NCLEX-RN Exam Questions You Must Practice Before the Test

The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is a crucial step for aspiring registered nurses in the United States. This comprehensive test assesses your knowledge and skills to ensure you are prepared for the responsibilities of a registered nurse. To excel in this exam, it’s essential to practice with high-quality NCLEX-RN exam questions. In this blog, we’ll explore why practicing NCLEX-RN questions is vital, how to approach your preparation and provide you with ten must-make multiple-choice questions to test your readiness.

Why Practice NCLEX-RN Exam Questions?

1. Understand the Exam Format

The NCLEX-RN exam uses a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format, which means the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your responses. Practicing with exam-like questions helps you become familiar with this format and reduces test anxiety.

2. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

By practicing NCLEX-RN exam questions, you can identify areas where you need improvement. This allows you to focus your study efforts on your weaker areas, leading to more efficient and effective preparation.

3. Build Test-Taking Skills

Practicing with NCLEX-RN questions helps you develop test-taking strategies, such as time management and the ability to quickly eliminate incorrect options. These skills are crucial for performing well on the exam.

4. Reinforce Knowledge

Repeatedly working through NCLEX-RN questions reinforces your understanding of nursing concepts and enhances your ability to recall information under exam conditions.

5. Boost Confidence

Familiarity with the types of questions you’ll encounter on the exam boosts your confidence. The more you practice, the more assured you’ll feel on test day.

How to Approach NCLEX-RN Exam Practice

1. Create a Study Plan

Develop a study plan that allocates specific times for practicing NCLEX-RN questions. Break your study sessions into manageable chunks and focus on different topics each session.

2. Use Reliable Resources

Ensure you use reliable and updated NCLEX-RN question banks and study materials. High-quality resources reflect the actual exam format and content.

3. Review Rationales

When practicing NCLEX-RN questions, review the rationales for both correct and incorrect answers. Understanding the reasoning behind each answer helps you grasp the underlying concepts.

4. Simulate Exam Conditions

Practice under exam-like conditions to familiarize yourself with the test environment. Time yourself and work through questions without interruptions to simulate the actual exam experience.

5. Track Your Progress

Keep track of your performance on practice tests. Analyze your results to determine which areas need more focus and adjust your study plan accordingly.

Ten Must-Make NCLEX-RN Exam Questions

To help you get started, here are ten multiple-choice questions designed to mimic the style and difficulty of the NCLEX-RN exam. Test yourself to gauge your readiness and identify areas for improvement.

Question 1: Cardiovascular System

A 56-year-old male patient presents with chest pain and shortness of breath. He has a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. What is the priority assessment for this patient?

1. Check the patient’s blood pressure.
2. Obtain an ECG.
3. Assess the patient’s respiratory rate.
4. Review the patient’s medication list.

Correct Answer: 2. Obtain an ECG.

Rationale: Given the patient’s symptoms and history, an ECG is essential to determine if there is an acute cardiac event, such as a myocardial infarction.

Question 2: Pediatric Care

A nurse is assessing a 5-year-old child with asthma. Which of the following findings is most indicative of an asthma exacerbation?

1. Decreased respiratory rate.
2. Hyperventilation.
3. Wheezing on expiration.
4. Clear lung sounds.

Correct Answer: 3. Wheezing on expiration.

Rationale: Wheezing, especially on expiration, is a common sign of an asthma exacerbation. It indicates narrowing of the airways due to inflammation.

Question 3: Neurological Assessment

A patient with a head injury exhibits confusion, nausea, and a worsening headache. What should the nurse do next?

1. Administer pain medication as prescribed.
2. Perform a neurological assessment.
3. Reassure the patient that these symptoms are normal.
4. Arrange for a CT scan immediately.

Correct Answer: 2. Perform a neurological assessment.

Rationale: The patient’s symptoms could indicate increased intracranial pressure or a potential brain injury. A thorough neurological assessment is necessary to evaluate the severity of the condition.

Question 4: Medication Administration

A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a patient with diabetes. Which of the following actions is most important?

1. Rotate injection sites to avoid lipodystrophy.
2. Inject the insulin into a muscle for faster absorption.
3. Ensure the insulin is at room temperature before injection.
4. Verify the patient’s blood glucose level before administration.

Correct Answer: 4. Verify the patient’s blood glucose level before administration.

Rationale: Checking the patient’s blood glucose level ensures that the correct dose of insulin is administered based on the current blood glucose levels.

Question 5: Infection Control

A nurse is preparing to perform a dressing change for a patient with an infected wound. What is the most critical step to prevent the spread of infection?

1. Wear gloves and a gown.
2. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
3. Clean the wound with an antiseptic solution.
4. Place a sterile dressing on the wound.

Correct Answer: 2. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most critical measure in preventing the spread of infection. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer helps reduce the risk of contamination.

Question 6: Maternal Health

A pregnant patient at 34 weeks gestation reports sudden swelling of the face and hands. What should the nurse assess for next?

1. Maternal blood pressure.
2. Fetal heart rate.
3. Urinary output.
4. Presence of uterine contractions.

Correct Answer: 1. Maternal blood pressure.

Rationale: Sudden swelling in the face and hands can be indicative of preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure. Assessing blood pressure is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Question 7: Endocrine System

A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine. What should the nurse instruct the patient to do?

1. Take the medication with food to improve absorption.
2. Take the medication at bedtime to minimize side effects.
3. Have regular thyroid function tests to monitor effectiveness.
4. Discontinue the medication if symptoms improve.

Correct Answer: 3. Have regular thyroid function tests to monitor effectiveness.

Rationale: Regular monitoring of thyroid function tests is necessary to ensure the medication is effectively managing hypothyroidism and to adjust dosages as needed.

Question 8: Respiratory Care

A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) about pursed-lip breathing. What is the primary benefit of this technique?

1. It improves oxygenation.
2. It decreases airway resistance.
3. It increases lung volume.
4. It prevents hyperventilation.

Correct Answer: 2. It decreases airway resistance.

Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps decrease airway resistance by keeping the airways open longer during expiration, which is beneficial for COPD patients.

Question 9: Renal System

A patient with acute renal failure has a high potassium level. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?

1. Administer calcium gluconate.
2. Encourage high-potassium foods.
3. Restrict fluid intake.
4. Increase dietary sodium.

Correct Answer: 1. Administer calcium gluconate.

Rationale: Calcium gluconate is used to stabilize the cardiac membranes in the presence of high potassium levels, reducing the risk of cardiac complications.

Question 10: Mental Health

A nurse is caring for a patient with major depressive disorder who expresses feelings of hopelessness. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

1. “You’ll feel better soon; try to stay positive.”
2. “It’s normal to feel this way; everyone experiences these emotions.”
3. “Can you tell me more about what’s been troubling you?”
4. “Try to distract yourself with activities you enjoy.”

Correct Answer: 3. “Can you tell me more about what’s been troubling you?”

Rationale: Encouraging the patient to talk about their feelings helps provide support and assess the severity of their condition, which is essential for effective treatment and intervention.

Conclusion

Practicing NCLEX-RN exam questions is a fundamental part of preparing for the NCLEX-RN test. By familiarizing yourself with the format, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and using reliable resources, you can enhance your readiness for the exam. The ten questions provided in this blog are designed to give you a snapshot of the types of questions you may encounter and help you gauge your preparation.

Remember, consistent practice and review are key to success. Use these questions as a starting point and continue to challenge yourself with a variety of practice materials. With dedication and effort, you’ll be well on your way to passing the NCLEX-RN and advancing your nursing career.