LIPPINCOTT Q&A REVIEW FOR
NCLEX-RN
14TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)DIANE BILLINGS;
DESIREE HENSEL
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination —
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Stem: A recent graduate is taking the NCLEX-RN. After
answering 75 questions, the computer stops and displays that
the candidate has completed testing. The graduate is unsure
whether they passed. Which statement by the nurse educator
best explains why the test ended?
A. “The exam stopped because you reached the maximum
number of items allowed for the test.”
,B. “The exam ended because the computer determined with
confidence that you either met or did not meet the passing
standard.”
C. “The test finished because the time limit for each section was
reached.”
D. “The exam concluded because you selected the same answer
choice too many times.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: In CAT, the computer may stop before the
maximum item limit when it has enough statistical confidence
to determine whether a candidate’s ability is above or below
the passing standard. This explains an early stop and addresses
the candidate’s concern. It aligns with CJMM task of evaluating
outcomes (determining pass/fail) and test administration
principles.
Rationale — Incorrect A: The test can end before the maximum
if confidence is reached; stating only “maximum number” is
inaccurate.
Rationale — Incorrect C: There is not a timed “section” that
ends testing; overall administration time limits are not the
reason CAT stops early.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Repeating an answer choice does not
trigger test termination and would be a misleading explanation.
Teaching point: CAT stops when it can confidently classify ability
relative to the passing standard.
,Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Test Plan — Client Needs Categories
Stem: During a group review, a nursing student asks which
NCLEX content domain will be emphasized when items require
integrating physiologic data and risk-reduction decisions for an
adult with heart failure. The educator knows the exam maps
items to the Test Plan. Which statement is most accurate?
A. “Questions like that will be classified only under
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies.”
B. “Those items will likely map to the Client Needs category
‘Physiological Integrity’ and its subcategories.”
C. “They must be placed in ‘Health Promotion and
Maintenance’ because heart failure is chronic.”
D. “Content mapping is random and does not follow specific
Test Plan categories.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: The NCLEX Test Plan organizes clinical
content; physiologic data and risk-reduction for acute/chronic
conditions fall under Physiological Integrity (including reduction
of risk potential and physiological adaptation). Selecting B
shows analysis of cue categories and alignment with the Test
Plan.
, Rationale — Incorrect A: Pharmacology is a subarea but not the
only or exclusive mapping; the clinical scenario involves broader
physiological integrity.
Rationale — Incorrect C: Health Promotion focuses on
prevention and screening; heart failure management that
requires physiologic data is better categorized under
Physiological Integrity.
Rationale — Incorrect D: The Test Plan provides structured
mapping; items are not randomly assigned.
Teaching point: Map clinical scenarios to Test Plan client needs;
physiological integrity covers acute/chronic physiology.
Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Exam Security & Confidentiality — Test
Center Behavior
Stem: A candidate overhears another examinee discussing
specific item content while exiting the test center. The
candidate is upset and wants to report it. Which action should
the candidate take first?
A. Immediately tell the test center proctor and request a
refund.
B. Document the details (time, location, description) and report
the incident to the testing agency per instructions.
NCLEX-RN
14TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)DIANE BILLINGS;
DESIREE HENSEL
TEST BANK
1
Reference: Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination —
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Stem: A recent graduate is taking the NCLEX-RN. After
answering 75 questions, the computer stops and displays that
the candidate has completed testing. The graduate is unsure
whether they passed. Which statement by the nurse educator
best explains why the test ended?
A. “The exam stopped because you reached the maximum
number of items allowed for the test.”
,B. “The exam ended because the computer determined with
confidence that you either met or did not meet the passing
standard.”
C. “The test finished because the time limit for each section was
reached.”
D. “The exam concluded because you selected the same answer
choice too many times.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: In CAT, the computer may stop before the
maximum item limit when it has enough statistical confidence
to determine whether a candidate’s ability is above or below
the passing standard. This explains an early stop and addresses
the candidate’s concern. It aligns with CJMM task of evaluating
outcomes (determining pass/fail) and test administration
principles.
Rationale — Incorrect A: The test can end before the maximum
if confidence is reached; stating only “maximum number” is
inaccurate.
Rationale — Incorrect C: There is not a timed “section” that
ends testing; overall administration time limits are not the
reason CAT stops early.
Rationale — Incorrect D: Repeating an answer choice does not
trigger test termination and would be a misleading explanation.
Teaching point: CAT stops when it can confidently classify ability
relative to the passing standard.
,Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Test Plan — Client Needs Categories
Stem: During a group review, a nursing student asks which
NCLEX content domain will be emphasized when items require
integrating physiologic data and risk-reduction decisions for an
adult with heart failure. The educator knows the exam maps
items to the Test Plan. Which statement is most accurate?
A. “Questions like that will be classified only under
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies.”
B. “Those items will likely map to the Client Needs category
‘Physiological Integrity’ and its subcategories.”
C. “They must be placed in ‘Health Promotion and
Maintenance’ because heart failure is chronic.”
D. “Content mapping is random and does not follow specific
Test Plan categories.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct: The NCLEX Test Plan organizes clinical
content; physiologic data and risk-reduction for acute/chronic
conditions fall under Physiological Integrity (including reduction
of risk potential and physiological adaptation). Selecting B
shows analysis of cue categories and alignment with the Test
Plan.
, Rationale — Incorrect A: Pharmacology is a subarea but not the
only or exclusive mapping; the clinical scenario involves broader
physiological integrity.
Rationale — Incorrect C: Health Promotion focuses on
prevention and screening; heart failure management that
requires physiologic data is better categorized under
Physiological Integrity.
Rationale — Incorrect D: The Test Plan provides structured
mapping; items are not randomly assigned.
Teaching point: Map clinical scenarios to Test Plan client needs;
physiological integrity covers acute/chronic physiology.
Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Exam Security & Confidentiality — Test
Center Behavior
Stem: A candidate overhears another examinee discussing
specific item content while exiting the test center. The
candidate is upset and wants to report it. Which action should
the candidate take first?
A. Immediately tell the test center proctor and request a
refund.
B. Document the details (time, location, description) and report
the incident to the testing agency per instructions.
