NCLEX CAT Baseline Practice Test 2026 | Most Tested
Questions | Graded A+
1. Describe how refusal to provide care based on personal beliefs could lead to
disciplinary action by the Board of Nursing.
Refusal to provide care is acceptable if the nurse feels uncomfortable.
Nurses are never required to provide care to clients.
Refusal to provide care based on personal beliefs can compromise
patient care and violate professional obligations.
Personal beliefs should always take precedence over patient care.
2. A patient presents with low blood pressure and decreased skin turgor. What
should be the nurse's immediate priority in managing this patient?
Administer antihypertensive medication.
Assess fluid status and initiate fluid replacement.
Perform a complete blood count.
Schedule a follow-up appointment.
3. What is the first action a nurse should take after removing a client from a fire?
Check the client's vital signs.
Activate the fire alarm or call for help.
Administer oxygen to the client.
Evacuate other patients.
4. Which of the following conditions requires droplet precautions?
pulmonary tuberculosis receiving nebulizer treatments
, a skin abscess that tested positive for Klebsiella
receiving chemotherapy via an implanted port
diagnosed with rubella
5. Ergonomically designed chairs are best designed to provide support to
which region of the spine?
The lumbar spine
The sacral spine
The cervical spine
The thoracic spine
6. Describe how dry mucous membranes can be associated with hypovolemia
in a patient.
Dry mucous membranes suggest an allergic reaction.
Dry mucous membranes indicate dehydration, which is a common
consequence of hypovolemia.
Dry mucous membranes are unrelated to fluid volume status.
Dry mucous membranes are a sign of infection.
7. Which region of the spine do ergonomically designed chairs primarily
support?
Sacral region
Thoracic region
Lumbar region
Cervical region
, 8. A client with myocardial infarction suddenly becomes tachycardia, shows
signs of air hunger, and begins coughing frothy, pink-tinged sputum. Which
finding would the nurse anticipate when auscultating the client's breath
sounds?
Diminished breath sounds
Crackles
Stridor
Scattered rhonchi
9. Describe the significance of crackles heard during lung auscultation in a
patient with myocardial infarction.
Crackles suggest that the patient has a pleural effusion.
Crackles are a sign of bronchospasm and airway obstruction.
Crackles are normal findings in healthy lungs.
Crackles indicate the presence of fluid in the alveoli, which is
common in cases of pulmonary edema.
10. Describe the rationale behind the nurse's actions after removing a client from
a fire situation.
The nurse should activate the fire alarm or call for help to ensure
that emergency services are alerted and that the situation is
managed appropriately.
The nurse should check the client's vital signs to assess their condition
after the incident.
The nurse should administer oxygen to the client to prevent
respiratory distress.
The nurse should evacuate other patients to ensure their safety.
Questions | Graded A+
1. Describe how refusal to provide care based on personal beliefs could lead to
disciplinary action by the Board of Nursing.
Refusal to provide care is acceptable if the nurse feels uncomfortable.
Nurses are never required to provide care to clients.
Refusal to provide care based on personal beliefs can compromise
patient care and violate professional obligations.
Personal beliefs should always take precedence over patient care.
2. A patient presents with low blood pressure and decreased skin turgor. What
should be the nurse's immediate priority in managing this patient?
Administer antihypertensive medication.
Assess fluid status and initiate fluid replacement.
Perform a complete blood count.
Schedule a follow-up appointment.
3. What is the first action a nurse should take after removing a client from a fire?
Check the client's vital signs.
Activate the fire alarm or call for help.
Administer oxygen to the client.
Evacuate other patients.
4. Which of the following conditions requires droplet precautions?
pulmonary tuberculosis receiving nebulizer treatments
, a skin abscess that tested positive for Klebsiella
receiving chemotherapy via an implanted port
diagnosed with rubella
5. Ergonomically designed chairs are best designed to provide support to
which region of the spine?
The lumbar spine
The sacral spine
The cervical spine
The thoracic spine
6. Describe how dry mucous membranes can be associated with hypovolemia
in a patient.
Dry mucous membranes suggest an allergic reaction.
Dry mucous membranes indicate dehydration, which is a common
consequence of hypovolemia.
Dry mucous membranes are unrelated to fluid volume status.
Dry mucous membranes are a sign of infection.
7. Which region of the spine do ergonomically designed chairs primarily
support?
Sacral region
Thoracic region
Lumbar region
Cervical region
, 8. A client with myocardial infarction suddenly becomes tachycardia, shows
signs of air hunger, and begins coughing frothy, pink-tinged sputum. Which
finding would the nurse anticipate when auscultating the client's breath
sounds?
Diminished breath sounds
Crackles
Stridor
Scattered rhonchi
9. Describe the significance of crackles heard during lung auscultation in a
patient with myocardial infarction.
Crackles suggest that the patient has a pleural effusion.
Crackles are a sign of bronchospasm and airway obstruction.
Crackles are normal findings in healthy lungs.
Crackles indicate the presence of fluid in the alveoli, which is
common in cases of pulmonary edema.
10. Describe the rationale behind the nurse's actions after removing a client from
a fire situation.
The nurse should activate the fire alarm or call for help to ensure
that emergency services are alerted and that the situation is
managed appropriately.
The nurse should check the client's vital signs to assess their condition
after the incident.
The nurse should administer oxygen to the client to prevent
respiratory distress.
The nurse should evacuate other patients to ensure their safety.
