SAUNDERS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW FOR THE
NCLEX-RN® EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
Unit I: NCLEX-RN® Exam Preparation
Chapter 1: The NCLEX-RN® Examination
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question 1
A nursing student is beginning a structured preparation plan for the NCLEX-
RN® examination. Which approach best reflects an effective pathway
toward examination success?
A. Memorize as many practice questions and answers as possible without
reviewing rationales.
B. Establish a consistent study plan, identify knowledge gaps, practice
clinical reasoning, and evaluate progress regularly.
C. Delay practice examinations until all nursing content has been reviewed
in detail.
D. Concentrate exclusively on topics that appeared frequently on previous
examinations.
Correct Answer: B. Establish a consistent study plan, identify knowledge
gaps, practice clinical reasoning, and evaluate progress regularly.
1
,Rationale: Effective examination preparation involves structured study,
active practice, analysis of incorrect answers, and ongoing evaluation of
learning needs. Reviewing rationales helps learners understand why an
answer is correct and why alternatives are less appropriate. A flexible,
evidence-informed study plan supports both content mastery and clinical
judgment.
Distractor Rationales:
• A. Incorrect: Memorizing answers without understanding the
underlying reasoning does not prepare the candidate to respond to
unfamiliar questions.
• C. Incorrect: Delaying practice prevents the student from identifying
weaknesses and improving test-taking strategies throughout
preparation.
• D. Incorrect: Relying exclusively on previous examination topics is
unreliable because candidates must prepare across the applicable
examination test plan.
Key Teaching Point: Successful preparation combines content review,
clinical reasoning practice, and regular assessment of learning needs.
Cognitive Level: Application
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Planning
Clinical Judgment Focus: Generate Solutions
Question 2
A candidate is reviewing how the NCLEX-RN® examination is administered.
Which statement best describes computer adaptive testing (CAT)?
A. Every candidate receives the same questions in the same sequence.
2
,B. The candidate selects the difficulty level before beginning each
question.
C. The computer determines the final result exclusively from the number of
questions answered correctly.
D. The computer selects subsequent questions based partly on the
candidate's performance on previous items.
Correct Answer: D. The computer selects subsequent questions based
partly on the candidate's performance on previous items.
Rationale: CAT adapts the selection of examination items to the
candidate's estimated ability. After a response, the testing algorithm uses
the available response information to select an appropriate subsequent
item. The examination is designed to estimate whether the candidate's
ability meets the required passing standard, rather than simply counting
correct answers.
Distractor Rationales:
• A. Incorrect: CAT does not require every candidate to receive an
identical sequence of questions.
• B. Incorrect: Candidates answer the questions presented; they do
not personally select the difficulty of each item.
• C. Incorrect: CAT considers the pattern of responses and the
measurement of ability relative to the passing standard, not merely
the total number correct.
Key Teaching Point: In CAT, each response contributes to an evolving
estimate of the candidate's ability.
Cognitive Level: Application
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Assessment
3
, Clinical Judgment Focus: Analyze Cues
Question 3
Which statement best explains the purpose of developing an examination
test plan?
A. To establish the content framework and relative emphasis used to
construct the examination.
B. To guarantee that every candidate receives an identical set of questions.
C. To provide candidates with the exact questions and answers that will
appear on their examination.
D. To eliminate the need for professional judgment when evaluating
candidate performance.
Correct Answer: A. To establish the content framework and relative
emphasis used to construct the examination.
Rationale: An examination test plan provides a structured framework for
the content assessed and the distribution or emphasis of examination
material. It helps guide item development and supports alignment
between the examination and the competencies expected of entry-level
registered nurses. It does not disclose the exact questions candidates will
encounter.
Distractor Rationales:
• B. Incorrect: CAT can result in different item sequences for different
candidates.
• C. Incorrect: The test plan describes examination content and
structure, not a list of actual examination questions and answers.
• D. Incorrect: Test-plan development does not eliminate the need for
professional standards, psychometric procedures, or defensible
examination decisions.
4
NCLEX-RN® EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
Unit I: NCLEX-RN® Exam Preparation
Chapter 1: The NCLEX-RN® Examination
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question 1
A nursing student is beginning a structured preparation plan for the NCLEX-
RN® examination. Which approach best reflects an effective pathway
toward examination success?
A. Memorize as many practice questions and answers as possible without
reviewing rationales.
B. Establish a consistent study plan, identify knowledge gaps, practice
clinical reasoning, and evaluate progress regularly.
C. Delay practice examinations until all nursing content has been reviewed
in detail.
D. Concentrate exclusively on topics that appeared frequently on previous
examinations.
Correct Answer: B. Establish a consistent study plan, identify knowledge
gaps, practice clinical reasoning, and evaluate progress regularly.
1
,Rationale: Effective examination preparation involves structured study,
active practice, analysis of incorrect answers, and ongoing evaluation of
learning needs. Reviewing rationales helps learners understand why an
answer is correct and why alternatives are less appropriate. A flexible,
evidence-informed study plan supports both content mastery and clinical
judgment.
Distractor Rationales:
• A. Incorrect: Memorizing answers without understanding the
underlying reasoning does not prepare the candidate to respond to
unfamiliar questions.
• C. Incorrect: Delaying practice prevents the student from identifying
weaknesses and improving test-taking strategies throughout
preparation.
• D. Incorrect: Relying exclusively on previous examination topics is
unreliable because candidates must prepare across the applicable
examination test plan.
Key Teaching Point: Successful preparation combines content review,
clinical reasoning practice, and regular assessment of learning needs.
Cognitive Level: Application
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Planning
Clinical Judgment Focus: Generate Solutions
Question 2
A candidate is reviewing how the NCLEX-RN® examination is administered.
Which statement best describes computer adaptive testing (CAT)?
A. Every candidate receives the same questions in the same sequence.
2
,B. The candidate selects the difficulty level before beginning each
question.
C. The computer determines the final result exclusively from the number of
questions answered correctly.
D. The computer selects subsequent questions based partly on the
candidate's performance on previous items.
Correct Answer: D. The computer selects subsequent questions based
partly on the candidate's performance on previous items.
Rationale: CAT adapts the selection of examination items to the
candidate's estimated ability. After a response, the testing algorithm uses
the available response information to select an appropriate subsequent
item. The examination is designed to estimate whether the candidate's
ability meets the required passing standard, rather than simply counting
correct answers.
Distractor Rationales:
• A. Incorrect: CAT does not require every candidate to receive an
identical sequence of questions.
• B. Incorrect: Candidates answer the questions presented; they do
not personally select the difficulty of each item.
• C. Incorrect: CAT considers the pattern of responses and the
measurement of ability relative to the passing standard, not merely
the total number correct.
Key Teaching Point: In CAT, each response contributes to an evolving
estimate of the candidate's ability.
Cognitive Level: Application
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Assessment
3
, Clinical Judgment Focus: Analyze Cues
Question 3
Which statement best explains the purpose of developing an examination
test plan?
A. To establish the content framework and relative emphasis used to
construct the examination.
B. To guarantee that every candidate receives an identical set of questions.
C. To provide candidates with the exact questions and answers that will
appear on their examination.
D. To eliminate the need for professional judgment when evaluating
candidate performance.
Correct Answer: A. To establish the content framework and relative
emphasis used to construct the examination.
Rationale: An examination test plan provides a structured framework for
the content assessed and the distribution or emphasis of examination
material. It helps guide item development and supports alignment
between the examination and the competencies expected of entry-level
registered nurses. It does not disclose the exact questions candidates will
encounter.
Distractor Rationales:
• B. Incorrect: CAT can result in different item sequences for different
candidates.
• C. Incorrect: The test plan describes examination content and
structure, not a list of actual examination questions and answers.
• D. Incorrect: Test-plan development does not eliminate the need for
professional standards, psychometric procedures, or defensible
examination decisions.
4
