NCLEX PN practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q1The nurse works on a medical/surgical unit that has a shift with an unusually high number of admissions, discharges, and call bells ringing. A nurse’s aide, who looks increasingly flustered and overwhelmed with the workload, finally announces “This is impossible! I quit!” and stomps toward the break room. The best statement, if made by the nurse to the nurse’s aide, is <code>________</code>.
✓ Correct answer: D. “It seems to me that you feel frustrated.<br/><br/>What can I help you with to care for our patients?”
This statement uses reflection and offers assistance to a fellow member of the patient care team. Do not refer back to yourself or offer a break. Offer to directly alleviate the cause of the problem.
Q2Which of the following terms is defined as when an individual believes that which was previously known as reality has been altered or completely done away with?
✓ Correct answer: D. Derealization.
Dementia is defined as a state of having several cognitive deficits that usually include memory issues. Akathisia is defined as being restless with regard to the motor system. Delirium deals with changes in cognition that take place over time.
Q3Bleuler’s four A’s are used to help remember the important characteristics of schizophrenia.<br/><br/>Which of the following is NOT one of the four A’s?
✓ Correct answer: C. Actualities
When faced with a question about schizophrenia use Bleuler’s four A’s to remember the characteristics of schizophrenia. They are: autism (preoccupied with self); affect (flat); associations (loose); and ambivalence (difficulty making decisions). Actualities is not one of the characteristics.
Q4Which of the following would you expect to see with second- and third-degree burns in the emergent phase?
✓ Correct answer: C. Elevated hematocrit levels
One would expect to find elevated hamatocrit levels in a patient in the emergent phase of second- or third-degree burns. 48 to 72 hours after injury, the emergent phase ends with the restoration of capillary permeability. Hemoconcentration from large fluid shifts leads to increased hematocrit.
Q5You are teaching your nursing students about maintaining an acid-base balance in the body. Part of maintaining this balance is the chemical buffer system.<br/><br/>Which of the following will you tell them is the main chemical buffer?
✓ Correct answer: C. Bicarbonate-carbonic acid
The main chemical buffer is the bicarbonate-carbonic acid system. Normally there are 20 parts of bicarbonate to 1 part carbonic acid. If this 20:1 ratio is altered the pH is changed. Other buffer systems are hemoglobin, protein and phosphate.
Q6Which behavior is most healthful for a client with arterial insufficiency?
✓ Correct answer: A. Wear loose fitting socks.
Loose fitting socks will promote good circulation. Crossing the legs at any point is detrimental to circulation.
Q7The nurse is caring for a client undergoing chemotherapy who develops thrombocytopenia.<br/><br/>Which of the following interventions should the nurse give the highest priority?
✓ Correct answer: B. Monitor for bleeding in the gums
Thrombocytopenia indicates a decrease in the number of platelets, leading to high risk of bleeding. The nursing intervention should focus on preventing and monitoring for bleeding. <br/><br/>Option A is an intervention for leukopenia, or a decrease in white blood cells. <br/><br/>Options B and D are not related to thrombocytopenia.
Q8A nurse is assigned to monitor a client who is prescribed clozapine (Clozaril). The occurrence of which signs and symptoms should alert the nurse to contact the RN or physician immediately?
✓ Correct answer: D. Fever, sore throat
The nurse should immediately contact the RN or physician if the client complains of fever, sore throat, and flu-like symptoms, as these could indicate agranulocytosis, a severe complication of clozapine.
Q9A 24 year old pregnant client presents for her initial antepartum visit. She has a 1-year-old son born at 39 weeks and a 4-year-old son born at 37 weeks.<br/><br/>The client had a spontaneous abortion 7 years ago at 8 weeks.<br/><br/>By using the GTPAL format, the nurse can determine the client's pregnancy history as:
✓ Correct answer: D. G4 T2 A1 L2
GTPAL is used to show information about a female's pregnancy history. The approach is expressed in acronyms such as G-gravida which is associated with the total number of pregnancies; P-preterm, which is associated with all the children that were born early, before 37 weeks of gestation but after 20 weeks; A identifies the number of abortions and L indicates the number of children who are presently living.<br/><br/>Now, for our example of the 24 year old female client, the nurse would express the client's pregnancy history as G4 T2 A1 L2 which identifies the following: The total number of pregnancies are 4 (G4). The total number of termed births where the baby was born after 37 weeks of gestatation are 2 (T2). The client had 1 abortion (A1). The client has a total of 2 children living (L2).
Q10The nurse teaches a 20-year-old female how to carry out SBE (self-breast exams). Of the following instructions, which one is incorrect if given by the nurse?
✓ Correct answer: C. “The best time to perform your SBE is at the end of the month.”
One week after the onset of the woman’s menstrual period, when hormones are at the lowest, is the best time to perform SBE. It is normal for hormonal changes during the month to make breast tissue tender or enlarged. The other options are correct as well.
Use the free NCLEX PN Exam Prep Test 2026 sample, download the PDF, then unlock web-based timed mock exams for a full exam rehearsal.
Theory