NCLEX-PN PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Clamp the chest tube routinely
B. Keep the drainage system below chest level
C. Strip the tubing frequently
D. Disconnect the tubing from the drainage system
Answer: B
Rationale: The drainage system should remain below the chest to
prevent backflow of fluid into the pleural space.
2. A client with diabetes mellitus reports a blood glucose of 45 mg/dL.
The nurse should first:
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Check the client’s blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is treated initially with fast-acting
carbohydrates to quickly raise blood glucose levels.
3. The nurse is planning care for a client with heart failure. Which
intervention is most important?
A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Monitor daily weight
,C. Provide high-sodium meals
D. Encourage bed rest
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily weights are crucial to detect fluid retention early in
clients with heart failure.
4. Which symptom is most indicative of digoxin toxicity?
A. Headache
B. Nausea and visual disturbances
C. Hypertension
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual changes (e.g., blurred or yellow
vision) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
5. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min.
Which assessment finding requires immediate action?
A. SpO₂ 92%
B. Respiratory rate 34/min
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Pink skin color
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachypnea indicates respiratory distress and requires
immediate intervention.
6. The nurse teaches a client with a colostomy about care. Which
instruction is correct?
A. Change the pouch weekly
B. Empty the pouch when it is one-third to one-half full
C. Wash the stoma with harsh soap
D. Cover the stoma with a tight dressing
Answer: B
, Rationale: Emptying the pouch when one-third to one-half full prevents
leakage and skin irritation.
7. A client is prescribed enoxaparin (Lovenox). The nurse should
monitor for:
A. Hypertension
B. Bleeding and bruising
C. Constipation
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant; the primary risk is bleeding.
8. Which action should the nurse take when administering a
subcutaneous injection?
A. Insert at a 90° angle for all clients
B. Use a 1-inch needle for everyone
C. Pinch the skin to lift the subcutaneous tissue
D. Aspirate before injecting
Answer: C
Rationale: Pinching the skin helps ensure the injection is given into
subcutaneous tissue, not muscle.
9. The nurse is caring for a client with Parkinson’s disease. Which
intervention promotes mobility?
A. Encourage long periods of bed rest
B. Provide a high-calorie, low-protein diet
C. Implement a structured exercise program
D. Avoid physical therapy
Answer: C
Rationale: Exercise helps maintain mobility and muscle strength in
Parkinson’s disease.
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Clamp the chest tube routinely
B. Keep the drainage system below chest level
C. Strip the tubing frequently
D. Disconnect the tubing from the drainage system
Answer: B
Rationale: The drainage system should remain below the chest to
prevent backflow of fluid into the pleural space.
2. A client with diabetes mellitus reports a blood glucose of 45 mg/dL.
The nurse should first:
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Check the client’s blood pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is treated initially with fast-acting
carbohydrates to quickly raise blood glucose levels.
3. The nurse is planning care for a client with heart failure. Which
intervention is most important?
A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Monitor daily weight
,C. Provide high-sodium meals
D. Encourage bed rest
Answer: B
Rationale: Daily weights are crucial to detect fluid retention early in
clients with heart failure.
4. Which symptom is most indicative of digoxin toxicity?
A. Headache
B. Nausea and visual disturbances
C. Hypertension
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual changes (e.g., blurred or yellow
vision) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
5. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min.
Which assessment finding requires immediate action?
A. SpO₂ 92%
B. Respiratory rate 34/min
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Pink skin color
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachypnea indicates respiratory distress and requires
immediate intervention.
6. The nurse teaches a client with a colostomy about care. Which
instruction is correct?
A. Change the pouch weekly
B. Empty the pouch when it is one-third to one-half full
C. Wash the stoma with harsh soap
D. Cover the stoma with a tight dressing
Answer: B
, Rationale: Emptying the pouch when one-third to one-half full prevents
leakage and skin irritation.
7. A client is prescribed enoxaparin (Lovenox). The nurse should
monitor for:
A. Hypertension
B. Bleeding and bruising
C. Constipation
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant; the primary risk is bleeding.
8. Which action should the nurse take when administering a
subcutaneous injection?
A. Insert at a 90° angle for all clients
B. Use a 1-inch needle for everyone
C. Pinch the skin to lift the subcutaneous tissue
D. Aspirate before injecting
Answer: C
Rationale: Pinching the skin helps ensure the injection is given into
subcutaneous tissue, not muscle.
9. The nurse is caring for a client with Parkinson’s disease. Which
intervention promotes mobility?
A. Encourage long periods of bed rest
B. Provide a high-calorie, low-protein diet
C. Implement a structured exercise program
D. Avoid physical therapy
Answer: C
Rationale: Exercise helps maintain mobility and muscle strength in
Parkinson’s disease.
