen (2 inches away from the umbilicus)
• D) Ventrogluteal site
Answer: C
Rationale: Heparin is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen, at
least 2 inches away from the umbilicus, to promote absorption and
, Page 4 of 46
reduce the risk of hematoma. The deltoid, dorsogluteal, and ventrogluteal
are intramuscular sites.
7. A client's oxygen saturation is 88% on room air. The nurse should:
• A) Apply oxygen and notify the provider
• B) Have the client cough and deep breathe
• C) Ambulate the client to improve oxygenation
• D) Document the finding as a normal variation
Answer: A
Rationale: A normal SpO₂ is 95–100%; 88% indicates hypoxemia requiring
intervention. The nurse should initiate oxygen therapy per protocol and
notify the provider. Coughing and deep breathing may help but are
insufficient for an SpO₂ of 88%; ambulation could worsen the condition.
8. Which of the following is a correct step in performing hand hygiene with
an alcohol-based hand sanitizer?
• A) Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet
• B) Apply sanitizer and rub until hands are visibly dry
• C) Rinse hands with water before applying sanitizer
• D) Use only if hands are visibly soiled
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be applied to dry hands
and rubbed together until completely dry to ensure effectiveness. It
should not be used on visibly soiled hands (those require soap and water).
Paper towels are for faucet control with handwashing, not sanitizer.
