NCLEX-RN 2026 SATA Practice Questions | Select
All That Apply Exam Bank with Verified Answers
& Rationales | INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
NCLEX-RN 2026 SATA (Select All That Apply) practice exam. This resource contains 200 questions covering
safety, infection control, pharmacology, med-surg nursing, maternal newborn, pediatrics, and mental health.
Each question requires you to select all correct options from A-D. Every answer includes the correct choices
and a rationale. Use this exam to master the SATA question format and deepen your clinical judgment.
Key Topics Covered
• Safety & Infection Control – Restraints, falls, fire safety, standard/transmission-based precautions, sterile
technique, client identification
• Pharmacology – Medication administration, side effects, contraindications, interactions, patient teaching,
dosage calculations
• Medical-Surgical Nursing – Cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, neurological,
musculoskeletal, wound care
• Maternal Newborn – Antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn assessment, complications,
breastfeeding
• Pediatric Nursing – Growth and development, immunizations, common illnesses, safety, medication
administration
• Mental Health – Therapeutic communication, psychiatric disorders, psychopharmacology, suicide
precautions, de-escalation
• Fundamentals & Leadership – Delegation, prioritization, ethics, legal issues, client education, care
coordination
Questions 1–200
1. The nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which actions are appropriate when
performing tracheostomy care? (Select all that apply)
A) Use sterile technique for inner cannula care
B) Suction the tracheostomy before cleaning the inner cannula
C) Clean the inner cannula with normal saline or hydrogen peroxide (per policy)
D) Apply petroleum jelly around the stoma to prevent skin breakdown
Answer A: , B, C
,Rationale: Sterile technique is required; suction first to clear secretions. Petroleum jelly is occlusive and
should not be used near a tracheostomy (risk of aspiration).
2. A client is receiving IV heparin for a pulmonary embolism. Which laboratory values should the
nurse monitor to evaluate therapy? (Select all that apply)
A) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
C) International normalized ratio (INR)
D) Platelet count
Answer A: , D
Rationale: aPTT monitors heparin therapy; platelets monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
PT/INR monitor warfarin.
3. The nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about dietary restrictions. Which foods should the
client avoid? (Select all that apply)
A) Canned soup
B) Hot dogs
C) Fresh apple
D) Frozen pizza
Answer A: , B, D
Rationale: Canned soups, processed meats, and frozen meals are high in sodium. Fresh fruit is low in sodium
and recommended.
4. A client with preeclampsia is receiving IV magnesium sulfate. Which findings indicate magnesium
toxicity? (Select all that apply) B Deep tendon reflexes 2+
A) Respiratory rate 10 breaths/min
C) Urine output 20 mL in 2 hours
D) Sudden decrease in level of consciousness
Answer A: , C, D
Rationale: Respiratory depression (<12/min), oliguria (<30 mL/hr), and altered LOC indicate toxicity.
Hyporeflexia (not 2+) is also a sign.
,5. The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which actions are essential before
starting the transfusion? (Select all that apply)
A) Verify the client’s identity using two identifiers
B) Check the blood product with another nurse (two-nurse verification)
C) Assess baseline vital signs
D) Prime the tubing with lactated Ringer’s solution
Answer A: , B, C
Rationale: Two-nurse verification, client ID, and baseline vitals are required. Only normal saline (0.9% NaCl)
should be used to prime blood tubing.
6. A client with COPD is prescribed home oxygen. Which safety instructions should the nurse
provide? (Select all that apply)
A) Do not smoke or allow smoking near oxygen
B) Post “Oxygen in Use” signs
C) Keep oxygen cylinders upright and secured
D) Store oxygen cylinders in a closed closet
Answer A: , B, C
Rationale: No smoking, signs, and securing cylinders are essential. Oxygen should be stored in a well-
ventilated area, not a closed closet.
7. The nurse is assessing a client for possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which findings are
consistent with DVT? (Select all that apply)
A) Unilateral calf swelling
B) Warmth and erythema over the affected area
C) Pain or tenderness in the calf
D) Bilateral pedal edema
Answer A: , B, C
Rationale: DVT typically presents unilaterally with swelling, warmth, and pain. Bilateral edema suggests
systemic causes like heart failure.
8. A client is started on warfarin. Which instructions should the nurse include in discharge teaching?
(Select all that apply)
A) Monitor for signs of bleeding (e.g., bruising, dark stools)
, B) Avoid large amounts of leafy green vegetables (consistent intake is key, but avoid drastic changes)
C) Report any nosebleeds or blood in urine
D) Take ibuprofen for headaches
Answer A: , B, C
Rationale: Bleeding precautions, consistent vitamin K intake, and reporting bleeding signs are essential.
Ibuprofen (NSAID) increases bleeding risk.
9. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube after a thoracotomy. Which findings indicate the
chest tube drainage system is functioning correctly? (Select all that apply)
A) Fluctuations (tidaling) in the water seal chamber with respiration
B) Gentle bubbling in the suction control chamber
C) Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
D) Sudden cessation of drainage with absence of tidaling
Answer A: , B
Rationale: Tidaling and gentle suction bubbling are normal. Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak.
Sudden cessation with no tidaling suggests obstruction.
10. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed clozapine. Which adverse effects require immediate
nursing action? (Select all that apply)
A) Fever and sore throat
B) Rapid weight gain
C) Constipation for 3 days
D) Drowsiness
Answer A: , C
Rationale: Fever/sore throat may indicate agranulocytosis; severe constipation can lead to bowel
obstruction. Weight gain and drowsiness are common but not emergent.
11. The nurse is caring for a postpartum client who delivered 2 hours ago. Which findings should
alert the nurse to possible postpartum hemorrhage? (Select all that apply)
A) Boggy fundus displaced to the right
B) Heart rate 120 bpm
C) Blood pressure 90/50 mmHg
D) Lochia serosa
All That Apply Exam Bank with Verified Answers
& Rationales | INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
NCLEX-RN 2026 SATA (Select All That Apply) practice exam. This resource contains 200 questions covering
safety, infection control, pharmacology, med-surg nursing, maternal newborn, pediatrics, and mental health.
Each question requires you to select all correct options from A-D. Every answer includes the correct choices
and a rationale. Use this exam to master the SATA question format and deepen your clinical judgment.
Key Topics Covered
• Safety & Infection Control – Restraints, falls, fire safety, standard/transmission-based precautions, sterile
technique, client identification
• Pharmacology – Medication administration, side effects, contraindications, interactions, patient teaching,
dosage calculations
• Medical-Surgical Nursing – Cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, renal, endocrine, neurological,
musculoskeletal, wound care
• Maternal Newborn – Antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn assessment, complications,
breastfeeding
• Pediatric Nursing – Growth and development, immunizations, common illnesses, safety, medication
administration
• Mental Health – Therapeutic communication, psychiatric disorders, psychopharmacology, suicide
precautions, de-escalation
• Fundamentals & Leadership – Delegation, prioritization, ethics, legal issues, client education, care
coordination
Questions 1–200
1. The nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which actions are appropriate when
performing tracheostomy care? (Select all that apply)
A) Use sterile technique for inner cannula care
B) Suction the tracheostomy before cleaning the inner cannula
C) Clean the inner cannula with normal saline or hydrogen peroxide (per policy)
D) Apply petroleum jelly around the stoma to prevent skin breakdown
Answer A: , B, C
,Rationale: Sterile technique is required; suction first to clear secretions. Petroleum jelly is occlusive and
should not be used near a tracheostomy (risk of aspiration).
2. A client is receiving IV heparin for a pulmonary embolism. Which laboratory values should the
nurse monitor to evaluate therapy? (Select all that apply)
A) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
C) International normalized ratio (INR)
D) Platelet count
Answer A: , D
Rationale: aPTT monitors heparin therapy; platelets monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
PT/INR monitor warfarin.
3. The nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about dietary restrictions. Which foods should the
client avoid? (Select all that apply)
A) Canned soup
B) Hot dogs
C) Fresh apple
D) Frozen pizza
Answer A: , B, D
Rationale: Canned soups, processed meats, and frozen meals are high in sodium. Fresh fruit is low in sodium
and recommended.
4. A client with preeclampsia is receiving IV magnesium sulfate. Which findings indicate magnesium
toxicity? (Select all that apply) B Deep tendon reflexes 2+
A) Respiratory rate 10 breaths/min
C) Urine output 20 mL in 2 hours
D) Sudden decrease in level of consciousness
Answer A: , C, D
Rationale: Respiratory depression (<12/min), oliguria (<30 mL/hr), and altered LOC indicate toxicity.
Hyporeflexia (not 2+) is also a sign.
,5. The nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which actions are essential before
starting the transfusion? (Select all that apply)
A) Verify the client’s identity using two identifiers
B) Check the blood product with another nurse (two-nurse verification)
C) Assess baseline vital signs
D) Prime the tubing with lactated Ringer’s solution
Answer A: , B, C
Rationale: Two-nurse verification, client ID, and baseline vitals are required. Only normal saline (0.9% NaCl)
should be used to prime blood tubing.
6. A client with COPD is prescribed home oxygen. Which safety instructions should the nurse
provide? (Select all that apply)
A) Do not smoke or allow smoking near oxygen
B) Post “Oxygen in Use” signs
C) Keep oxygen cylinders upright and secured
D) Store oxygen cylinders in a closed closet
Answer A: , B, C
Rationale: No smoking, signs, and securing cylinders are essential. Oxygen should be stored in a well-
ventilated area, not a closed closet.
7. The nurse is assessing a client for possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which findings are
consistent with DVT? (Select all that apply)
A) Unilateral calf swelling
B) Warmth and erythema over the affected area
C) Pain or tenderness in the calf
D) Bilateral pedal edema
Answer A: , B, C
Rationale: DVT typically presents unilaterally with swelling, warmth, and pain. Bilateral edema suggests
systemic causes like heart failure.
8. A client is started on warfarin. Which instructions should the nurse include in discharge teaching?
(Select all that apply)
A) Monitor for signs of bleeding (e.g., bruising, dark stools)
, B) Avoid large amounts of leafy green vegetables (consistent intake is key, but avoid drastic changes)
C) Report any nosebleeds or blood in urine
D) Take ibuprofen for headaches
Answer A: , B, C
Rationale: Bleeding precautions, consistent vitamin K intake, and reporting bleeding signs are essential.
Ibuprofen (NSAID) increases bleeding risk.
9. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube after a thoracotomy. Which findings indicate the
chest tube drainage system is functioning correctly? (Select all that apply)
A) Fluctuations (tidaling) in the water seal chamber with respiration
B) Gentle bubbling in the suction control chamber
C) Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
D) Sudden cessation of drainage with absence of tidaling
Answer A: , B
Rationale: Tidaling and gentle suction bubbling are normal. Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak.
Sudden cessation with no tidaling suggests obstruction.
10. A client with schizophrenia is prescribed clozapine. Which adverse effects require immediate
nursing action? (Select all that apply)
A) Fever and sore throat
B) Rapid weight gain
C) Constipation for 3 days
D) Drowsiness
Answer A: , C
Rationale: Fever/sore throat may indicate agranulocytosis; severe constipation can lead to bowel
obstruction. Weight gain and drowsiness are common but not emergent.
11. The nurse is caring for a postpartum client who delivered 2 hours ago. Which findings should
alert the nurse to possible postpartum hemorrhage? (Select all that apply)
A) Boggy fundus displaced to the right
B) Heart rate 120 bpm
C) Blood pressure 90/50 mmHg
D) Lochia serosa
