2025 NCLEX‑RN® Study Vault (9th Ed.) –
Complete Chapter‑Wise Test Bank & Clear
Rationales PDF Study Guide
TEST BANK
Chapter: Clinical Judgment and the Next Generation NCLEX
(NGN)-PN® Examination
Topic: Examination process, NGN design, test plan, candidate
procedures, and clinical judgment skills
Question 1 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 1 / Priority Concept:
Understand exam logistics / Clinical Judgment Skill 1)
A candidate receives an Authorization to Test (ATT) email from
the testing vendor. What is the primary purpose of the ATT?
A. Lists all sample questions from the official test plan.
B. Confirms the candidate is eligible and gives the time window
to schedule the exam.
C. Replaces the need for government-issued photo
identification at the testing center.
D. Provides a numerical score prediction before testing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
, • A: Incorrect — the ATT does not contain sample questions;
study materials are separate.
• B: Correct — the ATT confirms eligibility and provides the
scheduling authorization window and instructions.
• C: Incorrect — candidates still must present required photo
ID at check-in.
• D: Incorrect — no score prediction is provided before
testing; pass/fail determined after scoring.
Domain: Management of Care / Safe & Effective Care
Environment — Test Administration
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 2 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 1 / Priority Concept:
CAT mechanics / Clinical Judgment Skill 2)
Which statement best describes how computer adaptive testing
(CAT) operates for the NCLEX-PN®?
A. The test gives the same set of questions to all candidates to
ensure fairness.
B. Difficulty of items adapts to the candidate’s demonstrated
ability during the exam.
C. Candidates can skip items and return to them later to change
answers.
D. The number of items is fixed and identical for every
candidate.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — CAT selects items dynamically, not identical
sets.
• B: Correct — CAT adapts item difficulty based on candidate
responses to estimate ability.
• C: Incorrect — candidates cannot return to previous items
during NCLEX administration.
• D: Incorrect — the number of items can vary; CAT may end
early once ability is precisely estimated.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Test
Administration & NCLEX Mechanics
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 3 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 2 / Priority Concept:
Item types on NGN / Clinical Judgment Skill 2)
Which of the following item types is specific to the Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) design and emphasizes clinical
reasoning?
A. Select-all-that-apply (SATA) only.
B. Case-scenario with multiple linked items assessing clinical
judgment.
C. True/false questions only.
D. Fill-in-the-blank medication calculations only.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — SATA exists on pre-NGN exams and tests
knowledge/analysis but is not NGN-specific.
• B: Correct — NGN uses case scenarios with linked items to
assess clinical judgment across CJMM tasks.
• C: Incorrect — True/false items are not a major NGN
feature and are rarely used on NCLEX.
• D: Incorrect — calculation items can appear but are not
the hallmark NGN clinical-judgment design.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Test Plan &
Item Types
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 4 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 1 / Priority Concept:
Candidate performance feedback / Clinical Judgment Skill 6)
A Candidate Performance Report (CPR) is provided after
licensing results. Which statement about the CPR is true?
A. The CPR shows the candidate’s raw score for each question.
B. The CPR lists the exact questions missed so the candidate can
review them.
C. The CPR summarizes performance by content area to guide
remediation.
D. The CPR guarantees a candidate’s eligibility for interstate
endorsement.
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — the CPR does not provide raw item-level
scores.
• B: Incorrect — item-level content is not released; exact
questions are not shown.
• C: Correct — the CPR gives performance summaries by test
plan categories to help study.
• D: Incorrect — CPR does not affect endorsement eligibility;
licensure and compact rules govern that.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Regulatory
& Evaluation Processes
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 5 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 2 / Priority Concept:
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) basics / Clinical Judgment Skill
1)
Which statement best describes the Nurse Licensure Compact
(NLC) as it relates to practical/vocational nurses?
A. NLC grants automatic licensure in any country outside the
U.S.
B. NLC allows a nurse with a multistate license to practice in
participating U.S. states without additional licenses.
C. NLC requires a separate exam for each compact state.
D. NLC eliminates the need to report disciplinary actions to
,other states.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — NLC applies within U.S. states only, not
internationally.
• B: Correct — a multistate license under the NLC permits
practice across participating states per compact rules.
• C: Incorrect — no separate exam is required for each
compact state; one primary license covers participating
states.
• D: Incorrect — disciplinary actions must still be reported
per compact and state regulations.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment —
Legal/Ethical Scope of Practice
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 6 — (Application; Pyramid Point 3 / Priority Concept:
Exam day procedures / Clinical Judgment Skill 3)
A candidate arrives at the test center and realizes the photo ID
listed on the ATT is an old name that differs from their current
government ID. What should the candidate do first?
A. Attempt the exam and explain name discrepancy later.
B. Contact the state board or testing vendor immediately per
ATT instructions before check-in.
C. Ask a friend to vouch for their identity at check-in.
,D. Change the ID at the testing center and proceed without
notification.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — attempting the exam with mismatched ID
risks denial of testing and invalidation.
• B: Correct — the ATT contains instructions; candidate must
contact the board/vendor to resolve name discrepancies
before testing.
• C: Incorrect — third-party vouching is not acceptable for
identification.
• D: Incorrect — the testing center cannot alter official
identification; advance resolution is required.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Test
Administration & Candidate Rights
Bloom: Application
Question 7 — (Application; Pyramid Point 3 / Priority Concept:
Testing center rules / Clinical Judgment Skill 3)
A candidate arrives with a jacket containing a phone in the
pocket and an unopened water bottle. During check-in the
phone is discovered. Which is the most appropriate immediate
nursing-style action by the candidate?
A. Leave the phone in the jacket pocket and enter testing room.
B. Place the phone in the secure locker per testing center policy
,and keep the water bottle if allowed.
C. Refuse to put the phone away and demand a refund.
D. Hide the phone under the chair to retrieve later.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — bringing a phone into the testing room
violates testing rules and may result in dismissal.
• B: Correct — candidates must follow the test center’s
security procedures (locker or secured storage); unopened,
clear water bottles may be allowed.
• C: Incorrect — refusing to comply risks denial of testing;
refunds are not immediate remedies.
• D: Incorrect — hiding prohibited items is misconduct and
could invalidate the exam.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Test Center
Protocols & Professional Conduct
Bloom: Application
Question 8 — (Application / Select-all-that-apply; Pyramid Point
2 / Priority Concept: Documentation for accommodations /
Clinical Judgment Skill 2)
A candidate requests testing accommodations for a
documented disability. Which items are typically required when
applying for accommodations? (Select all that apply.)
A. Recent documentation from a qualified professional
,describing functional limitations.
B. A handwritten note from a classmate stating the candidate
needs extra time.
C. Evidence of prior accommodations in academic settings when
available.
D. A completed accommodations request form from the
licensing authority or vendor.
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale:
• A: Correct — up-to-date professional documentation is
required to justify accommodations.
• B: Incorrect — a classmate’s note is not acceptable
professional documentation.
• C: Correct — prior documented accommodations can
support the request.
• D: Correct — formal request forms are required by the
board/vendor.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Legal &
Ethical Responsibilities / Testing Accommodations
Bloom: Application
Question 9 — (Application; Pyramid Point 3 / Priority Concept:
Completing the exam / Clinical Judgment Skill 5)
A candidate finishes all required items and receives the
message “Please exit the testing center” before being shown a
, pass or fail. Which statement explains this occurrence?
A. The testing center always shows the score immediately to
the candidate.
B. Computer adaptive tests may end early once the system has
enough information to make a pass/fail decision; the candidate
will receive results through official channels later.
C. The candidate failed and the testing system hides the result
intentionally.
D. The candidate must request the score from the proctor
before leaving.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — the testing center does not display official
pass/fail scores on site.
• B: Correct — CAT may stop when ability is determined;
formal results are processed and released later.
• C: Incorrect — there is no intentional hiding; procedures
require processing before release to candidates.
• D: Incorrect — proctors cannot release scores; official
results come from the regulatory body.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Examination
Process & Scoring
Bloom: Application
Complete Chapter‑Wise Test Bank & Clear
Rationales PDF Study Guide
TEST BANK
Chapter: Clinical Judgment and the Next Generation NCLEX
(NGN)-PN® Examination
Topic: Examination process, NGN design, test plan, candidate
procedures, and clinical judgment skills
Question 1 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 1 / Priority Concept:
Understand exam logistics / Clinical Judgment Skill 1)
A candidate receives an Authorization to Test (ATT) email from
the testing vendor. What is the primary purpose of the ATT?
A. Lists all sample questions from the official test plan.
B. Confirms the candidate is eligible and gives the time window
to schedule the exam.
C. Replaces the need for government-issued photo
identification at the testing center.
D. Provides a numerical score prediction before testing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
, • A: Incorrect — the ATT does not contain sample questions;
study materials are separate.
• B: Correct — the ATT confirms eligibility and provides the
scheduling authorization window and instructions.
• C: Incorrect — candidates still must present required photo
ID at check-in.
• D: Incorrect — no score prediction is provided before
testing; pass/fail determined after scoring.
Domain: Management of Care / Safe & Effective Care
Environment — Test Administration
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 2 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 1 / Priority Concept:
CAT mechanics / Clinical Judgment Skill 2)
Which statement best describes how computer adaptive testing
(CAT) operates for the NCLEX-PN®?
A. The test gives the same set of questions to all candidates to
ensure fairness.
B. Difficulty of items adapts to the candidate’s demonstrated
ability during the exam.
C. Candidates can skip items and return to them later to change
answers.
D. The number of items is fixed and identical for every
candidate.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — CAT selects items dynamically, not identical
sets.
• B: Correct — CAT adapts item difficulty based on candidate
responses to estimate ability.
• C: Incorrect — candidates cannot return to previous items
during NCLEX administration.
• D: Incorrect — the number of items can vary; CAT may end
early once ability is precisely estimated.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Test
Administration & NCLEX Mechanics
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 3 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 2 / Priority Concept:
Item types on NGN / Clinical Judgment Skill 2)
Which of the following item types is specific to the Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) design and emphasizes clinical
reasoning?
A. Select-all-that-apply (SATA) only.
B. Case-scenario with multiple linked items assessing clinical
judgment.
C. True/false questions only.
D. Fill-in-the-blank medication calculations only.
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — SATA exists on pre-NGN exams and tests
knowledge/analysis but is not NGN-specific.
• B: Correct — NGN uses case scenarios with linked items to
assess clinical judgment across CJMM tasks.
• C: Incorrect — True/false items are not a major NGN
feature and are rarely used on NCLEX.
• D: Incorrect — calculation items can appear but are not
the hallmark NGN clinical-judgment design.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Test Plan &
Item Types
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 4 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 1 / Priority Concept:
Candidate performance feedback / Clinical Judgment Skill 6)
A Candidate Performance Report (CPR) is provided after
licensing results. Which statement about the CPR is true?
A. The CPR shows the candidate’s raw score for each question.
B. The CPR lists the exact questions missed so the candidate can
review them.
C. The CPR summarizes performance by content area to guide
remediation.
D. The CPR guarantees a candidate’s eligibility for interstate
endorsement.
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — the CPR does not provide raw item-level
scores.
• B: Incorrect — item-level content is not released; exact
questions are not shown.
• C: Correct — the CPR gives performance summaries by test
plan categories to help study.
• D: Incorrect — CPR does not affect endorsement eligibility;
licensure and compact rules govern that.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Regulatory
& Evaluation Processes
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 5 — (Knowledge; Pyramid Point 2 / Priority Concept:
Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) basics / Clinical Judgment Skill
1)
Which statement best describes the Nurse Licensure Compact
(NLC) as it relates to practical/vocational nurses?
A. NLC grants automatic licensure in any country outside the
U.S.
B. NLC allows a nurse with a multistate license to practice in
participating U.S. states without additional licenses.
C. NLC requires a separate exam for each compact state.
D. NLC eliminates the need to report disciplinary actions to
,other states.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — NLC applies within U.S. states only, not
internationally.
• B: Correct — a multistate license under the NLC permits
practice across participating states per compact rules.
• C: Incorrect — no separate exam is required for each
compact state; one primary license covers participating
states.
• D: Incorrect — disciplinary actions must still be reported
per compact and state regulations.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment —
Legal/Ethical Scope of Practice
Bloom: Knowledge
Question 6 — (Application; Pyramid Point 3 / Priority Concept:
Exam day procedures / Clinical Judgment Skill 3)
A candidate arrives at the test center and realizes the photo ID
listed on the ATT is an old name that differs from their current
government ID. What should the candidate do first?
A. Attempt the exam and explain name discrepancy later.
B. Contact the state board or testing vendor immediately per
ATT instructions before check-in.
C. Ask a friend to vouch for their identity at check-in.
,D. Change the ID at the testing center and proceed without
notification.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — attempting the exam with mismatched ID
risks denial of testing and invalidation.
• B: Correct — the ATT contains instructions; candidate must
contact the board/vendor to resolve name discrepancies
before testing.
• C: Incorrect — third-party vouching is not acceptable for
identification.
• D: Incorrect — the testing center cannot alter official
identification; advance resolution is required.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Test
Administration & Candidate Rights
Bloom: Application
Question 7 — (Application; Pyramid Point 3 / Priority Concept:
Testing center rules / Clinical Judgment Skill 3)
A candidate arrives with a jacket containing a phone in the
pocket and an unopened water bottle. During check-in the
phone is discovered. Which is the most appropriate immediate
nursing-style action by the candidate?
A. Leave the phone in the jacket pocket and enter testing room.
B. Place the phone in the secure locker per testing center policy
,and keep the water bottle if allowed.
C. Refuse to put the phone away and demand a refund.
D. Hide the phone under the chair to retrieve later.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — bringing a phone into the testing room
violates testing rules and may result in dismissal.
• B: Correct — candidates must follow the test center’s
security procedures (locker or secured storage); unopened,
clear water bottles may be allowed.
• C: Incorrect — refusing to comply risks denial of testing;
refunds are not immediate remedies.
• D: Incorrect — hiding prohibited items is misconduct and
could invalidate the exam.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Test Center
Protocols & Professional Conduct
Bloom: Application
Question 8 — (Application / Select-all-that-apply; Pyramid Point
2 / Priority Concept: Documentation for accommodations /
Clinical Judgment Skill 2)
A candidate requests testing accommodations for a
documented disability. Which items are typically required when
applying for accommodations? (Select all that apply.)
A. Recent documentation from a qualified professional
,describing functional limitations.
B. A handwritten note from a classmate stating the candidate
needs extra time.
C. Evidence of prior accommodations in academic settings when
available.
D. A completed accommodations request form from the
licensing authority or vendor.
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale:
• A: Correct — up-to-date professional documentation is
required to justify accommodations.
• B: Incorrect — a classmate’s note is not acceptable
professional documentation.
• C: Correct — prior documented accommodations can
support the request.
• D: Correct — formal request forms are required by the
board/vendor.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Legal &
Ethical Responsibilities / Testing Accommodations
Bloom: Application
Question 9 — (Application; Pyramid Point 3 / Priority Concept:
Completing the exam / Clinical Judgment Skill 5)
A candidate finishes all required items and receives the
message “Please exit the testing center” before being shown a
, pass or fail. Which statement explains this occurrence?
A. The testing center always shows the score immediately to
the candidate.
B. Computer adaptive tests may end early once the system has
enough information to make a pass/fail decision; the candidate
will receive results through official channels later.
C. The candidate failed and the testing system hides the result
intentionally.
D. The candidate must request the score from the proctor
before leaving.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• A: Incorrect — the testing center does not display official
pass/fail scores on site.
• B: Correct — CAT may stop when ability is determined;
formal results are processed and released later.
• C: Incorrect — there is no intentional hiding; procedures
require processing before release to candidates.
• D: Incorrect — proctors cannot release scores; official
results come from the regulatory body.
Domain: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Examination
Process & Scoring
Bloom: Application
