ExamSoft | Clinical Judgment Exam Readiness Review
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review
2026/2027 | Verified Questions
ExamSoft | Clinical Judgment Measurement Model | Professional Nursing Candidates
200 Verified Questions | 6 Core Domains | Academic Year 2026/2027
Prepared by
ExamSoft | Clinical Judgment Exam Readiness Review
CJE Readiness Examination Actual Exam | Academic Year 2026/2027
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
,INTRODUCTION
This document presents a comprehensive set of 200 original verified questions designed to cover the full
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review. The questions span all six core domains of the NCSBN
Clinical Judgment Measurement Model: Recognize Cues; Analyze Cues; Prioritize Hypotheses; Generate
Solutions; Take Action; and Evaluate Outcomes. Content is original and constructed to reinforce the
official ExamSoft CJE and NCSBN clinical judgment objectives for actual exam readiness and clinical
judgment proficiency, aligned to the 2026/2027 academic year. Each question is accompanied by a
rationale grounded in foundational clinical judgment methodology and current nursing standards.
ACTUAL QUESTIONS
Domain 1: Recognize Cues
Question 1. A client with heart failure has gained 3 kg in 2 days and reports increased
dyspnea. Which finding is the most important cue?
A. 3 kg weight gain in 2 days
B. Client’s favorite meal
C. Room temperature
D. Family visiting hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid weight gain is a key cue of fluid retention in heart failure and requires immediate
recognition.
Question 2. Which vital-sign change is the most critical cue in a postoperative client?
A. Blood pressure 88/54 mm Hg
B. Heart rate 78 bpm
C. Temperature 37.1 °C
D. Respiratory rate 16/min
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypotension is a critical cue that may indicate hemorrhage, hypovolemia, or shock.
Question 3. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and back pain. What is
the priority cue?
A. Chills and back pain during transfusion
B. Client’s blood type written on the chart
C. The time the infusion started
D. The nurse’s shift change
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chills and back pain are classic cues of a possible acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.
Question 4. Which laboratory value is the most urgent cue for a client with chronic kidney
disease?
A. Potassium 6.4 mEq/L
B. Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
C. Creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
D. BUN 28 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening cue that can cause cardiac dysrhythmias.
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
,Question 5. A client with diabetes has a capillary blood glucose of 48 mg/dL and is
diaphoretic. What is the key cue?
A. Blood glucose 48 mg/dL with diaphoresis
B. Last meal time
C. Insulin brand
D. Client’s weight
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Severe hypoglycemia with autonomic signs is an immediate cue requiring intervention.
Question 6. Which assessment finding is the priority cue in a client with suspected
increased intracranial pressure?
A. Decreasing level of consciousness
B. Mild headache
C. Normal pupil size
D. Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Declining LOC is the earliest and most sensitive cue of rising ICP.
Question 7. A client on heparin has an aPTT of 120 seconds. What is the critical cue?
A. aPTT of 120 seconds
B. Client’s preference for morning care
C. Room number
D. Dietary preference
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An aPTT significantly above therapeutic range is a cue for high bleeding risk.
Question 8. Which cue indicates possible compartment syndrome after a fracture?
A. Pain out of proportion to injury and pain on passive stretch
B. Mild swelling
C. Warm toes
D. Strong distal pulse only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe pain and pain with passive movement are classic early cues of compartment
syndrome.
Question 9. A client with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. What is
the priority cue?
A. SpO2 88% on room air
B. Client’s cough frequency
C. Appetite
D. Family presence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia is a critical respiratory cue requiring prompt oxygen and assessment.
Question 10. Which finding is the most important cue in a client receiving IV potassium?
A. Cardiac monitor showing peaked T waves
B. Client’s fluid preference
C. IV site slightly pink
D. Urine output 40 mL/hr
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Peaked T waves are an ECG cue of hyperkalemia and potential cardiac instability.
Question 11. A postpartum client saturates a perineal pad in 15 minutes. What is the
priority cue?
A. Pad saturation in 15 minutes
B. Client’s request for ice chips
C. Fundal height at umbilicus
D. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rapid pad saturation is a critical cue of postpartum hemorrhage.
Question 12. Which cue suggests possible pulmonary embolism?
A. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain after surgery
B. Mild ankle swelling
C. Temperature 37.4 °C
D. Heart rate 72 bpm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute dyspnea and chest pain postoperatively are classic cues of PE.
Question 13. A client with cirrhosis has a bilirubin of 8.2 mg/dL and is increasingly
confused. What is the key cue?
A. Worsening confusion with elevated bilirubin
B. Client’s preferred visiting hours
C. Skin dryness
D. Appetite change only
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Confusion in a client with liver failure is a cue of possible hepatic encephalopathy.
Question 14. Which finding is the priority cue in a client with suspected sepsis?
A. Temperature 38.9 °C, heart rate 118, BP 92/58
B. Normal white blood cell count
C. Clear lung sounds
D. Urine output 50 mL/hr
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fever, tachycardia, and hypotension form a cluster of sepsis cues.
Question 15. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
What is the important cue?
A. Continuous bubbling in water-seal chamber
B. Intermittent bubbling with cough
C. Client’s request for pain medication
D. Dressing is dry
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Continuous bubbling suggests an air leak that must be recognized and addressed.
Question 16. Which cue indicates possible hypoglycemia in a newborn?
A. Jitteriness and blood glucose 35 mg/dL
B. Strong cry
C. Pink skin color
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review
2026/2027 | Verified Questions
ExamSoft | Clinical Judgment Measurement Model | Professional Nursing Candidates
200 Verified Questions | 6 Core Domains | Academic Year 2026/2027
Prepared by
ExamSoft | Clinical Judgment Exam Readiness Review
CJE Readiness Examination Actual Exam | Academic Year 2026/2027
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
,INTRODUCTION
This document presents a comprehensive set of 200 original verified questions designed to cover the full
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review. The questions span all six core domains of the NCSBN
Clinical Judgment Measurement Model: Recognize Cues; Analyze Cues; Prioritize Hypotheses; Generate
Solutions; Take Action; and Evaluate Outcomes. Content is original and constructed to reinforce the
official ExamSoft CJE and NCSBN clinical judgment objectives for actual exam readiness and clinical
judgment proficiency, aligned to the 2026/2027 academic year. Each question is accompanied by a
rationale grounded in foundational clinical judgment methodology and current nursing standards.
ACTUAL QUESTIONS
Domain 1: Recognize Cues
Question 1. A client with heart failure has gained 3 kg in 2 days and reports increased
dyspnea. Which finding is the most important cue?
A. 3 kg weight gain in 2 days
B. Client’s favorite meal
C. Room temperature
D. Family visiting hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid weight gain is a key cue of fluid retention in heart failure and requires immediate
recognition.
Question 2. Which vital-sign change is the most critical cue in a postoperative client?
A. Blood pressure 88/54 mm Hg
B. Heart rate 78 bpm
C. Temperature 37.1 °C
D. Respiratory rate 16/min
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hypotension is a critical cue that may indicate hemorrhage, hypovolemia, or shock.
Question 3. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and back pain. What is
the priority cue?
A. Chills and back pain during transfusion
B. Client’s blood type written on the chart
C. The time the infusion started
D. The nurse’s shift change
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chills and back pain are classic cues of a possible acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.
Question 4. Which laboratory value is the most urgent cue for a client with chronic kidney
disease?
A. Potassium 6.4 mEq/L
B. Hemoglobin 11.2 g/dL
C. Creatinine 2.1 mg/dL
D. BUN 28 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening cue that can cause cardiac dysrhythmias.
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
,Question 5. A client with diabetes has a capillary blood glucose of 48 mg/dL and is
diaphoretic. What is the key cue?
A. Blood glucose 48 mg/dL with diaphoresis
B. Last meal time
C. Insulin brand
D. Client’s weight
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Severe hypoglycemia with autonomic signs is an immediate cue requiring intervention.
Question 6. Which assessment finding is the priority cue in a client with suspected
increased intracranial pressure?
A. Decreasing level of consciousness
B. Mild headache
C. Normal pupil size
D. Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Declining LOC is the earliest and most sensitive cue of rising ICP.
Question 7. A client on heparin has an aPTT of 120 seconds. What is the critical cue?
A. aPTT of 120 seconds
B. Client’s preference for morning care
C. Room number
D. Dietary preference
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An aPTT significantly above therapeutic range is a cue for high bleeding risk.
Question 8. Which cue indicates possible compartment syndrome after a fracture?
A. Pain out of proportion to injury and pain on passive stretch
B. Mild swelling
C. Warm toes
D. Strong distal pulse only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe pain and pain with passive movement are classic early cues of compartment
syndrome.
Question 9. A client with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. What is
the priority cue?
A. SpO2 88% on room air
B. Client’s cough frequency
C. Appetite
D. Family presence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxemia is a critical respiratory cue requiring prompt oxygen and assessment.
Question 10. Which finding is the most important cue in a client receiving IV potassium?
A. Cardiac monitor showing peaked T waves
B. Client’s fluid preference
C. IV site slightly pink
D. Urine output 40 mL/hr
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Peaked T waves are an ECG cue of hyperkalemia and potential cardiac instability.
Question 11. A postpartum client saturates a perineal pad in 15 minutes. What is the
priority cue?
A. Pad saturation in 15 minutes
B. Client’s request for ice chips
C. Fundal height at umbilicus
D. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rapid pad saturation is a critical cue of postpartum hemorrhage.
Question 12. Which cue suggests possible pulmonary embolism?
A. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain after surgery
B. Mild ankle swelling
C. Temperature 37.4 °C
D. Heart rate 72 bpm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute dyspnea and chest pain postoperatively are classic cues of PE.
Question 13. A client with cirrhosis has a bilirubin of 8.2 mg/dL and is increasingly
confused. What is the key cue?
A. Worsening confusion with elevated bilirubin
B. Client’s preferred visiting hours
C. Skin dryness
D. Appetite change only
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Confusion in a client with liver failure is a cue of possible hepatic encephalopathy.
Question 14. Which finding is the priority cue in a client with suspected sepsis?
A. Temperature 38.9 °C, heart rate 118, BP 92/58
B. Normal white blood cell count
C. Clear lung sounds
D. Urine output 50 mL/hr
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Fever, tachycardia, and hypotension form a cluster of sepsis cues.
Question 15. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
What is the important cue?
A. Continuous bubbling in water-seal chamber
B. Intermittent bubbling with cough
C. Client’s request for pain medication
D. Dressing is dry
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Continuous bubbling suggests an air leak that must be recognized and addressed.
Question 16. Which cue indicates possible hypoglycemia in a newborn?
A. Jitteriness and blood glucose 35 mg/dL
B. Strong cry
C. Pink skin color
Clinical Judgment Exam (CJE) Readiness Review 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
