NCLEX RN 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.
Q21You have been assigned to triage patients today. <br/><br/>Which patient would get the highest priority?
✓ Correct answer: D. A patient who ate spicy pizza who is now complaining of chest pain
A patient who is complaining of chest pain should get the highest priority. Patients with trauma, chest pain, respiratory distress and cardiac arrest would get the highest priority on the list. Patients with minor injuries, cold symptoms or sprains would fall next.
Q22You are caring for a patient who has been involuntarily admitted to the hospital because of violent behavior. The patient is demanding to leave the hospital. The nurse understands that keeping the patient will lead to:
✓ Correct answer: C. No charges because the nurse’s actions are reasonable.
No charges will be filed against the nurse, because the actions of the nurse are reasonable. False imprisonment is an act with intent to confine a person to a specific area. This could be charged against the nurse if the patient had been voluntarily admitted to the hospital.
Q23Moana the New Nurse is caring for a 78-year-old client, a Cambodian immigrant. The client has end-stage ovarian cancer. Some members of the family have begun a round-the-clock bedside vigil, while others bring assorted homemade dishes to the client’s room. The family is heard softly chanting at times. The client’s grandson notified Moana the New Nurse that the family would like an hour of undisturbed privacy today; they wish to perform a traditional Cambodian ceremony to help loved ones pass to the next life easily. Moana the New Nurse agrees and makes her team aware. She also tries not to assign the other bed in the room in order to allow privacy and space for the family. What, if anything, did Moana the New Nurse do wrong?
✓ Correct answer: C. Moana the New Nurse is correct.
Moana the New Nurse understands that providing a culturally sensitive environment is the most helpful thing she can do for her client and the client’s family. Keeping the other bed in the room open provides privacy, space, and comfort for the client and family, without disturbing other clients on the unit. If no other beds were available, this would not be an option. Nurses balance the cultural needs of clients with the guidelines and regulations of the facility.
Q24The nurse is preparing discharge instructions for Beth, a patient recently diagnosed with diabetes. Beth will be starting a new medication to help manage her elevated blood sugars and needs effective teaching on what the medication is for. <br/><br/>Which of the following is an example of therapeutic communication when providing this education to Beth?
✓ Correct answer: C. 'The doctor has prescribed glipizide, which is a medication that will help your pancreas produce insulin and lower your blood sugar.'
The response 'The doctor has prescribed glipizide, which is a medication that will help your pancreas produce insulin and lower your blood sugar.' is therapeutic because it utilizes lay terms, explains the situation, and teaches the patient about how the medication works. The remaining responses are incorrect because they don't use lay terminology or do not teach the patient in a meaningful way.
Q25Which of the following diets is suggested for the client with AIDS?
✓ Correct answer: C. High calorie, high protein
The suggested diet for the client with AIDS is one that is high calorie and high protein.
Q26Which of the following foods should be avoided by clients who are prone to develop heartburn as a result of gastroesophgeal reflux disease (GERD)?
✓ Correct answer: D. chocolate
Ingestion of chocolate can reduce lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure leading to reflux and clinical symptoms of GERD.
Q27A patient on a medical-surgical unit who was admitted for chest pain, past medical history includes: DMII, COPD, CHF, and Atrial fibrillation. The following information is obtained upon assessment: VS: T- 99.9, P-62, R-20, BP-100/90, Sp02-91% on RA. Patient has diminished lung sounds in the bases and +3 edema in the lower extremities. The patient is currently receiving 80ml/hr of NS through a peripheral IV. He has a foley catheter that has put out 45 ml in the last two hours, however he had 70ml of urine output the two hours prior. <br/><br/>Which of the following is most concerning that the nurse should notify the physician immediately?
✓ Correct answer: C. 45 ml of urine output in two hours
Urine output should be at least 30 ml an hour. If urine output is less than 30ml/hr for two hours, the physician should be notified. Urine output of less than 30ml/hr becomes a cause for concern especially when it is a change from the patient's baseline.
Q28Mary, a newly registered nurse, is working in a physician’s office. She is assisting the physician to perform blood extraction. When disposing of these materials, in which color-coded bag should the nurse place the used vacutainer?
✓ Correct answer: A. In a puncture-proof container
All sharp items, including needles and glass tubes, should be placed in a puncture resistance container to prevent spread of infection. These sharp items are treated as hazardous materials. Other hazardous and infectious materials should be placed in a red bag.
Q29The nurse is caring for a 35 year old client with cirrhosis. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid
✓ Correct answer: D. Blowing his nose
Cirrhosis is the last stage of liver disease.<br/><br/>Individuals with cirrhosis may be at risk for bleeding because their bodies are not able to properly coagulate the blood.<br/><br/>Also, complications of cirrhosis such as gastritis and enlarged veins in the esophagus that can rupture can further put the client at risk for bleeding.<br/><br/>Therefore, it is important to inform clients to not blow the nose too hard to avoid bleeding.<br/><br/>Additional precautions the nurse should discuss with the client include not having the temperature taken rectally, avoid enemas, avoid injections, use soft toothbrushes to not bruise the gums and to avoid straining when passing feces.
Q30The nurse expects to observe an infant transferring an object from one hand to another at which age?
✓ Correct answer: B. 6 months
An infant typically transfers objects from one hand to another between ages 6 and 7 months. The infant can grasp a rattle in the hands at age 4 months, bang objects together between ages 9 and 10 months, and place objects in a container by age 12 months.
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Theory