NCLEX-RN — Registered Nurse Exam
With Correct Answers,Verified
Rationales 2026/2027 Instant
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Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
Which assessment finding is the priority?
A. Increased thirst
B. Muscle weakness
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Increased urinary output
Correct Answer: B. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, cardiac
dysrhythmias, and potentially life-threatening complications.
The nurse should place particular emphasis on cardiac
monitoring and correcting the potassium level.
Question 2
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
,C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelet count
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary
potassium excretion. Hypokalemia can lead to serious cardiac
dysrhythmias, so potassium levels should be monitored closely.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client with hypoglycemia. Which finding
would the nurse expect?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, slow respirations
Correct Answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous
system, producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors,
tachycardia, anxiety, and hunger.
Question 4
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen. Which oxygen saturation is generally an
appropriate target for many clients with COPD at risk for
hypercapnia?
,A. 70%–75%
B. 80%–85%
C. 88%–92%
D. 98%–100%
Correct Answer: C. 88%–92%
Rationale: For many COPD clients at risk of carbon dioxide
retention, controlled oxygen therapy targeting approximately
88%–92% is commonly recommended. The prescribed target
and the client's clinical condition should guide therapy.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client. Which
finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the
provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Apical pulse of 52/min
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse of 52/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. An adult apical pulse
below 60/min is commonly a reason to withhold digoxin and
notify the provider according to the medication order and facility
protocol.
Question 6
, A postoperative client suddenly develops shortness of breath, chest
pain, and tachycardia. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumonia
D. Fluid overload
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia, and
hypoxemia in a postoperative client are classic warning signs of
pulmonary embolism. This is an emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen
minutes after initiation, the client reports chills and low back pain.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Obtain another blood sample
Correct Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: Chills and low back pain can indicate an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction. The nurse should stop the
With Correct Answers,Verified
Rationales 2026/2027 Instant
Downloaded PDF.
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L.
Which assessment finding is the priority?
A. Increased thirst
B. Muscle weakness
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Increased urinary output
Correct Answer: B. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, cardiac
dysrhythmias, and potentially life-threatening complications.
The nurse should place particular emphasis on cardiac
monitoring and correcting the potassium level.
Question 2
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
,C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelet count
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary
potassium excretion. Hypokalemia can lead to serious cardiac
dysrhythmias, so potassium levels should be monitored closely.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client with hypoglycemia. Which finding
would the nurse expect?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, slow respirations
Correct Answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous
system, producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors,
tachycardia, anxiety, and hunger.
Question 4
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen. Which oxygen saturation is generally an
appropriate target for many clients with COPD at risk for
hypercapnia?
,A. 70%–75%
B. 80%–85%
C. 88%–92%
D. 98%–100%
Correct Answer: C. 88%–92%
Rationale: For many COPD clients at risk of carbon dioxide
retention, controlled oxygen therapy targeting approximately
88%–92% is commonly recommended. The prescribed target
and the client's clinical condition should guide therapy.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client. Which
finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the
provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Apical pulse of 52/min
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse of 52/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. An adult apical pulse
below 60/min is commonly a reason to withhold digoxin and
notify the provider according to the medication order and facility
protocol.
Question 6
, A postoperative client suddenly develops shortness of breath, chest
pain, and tachycardia. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumonia
D. Fluid overload
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary embolism
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia, and
hypoxemia in a postoperative client are classic warning signs of
pulmonary embolism. This is an emergency requiring immediate
intervention.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen
minutes after initiation, the client reports chills and low back pain.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Obtain another blood sample
Correct Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: Chills and low back pain can indicate an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction. The nurse should stop the
