LIPPINCOTT Q&A REVIEW FOR
NCLEX-RN
14TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)DIANE BILLINGS;
DESIREE HENSEL
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — The Test Plan
Stem
A new nursing graduate is creating a study plan and wants to
focus only on pharmacology because they feel strongest in
other areas. They recall that the NCLEX test plan is based on
practice analysis. Which study approach best aligns with the
purpose of the NCLEX test plan?
,A. Study only high-yield pharmacology facts because most
questions test medication knowledge.
B. Build a study plan that covers client needs, integrated clinical
judgment, and major categories from the test plan.
C. Ignore the test plan and use only practice questions from one
review book that lists the “top 100” topics.
D. Study only mental health and community health because
they are easier to answer on exam day.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct
The test plan is derived from practice analysis and reflects the
range of client needs and cognitive processes tested; therefore
a comprehensive plan addressing major test-plan categories
and clinical judgment is appropriate. This aligns with NCLEX’s
emphasis on broad entry-level competencies.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Too narrow—pharmacology is important but the test plan
requires competence across domains.
C. Overreliance on a single book risks missing topics and test-
plan distribution.
D. Choosing “easier” areas ignores test-plan weighting and risks
gaps in competency.
Teaching Point
Use the NCLEX test plan to guide comprehensive study across
all client-need categories.
,Citation
Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A Review for
NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Practice
Analysis: The Foundation of the Test Plan
Stem
An educator explains to students that the NCLEX test plan
changes as practice changes. A student asks why the board
updates the test plan. The best explanation is:
A. To make the exam harder each year.
B. To reflect current entry-level nursing practice by using results
of practice analyses.
C. To test topics that were not covered in older textbooks.
D. To force programs to buy new review materials every year.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct
Practice analyses identify what entry-level nurses actually do;
the test plan is updated to reflect current practice so licensure
decisions remain valid and relevant.
, Rationale — Incorrect
A. The goal is validity and relevance, not arbitrary difficulty
changes.
C. While content evolves, the change is driven by practice data,
not textbook turnover.
D. Commercial motivations are not the rationale for test-plan
updates.
Teaching Point
Practice analyses keep the test plan aligned with contemporary
entry-level practice.
Citation
Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A Review for
NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Test Plan
Details
Stem
A candidate reviews the NCLEX test plan and wants to prioritize
study time. Which study behavior best demonstrates
application of test-plan details to efficient preparation?
A. Spend equal time on every clinical topic regardless of test-
plan emphasis.
B. Prioritize study by the client-need categories and cognitive
NCLEX-RN
14TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)DIANE BILLINGS;
DESIREE HENSEL
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — The Test Plan
Stem
A new nursing graduate is creating a study plan and wants to
focus only on pharmacology because they feel strongest in
other areas. They recall that the NCLEX test plan is based on
practice analysis. Which study approach best aligns with the
purpose of the NCLEX test plan?
,A. Study only high-yield pharmacology facts because most
questions test medication knowledge.
B. Build a study plan that covers client needs, integrated clinical
judgment, and major categories from the test plan.
C. Ignore the test plan and use only practice questions from one
review book that lists the “top 100” topics.
D. Study only mental health and community health because
they are easier to answer on exam day.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct
The test plan is derived from practice analysis and reflects the
range of client needs and cognitive processes tested; therefore
a comprehensive plan addressing major test-plan categories
and clinical judgment is appropriate. This aligns with NCLEX’s
emphasis on broad entry-level competencies.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. Too narrow—pharmacology is important but the test plan
requires competence across domains.
C. Overreliance on a single book risks missing topics and test-
plan distribution.
D. Choosing “easier” areas ignores test-plan weighting and risks
gaps in competency.
Teaching Point
Use the NCLEX test plan to guide comprehensive study across
all client-need categories.
,Citation
Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A Review for
NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Practice
Analysis: The Foundation of the Test Plan
Stem
An educator explains to students that the NCLEX test plan
changes as practice changes. A student asks why the board
updates the test plan. The best explanation is:
A. To make the exam harder each year.
B. To reflect current entry-level nursing practice by using results
of practice analyses.
C. To test topics that were not covered in older textbooks.
D. To force programs to buy new review materials every year.
Correct Answer
B
Rationale — Correct
Practice analyses identify what entry-level nurses actually do;
the test plan is updated to reflect current practice so licensure
decisions remain valid and relevant.
, Rationale — Incorrect
A. The goal is validity and relevance, not arbitrary difficulty
changes.
C. While content evolves, the change is driven by practice data,
not textbook turnover.
D. Commercial motivations are not the rationale for test-plan
updates.
Teaching Point
Practice analyses keep the test plan aligned with contemporary
entry-level practice.
Citation
Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A Review for
NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Test Plan
Details
Stem
A candidate reviews the NCLEX test plan and wants to prioritize
study time. Which study behavior best demonstrates
application of test-plan details to efficient preparation?
A. Spend equal time on every clinical topic regardless of test-
plan emphasis.
B. Prioritize study by the client-need categories and cognitive
