KAPLAN NCLEX-RN PREP EXAM PRIORITIZATION
FRAMEWORKS (ABCs, Maslow) 2026 Q&A
1. A nurse is caring for four patients on the medical-surgical
unit. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A 45-year-old with diabetes reporting mild anxiety about
tomorrow's surgery
B. A 62-year-old with pneumonia experiencing increased
shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 89%
C. A 33-year-old with a fractured leg requesting pain
medication
D. A 55-year-old with hypertension who needs routine blood
pressure monitoring
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Using the ABC framework, breathing is the
second priority after airway. Patient B has compromised
breathing (increased shortness of breath) and hypoxia (O2
sat 89%), which is a life-threatening issue requiring
immediate assessment. The other patients have non-life-
threatening needs: anxiety (psychosocial), pain
(intermediate priority), and routine monitoring (low
priority).
2. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which patient
need should a nurse prioritize first?
A. A patient's need for emotional support from family
members
B. A patient's fear of losing employment due to prolonged
hospitalization
, C. A patient's inability to maintain adequate oxygenation
D. A patient's concern about not looking attractive during
hospital stay
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Maslow's hierarchy places basic physiological
needs (including the ABCs) as the highest priority.
Inadequate oxygenation is a physiological/biological need
that directly impacts survival. Emotional support
(love/belonging), fear of job loss (safety/security), and
appearance concerns (self-esteem) are lower priorities.
3. A toddler with epiglottitis is admitted to the pediatric unit.
The child is sitting upright, leaning forward, with significant
stridor and a tripod position. What is the
nurse's first action?
A. Administer prescribed acetaminophen for fever
B. Place the child in a supine position for examination
C. Prepare for immediate airway management and maintain
the child's position
D. Obtain a throat culture to confirm diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This is an ABC priority - airway obstruction.
Epiglottitis causes severe airway compromise. The child's
tripod position is maintaining their airway; disrupting it
(supine position) could cause complete obstruction. Airway
management is the first priority. Fever medication, throat
culture, and examination are secondary.
,4. Which scenario best demonstrates application of the ABC
prioritization framework?
A. Treating a patient's depression before addressing their
wound care
B. Assessing a postoperative patient's pain level before
checking their pulse
C. Addressing a patient's hemorrhage before providing
emotional support to their family
D. Administering a vaccination before treating a patient's
allergic reaction
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hemorrhage is a circulation (C) problem,
which is a life-threatening ABC priority. Emotional support
for family is psychosocial and lower priority. Option A
reverses Maslow's hierarchy. Option B reverses ABC
(circulation before pain). Option D is dangerous - allergic
reaction (potential airway/breathing) must be treated first.
5. A nurse receives reports on four patients. Who should be
assessed first?
A. Patient with COPD whose oxygen saturation dropped
from 94% to 91%
B. Patient with a new onset of confusion and altered mental
status
C. Patient with a 2 cm x 2 cm wound drainage that needs
packing
D. Patient who is requesting discharge planning information
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: New onset confusion and altered mental
status can indicate inadequate cerebral perfusion
(circulation problem) or hypoxia (breathing problem), both
ABC priorities. While the COPD patient has decreased O2
, sat, it's still above 90% and less acute. Wound care and
discharge planning are lower priorities.
6. Using Maslow's framework, which need is considered
the lowest priority for a hospitalized patient?
A. Maintaining adequate blood glucose levels
B. Preventing infection through proper wound care
C. Achieving self-actualization through creative activities
D. Ensuring the patient feels safe from falls
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Self-actualization is the bottom (lowest) level
of Maslow's hierarchy. Blood glucose (physiological),
infection prevention (physiological/safety), and fall
prevention (safety) are all higher priorities. Self-
actualization involves personal growth and creative
expression, which is addressed after basic needs are met.
7. A patient in the emergency department is experiencing
severe wheezing, difficulty speaking, and using accessory
muscles to breathe. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer oral antihistamines
B. Provide a calm environment and reassurance
C. Initiate oxygen therapy and prepare for bronchodilator
administration
D. Obtain a detailed allergy history
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This is a breathing (B) emergency. The patient
has signs of severe respiratory distress (wheezing, difficulty
speaking, accessory muscle use). Oxygen and
FRAMEWORKS (ABCs, Maslow) 2026 Q&A
1. A nurse is caring for four patients on the medical-surgical
unit. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A 45-year-old with diabetes reporting mild anxiety about
tomorrow's surgery
B. A 62-year-old with pneumonia experiencing increased
shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 89%
C. A 33-year-old with a fractured leg requesting pain
medication
D. A 55-year-old with hypertension who needs routine blood
pressure monitoring
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Using the ABC framework, breathing is the
second priority after airway. Patient B has compromised
breathing (increased shortness of breath) and hypoxia (O2
sat 89%), which is a life-threatening issue requiring
immediate assessment. The other patients have non-life-
threatening needs: anxiety (psychosocial), pain
(intermediate priority), and routine monitoring (low
priority).
2. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which patient
need should a nurse prioritize first?
A. A patient's need for emotional support from family
members
B. A patient's fear of losing employment due to prolonged
hospitalization
, C. A patient's inability to maintain adequate oxygenation
D. A patient's concern about not looking attractive during
hospital stay
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Maslow's hierarchy places basic physiological
needs (including the ABCs) as the highest priority.
Inadequate oxygenation is a physiological/biological need
that directly impacts survival. Emotional support
(love/belonging), fear of job loss (safety/security), and
appearance concerns (self-esteem) are lower priorities.
3. A toddler with epiglottitis is admitted to the pediatric unit.
The child is sitting upright, leaning forward, with significant
stridor and a tripod position. What is the
nurse's first action?
A. Administer prescribed acetaminophen for fever
B. Place the child in a supine position for examination
C. Prepare for immediate airway management and maintain
the child's position
D. Obtain a throat culture to confirm diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This is an ABC priority - airway obstruction.
Epiglottitis causes severe airway compromise. The child's
tripod position is maintaining their airway; disrupting it
(supine position) could cause complete obstruction. Airway
management is the first priority. Fever medication, throat
culture, and examination are secondary.
,4. Which scenario best demonstrates application of the ABC
prioritization framework?
A. Treating a patient's depression before addressing their
wound care
B. Assessing a postoperative patient's pain level before
checking their pulse
C. Addressing a patient's hemorrhage before providing
emotional support to their family
D. Administering a vaccination before treating a patient's
allergic reaction
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Hemorrhage is a circulation (C) problem,
which is a life-threatening ABC priority. Emotional support
for family is psychosocial and lower priority. Option A
reverses Maslow's hierarchy. Option B reverses ABC
(circulation before pain). Option D is dangerous - allergic
reaction (potential airway/breathing) must be treated first.
5. A nurse receives reports on four patients. Who should be
assessed first?
A. Patient with COPD whose oxygen saturation dropped
from 94% to 91%
B. Patient with a new onset of confusion and altered mental
status
C. Patient with a 2 cm x 2 cm wound drainage that needs
packing
D. Patient who is requesting discharge planning information
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: New onset confusion and altered mental
status can indicate inadequate cerebral perfusion
(circulation problem) or hypoxia (breathing problem), both
ABC priorities. While the COPD patient has decreased O2
, sat, it's still above 90% and less acute. Wound care and
discharge planning are lower priorities.
6. Using Maslow's framework, which need is considered
the lowest priority for a hospitalized patient?
A. Maintaining adequate blood glucose levels
B. Preventing infection through proper wound care
C. Achieving self-actualization through creative activities
D. Ensuring the patient feels safe from falls
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Self-actualization is the bottom (lowest) level
of Maslow's hierarchy. Blood glucose (physiological),
infection prevention (physiological/safety), and fall
prevention (safety) are all higher priorities. Self-
actualization involves personal growth and creative
expression, which is addressed after basic needs are met.
7. A patient in the emergency department is experiencing
severe wheezing, difficulty speaking, and using accessory
muscles to breathe. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer oral antihistamines
B. Provide a calm environment and reassurance
C. Initiate oxygen therapy and prepare for bronchodilator
administration
D. Obtain a detailed allergy history
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This is a breathing (B) emergency. The patient
has signs of severe respiratory distress (wheezing, difficulty
speaking, accessory muscle use). Oxygen and
