KAPLAN NCLEX-RN READINESS EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
This comprehensive NCLEX-RN readiness assessment is designed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment essential for entry-level
registered nurses preparing for licensure. The exam assesses critical competencies across all major NCLEX-RN content categories, including safe and
effective care management, health promotion, psychosocial support, and physiological integrity. Through a combination of foundational theory
questions and applied clinical scenarios, this test measures your ability to make sound decisions in real-world nursing situations. The multiple-choice
format mirrors the actual NCLEX-RN examination structure, emphasizing critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and the application of nursing
principles to protect client safety and promote optimal health outcomes.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is receiving a handoff report for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A 45-year-old with chronic hypertension who has a blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg
B. A 67-year-old postoperative patient who reports pain level 6/10 at 2 hours after surgery
C. A 52-year-old with diabetes who has a blood glucose of 280 mg/dL
D. A 78-year-old with respiratory distress who has increased oxygen saturation requirements
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: The 78-year-old with respiratory distress and increased oxygen requirements represents the most urgent situation requiring
immediate assessment. Respiratory compromise can rapidly progress to respiratory failure and is a life-threatening condition. According to the
NCLEX prioritization framework, airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) concerns are assessed first. The other patients have stable conditions that
require attention but are not immediately life-threatening.
Question 2
A nurse is delegating tasks to an LPN. Which task is appropriate for the LPN to perform?
A. Assessing a newly admitted patient for pain
B. Administering IV push medications to a patient with heart failure
C. Providing a routine dressing change to a stable patient with a surgical wound
D. Developing a care plan for a patient with complex comorbidities
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Routine dressing changes to stable patients are within the LPN's scope of practice. LPNs can perform standard procedures on
patients with predictable outcomes. Assessment of newly admitted patients, IV push medications, and care plan development require the advanced
knowledge and critical thinking of an RN.
Question 3
,A patient with a history of asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. Which medication should the nurse administer first?
A. Montelukast (Singulair)
B. Prednisone (Deltasone)
C. Albuterol (Proventil)
D. Ipratropium (Atrovent)
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides rapid bronchodilation and is the first-line treatment for acute
asthma exacerbations. It works within minutes to relieve airway obstruction. Montelukast is a leukotriene modifier for chronic management,
prednisone is a corticosteroid that takes hours to work, and ipratropium is typically used as an adjunct.
Question 4
A nurse is educating a patient about preventing infection after returning home from surgery. Which instruction is most important?
A. Take all prescribed antibiotics even if feeling better
B. Wash hands frequently and use proper hand hygiene techniques
C. Keep the wound covered with a clean dressing
D. Avoid swimming pools for 2 weeks after surgery
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is the most effective method for preventing infection transmission in healthcare and community settings. According
to infection control guidelines, proper hand hygiene significantly reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections. While all options are
important, hand hygiene has the greatest impact on preventing infection.
Question 5
A patient with depression is being treated with fluoxetine (Prozac). Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?
, A. Hypertension
B. Weight gain
C. Sexual dysfunction
D. Hyperglycemia
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine, occurring in
approximately 30-70% of patients. It includes decreased libido, delayed ejaculation, and anorgasmia. Weight gain can occur but is less common, and
hypertension and hyperglycemia are not typical side effects of SSRIs.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that requires the "rights of medication administration." Which is NOT one of the rights?
A. Right patient
B. Right dose
C. Right route
D. Right cost
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: The five rights of medication administration are: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. "Right cost"
is not one of the rights. These rights ensure safe medication practices and prevent medication errors.
Question 7
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor regularly?
A. Serum potassium
B. Liver function tests
C. Renal function (BUN and creatinine)
D. Complete blood count
🟢 Correct answer: C
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
This comprehensive NCLEX-RN readiness assessment is designed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment essential for entry-level
registered nurses preparing for licensure. The exam assesses critical competencies across all major NCLEX-RN content categories, including safe and
effective care management, health promotion, psychosocial support, and physiological integrity. Through a combination of foundational theory
questions and applied clinical scenarios, this test measures your ability to make sound decisions in real-world nursing situations. The multiple-choice
format mirrors the actual NCLEX-RN examination structure, emphasizing critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and the application of nursing
principles to protect client safety and promote optimal health outcomes.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is receiving a handoff report for four patients. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A 45-year-old with chronic hypertension who has a blood pressure of 148/92 mmHg
B. A 67-year-old postoperative patient who reports pain level 6/10 at 2 hours after surgery
C. A 52-year-old with diabetes who has a blood glucose of 280 mg/dL
D. A 78-year-old with respiratory distress who has increased oxygen saturation requirements
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: The 78-year-old with respiratory distress and increased oxygen requirements represents the most urgent situation requiring
immediate assessment. Respiratory compromise can rapidly progress to respiratory failure and is a life-threatening condition. According to the
NCLEX prioritization framework, airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) concerns are assessed first. The other patients have stable conditions that
require attention but are not immediately life-threatening.
Question 2
A nurse is delegating tasks to an LPN. Which task is appropriate for the LPN to perform?
A. Assessing a newly admitted patient for pain
B. Administering IV push medications to a patient with heart failure
C. Providing a routine dressing change to a stable patient with a surgical wound
D. Developing a care plan for a patient with complex comorbidities
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Routine dressing changes to stable patients are within the LPN's scope of practice. LPNs can perform standard procedures on
patients with predictable outcomes. Assessment of newly admitted patients, IV push medications, and care plan development require the advanced
knowledge and critical thinking of an RN.
Question 3
,A patient with a history of asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. Which medication should the nurse administer first?
A. Montelukast (Singulair)
B. Prednisone (Deltasone)
C. Albuterol (Proventil)
D. Ipratropium (Atrovent)
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides rapid bronchodilation and is the first-line treatment for acute
asthma exacerbations. It works within minutes to relieve airway obstruction. Montelukast is a leukotriene modifier for chronic management,
prednisone is a corticosteroid that takes hours to work, and ipratropium is typically used as an adjunct.
Question 4
A nurse is educating a patient about preventing infection after returning home from surgery. Which instruction is most important?
A. Take all prescribed antibiotics even if feeling better
B. Wash hands frequently and use proper hand hygiene techniques
C. Keep the wound covered with a clean dressing
D. Avoid swimming pools for 2 weeks after surgery
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is the most effective method for preventing infection transmission in healthcare and community settings. According
to infection control guidelines, proper hand hygiene significantly reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections. While all options are
important, hand hygiene has the greatest impact on preventing infection.
Question 5
A patient with depression is being treated with fluoxetine (Prozac). Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?
, A. Hypertension
B. Weight gain
C. Sexual dysfunction
D. Hyperglycemia
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine, occurring in
approximately 30-70% of patients. It includes decreased libido, delayed ejaculation, and anorgasmia. Weight gain can occur but is less common, and
hypertension and hyperglycemia are not typical side effects of SSRIs.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that requires the "rights of medication administration." Which is NOT one of the rights?
A. Right patient
B. Right dose
C. Right route
D. Right cost
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: The five rights of medication administration are: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. "Right cost"
is not one of the rights. These rights ensure safe medication practices and prevent medication errors.
Question 7
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor regularly?
A. Serum potassium
B. Liver function tests
C. Renal function (BUN and creatinine)
D. Complete blood count
🟢 Correct answer: C
