KAPLAN NURSING EXIT EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
The Kaplan Nursing Exit Exam is a comprehensive predictor
assessment designed to evaluate a nursing student's readiness for
the NCLEX-RN and entry-level professional practice. This
examination assesses mastery of core nursing content across all
client-needs categories, with emphasis on clinical judgment,
prioritization, and safe decision-making. The test utilizes multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions to measure foundational
theory, applied professional knowledge, and the ability to integrate
evidence-based practice into real-world clinical situations. Success
on this exam demonstrates the critical thinking skills necessary for
safe, effective nursing care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,1. A nurse receives shift report on four clients. Which client
should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with chronic back pain requesting medication
B. A client with new-onset chest pain radiating to the jaw
C. A client requesting discharge teaching
D. A client with a scheduled wound dressing change
🟢 B. A client with new-onset chest pain radiating to the jaw
🔴 RATIONALE: Chest pain radiating to the jaw is a classic sign of
acute coronary syndrome, a life-threatening emergency. Using the
ABCs framework, compromised circulation takes priority over
stable, chronic issues, discharge teaching, and routine wound care
.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum glucose
🟢 B. Serum potassium
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes
potassium loss. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity
and cardiac dysrhythmias. Serum potassium should be monitored
closely .
3. A nurse is assessing a client with a Stage 2 pressure injury.
What would the nurse expect to see?
A. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness
B. Partial-thickness skin loss involving the epidermis or dermis
,C. Full-thickness skin loss with visible adipose tissue
D. Full-thickness skin loss with exposed bone or tendon
🟢 B. Partial-thickness skin loss involving the epidermis or dermis
🔴 RATIONALE: Stage 2 pressure injuries involve partial-thickness
loss of skin with exposed dermis. It may present as an intact or
ruptured serum-filled blister. Option A describes Stage 1, and
Options C and D describe Stages 3 and 4, respectively .
4. Using Maslow's hierarchy, which client should the nurse
prioritize first?
A. A client who is angry about the quality of the food
B. A client who needs to be ambulated postoperatively
C. A client who is short of breath after walking to the bathroom
D. A client who is embarrassed about needing assistance with a
bath
🟢 C. A client who is short of breath after walking to the
bathroom
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Maslow's hierarchy, physiological
needs (airway, breathing, circulation) must be met before higher-
level needs. Shortness of breath indicates a physiological need
requiring immediate attention .
5. A nurse is assigned to four clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?
A. A client who had a hip replacement yesterday and reports pain
rated 6/10
B. A client with diabetes who requires a scheduled finger-stick
blood glucose check
C. A client with a UTI who has had a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) for 2
days
, D. A client with a head injury whose blood pressure has increased
from 120/80 to 180/90 mm Hg
🟢 D. A client with a head injury whose blood pressure has
increased from 120/80 to 180/90 mm Hg
🔴 RATIONALE: The client with a head injury and rising blood
pressure may be developing increased intracranial pressure (ICP),
a life-threatening emergency. This requires immediate assessment
and intervention .
6. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection
to an infant. Which site is most appropriate?
A. Vastus lateralis
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Ventrogluteal
🟢 A. Vastus lateralis
🔴 RATIONALE: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for
intramuscular injections in infants because it is well-developed
and has few major nerves and blood vessels. The dorsogluteal site
is contraindicated in infants .
7. A client with a history of COPD is receiving oxygen therapy.
Which complication should the nurse monitor for?
A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Hypercapnia
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Atelectasis
🟢 B. Hypercapnia
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
The Kaplan Nursing Exit Exam is a comprehensive predictor
assessment designed to evaluate a nursing student's readiness for
the NCLEX-RN and entry-level professional practice. This
examination assesses mastery of core nursing content across all
client-needs categories, with emphasis on clinical judgment,
prioritization, and safe decision-making. The test utilizes multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions to measure foundational
theory, applied professional knowledge, and the ability to integrate
evidence-based practice into real-world clinical situations. Success
on this exam demonstrates the critical thinking skills necessary for
safe, effective nursing care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
,1. A nurse receives shift report on four clients. Which client
should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with chronic back pain requesting medication
B. A client with new-onset chest pain radiating to the jaw
C. A client requesting discharge teaching
D. A client with a scheduled wound dressing change
🟢 B. A client with new-onset chest pain radiating to the jaw
🔴 RATIONALE: Chest pain radiating to the jaw is a classic sign of
acute coronary syndrome, a life-threatening emergency. Using the
ABCs framework, compromised circulation takes priority over
stable, chronic issues, discharge teaching, and routine wound care
.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum glucose
🟢 B. Serum potassium
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes
potassium loss. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity
and cardiac dysrhythmias. Serum potassium should be monitored
closely .
3. A nurse is assessing a client with a Stage 2 pressure injury.
What would the nurse expect to see?
A. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness
B. Partial-thickness skin loss involving the epidermis or dermis
,C. Full-thickness skin loss with visible adipose tissue
D. Full-thickness skin loss with exposed bone or tendon
🟢 B. Partial-thickness skin loss involving the epidermis or dermis
🔴 RATIONALE: Stage 2 pressure injuries involve partial-thickness
loss of skin with exposed dermis. It may present as an intact or
ruptured serum-filled blister. Option A describes Stage 1, and
Options C and D describe Stages 3 and 4, respectively .
4. Using Maslow's hierarchy, which client should the nurse
prioritize first?
A. A client who is angry about the quality of the food
B. A client who needs to be ambulated postoperatively
C. A client who is short of breath after walking to the bathroom
D. A client who is embarrassed about needing assistance with a
bath
🟢 C. A client who is short of breath after walking to the
bathroom
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Maslow's hierarchy, physiological
needs (airway, breathing, circulation) must be met before higher-
level needs. Shortness of breath indicates a physiological need
requiring immediate attention .
5. A nurse is assigned to four clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?
A. A client who had a hip replacement yesterday and reports pain
rated 6/10
B. A client with diabetes who requires a scheduled finger-stick
blood glucose check
C. A client with a UTI who has had a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) for 2
days
, D. A client with a head injury whose blood pressure has increased
from 120/80 to 180/90 mm Hg
🟢 D. A client with a head injury whose blood pressure has
increased from 120/80 to 180/90 mm Hg
🔴 RATIONALE: The client with a head injury and rising blood
pressure may be developing increased intracranial pressure (ICP),
a life-threatening emergency. This requires immediate assessment
and intervention .
6. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection
to an infant. Which site is most appropriate?
A. Vastus lateralis
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Ventrogluteal
🟢 A. Vastus lateralis
🔴 RATIONALE: The vastus lateralis is the preferred site for
intramuscular injections in infants because it is well-developed
and has few major nerves and blood vessels. The dorsogluteal site
is contraindicated in infants .
7. A client with a history of COPD is receiving oxygen therapy.
Which complication should the nurse monitor for?
A. Oxygen toxicity
B. Hypercapnia
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Atelectasis
🟢 B. Hypercapnia
