NCLEX-Style Practice Questions (Set of 50)
1. The nurse receives a postoperative client from the PACU following abdominal surgery. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Assess the client's pain level using a numeric scale.
B. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
C. Obtain the client's vital signs.
D. Ask the client to use the incentive spirometer.
2. A client with heart failure reports sudden shortness of breath and orthopnea. Which assessment
finding is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Bilateral 2+ pitting edema in the ankles
B. Fine crackles in both lung bases
C. Weight gain of 1 lb (0.45 kg) in 24 hours
D. Decreased urine output over the last shift
3. The nurse is preparing to administer regular insulin subcutaneously to a client before breakfast.
Which assessment is most important to perform first?
A. Check the client's blood glucose level.
B. Ask the client when they last ate.
C. Assess the injection site for bruising.
D. Verify the client's dietary restrictions.
4. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal
cannula. Which finding indicates the therapy is effective?
A. Respiratory rate increases from 18 to 24 breaths/min.
B. The client's SpO2 improves from 86% to 92%.
C. The client states they feel more drowsy.
D. The client's heart rate increases from 80 to 100 beats/min.
5. The nurse is educating a client with newly diagnosed hypertension about lifestyle modifications.
Which client statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will reduce my sodium intake and avoid processed foods."
B. "I will begin walking briskly for 30 minutes most days of the week."
C. "I can stop taking my medication once my blood pressure returns to normal."
D. "I will limit my alcohol intake to one drink per day."
, 6. A client is prescribed furosemide 40 mg PO daily. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention by the nurse?
A. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
B. Blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg
C. Weight loss of 1.5 lb (0.7 kg) in 24 hours
D. Increased urine output
7. The nurse is teaching a client taking warfarin about dietary considerations. Which food choice
indicates the client understands the teaching?
A. Eating a large spinach salad once a week
B. Keeping intake of green leafy vegetables consistent each week
C. Avoiding all foods that contain vitamin K
D. Increasing intake of broccoli to improve health
8. A client with type 1 diabetes reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and anxious. Which is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Administer the prescribed dose of insulin.
B. Check the client's blood glucose level.
C. Notify the health care provider.
D. Encourage the client to rest quietly in bed.
9. The nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for digoxin. Which finding should prompt
the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 56 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
D. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
10. A client receiving morphine for postoperative pain reports itching. Which is the nurse's best action?
A. Withhold the next dose of morphine.
B. Assess the client's respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
C. Administer an antidote for opioid overdose.
D. Document the itching as an expected side effect.
11. The nurse is planning care for a client on fall precautions. Which intervention is most important to
include?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position with wheels locked.
B. Place the overbed table across the client's lap.
C. Offer the client fluids every 2 hours.
1. The nurse receives a postoperative client from the PACU following abdominal surgery. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Assess the client's pain level using a numeric scale.
B. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
C. Obtain the client's vital signs.
D. Ask the client to use the incentive spirometer.
2. A client with heart failure reports sudden shortness of breath and orthopnea. Which assessment
finding is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Bilateral 2+ pitting edema in the ankles
B. Fine crackles in both lung bases
C. Weight gain of 1 lb (0.45 kg) in 24 hours
D. Decreased urine output over the last shift
3. The nurse is preparing to administer regular insulin subcutaneously to a client before breakfast.
Which assessment is most important to perform first?
A. Check the client's blood glucose level.
B. Ask the client when they last ate.
C. Assess the injection site for bruising.
D. Verify the client's dietary restrictions.
4. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal
cannula. Which finding indicates the therapy is effective?
A. Respiratory rate increases from 18 to 24 breaths/min.
B. The client's SpO2 improves from 86% to 92%.
C. The client states they feel more drowsy.
D. The client's heart rate increases from 80 to 100 beats/min.
5. The nurse is educating a client with newly diagnosed hypertension about lifestyle modifications.
Which client statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will reduce my sodium intake and avoid processed foods."
B. "I will begin walking briskly for 30 minutes most days of the week."
C. "I can stop taking my medication once my blood pressure returns to normal."
D. "I will limit my alcohol intake to one drink per day."
, 6. A client is prescribed furosemide 40 mg PO daily. Which assessment finding requires immediate
intervention by the nurse?
A. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
B. Blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg
C. Weight loss of 1.5 lb (0.7 kg) in 24 hours
D. Increased urine output
7. The nurse is teaching a client taking warfarin about dietary considerations. Which food choice
indicates the client understands the teaching?
A. Eating a large spinach salad once a week
B. Keeping intake of green leafy vegetables consistent each week
C. Avoiding all foods that contain vitamin K
D. Increasing intake of broccoli to improve health
8. A client with type 1 diabetes reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and anxious. Which is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Administer the prescribed dose of insulin.
B. Check the client's blood glucose level.
C. Notify the health care provider.
D. Encourage the client to rest quietly in bed.
9. The nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for digoxin. Which finding should prompt
the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 56 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
D. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
10. A client receiving morphine for postoperative pain reports itching. Which is the nurse's best action?
A. Withhold the next dose of morphine.
B. Assess the client's respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
C. Administer an antidote for opioid overdose.
D. Document the itching as an expected side effect.
11. The nurse is planning care for a client on fall precautions. Which intervention is most important to
include?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position with wheels locked.
B. Place the overbed table across the client's lap.
C. Offer the client fluids every 2 hours.
