NCLEX-RN Clinical Practice Test
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal
surgery. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain at the incision site
B. Temperature of 102.2°F (39°C)
C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
D. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
2. A client is receiving intravenous vancomycin. Which adverse effect should the
nurse monitor for during the infusion?
A. Hypertension
B. Flushing of the face and neck
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypothermia
3. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which finding indicates the treatment is effective?
A. Blood glucose of 400 mg/dL
B. Blood pH of 7.35
C. Serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L
D. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
4. A client is prescribed enoxaparin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Platelet count
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Bleeding time
5. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a thyroid storm. Which finding is
expected?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperthermia
,C. Hypotension
D. Lethargy
6. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of a bowel obstruction. Which intervention
is a priority?
A. Administer an oral laxative.
B. Insert a nasogastric tube.
C. Encourage a high-fiber diet.
D. Ambulate the client frequently.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of a status epilepticus. Which
medication does the nurse anticipate administering first?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lorazepam
C. Levetiracetam
D. Valproic acid
8. A client is prescribed furosemide and digoxin. Which finding indicates a need
for immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 68 beats per minute
B. Heart rate of 50 beats per minute
C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
D. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
9. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a pneumothorax who has a chest
tube. Which finding indicates the lung has re-expanded?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
B. Tidaling in the water seal chamber.
C. Drainage of 100 mL in the first hour.
D. Subcutaneous emphysema at the insertion site.
10. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of a myocardial infarction (MI). Which
medication is administered to prevent platelet aggregation?
A. Morphine sulfate
B. Aspirin
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Metoprolol
11. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with
a spacer. Which instruction is correct?
A. "Inhale quickly and forcefully."
B. "Hold your breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
,C. "Exhale slowly through the mouthpiece."
D. "Use it only when you feel short of breath."
12. A client is diagnosed with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia who is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Tell the client the voices are not real.
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying.
C. Ignore the client's comments about the voices.
D. Encourage the client to watch television.
13. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a increased intracranial
pressure (ICP). Which finding is a priority to report?
A. Headache
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Nausea
D. Vomiting
14. A client is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Stop taking this medication if your heart rate is below 60."
B. "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly."
C. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
D. "This medication can cause diarrhea."
15. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of a chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which finding indicates a need for immediate
intervention?
A. Productive cough
B. Confusion and lethargy
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Barrel chest
16. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of a myocardial infarction (MI). Which
medication is administered to relieve pain?
A. Aspirin
B. Morphine sulfate
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Heparin
17. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a pessary. Which instruction is
correct?
A. "You can leave the pessary in place for 1 month."
, B. "Clean the pessary regularly with soap and water."
C. "Insert the pessary just before intercourse."
D. "You do not need to have it fitted by a healthcare provider."
18. A client is diagnosed with a diagnosis of a Cushing's syndrome. Which finding
is expected?
A. Weight loss
B. Moon face
C. Hypotension
D. Hyponatremia
19. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a Addison's disease. Which
finding is a priority to report?
A. Fatigue
B. Severe hypotension
C. Weight loss
D. Hyperpigmentation
20. A client is prescribed an opioid analgesic. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Increase your fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation."
C. "This medication will not cause drowsiness."
D. "You can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
21. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of a postpartum client who is
breastfeeding. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "You should wean your baby if you have mastitis."
B. "Feed your baby frequently to prevent engorgement."
C. "Apply warm compresses before feeding."
D. "Supplement with formula to give your breasts a rest."
22. A client is diagnosed with a diagnosis of a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Which finding is expected?
A. Painless hematuria
B. Urinary frequency and urgency
C. Severe flank pain
D. Fever and chills
23. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a hypoglycemia. Which finding
is a priority to report?
A. Blood glucose of 70 mg/dL
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal
surgery. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain at the incision site
B. Temperature of 102.2°F (39°C)
C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
D. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
2. A client is receiving intravenous vancomycin. Which adverse effect should the
nurse monitor for during the infusion?
A. Hypertension
B. Flushing of the face and neck
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypothermia
3. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which finding indicates the treatment is effective?
A. Blood glucose of 400 mg/dL
B. Blood pH of 7.35
C. Serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L
D. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
4. A client is prescribed enoxaparin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Platelet count
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Bleeding time
5. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a thyroid storm. Which finding is
expected?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperthermia
,C. Hypotension
D. Lethargy
6. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of a bowel obstruction. Which intervention
is a priority?
A. Administer an oral laxative.
B. Insert a nasogastric tube.
C. Encourage a high-fiber diet.
D. Ambulate the client frequently.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of a status epilepticus. Which
medication does the nurse anticipate administering first?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lorazepam
C. Levetiracetam
D. Valproic acid
8. A client is prescribed furosemide and digoxin. Which finding indicates a need
for immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 68 beats per minute
B. Heart rate of 50 beats per minute
C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
D. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
9. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a pneumothorax who has a chest
tube. Which finding indicates the lung has re-expanded?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
B. Tidaling in the water seal chamber.
C. Drainage of 100 mL in the first hour.
D. Subcutaneous emphysema at the insertion site.
10. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of a myocardial infarction (MI). Which
medication is administered to prevent platelet aggregation?
A. Morphine sulfate
B. Aspirin
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Metoprolol
11. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with
a spacer. Which instruction is correct?
A. "Inhale quickly and forcefully."
B. "Hold your breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
,C. "Exhale slowly through the mouthpiece."
D. "Use it only when you feel short of breath."
12. A client is diagnosed with a diagnosis of a schizophrenia who is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Tell the client the voices are not real.
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying.
C. Ignore the client's comments about the voices.
D. Encourage the client to watch television.
13. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a increased intracranial
pressure (ICP). Which finding is a priority to report?
A. Headache
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Nausea
D. Vomiting
14. A client is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Stop taking this medication if your heart rate is below 60."
B. "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly."
C. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
D. "This medication can cause diarrhea."
15. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of a chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which finding indicates a need for immediate
intervention?
A. Productive cough
B. Confusion and lethargy
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Barrel chest
16. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of a myocardial infarction (MI). Which
medication is administered to relieve pain?
A. Aspirin
B. Morphine sulfate
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Heparin
17. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a pessary. Which instruction is
correct?
A. "You can leave the pessary in place for 1 month."
, B. "Clean the pessary regularly with soap and water."
C. "Insert the pessary just before intercourse."
D. "You do not need to have it fitted by a healthcare provider."
18. A client is diagnosed with a diagnosis of a Cushing's syndrome. Which finding
is expected?
A. Weight loss
B. Moon face
C. Hypotension
D. Hyponatremia
19. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a Addison's disease. Which
finding is a priority to report?
A. Fatigue
B. Severe hypotension
C. Weight loss
D. Hyperpigmentation
20. A client is prescribed an opioid analgesic. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Increase your fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation."
C. "This medication will not cause drowsiness."
D. "You can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
21. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of a postpartum client who is
breastfeeding. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "You should wean your baby if you have mastitis."
B. "Feed your baby frequently to prevent engorgement."
C. "Apply warm compresses before feeding."
D. "Supplement with formula to give your breasts a rest."
22. A client is diagnosed with a diagnosis of a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Which finding is expected?
A. Painless hematuria
B. Urinary frequency and urgency
C. Severe flank pain
D. Fever and chills
23. A nurse is assessing a client with a diagnosis of a hypoglycemia. Which finding
is a priority to report?
A. Blood glucose of 70 mg/dL
