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 — Computer
Adaptive Testing (CAT) fundamentals
Stem
A newly graduated nurse is asking how the NCLEX-RN exam
adapts to candidate performance. The nurse expects the
computer to stop after a fixed number of items regardless of
performance. Which explanation best describes how CAT
determines when the exam ends?
,A. The computer administers a fixed number of questions; the
candidate’s score is reported from that block.
B. The exam continues until the computer estimates with
confidence that the candidate’s ability is clearly above or below
the passing standard.
C. The candidate chooses when to stop the exam once they feel
they have answered enough questions.
D. The test stops when the candidate answers a specific number
of consecutive items correctly.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): CAT uses item administration and the candidate’s
pattern of responses to estimate ability. The exam continues
until that estimate is above or below the passing standard with
a predefined level of statistical confidence, which determines
pass/fail. This explanation aligns with CJMM expectations that
test mechanics evaluate ability, not a fixed score block.
Incorrect (A): The NCLEX-RN is not a fixed-length test; CAT
varies item selection based on responses, so a fixed block
model is incorrect.
Incorrect (C): Candidates do not decide when to stop; the
testing algorithm controls termination to ensure psychometric
confidence.
Incorrect (D): Termination is not based on a simple rule like
consecutive correct answers; it is based on the statistical
estimate of ability relative to the passing standard.
,Teaching point: CAT ends when the computer confidently
classifies ability relative to the passing standard.
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 — Test plan
content and client needs categories
Stem
During a study group, a student asks which framework guides
NCLEX-RN item distribution and content emphasis. Which
statement most accurately explains how the Test Plan organizes
exam content for item writers and educators?
A. The Test Plan lists random clinical facts expected on the
exam.
B. The Test Plan organizes items by client needs categories and
cognitive levels to reflect practice priorities.
C. The Test Plan prescribes exact questions that will appear on
every exam.
D. The Test Plan focuses only on disease names and
pharmacology facts.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): The Test Plan organizes content by client needs
, categories (e.g., Safe and Effective Care Environment,
Physiological Integrity) and maps cognitive levels and clinical
tasks to mirror entry-level practice priorities. This structure
guides item writers to produce valid items testing clinical
judgment and application.
Incorrect (A): The Test Plan is not a random facts list; it is a
structured blueprint aligning content and cognitive demand to
practice.
Incorrect (C): The Test Plan does not supply specific questions;
it provides content domains and proportions, not actual exam
items.
Incorrect (D): The Test Plan is broader than disease names or
pharmacology; it includes safety, psychosocial care, health
promotion, and more.
Teaching point: The Test Plan structures item distribution by
client needs and cognitive level to reflect 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 — Practice
analysis foundation
Stem
An instructor explains that the NCLEX-RN Test Plan is based on a
NCLEX-RN
14TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)DIANE BILLINGS;
DESIREE HENSEL
TEST BANK
1)
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Computer
Adaptive Testing (CAT) fundamentals
Stem
A newly graduated nurse is asking how the NCLEX-RN exam
adapts to candidate performance. The nurse expects the
computer to stop after a fixed number of items regardless of
performance. Which explanation best describes how CAT
determines when the exam ends?
,A. The computer administers a fixed number of questions; the
candidate’s score is reported from that block.
B. The exam continues until the computer estimates with
confidence that the candidate’s ability is clearly above or below
the passing standard.
C. The candidate chooses when to stop the exam once they feel
they have answered enough questions.
D. The test stops when the candidate answers a specific number
of consecutive items correctly.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): CAT uses item administration and the candidate’s
pattern of responses to estimate ability. The exam continues
until that estimate is above or below the passing standard with
a predefined level of statistical confidence, which determines
pass/fail. This explanation aligns with CJMM expectations that
test mechanics evaluate ability, not a fixed score block.
Incorrect (A): The NCLEX-RN is not a fixed-length test; CAT
varies item selection based on responses, so a fixed block
model is incorrect.
Incorrect (C): Candidates do not decide when to stop; the
testing algorithm controls termination to ensure psychometric
confidence.
Incorrect (D): Termination is not based on a simple rule like
consecutive correct answers; it is based on the statistical
estimate of ability relative to the passing standard.
,Teaching point: CAT ends when the computer confidently
classifies ability relative to the passing standard.
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 — Test plan
content and client needs categories
Stem
During a study group, a student asks which framework guides
NCLEX-RN item distribution and content emphasis. Which
statement most accurately explains how the Test Plan organizes
exam content for item writers and educators?
A. The Test Plan lists random clinical facts expected on the
exam.
B. The Test Plan organizes items by client needs categories and
cognitive levels to reflect practice priorities.
C. The Test Plan prescribes exact questions that will appear on
every exam.
D. The Test Plan focuses only on disease names and
pharmacology facts.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): The Test Plan organizes content by client needs
, categories (e.g., Safe and Effective Care Environment,
Physiological Integrity) and maps cognitive levels and clinical
tasks to mirror entry-level practice priorities. This structure
guides item writers to produce valid items testing clinical
judgment and application.
Incorrect (A): The Test Plan is not a random facts list; it is a
structured blueprint aligning content and cognitive demand to
practice.
Incorrect (C): The Test Plan does not supply specific questions;
it provides content domains and proportions, not actual exam
items.
Incorrect (D): The Test Plan is broader than disease names or
pharmacology; it includes safety, psychosocial care, health
promotion, and more.
Teaching point: The Test Plan structures item distribution by
client needs and cognitive level to reflect 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 — Practice
analysis foundation
Stem
An instructor explains that the NCLEX-RN Test Plan is based on a
