NCLEX-RN Practice Questions

Updated October 27, 2026

1. A client 2 hours after a thyroidectomy reports tingling around the mouth and in the fingers. What should the nurse do first?
   A.Check for Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs and notify the providerB.Encourage the client to restC.Give the scheduled pain medicationD.Document it as an expected finding
2. Which client should the nurse assess first after receiving the morning report?
   A.A client with pneumonia whose temperature is 100.2°FB.A client with a new onset of confusion and a respiratory rate of 30C.A client 1 day after knee surgery requesting pain medicationD.A client with diabetes whose breakfast tray hasn't arrived
3. The nurse is preparing to give potassium chloride IV. Which action is unsafe?
   A.Using an infusion pumpB.Checking the IV site for patencyC.Giving it by IV pushD.Checking the client's potassium level first
4. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this most likely indicate?
   A.Normal functionB.The lung has fully re-expandedC.The suction is turned offD.An air leak in the system
5. Which assignment is appropriate for assistive personnel?
   A.Taking vital signs on a stable client after surgeryB.Teaching a client how to use an inhalerC.Assessing a new admissionD.Evaluating a client's response to an opioid
6. A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops chills, back pain and a fever 10 minutes after it starts. What should the nurse do first?
   A.Slow the transfusionB.Give acetaminophen and continueC.Stop the transfusion and keep the IV line open with normal saline using new tubingD.Recheck vital signs in 1 hour
7. A client taking digoxin has a heart rate of 52 beats per minute and reports nausea and seeing yellow halos. What should the nurse do first?
   A.Give the digoxin and recheck in an hourB.Hold the digoxin and notify the providerC.Give an antiemeticD.Encourage the client to eat
8. A client with heart failure gained 2.5 pounds (about 1.1 kg) since yesterday. What does this most likely indicate?
   A.Fluid retentionB.Improved nutritionC.Muscle growthD.A normal daily variation needing no action
9. Which client is at the highest risk for a fall?
   A.A 30-year-old after a minor procedure who is fully alertB.A 45-year-old with a sprained wristC.An 80-year-old taking a sedative who gets up often at night to use the bathroomD.A 25-year-old receiving oral antibiotics
10. The nurse is teaching a client about warfarin. Which statement shows understanding?
    A."I'll double my dose if I miss one."B."I'll take aspirin for headaches."C."I can eat as much spinach as I want, whenever I want."D."I'll keep my intake of leafy green vegetables consistent and go for my INR checks."
11. A client with a new tracheostomy suddenly has the tube come out. What should the nurse do first?
    A.Leave to get the respiratory therapistB.Keep the stoma open (for example with the obturator or a spare tube kept at the bedside, per protocol) and call for helpC.Tape gauze tightly over the stomaD.Give oxygen by nasal cannula only
12. Which finding in a client receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia should the nurse report immediately?
    A.Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute and absent deep tendon reflexesB.Urine output of 50 mL per hourC.Mild facial flushingD.Blood pressure slightly lower than before
13. After report, which of these four clients should the nurse see first?
    A.A client with pneumonia whose oxygen saturation has dropped from 94% to 86%B.A client requesting pain medication for chronic back pain rated 4/10C.A client who needs help to the bathroomD.A client waiting for discharge instructions
14. A client is prescribed a high-fiber diet for constipation. Which food choice is best?
    A.White breadB.CheeseC.Bran cereal with berriesD.Ice cream
15. Before giving a medication, the nurse checks the client's identity using two identifiers. Which pair is acceptable?
    A.Room number and bed numberB.The client's name and date of birthC.The diagnosis and the client's physicianD.The client's appearance and room number
16. A client with type 1 diabetes is sweaty, shaky and confused, with a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL. The client is awake and can swallow. What should the nurse give first?
    A.Rapid-acting insulinB.A high-protein sandwich onlyC.Nothing until the provider is calledD.About 15 g of a fast-acting carbohydrate, such as juice, then recheck in 15 minutes