Fundamentals of Nursing 2025: NCLEX-Style Questions & Verified
Answers
Comprehensive 100-Question Quiz for NCLEX Preparation
Instructions for Use
• Each question follows current NCLEX format with multiple choice answers
• Rationales are provided for correct answers to enhance learning
• Questions cover all major fundamental nursing concepts tested on NCLEX
• Updated for 2025 nursing practice standards and evidence-based care
QUESTIONS 1-20: NURSING PROCESS & CRITICAL THINKING
1. The nurse is caring for a client with chest pain. Which action represents the
assessment phase of the nursing process?
A) Administering prescribed nitroglycerin B) Obtaining vital signs and pain level C)
Developing a care plan for chest pain D) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain
medication
Answer: B Rationale: Assessment involves collecting data about the client's
condition. Obtaining vital signs and pain level are data collection activities.
2. A nursing student asks about the difference between nursing diagnoses and
medical diagnoses. The best response is:
A) "They are essentially the same thing." B) "Nursing diagnoses focus on client
responses to health problems." C) "Medical diagnoses are more important than
nursing diagnoses." D) "Nursing diagnoses are only used in hospitals."
Answer: B Rationale: Nursing diagnoses identify client responses to actual or
potential health problems, while medical diagnoses identify diseases or conditions.
,3. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority for a client admitted with
pneumonia?
A) Activity intolerance B) Ineffective airway clearance C) Anxiety D) Knowledge
deficit
Answer: B Rationale: Using Maslow's hierarchy, physiological needs
(airway/breathing) take priority over other needs.
4. The nurse is planning care for a client with diabetes. Which outcome is most
appropriately written?
A) "Client will understand diabetes management" B) "Client will have better
glucose control" C) "Client will demonstrate proper insulin injection technique by
discharge" D) "Client will be compliant with treatment"
Answer: C Rationale: Effective outcomes are specific, measurable, achievable,
realistic, and time-limited (SMART). Option C meets these criteria.
5. During the evaluation phase of the nursing process, the nurse should:
A) Identify new nursing diagnoses B) Determine if outcomes were met C)
Implement new interventions D) Collect initial assessment data
Answer: B Rationale: Evaluation involves determining whether client outcomes
were achieved and if nursing interventions were effective.
6. Which question demonstrates critical thinking by the nurse?
A) "What does the textbook say about this condition?" B) "What would happen if I
change the approach to this problem?" C) "What did the doctor order for this
client?" D) "What is the hospital policy for this situation?"
Answer: B Rationale: Critical thinking involves analyzing situations, considering
alternatives, and evaluating potential outcomes.
7. A client's blood pressure is 88/50 mmHg. The nurse's priority action is to:
, A) Document the finding in the medical record B) Notify the healthcare provider
immediately C) Assess the client's mental status and perfusion D) Administer
prescribed antihypertensive medication
Answer: C Rationale: With hypotension, the priority is assessing perfusion and
mental status to determine the severity of the situation before taking further
action.
8. The nurse is developing a care plan. Which statement reflects an appropriate
nursing intervention?
A) "Monitor blood pressure every 4 hours" B) "Client will ambulate 100 feet twice
daily" C) "Chest pain related to myocardial ischemia" D) "Blood pressure will
remain below 140/90 mmHg"
Answer: A Rationale: Nursing interventions are actions the nurse will perform.
Options B and D are outcomes, and C is a nursing diagnosis.
9. Which action by the nurse best demonstrates evidence-based practice?
A) Following the same routine used for the past 10 years B) Using research
findings to guide clinical decisions C) Asking a colleague what they usually do D)
Following physician orders exactly as written
Answer: B Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves integrating current
research evidence with clinical expertise and client preferences.
10. The nurse receives multiple client assignments. Which client should be
assessed first?
A) Client reporting pain level 6/10 B) Client with blood glucose of 180 mg/dL C)
Client with oxygen saturation of 88% D) Client requesting assistance to the
bathroom
Answer: C Rationale: Oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia, which is life-
threatening and requires immediate assessment and intervention.
11. When collecting subjective data during assessment, the nurse should:
Answers
Comprehensive 100-Question Quiz for NCLEX Preparation
Instructions for Use
• Each question follows current NCLEX format with multiple choice answers
• Rationales are provided for correct answers to enhance learning
• Questions cover all major fundamental nursing concepts tested on NCLEX
• Updated for 2025 nursing practice standards and evidence-based care
QUESTIONS 1-20: NURSING PROCESS & CRITICAL THINKING
1. The nurse is caring for a client with chest pain. Which action represents the
assessment phase of the nursing process?
A) Administering prescribed nitroglycerin B) Obtaining vital signs and pain level C)
Developing a care plan for chest pain D) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain
medication
Answer: B Rationale: Assessment involves collecting data about the client's
condition. Obtaining vital signs and pain level are data collection activities.
2. A nursing student asks about the difference between nursing diagnoses and
medical diagnoses. The best response is:
A) "They are essentially the same thing." B) "Nursing diagnoses focus on client
responses to health problems." C) "Medical diagnoses are more important than
nursing diagnoses." D) "Nursing diagnoses are only used in hospitals."
Answer: B Rationale: Nursing diagnoses identify client responses to actual or
potential health problems, while medical diagnoses identify diseases or conditions.
,3. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority for a client admitted with
pneumonia?
A) Activity intolerance B) Ineffective airway clearance C) Anxiety D) Knowledge
deficit
Answer: B Rationale: Using Maslow's hierarchy, physiological needs
(airway/breathing) take priority over other needs.
4. The nurse is planning care for a client with diabetes. Which outcome is most
appropriately written?
A) "Client will understand diabetes management" B) "Client will have better
glucose control" C) "Client will demonstrate proper insulin injection technique by
discharge" D) "Client will be compliant with treatment"
Answer: C Rationale: Effective outcomes are specific, measurable, achievable,
realistic, and time-limited (SMART). Option C meets these criteria.
5. During the evaluation phase of the nursing process, the nurse should:
A) Identify new nursing diagnoses B) Determine if outcomes were met C)
Implement new interventions D) Collect initial assessment data
Answer: B Rationale: Evaluation involves determining whether client outcomes
were achieved and if nursing interventions were effective.
6. Which question demonstrates critical thinking by the nurse?
A) "What does the textbook say about this condition?" B) "What would happen if I
change the approach to this problem?" C) "What did the doctor order for this
client?" D) "What is the hospital policy for this situation?"
Answer: B Rationale: Critical thinking involves analyzing situations, considering
alternatives, and evaluating potential outcomes.
7. A client's blood pressure is 88/50 mmHg. The nurse's priority action is to:
, A) Document the finding in the medical record B) Notify the healthcare provider
immediately C) Assess the client's mental status and perfusion D) Administer
prescribed antihypertensive medication
Answer: C Rationale: With hypotension, the priority is assessing perfusion and
mental status to determine the severity of the situation before taking further
action.
8. The nurse is developing a care plan. Which statement reflects an appropriate
nursing intervention?
A) "Monitor blood pressure every 4 hours" B) "Client will ambulate 100 feet twice
daily" C) "Chest pain related to myocardial ischemia" D) "Blood pressure will
remain below 140/90 mmHg"
Answer: A Rationale: Nursing interventions are actions the nurse will perform.
Options B and D are outcomes, and C is a nursing diagnosis.
9. Which action by the nurse best demonstrates evidence-based practice?
A) Following the same routine used for the past 10 years B) Using research
findings to guide clinical decisions C) Asking a colleague what they usually do D)
Following physician orders exactly as written
Answer: B Rationale: Evidence-based practice involves integrating current
research evidence with clinical expertise and client preferences.
10. The nurse receives multiple client assignments. Which client should be
assessed first?
A) Client reporting pain level 6/10 B) Client with blood glucose of 180 mg/dL C)
Client with oxygen saturation of 88% D) Client requesting assistance to the
bathroom
Answer: C Rationale: Oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia, which is life-
threatening and requires immediate assessment and intervention.
11. When collecting subjective data during assessment, the nurse should:
