NCLEX-RN Practice Examination| 2026 Test
Plan Format | NGN Case Studies & Answer Key
SECTION 1: NEXT GENERATION NCLEX (NGN) CASE STUDY
Case Study: Acute Pancreatitis
Patient Profile:
Name: Margaret Chen
Age: 62 years
Gender: Female
Admitting Diagnosis: Acute Pancreatitis
Medical History: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Gallstones, Hypertension
Current Status: Admitted 12 hours ago with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
PART A: Recognizing Cues (Question 1)
Scenario: The nurse performs the initial admission assessment on Mrs. Chen. Select the 5
findings that require immediate follow-up.
Select all that apply (SATA):
Heart rate 88 bpm
Blood pressure 142/88 mmHg
Temperature 38.6°C (101.5°F)
Respiratory rate 22/min
Oxygen saturation 91% on room air
Skin warm and dry
Pain rating 8/10 in epigastric area
Urine output 45 mL over 2 hours
Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
PART B: Analyze Cues (Question 2)
, Scenario: The nurse reviews Mrs. Chen's laboratory results. For each finding, indicate
whether it is consistent with acute pancreatitis.
Consistent with Acute Not Requires Further
Laboratory Finding
Pancreatitis Consistent Investigation
Serum Amylase 480
☐ ☐ ☐
U/L
Serum Lipase 620
☐ ☐ ☐
U/L
WBC count
☐ ☐ ☐
15,200/mm³
Serum Calcium 7.8
☐ ☐ ☐
mg/dL
Serum Glucose 210
☐ ☐ ☐
mg/dL
Bilirubin 2.4 mg/dL ☐ ☐ ☐
BUN 28 mg/dL ☐ ☐ ☐
PART C: Prioritize Hypotheses (Question 3)
Scenario: The nurse must prioritize interventions for Mrs. Chen. Drag three interventions
into the "Highest Priority" column.
Available Interventions:
1. Administer prescribed antiemetics
2. Place the client on NPO status
3. Initiate IV fluids as prescribed
4. Apply cold compress to abdomen
5. Ambulate the client in the hallway
6. Administer oral pancreatic enzymes
Plan Format | NGN Case Studies & Answer Key
SECTION 1: NEXT GENERATION NCLEX (NGN) CASE STUDY
Case Study: Acute Pancreatitis
Patient Profile:
Name: Margaret Chen
Age: 62 years
Gender: Female
Admitting Diagnosis: Acute Pancreatitis
Medical History: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Gallstones, Hypertension
Current Status: Admitted 12 hours ago with severe epigastric pain radiating to the back
PART A: Recognizing Cues (Question 1)
Scenario: The nurse performs the initial admission assessment on Mrs. Chen. Select the 5
findings that require immediate follow-up.
Select all that apply (SATA):
Heart rate 88 bpm
Blood pressure 142/88 mmHg
Temperature 38.6°C (101.5°F)
Respiratory rate 22/min
Oxygen saturation 91% on room air
Skin warm and dry
Pain rating 8/10 in epigastric area
Urine output 45 mL over 2 hours
Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
PART B: Analyze Cues (Question 2)
, Scenario: The nurse reviews Mrs. Chen's laboratory results. For each finding, indicate
whether it is consistent with acute pancreatitis.
Consistent with Acute Not Requires Further
Laboratory Finding
Pancreatitis Consistent Investigation
Serum Amylase 480
☐ ☐ ☐
U/L
Serum Lipase 620
☐ ☐ ☐
U/L
WBC count
☐ ☐ ☐
15,200/mm³
Serum Calcium 7.8
☐ ☐ ☐
mg/dL
Serum Glucose 210
☐ ☐ ☐
mg/dL
Bilirubin 2.4 mg/dL ☐ ☐ ☐
BUN 28 mg/dL ☐ ☐ ☐
PART C: Prioritize Hypotheses (Question 3)
Scenario: The nurse must prioritize interventions for Mrs. Chen. Drag three interventions
into the "Highest Priority" column.
Available Interventions:
1. Administer prescribed antiemetics
2. Place the client on NPO status
3. Initiate IV fluids as prescribed
4. Apply cold compress to abdomen
5. Ambulate the client in the hallway
6. Administer oral pancreatic enzymes
