CLC NURSING EXAM 2025/2026 | Verified
Questions and Correct Answers | Graded A+ |
Evidence-Based and Clinically Current
Clinical Learning Concepts (CLC) Nursing Examination | Key Domains: Patient Safety, Clinical
Judgement, Ethical Decision-Making, Communication, and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice |
Expert-Verified Q&A | Designed for Comprehensive Nursing Competency
Introduction
This 2025/2026 CLC Nursing Exam resource is designed to evaluate clinical competence across
essential nursing domains. It focuses on critical thinking, professional accountability,
patient-centered care, and evidence-based interventions that support safe and effective nursing
practice. The questions are written to reflect realistic nursing scenarios, aligning with national
standards for entry-level and advanced clinical nurses.
Answer Format
All correct answers are highlighted in bold and green, with rationales that clarify nursing
judgment, reinforce patient safety, and connect clinical reasoning to best-practice outcomes.
Patient Safety (Questions 1–20)
1. A patient is prescribed warfarin 5 mg daily. The nurse notes the INR is
4.2. What is the priority action?
a) Administer the dose as ordered
b) Hold the dose and notify the provider
c) Increase the dose to 7.5 mg
d) Administer vitamin K
b) Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: An INR >3.5 increases bleeding risk; the therapeutic range for most indications is
2.0–3.0. Holding the dose and notifying the provider prevents hemorrhage (ISMP, 2025).
2. Which intervention best prevents catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTI)?
a) Daily catheter irrigation with saline
b) Early removal of indwelling catheters
c) Routine antibiotic prophylaxis
d) Changing the catheter weekly
b) Early removal of indwelling catheters
,Rationale: The strongest evidence-based practice is prompt removal of unnecessary catheters
(CDC, 2025).
3. A patient with a history of falls is admitted. What is the nurse’s first
action?
a) Apply soft wrist restraints
b) Complete a fall risk assessment
c) Place the patient in a private room
d) Administer a sedative
b) Complete a fall risk assessment
Rationale: Fall risk screening using validated tools (e.g., Morse Fall Scale) guides individualized
interventions (AHRQ, 2025).
4. The nurse is administering medications via a central line. What is the
most critical step to prevent infection?
a) Wear sterile gloves only
b) Scrub the hub for 15 seconds with alcohol
c) Flush with saline before use
d) Change the dressing weekly
b) Scrub the hub for 15 seconds with alcohol
Rationale: Hub disinfection using alcohol or chlorhexidine for ≥15 seconds is essential to
prevent CLABSI (INS, 2025).
5. A patient reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse notes new ST
elevation on telemetry. What is the priority?
a) Administer aspirin 325 mg
b) Activate the STEMI protocol
c) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
d) Apply oxygen at 2 L/min
b) Activate the STEMI protocol
Rationale: Time is myocardium; rapid activation of the cardiac catheterization team is critical
for reperfusion (AHA, 2025).
6. During medication reconciliation, the nurse discovers the patient takes
herbal supplements. What is the next step?
a) Discontinue all supplements
b) Document and assess for drug interactions
c) Ignore unless prescribed
d) Administer with medications
b) Document and assess for drug interactions
Rationale: Herbal supplements (e.g., St. John’s wort) can alter drug metabolism; full disclosure
is required (TJC, 2025).
7. A patient is scheduled for surgery but ate breakfast. What should the
nurse do?
a) Proceed with surgery
, b) Notify the surgical team immediately
c) Withhold only clear liquids
d) Administer antiemetics
b) Notify the surgical team immediately
Rationale: NPO violation increases aspiration risk; surgery may be delayed (ASA, 2025).
8. The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. What is the
most important verification step?
a) Check blood type only
b) Two-person verification of patient ID and blood product
c) Verify expiration date only
d) Start infusion at 100 mL/hr
b) Two-person verification of patient ID and blood product
Rationale: Two licensed personnel must verify patient identity, blood type, and unit number to
prevent ABO incompatibility (AABB, 2025).
9. A pressure injury is identified on the sacrum. What is the first action?
a) Apply a hydrocolloid dressing
b) Stage the injury and document
c) Cleanse with normal saline
d) Offload pressure immediately
d) Offload pressure immediately
Rationale: Pressure relief is the primary intervention to prevent worsening (NPIAP, 2025).
10. The nurse observes a visitor entering with flu-like symptoms. What is
the best response?
a) Allow entry with a mask
b) Restrict visitation and notify infection control
c) Provide hand sanitizer only
d) Permit brief visit
b) Restrict visitation and notify infection control
Rationale: Visitors with infectious symptoms pose a transmission risk (CDC, 2025).
11. A patient on telemetry suddenly develops ventricular tachycardia. What
is the first action?
a) Administer amiodarone
b) Assess pulse and responsiveness
c) Defibrillate at 200 J
d) Call a code blue
b) Assess pulse and responsiveness
Rationale: Stable vs. unstable VT determines treatment; pulse check is first (AHA, 2025).
12. The nurse is delegating vital signs to a UAP. What must be included?
a) No instructions needed
b) Clear parameters for reporting abnormalities
c) Only blood pressure
Questions and Correct Answers | Graded A+ |
Evidence-Based and Clinically Current
Clinical Learning Concepts (CLC) Nursing Examination | Key Domains: Patient Safety, Clinical
Judgement, Ethical Decision-Making, Communication, and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice |
Expert-Verified Q&A | Designed for Comprehensive Nursing Competency
Introduction
This 2025/2026 CLC Nursing Exam resource is designed to evaluate clinical competence across
essential nursing domains. It focuses on critical thinking, professional accountability,
patient-centered care, and evidence-based interventions that support safe and effective nursing
practice. The questions are written to reflect realistic nursing scenarios, aligning with national
standards for entry-level and advanced clinical nurses.
Answer Format
All correct answers are highlighted in bold and green, with rationales that clarify nursing
judgment, reinforce patient safety, and connect clinical reasoning to best-practice outcomes.
Patient Safety (Questions 1–20)
1. A patient is prescribed warfarin 5 mg daily. The nurse notes the INR is
4.2. What is the priority action?
a) Administer the dose as ordered
b) Hold the dose and notify the provider
c) Increase the dose to 7.5 mg
d) Administer vitamin K
b) Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: An INR >3.5 increases bleeding risk; the therapeutic range for most indications is
2.0–3.0. Holding the dose and notifying the provider prevents hemorrhage (ISMP, 2025).
2. Which intervention best prevents catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTI)?
a) Daily catheter irrigation with saline
b) Early removal of indwelling catheters
c) Routine antibiotic prophylaxis
d) Changing the catheter weekly
b) Early removal of indwelling catheters
,Rationale: The strongest evidence-based practice is prompt removal of unnecessary catheters
(CDC, 2025).
3. A patient with a history of falls is admitted. What is the nurse’s first
action?
a) Apply soft wrist restraints
b) Complete a fall risk assessment
c) Place the patient in a private room
d) Administer a sedative
b) Complete a fall risk assessment
Rationale: Fall risk screening using validated tools (e.g., Morse Fall Scale) guides individualized
interventions (AHRQ, 2025).
4. The nurse is administering medications via a central line. What is the
most critical step to prevent infection?
a) Wear sterile gloves only
b) Scrub the hub for 15 seconds with alcohol
c) Flush with saline before use
d) Change the dressing weekly
b) Scrub the hub for 15 seconds with alcohol
Rationale: Hub disinfection using alcohol or chlorhexidine for ≥15 seconds is essential to
prevent CLABSI (INS, 2025).
5. A patient reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse notes new ST
elevation on telemetry. What is the priority?
a) Administer aspirin 325 mg
b) Activate the STEMI protocol
c) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
d) Apply oxygen at 2 L/min
b) Activate the STEMI protocol
Rationale: Time is myocardium; rapid activation of the cardiac catheterization team is critical
for reperfusion (AHA, 2025).
6. During medication reconciliation, the nurse discovers the patient takes
herbal supplements. What is the next step?
a) Discontinue all supplements
b) Document and assess for drug interactions
c) Ignore unless prescribed
d) Administer with medications
b) Document and assess for drug interactions
Rationale: Herbal supplements (e.g., St. John’s wort) can alter drug metabolism; full disclosure
is required (TJC, 2025).
7. A patient is scheduled for surgery but ate breakfast. What should the
nurse do?
a) Proceed with surgery
, b) Notify the surgical team immediately
c) Withhold only clear liquids
d) Administer antiemetics
b) Notify the surgical team immediately
Rationale: NPO violation increases aspiration risk; surgery may be delayed (ASA, 2025).
8. The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. What is the
most important verification step?
a) Check blood type only
b) Two-person verification of patient ID and blood product
c) Verify expiration date only
d) Start infusion at 100 mL/hr
b) Two-person verification of patient ID and blood product
Rationale: Two licensed personnel must verify patient identity, blood type, and unit number to
prevent ABO incompatibility (AABB, 2025).
9. A pressure injury is identified on the sacrum. What is the first action?
a) Apply a hydrocolloid dressing
b) Stage the injury and document
c) Cleanse with normal saline
d) Offload pressure immediately
d) Offload pressure immediately
Rationale: Pressure relief is the primary intervention to prevent worsening (NPIAP, 2025).
10. The nurse observes a visitor entering with flu-like symptoms. What is
the best response?
a) Allow entry with a mask
b) Restrict visitation and notify infection control
c) Provide hand sanitizer only
d) Permit brief visit
b) Restrict visitation and notify infection control
Rationale: Visitors with infectious symptoms pose a transmission risk (CDC, 2025).
11. A patient on telemetry suddenly develops ventricular tachycardia. What
is the first action?
a) Administer amiodarone
b) Assess pulse and responsiveness
c) Defibrillate at 200 J
d) Call a code blue
b) Assess pulse and responsiveness
Rationale: Stable vs. unstable VT determines treatment; pulse check is first (AHA, 2025).
12. The nurse is delegating vital signs to a UAP. What must be included?
a) No instructions needed
b) Clear parameters for reporting abnormalities
c) Only blood pressure
