KAPLAN COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED EXAM PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Fundamentals of Nursing & Health Assessment
Medical-Surgical Nursing (Part 1 & 2)
Critical Thinking & Clinical Decision-Making
Pharmacology & Parenteral Therapy
Pediatrics & Growth & Development
Obstetrics/Gynecology & Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health
Community Health & Preventive Care
Management/Professional Issues & Ethics
Regulatory/Legal Compliance & Professional Standards
Introduction
This practice exam is designed to assess mastery of integrated nursing content essential for professional nursing competency. The test evaluates
foundational theory, applied clinical knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and real-world decision-making skills through multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, prioritization, and safe, effective care delivery across diverse patient populations.
The exam mirrors the structure of standardized nursing assessments, preparing candidates for clinical practice and certification requirements.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient with hypertension. Which finding indicates the need for immediate intervention?
,A. Blood pressure 148/92 mmHg
B. Subjective headache reported
C. Vision changes and confusion
D. Mild ankle edema
🟢 C. Vision changes and confusion
🔴 RATIONALE: Vision changes and confusion indicate hypertensive encephalopathy or stroke risk, requiring immediate intervention. BP 148/92 is
elevated but not immediate crisis; headache and edema are less urgent.
Question 2
Which medication class is contraindicated in a patient with bilateral renal artery stenosis?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Thiazide diuretics
🟢 B. ACE inhibitors
🔴 RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors reduce glomerular filtration pressure and can cause acute renal failure in bilateral renal artery stenosis. Other
options are safer alternatives.
Question 3
A postoperative patient develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Call the physician
C. Obtain vital signs
D. Elevate the legs
🟢 A. Administer oxygen
🔴 RATIONALE: Oxygen is the priority for suspected pulmonary embolism to prevent hypoxia. Other actions follow after stabilizing oxygenation.
,Question 4
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving morphine sulfate?
A. Pain level 3/10
B. Respiratory rate 10/min
C. Sedation score 2
D. Urinary retention
🟢 B. Respiratory rate 10/min
🔴 RATIONALE: Respiratory rate <12/min indicates opioid-induced respiratory depression, a life-threatening complication requiring immediate
intervention.
Question 5
A patient with diabetes mellitus has a fasting blood glucose of 210 mg/dL. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Administer prescribed insulin
B. Recheck glucose in 2 hours
C. Offer a carbohydrate snack
D. Document as normal finding
🟢 A. Administer prescribed insulin
🔴 RATIONALE: Fasting glucose >130 mg/dL indicates hyperglycemia requiring insulin per protocol. Rechecking delays treatment; snack worsens
hyperglycemia.
Question 6
Which symptom is most characteristic of early-stage hypothyroidism?
A. Tachycardia
B. Heat intolerance
C. Fatigue and weight gain
D. Hyperactivity
🟢 C. Fatigue and weight gain
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Hypothyroidism causes decreased metabolic rate leading to fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance. Tachycardia and heat
intolerance indicate hyperthyroidism.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium. Which precaution is essential?
A. Give as rapid IV push
B. Use an infusion pump
C. Administer without dilution
D. Mix with dextrose only
🟢 B. Use an infusion pump
🔴 RATIONALE: IV potassium must be infused slowly via pump to prevent fatal hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest. IV push is never safe.
Question 8
Which finding indicates effective fluid resuscitation in a hypovolemic patient?
A. Urine output 15 mL/hr
B. Heart rate 120/min
C. BP 118/76 mmHg
D. Dry mucous membranes
🟢 C. BP 118/76 mmHg
🔴 RATIONALE: Normal BP indicates restored perfusion. Low urine output, high HR, and dry membranes indicate ongoing hypovolemia.
Question 9
A patient with COPD has oxygen saturation 88%. What is the priority intervention?
A. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
B. Administer prescribed bronchodilator
C. Place in supine position
D. Restrict fluid intake
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Fundamentals of Nursing & Health Assessment
Medical-Surgical Nursing (Part 1 & 2)
Critical Thinking & Clinical Decision-Making
Pharmacology & Parenteral Therapy
Pediatrics & Growth & Development
Obstetrics/Gynecology & Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health
Community Health & Preventive Care
Management/Professional Issues & Ethics
Regulatory/Legal Compliance & Professional Standards
Introduction
This practice exam is designed to assess mastery of integrated nursing content essential for professional nursing competency. The test evaluates
foundational theory, applied clinical knowledge, regulatory compliance, ethics, and real-world decision-making skills through multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, prioritization, and safe, effective care delivery across diverse patient populations.
The exam mirrors the structure of standardized nursing assessments, preparing candidates for clinical practice and certification requirements.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a patient with hypertension. Which finding indicates the need for immediate intervention?
,A. Blood pressure 148/92 mmHg
B. Subjective headache reported
C. Vision changes and confusion
D. Mild ankle edema
🟢 C. Vision changes and confusion
🔴 RATIONALE: Vision changes and confusion indicate hypertensive encephalopathy or stroke risk, requiring immediate intervention. BP 148/92 is
elevated but not immediate crisis; headache and edema are less urgent.
Question 2
Which medication class is contraindicated in a patient with bilateral renal artery stenosis?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Thiazide diuretics
🟢 B. ACE inhibitors
🔴 RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors reduce glomerular filtration pressure and can cause acute renal failure in bilateral renal artery stenosis. Other
options are safer alternatives.
Question 3
A postoperative patient develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Call the physician
C. Obtain vital signs
D. Elevate the legs
🟢 A. Administer oxygen
🔴 RATIONALE: Oxygen is the priority for suspected pulmonary embolism to prevent hypoxia. Other actions follow after stabilizing oxygenation.
,Question 4
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving morphine sulfate?
A. Pain level 3/10
B. Respiratory rate 10/min
C. Sedation score 2
D. Urinary retention
🟢 B. Respiratory rate 10/min
🔴 RATIONALE: Respiratory rate <12/min indicates opioid-induced respiratory depression, a life-threatening complication requiring immediate
intervention.
Question 5
A patient with diabetes mellitus has a fasting blood glucose of 210 mg/dL. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Administer prescribed insulin
B. Recheck glucose in 2 hours
C. Offer a carbohydrate snack
D. Document as normal finding
🟢 A. Administer prescribed insulin
🔴 RATIONALE: Fasting glucose >130 mg/dL indicates hyperglycemia requiring insulin per protocol. Rechecking delays treatment; snack worsens
hyperglycemia.
Question 6
Which symptom is most characteristic of early-stage hypothyroidism?
A. Tachycardia
B. Heat intolerance
C. Fatigue and weight gain
D. Hyperactivity
🟢 C. Fatigue and weight gain
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Hypothyroidism causes decreased metabolic rate leading to fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance. Tachycardia and heat
intolerance indicate hyperthyroidism.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium. Which precaution is essential?
A. Give as rapid IV push
B. Use an infusion pump
C. Administer without dilution
D. Mix with dextrose only
🟢 B. Use an infusion pump
🔴 RATIONALE: IV potassium must be infused slowly via pump to prevent fatal hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest. IV push is never safe.
Question 8
Which finding indicates effective fluid resuscitation in a hypovolemic patient?
A. Urine output 15 mL/hr
B. Heart rate 120/min
C. BP 118/76 mmHg
D. Dry mucous membranes
🟢 C. BP 118/76 mmHg
🔴 RATIONALE: Normal BP indicates restored perfusion. Low urine output, high HR, and dry membranes indicate ongoing hypovolemia.
Question 9
A patient with COPD has oxygen saturation 88%. What is the priority intervention?
A. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
B. Administer prescribed bronchodilator
C. Place in supine position
D. Restrict fluid intake
