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 — When to Take
the NCLEX
Stem
A new graduate ADN nurse is scheduled to graduate in two
weeks but has the opportunity to test this month. She worked a
double shift last night and reports resting only 3 hours. Her last
clinical preceptor rated her readiness borderline. Which action
should the nurse take regarding scheduling the NCLEX?
,A. Sit for the NCLEX this month while momentum from recent
study remains high.
B. Delay scheduling until after graduation, ensuring adequate
rest and completion of program requirements.
C. Take the test immediately but request extended time as an
accommodation for fatigue.
D. Schedule the exam for the next available slot and plan to
study during breaks at work.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): Delaying until after graduation and when
adequately rested aligns with test-taking best practices (safety,
readiness). The NCLEX should be taken when the candidate has
completed program requirements and can be well-rested to
optimize performance. This is a priority decision balancing
safety, cognitive readiness, and licensure success.
A: Testing while sleep-deprived increases risk of poor
performance; momentum is not a sufficient counterbalance.
C: Extended time accommodations require documentation of a
qualifying disability — fatigue from double shift is not eligible.
D: Studying during work breaks when fatigued is unlikely to
produce adequate preparation; scheduling without ensuring
rest is suboptimal.
Teaching point: Take NCLEX when academically eligible, rested,
and prepared — not during acute fatigue.
,Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Computer
Adaptive Testing
Stem
During a practice CAT orientation, a nursing student is told that
the NCLEX adapts to ability by selecting items based on prior
answers. The student asks whether early easy items mean she
will pass. Which explanation should the educator give to most
accurately describe CAT?
A. Early easy items guarantee a passing result if answered
correctly.
B. The test varies item difficulty dynamically; early items do not
determine final outcome.
C. The computer uses a fixed pass/fail threshold after 75
questions.
D. Candidates who answer many easy items will automatically
receive more questions.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): CAT adjusts item difficulty throughout the
examination to hone in on candidate ability; initial items do not
, alone determine pass/fail. This aligns with CAT principles and
reduces misinterpretation.
A: Incorrect — no single early item or set of easy items
guarantees a pass.
C: Incorrect — there is not a fixed item count that always
determines outcome; the exam ends when ability is determined
or after maximum items.
D: Incorrect — receiving more items depends on how quickly
the algorithm can determine ability, not simply answering easy
items.
Teaching point: In CAT, item difficulty adapts continuously; early
items do not decide pass/fail.
Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Exam
Administration / Scheduling the Examination
Stem
A graduate living in a rural county with one testing center must
schedule the NCLEX. Local centers show only morning slots; she
is a single parent with an infant feeding every 3 hours. Which
action best balances test requirements and caregiver safety?
NCLEX-RN
14TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)DIANE BILLINGS;
DESIREE HENSEL
TEST BANK
1.
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — When to Take
the NCLEX
Stem
A new graduate ADN nurse is scheduled to graduate in two
weeks but has the opportunity to test this month. She worked a
double shift last night and reports resting only 3 hours. Her last
clinical preceptor rated her readiness borderline. Which action
should the nurse take regarding scheduling the NCLEX?
,A. Sit for the NCLEX this month while momentum from recent
study remains high.
B. Delay scheduling until after graduation, ensuring adequate
rest and completion of program requirements.
C. Take the test immediately but request extended time as an
accommodation for fatigue.
D. Schedule the exam for the next available slot and plan to
study during breaks at work.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): Delaying until after graduation and when
adequately rested aligns with test-taking best practices (safety,
readiness). The NCLEX should be taken when the candidate has
completed program requirements and can be well-rested to
optimize performance. This is a priority decision balancing
safety, cognitive readiness, and licensure success.
A: Testing while sleep-deprived increases risk of poor
performance; momentum is not a sufficient counterbalance.
C: Extended time accommodations require documentation of a
qualifying disability — fatigue from double shift is not eligible.
D: Studying during work breaks when fatigued is unlikely to
produce adequate preparation; scheduling without ensuring
rest is suboptimal.
Teaching point: Take NCLEX when academically eligible, rested,
and prepared — not during acute fatigue.
,Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Computer
Adaptive Testing
Stem
During a practice CAT orientation, a nursing student is told that
the NCLEX adapts to ability by selecting items based on prior
answers. The student asks whether early easy items mean she
will pass. Which explanation should the educator give to most
accurately describe CAT?
A. Early easy items guarantee a passing result if answered
correctly.
B. The test varies item difficulty dynamically; early items do not
determine final outcome.
C. The computer uses a fixed pass/fail threshold after 75
questions.
D. Candidates who answer many easy items will automatically
receive more questions.
Correct answer: B
Rationales
Correct (B): CAT adjusts item difficulty throughout the
examination to hone in on candidate ability; initial items do not
, alone determine pass/fail. This aligns with CAT principles and
reduces misinterpretation.
A: Incorrect — no single early item or set of easy items
guarantees a pass.
C: Incorrect — there is not a fixed item count that always
determines outcome; the exam ends when ability is determined
or after maximum items.
D: Incorrect — receiving more items depends on how quickly
the algorithm can determine ability, not simply answering easy
items.
Teaching point: In CAT, item difficulty adapts continuously; early
items do not decide pass/fail.
Citation: Billings, D. M., & Hensel, D. (2024). Lippincott Q&A
Review for NCLEX-RN (14th ed.). Wolters Kluwer. Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — The NCLEX-RN® Licensing Examination — Exam
Administration / Scheduling the Examination
Stem
A graduate living in a rural county with one testing center must
schedule the NCLEX. Local centers show only morning slots; she
is a single parent with an infant feeding every 3 hours. Which
action best balances test requirements and caregiver safety?
