NCLEX-PN Review Questions: High-Yield Topics
Table of Contents
Pulmonary System (Questions 1, 24)
o Focuses on respiratory conditions like Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Asthma.
Gastrointestinal (GI) System (Questions 2, 3, 4)
o Covers common GI disorders such as Duodenal Ulcers, Peptic Ulcers, and GERD.
Cardiovascular System (Questions 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 38, 39)
o Includes critical concepts related to cardiac health, lab values (Potassium, Troponin, BNP),
post-procedural care, and risk factors for cardiovascular events.
Hematology and Immunology (Questions 7, 8, 20, 27)
o Addresses conditions like HIV, Sickle Cell Disease, and allergic reactions, with an
emphasis on patient safety and infection control.
Neurology and Mental Health (Questions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
o Covers a broad range of neurological and mental health topics, including Parkinson's
Disease, Epilepsy, Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, and medication management.
Musculoskeletal System (Questions 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51, 52, 53)
o Features questions on bone health, fractures, and related nursing interventions.
Sensory System (Questions 40, 41, 42)
o Reviews key concepts for eye conditions, specifically Cataracts and Glaucoma.
Pharmacology (Integrated throughout)
o Medication-specific questions are integrated into relevant body systems to reinforce
practical application.
.
NCLEX-PN Review Questions
, 1. The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for Emphysema and Chronic
Bronchitis. After being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years, the nurse
expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
2. A narrowed chest cavity
3. Clubbed fingers
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure
Correct Answer: 3. Clubbed fingers
Explanation: Clubbed fingers are a sign of a long-term, or chronic, decrease in oxygen levels.
2. The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient being treated for a Duodenal
Ulcer. After being told the patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the nurse expects to note
which assessment finding?
1. Melena
2. Nausea
3. Hernia
4. Hyperthermia
Correct Answer: 1. Melena
Explanation: Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the stool which presents as black,
tarry feces. This is a common manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the Duodenum is further down
the gastric anatomy.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease. Which of these statements by the patient indicates a need for more teaching?
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my head when I sleep"
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
Correct Answer: 1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
Explanation: Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the stomach and delay gastric emptying.
It's recommended instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
, 4. The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient suspected to have a Peptic Ulcer. On
assessing lab results, the nurse finds that the patient's blood pressure is 95/60, pulse is 110 beats
per minute, and the patient reports epigastric pain. What is the PRIORITY intervention?
1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
2. Ask the patient for a stool sample
3. Prepare to insert an NG Tube
4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered
Correct Answer: 1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
Explanation: The nurse should suspect that the patient is hemorrhaging and will need fluid
replacement therapy, which requires a large bore IV.
5. A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following lab results: Hemoglobin of 11 g/dl, a
platelet count of 150,000, an INR of 2.5, and potassium of 2.7 mEq/L. Which result is critical and
should be reported to the physician immediately?
1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl
2. Platelet of 150,000
3. INR of 2.5
4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L
Correct Answer: 4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L
Explanation: A potassium imbalance for a patient with a history of dysrhythmia can be life-threatening
and can lead to cardiac distress.
6. While receiving normal saline infusions to treat a GI bleed, the nurse notes that the patient's
lower legs have become edematous and auscultates crackles in the lungs. What should the nurse
do first?
1. Stop the saline infusion immediately
2. Notify Physician
3. Elevate the patient's legs
4. Continue the infusion, since these are normal findings
Correct Answer: 1. Stop the saline infusion immediately
Table of Contents
Pulmonary System (Questions 1, 24)
o Focuses on respiratory conditions like Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Asthma.
Gastrointestinal (GI) System (Questions 2, 3, 4)
o Covers common GI disorders such as Duodenal Ulcers, Peptic Ulcers, and GERD.
Cardiovascular System (Questions 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 38, 39)
o Includes critical concepts related to cardiac health, lab values (Potassium, Troponin, BNP),
post-procedural care, and risk factors for cardiovascular events.
Hematology and Immunology (Questions 7, 8, 20, 27)
o Addresses conditions like HIV, Sickle Cell Disease, and allergic reactions, with an
emphasis on patient safety and infection control.
Neurology and Mental Health (Questions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31,
32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
o Covers a broad range of neurological and mental health topics, including Parkinson's
Disease, Epilepsy, Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, and medication management.
Musculoskeletal System (Questions 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51, 52, 53)
o Features questions on bone health, fractures, and related nursing interventions.
Sensory System (Questions 40, 41, 42)
o Reviews key concepts for eye conditions, specifically Cataracts and Glaucoma.
Pharmacology (Integrated throughout)
o Medication-specific questions are integrated into relevant body systems to reinforce
practical application.
.
NCLEX-PN Review Questions
, 1. The nurse is taking the health history of a patient being treated for Emphysema and Chronic
Bronchitis. After being told the patient has been smoking cigarettes for 30 years, the nurse
expects to note which assessment finding?
1. Increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
2. A narrowed chest cavity
3. Clubbed fingers
4. An increased risk of cardiac failure
Correct Answer: 3. Clubbed fingers
Explanation: Clubbed fingers are a sign of a long-term, or chronic, decrease in oxygen levels.
2. The nurse is taking the health history of a 70-year-old patient being treated for a Duodenal
Ulcer. After being told the patient is complaining of epigastric pain, the nurse expects to note
which assessment finding?
1. Melena
2. Nausea
3. Hernia
4. Hyperthermia
Correct Answer: 1. Melena
Explanation: Melena is the finding that there are traces of blood in the stool which presents as black,
tarry feces. This is a common manifestation of Duodenal Ulcers, since the Duodenum is further down
the gastric anatomy.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with severe Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease. Which of these statements by the patient indicates a need for more teaching?
1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
2. "I'm going to make sure to remain upright after meals and elevate my head when I sleep"
3. "I won't be drinking tea or coffee or eating chocolate any more."
4. "I'm going to start trying to lose some weight."
Correct Answer: 1. "I'm going to limit my meals to 2-3 per day to reduce acid secretion."
Explanation: Large meals increase the volume and pressure in the stomach and delay gastric emptying.
It's recommended instead to eat 4-6 small meals a day.
, 4. The nurse in the Emergency Room is treating a patient suspected to have a Peptic Ulcer. On
assessing lab results, the nurse finds that the patient's blood pressure is 95/60, pulse is 110 beats
per minute, and the patient reports epigastric pain. What is the PRIORITY intervention?
1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
2. Ask the patient for a stool sample
3. Prepare to insert an NG Tube
4. Administer intramuscular morphine sulphate as ordered
Correct Answer: 1. Start a large-bore IV in the patient's arm
Explanation: The nurse should suspect that the patient is hemorrhaging and will need fluid
replacement therapy, which requires a large bore IV.
5. A female patient with atrial fibrillation has the following lab results: Hemoglobin of 11 g/dl, a
platelet count of 150,000, an INR of 2.5, and potassium of 2.7 mEq/L. Which result is critical and
should be reported to the physician immediately?
1. Hemoglobin 11 g/dl
2. Platelet of 150,000
3. INR of 2.5
4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L
Correct Answer: 4. Potassium of 2.7 mEq/L
Explanation: A potassium imbalance for a patient with a history of dysrhythmia can be life-threatening
and can lead to cardiac distress.
6. While receiving normal saline infusions to treat a GI bleed, the nurse notes that the patient's
lower legs have become edematous and auscultates crackles in the lungs. What should the nurse
do first?
1. Stop the saline infusion immediately
2. Notify Physician
3. Elevate the patient's legs
4. Continue the infusion, since these are normal findings
Correct Answer: 1. Stop the saline infusion immediately
