100 Examples of NCLEX questions and answers

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Examples of NCLEX questions and answers

Prepare for the NCLEX(National Council Licensure Examination) with our comprehensive collection of NCLEX-style questions and answers. From medical fundamentals to specialized nursing roles, these practice questions cover a wide range of topics to help you succeed in your nursing journey. Master the essentials, sharpen your critical thinking skills, and boost your confidence with our NCLEX questions.

Table of Contents

Examples of NCLEX Questions and Answers

Complete 100 Examples of NCLEX questions and answers are deeply explained in given below,

Section 1: Medical Fundamentals

1. Cardiovascular System

  1. What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?
    • Answer: The cardiovascular system circulates blood, transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products.
  2. What condition is characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries?
    • Answer: Atherosclerosis
  3. Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body?
    • Answer: Left ventricle

2. Respiratory System

  1. What is the role of the respiratory system?
    • Answer: The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body.
  2. In which structure does gas exchange occur in the lungs?
    • Answer: Alveoli
  3. What is the medical term for difficulty breathing?
    • Answer: Dyspnea

3. Gastrointestinal System

  1. Which organ produces bile for digestion?
    • Answer: Liver
  2. What condition involves inflammation of the stomach lining?
    • Answer: Gastritis
  3. What is the purpose of the small intestine in the digestive process?
    • Answer: Absorption of nutrients

4. Musculoskeletal System

  1. What type of joint allows the most extensive range of motion?
    • Answer: Synovial joint
  2. What condition is characterized by the loss of bone density, leading to increased fracture risk?
    • Answer: Osteoporosis
  3. What are the functions of the muscular system?
    • Answer: Movement, stability, and heat production

5. Neurological System

  1. Which part of the brain is responsible for voluntary muscle movements?
    • Answer: Cerebral cortex
  2. What is the medical term for a sudden disruption of blood flow to the brain?
    • Answer: Stroke (Cerebrovascular accident)
  3. What is the role of the cerebellum in the brain?
    • Answer: Coordination of voluntary movements

Section 2: Nursing Skills and Patient Care

6. Nursing Fundamentals

  1. What is the primary responsibility of a nurse during the assessment phase of the nursing process?
    • Answer: Collecting data about the patient’s health status
  2. What does SOAP stand for in nursing documentation?
    • Answer: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
  3. What is the purpose of the “rights of medication administration” in nursing practice?
    • Answer: To ensure the safe administration of medications

7. Infection Control

  1. What is the primary mode of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
    • Answer: Sexual contact and blood exposure
  2. What is the first step in the nursing process when a patient presents with signs of infection?
    • Answer: Assessment and data collection

Section 3: Pediatric Nursing

8. Pediatric Assessment

  1. When assessing a pediatric patient, what is the best approach to gain their trust and cooperation?
    • Answer: Engage in age-appropriate communication and use play therapy techniques.
  2. What is the average heart rate for a newborn baby?
    • Answer: 120-160 beats per minute
  3. When measuring the head circumference of an infant, where should you position the measuring tape?
    • Answer: Above the eyebrows and ears, around the widest part of the head.

9. Pediatric Disorders

  1. What is a common childhood respiratory condition characterized by recurrent episodes of coughing and wheezing?
    • Answer: Asthma
  2. What is the recommended age for the first dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine?
    • Answer: 12-15 months
  3. What is a typical symptom of pediatric ear infections?
    • Answer: Ear pain and pulling on the affected ear.

Section 4: Maternal-Newborn Nursing

10. Pregnancy and Labor

  1. What is the name of the plug that seals the cervical canal during pregnancy?
    • Answer: Mucus plug
  2. What is the medical term for the surgical delivery of a baby through an incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus?
    • Answer: Cesarean section (C-section)
  3. During the first stage of labor, what is the primary nursing assessment to monitor the progression of contractions?
    • Answer: Frequency, duration, and intensity of contractions.

11. Neonatal Care

  1. What is the common term for a neonate’s first bowel movement, which is thick and dark green?
    • Answer: Meconium
  2. What is the appropriate action if a newborn displays signs of respiratory distress, such as grunting and retractions?
    • Answer: Administer oxygen and notify the healthcare provider.
  3. What is the recommended position for a sleeping newborn to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
    • Answer: Back to sleep.

Section 5: Pharmacology and Medication Administration

12. Medication Administration

  1. What is the primary purpose of the “6 Rights of Medication Administration”?
    • Answer: To ensure safe and accurate medication administration.
  2. In which phase of the nursing process is medication administration typically carried out?
    • Answer: Implementation
  3. What does the term “PRN” stand for in medication orders?
    • Answer: Pro Re Nata (as needed)

13. Common Medications

  1. What is the action of acetaminophen (Tylenol)?
    • Answer: Pain and fever reduction.
  2. What is the primary side effect of opioid analgesics such as morphine?
    • Answer: Respiratory depression.
  3. Which medication is commonly used to treat hypertension and heart failure by reducing blood pressure and fluid retention?
    • Answer: Furosemide (Lasix)

Section 6: Mental Health Nursing

14. Mental Health Assessment

  1. When assessing a patient for signs of depression, what are some common indicators to look for?
    • Answer: Persistent sadness, loss of interest, changes in appetite and sleep patterns.
  2. What is the term for a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object or situation?
    • Answer: Phobia.
  3. What is the primary goal of therapeutic communication in mental health nursing?
    • Answer: To establish trust and promote emotional healing.

Section 7: Nursing Leadership and Management

15. Leadership Skills

  1. What is the role of a charge nurse in a healthcare setting?
    • Answer: Coordinate nursing care on a unit, allocate resources, and oversee patient care.
  2. What is the primary function of a nurse manager in a healthcare facility?
    • Answer: Administrative and managerial responsibilities, including staffing, budgeting, and quality assurance.
  3. What is the purpose of the nursing code of ethics?
    • Answer: To guide ethical decision-making in nursing practice and promote patient well-being.

16. Patient Safety

  1. What are the key principles of aseptic technique in a healthcare setting?
    • Answer: Sterile field maintenance, hand hygiene, and avoidance of contamination.
  2. What is the purpose of a “Never Events” policy in healthcare?
    • Answer: To prevent serious medical errors that should never occur, such as wrong-site surgery.
  3. How can healthcare providers minimize the risk of patient falls in a hospital setting?
    • Answer: Implement fall prevention measures, such as bed alarms, non-slip flooring, and patient education.

Section 8: Nursing Ethics and Legal Issues

17. Ethical Dilemmas

  1. What is the ethical principle that involves doing no harm to the patient and preventing harm when possible?
    • Answer: Non-maleficence.
  2. In cases of patient autonomy, what is the nurse’s role in supporting the patient’s decision?
    • Answer: To provide information, ensure understanding, and advocate for the patient’s choice.
  3. What is the term for the legal doctrine that provides legal protection to healthcare providers in emergency situations?
    • Answer: Good Samaritan law.

Section 9: Cultural Competence in Nursing

18. Cultural Awareness

  1. What is cultural competence in nursing practice?
    • Answer: The ability to provide effective care that is sensitive to the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of diverse patient populations.
  2. Why is it important for nurses to ask open-ended questions when assessing a patient’s cultural background?
    • Answer: Open-ended questions encourage patients to share their cultural perspectives and experiences.
  3. What is the concept of “cultural humility” in nursing practice?
    • Answer: A commitment to self-awareness, self-reflection, and ongoing learning about cultural differences.

Section 10: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice

19. Research in Nursing

  1. What is the primary goal of evidence-based practice in nursing?
    • Answer: To integrate the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values for optimal patient care.
  2. When reviewing research literature, what is the significance of a systematic review?
    • Answer: Systematic reviews summarize and synthesize multiple research studies on a specific topic to provide the highest level of evidence.
  3. What is the PICO(T) framework used for in nursing research?
    • Answer: To formulate focused clinical questions for evidence-based practice. PICO(T) stands for Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Time.

Section 11: Nursing Informatics

20. Healthcare Technology

  1. What is the role of nursing informatics in healthcare?
    • Answer: Nursing informatics involves the use of technology and data to support nursing practice, education, research, and administration.
  2. What is the purpose of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) in nursing?
    • Answer: The EHR is a digital record of a patient’s medical history and treatment, which enhances patient care coordination and information access.
  3. What is the primary responsibility of nurses in safeguarding patient data and privacy when using electronic health records?
    • Answer: To follow HIPAA regulations and maintain patient confidentiality and data security.

Section 12: Emergency Nursing

21. Emergency Situations

  1. What is the first nursing action during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) scenario?
    • Answer: Assess for responsiveness and call for help.
  2. In a mass casualty incident, what is the primary goal of the triage nurse?
    • Answer: To prioritize care based on the severity of injuries and available resources.
  3. What does the acronym “ABCDE” stand for in emergency nursing assessment?
    • Answer: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (for trauma assessment).

Section 13: Community and Public Health Nursing

22. Community Health Nursing

  1. What is the primary focus of community health nursing practice?
    • Answer: Promoting and preserving the health of populations within a community.
  2. What is the primary goal of epidemiology in public health nursing?
    • Answer: Identifying and controlling the spread of diseases within communities.
  3. What is the purpose of a “community health assessment” in public health nursing?
    • Answer: To identify the health needs and priorities of a specific community.

Section 14: Gerontological Nursing

23. Care for the Elderly

  1. What is a common concern in gerontological nursing related to polypharmacy?
    • Answer: The increased risk of adverse drug interactions and side effects in older adults taking multiple medications.
  2. In providing care for older adults, what is the concept of “aging in place”?
    • Answer: It involves enabling elderly individuals to continue living in their own homes or communities rather than relocating to long-term care facilities.
  3. What is the primary goal of a comprehensive geriatric assessment in nursing?
    • Answer: To evaluate the overall health and well-being of older adults, including physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects.

Section 15: Medical-Surgical Nursing

24. Surgical Nursing

  1. What is the primary nursing action to prevent post-operative complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
    • Answer: Encouraging early ambulation and administering anticoagulant medications as prescribed.
  2. What is the role of the circulating nurse in the operating room?
    • Answer: Ensuring the safety and integrity of the operating room environment and managing surgical supplies and equipment.
  3. What is the rationale for “NPO” (nothing by mouth) instructions before surgery?
    • Answer: To minimize the risk of aspiration during anesthesia and surgery.

Section 16: Pediatric and Neonatal Nursing

25. Pediatric and Neonatal Care

  1. What is a common method for assessing the pain level of a pediatric patient who is unable to communicate verbally?
    • Answer: Using a pediatric pain scale with behavioral and physiological indicators.
  2. What is the primary nursing intervention when caring for a neonate with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) due to maternal opioid use?
    • Answer: Implementing non-pharmacological measures, such as swaddling and providing a quiet environment, to alleviate symptoms.
  3. What is the primary nursing goal in post-operative care for a pediatric patient undergoing surgery?
    • Answer: Pain management, wound care, and monitoring for complications.

Section 17: Obstetric Nursing

26. Obstetric Care

  1. What is the primary purpose of the Leopold Maneuvers during a prenatal assessment?
    • Answer: To determine the position and presentation of the fetus in utero.
  2. What is the primary nursing action during the second stage of labor when the fetus is crowning?
    • Answer: Preparing for a controlled delivery of the fetal head to prevent perineal tears.
  3. What is the significance of the APGAR score in neonatal assessment?
    • Answer: It assesses the overall health and well-being of a newborn immediately after birth, evaluating heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin color.

Section 18: Psychiatric Nursing

27. Psychiatric Assessment

  1. What is the primary purpose of a mental status examination (MSE) in psychiatric nursing?
    • Answer: To assess and document a patient’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
  2. What is the nursing priority when a patient exhibits self-harming behavior, such as cutting?
    • Answer: Ensuring immediate safety and implementing crisis intervention measures.
  3. What is the role of a psychiatric nurse in the process of de-escalation during a crisis situation?
    • Answer: Utilizing therapeutic communication and interventions to calm the patient and promote a safe environment.

Section 19: Renal and Urinary Nursing

28. Renal Care

  1. What is the primary function of the kidneys in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance?
    • Answer: Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion of substances to regulate blood volume and composition.
  2. What is the medical term for a kidney stone?
    • Answer: Nephrolithiasis.
  3. What is the nursing priority when caring for a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis?
    • Answer: Monitoring for complications such as hypotension and ensuring vascular access integrity.

Section 20: Nursing Documentation and Reporting

29. Documentation and Communication

  1. What is the importance of accurate and timely nursing documentation?
    • Answer: It provides a legal record of care, facilitates communication among healthcare providers, and supports patient safety.
  2. Inpatient handoff and reporting, what key information should be conveyed about a patient’s condition?
    • Answer: Patient identification, diagnosis, current status, and any recent changes in treatment or vital signs.
  3. What is the role of SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) in ineffective nursing communication?
    • Answer: SBAR is a structured method for clear and concise communication, especially during patient handoffs and critical situations.

Section 21: Cardiovascular Nursing

30. Cardiovascular Care

  1. What is the primary nursing intervention for a patient experiencing chest pain or discomfort?
    • Answer: Administering nitroglycerin, monitoring vital signs, and ensuring rest.
  2. What is the purpose of the Modified Allen’s Test in cardiovascular nursing?
    • Answer: To assess collateral circulation before arterial blood gas sampling.
  3. What is the primary goal of cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients after a myocardial infarction (heart attack)?
    • Answer: To improve heart health, reduce the risk of future cardiac events, and enhance overall well-being.

Section 22: Nursing Interventions and Prioritization

31. Prioritization of Care

  1. What is the primary consideration when prioritizing nursing care for multiple patients?
    • Answer: Assessing the stability of each patient and addressing life-threatening issues first.
  2. In a scenario with limited resources, which principle guides nursing care prioritization?
    • Answer: Allocating resources to provide the greatest benefit for the most patients.
  3. What is the primary rationale for prioritizing pain management for a post-operative patient?
    • Answer: Pain management enhances patient comfort and promotes respiratory function and mobility.

Section 23: Nursing Theory and Models

32. Nursing Theories

  1. What is the purpose of applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in nursing practice?
    • Answer: To prioritize patient care by addressing physiological and psychological needs in a hierarchical manner.
  2. What does the “Theory of Planned Behavior” propose in nursing practice?
    • Answer: It suggests that individuals are more likely to perform a behavior if they have a positive attitude, perceive social support, and feel in control of the behavior.
  3. How does Dorothea Orem’s “Self-Care Theory” influence nursing care?
    • Answer: It emphasizes the importance of patient self-care abilities and the role of nursing in supporting self-care deficits.

Section 24: Nursing Specialties

33. Specialized Nursing Roles

  1. What is the primary role of a nurse anesthetist (CRNA) in surgical procedures?
    • Answer: Administering anesthesia and monitoring the patient’s vital signs during surgery.
  2. What is the role of a forensic nurse in the healthcare system?
    • Answer: Collecting and preserving evidence related to crimes or injuries for legal purposes.
  3. In a hospice nursing setting, what is the primary focus of care for patients?
    • Answer: Providing palliative care, symptom management, and emotional support for individuals at the end of life.

Section 25: End-of-Life Care

34. Palliative and Hospice Care

  1. What is the primary goal of palliative care in nursing practice?
    • Answer: To provide relief from the symptoms and suffering associated with serious illness, enhancing the patient’s quality of life.
  2. What is the key difference between palliative care and hospice care?
  • Answer: Palliative care is provided throughout the course of an illness, while hospice care is typically provided in the final stages of a terminal illness with a focus on comfort and support.

Writer

Ahmad Riaz


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