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
Question 1
A nursing student is beginning preparation for the NCLEX-RN® examination
and tells the instructor, “I am going to memorize as many facts as possible
because the exam is mostly about remembering textbook information.”
Which response by the instructor best reflects an effective preparation
strategy?
A. “Memorization is the primary skill needed because most examination
questions assess factual recall.”
B. “Focus on applying nursing knowledge to patient situations and
determining the safest nursing action.”
C. “Study only medications because pharmacology accounts for most of
the examination.”
D. “Practice answering questions without reviewing rationales so you can
increase your testing speed.”
Correct Answer: B
1
,Rationale:
Effective NCLEX-RN® preparation requires more than memorizing isolated
facts. The examination is designed to assess whether the candidate can
apply nursing knowledge, recognize important clinical information,
prioritize problems, select safe interventions, and evaluate outcomes.
Practicing clinical reasoning and reviewing rationales helps the learner
understand why an answer is correct rather than simply memorizing an
answer.
Distractor Rationales:
A. Incorrect: Although foundational knowledge is necessary, the
examination requires application and clinical judgment rather than
primarily testing rote memorization.
C. Incorrect: Pharmacology is important but represents only one area of
nursing knowledge. Preparation must address the broad scope of nursing
practice.
D. Incorrect: Reviewing rationales is an important part of learning because
it helps identify reasoning errors and reinforces clinical concepts.
Key Teaching Point:
Successful NCLEX-RN® preparation emphasizes application,
prioritization, safety, and clinical judgment, not memorization alone.
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 the concept of computer adaptive testing (CAT).
Which statement by the candidate demonstrates correct understanding?
A. “Every candidate receives the same questions in the same sequence.”
B. “The computer selects subsequent items based on my performance on
previous items.”
2
,C. “I can return to earlier questions after submitting an answer.”
D. “The examination becomes easier after every incorrect response.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
In computer adaptive testing, the examination system uses the candidate's
responses to select subsequent items that provide additional information
about the candidate's ability. The difficulty and selection of items adapt as
the examination progresses. The candidate therefore does not necessarily
receive the same questions as another candidate.
Distractor Rationales:
A. Incorrect: CAT does not require every candidate to receive the same
sequence of questions.
C. Incorrect: Candidates should understand the examination's navigation
rules rather than assume that previously submitted responses can be
freely changed or revisited.
D. Incorrect: The purpose of CAT is not simply to make the examination
easier after incorrect responses. Item selection is based on the testing
algorithm's estimate of ability.
Key Teaching Point:
CAT adapts item selection to the candidate's demonstrated
performance rather than administering an identical fixed sequence to
everyone.
Cognitive Level: Application
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Assessment
Clinical Judgment Focus: Analyze Cues
Question 3
Which statement best describes the purpose of an NCLEX-RN® test plan?
3
, A. It provides the exact questions that will appear on the candidate's
examination.
B. It identifies the content and distribution framework used to construct
the examination.
C. It allows candidates to determine which questions they will receive
during CAT.
D. It provides the correct answers to previously administered NCLEX-RN®
examinations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The test plan provides a framework for examination development. It
describes the major areas and competencies that guide the construction
of NCLEX-RN® examination items. Understanding the test plan helps
candidates organize their preparation around the broad competencies
expected of an entry-level registered nurse.
Distractor Rationales:
A. Incorrect: A test plan does not disclose the actual examination
questions.
C. Incorrect: Candidates do not select their examination items based on
the test plan.
D. Incorrect: The test plan is not an answer key or collection of previously
administered questions.
Key Teaching Point:
The test plan is an examination blueprint, not a list of questions or
answers.
Cognitive Level: Recall
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Planning
Clinical Judgment Focus: Not primarily CJMM-focused
Question 4
4
NCLEX-RN® EXAMINATION
8TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)LINDA SILVESTRI
Unit I: NCLEX-RN® Exam Preparation
Chapter 1: The NCLEX-RN® Examination
Question 1
A nursing student is beginning preparation for the NCLEX-RN® examination
and tells the instructor, “I am going to memorize as many facts as possible
because the exam is mostly about remembering textbook information.”
Which response by the instructor best reflects an effective preparation
strategy?
A. “Memorization is the primary skill needed because most examination
questions assess factual recall.”
B. “Focus on applying nursing knowledge to patient situations and
determining the safest nursing action.”
C. “Study only medications because pharmacology accounts for most of
the examination.”
D. “Practice answering questions without reviewing rationales so you can
increase your testing speed.”
Correct Answer: B
1
,Rationale:
Effective NCLEX-RN® preparation requires more than memorizing isolated
facts. The examination is designed to assess whether the candidate can
apply nursing knowledge, recognize important clinical information,
prioritize problems, select safe interventions, and evaluate outcomes.
Practicing clinical reasoning and reviewing rationales helps the learner
understand why an answer is correct rather than simply memorizing an
answer.
Distractor Rationales:
A. Incorrect: Although foundational knowledge is necessary, the
examination requires application and clinical judgment rather than
primarily testing rote memorization.
C. Incorrect: Pharmacology is important but represents only one area of
nursing knowledge. Preparation must address the broad scope of nursing
practice.
D. Incorrect: Reviewing rationales is an important part of learning because
it helps identify reasoning errors and reinforces clinical concepts.
Key Teaching Point:
Successful NCLEX-RN® preparation emphasizes application,
prioritization, safety, and clinical judgment, not memorization alone.
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 the concept of computer adaptive testing (CAT).
Which statement by the candidate demonstrates correct understanding?
A. “Every candidate receives the same questions in the same sequence.”
B. “The computer selects subsequent items based on my performance on
previous items.”
2
,C. “I can return to earlier questions after submitting an answer.”
D. “The examination becomes easier after every incorrect response.”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
In computer adaptive testing, the examination system uses the candidate's
responses to select subsequent items that provide additional information
about the candidate's ability. The difficulty and selection of items adapt as
the examination progresses. The candidate therefore does not necessarily
receive the same questions as another candidate.
Distractor Rationales:
A. Incorrect: CAT does not require every candidate to receive the same
sequence of questions.
C. Incorrect: Candidates should understand the examination's navigation
rules rather than assume that previously submitted responses can be
freely changed or revisited.
D. Incorrect: The purpose of CAT is not simply to make the examination
easier after incorrect responses. Item selection is based on the testing
algorithm's estimate of ability.
Key Teaching Point:
CAT adapts item selection to the candidate's demonstrated
performance rather than administering an identical fixed sequence to
everyone.
Cognitive Level: Application
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Assessment
Clinical Judgment Focus: Analyze Cues
Question 3
Which statement best describes the purpose of an NCLEX-RN® test plan?
3
, A. It provides the exact questions that will appear on the candidate's
examination.
B. It identifies the content and distribution framework used to construct
the examination.
C. It allows candidates to determine which questions they will receive
during CAT.
D. It provides the correct answers to previously administered NCLEX-RN®
examinations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
The test plan provides a framework for examination development. It
describes the major areas and competencies that guide the construction
of NCLEX-RN® examination items. Understanding the test plan helps
candidates organize their preparation around the broad competencies
expected of an entry-level registered nurse.
Distractor Rationales:
A. Incorrect: A test plan does not disclose the actual examination
questions.
C. Incorrect: Candidates do not select their examination items based on
the test plan.
D. Incorrect: The test plan is not an answer key or collection of previously
administered questions.
Key Teaching Point:
The test plan is an examination blueprint, not a list of questions or
answers.
Cognitive Level: Recall
NCLEX-RN® Client Needs Category: Management of Care
Nursing Process: Planning
Clinical Judgment Focus: Not primarily CJMM-focused
Question 4
4
