TheoryNCLEX-RN
Practice Test
1000+ Next-Gen NCLEX-style questions across all client-needs categories, with rationales for every answer.
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NCLEX-RN exam — full Q&A walkthrough
Every question read aloud with the answer explained. Play it on your commute, then test yourself.
30 free NCLEX-RN questions
Sampled across every topic area — not just the first page. Try them as a quiz or flip them as flashcards.
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NCLEX-RN
A registered nurse (RN) is making client care assignments for the shift. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
Correct — C. Assisting a stable client with hygiene and ambulation is within the UAP scope of practice. Assessment, care planning, and client teaching require the clinical judgment of the RN and cannot be delegated. -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse receives shift report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
Correct — A. Airway and breathing take priority (ABCs). New shortness of breath with a saturation of 88% signals a potentially life-threatening problem and must be assessed first. The other needs are important but not immediately life-threatening. -
NCLEX-RN
A client is scheduled for surgery and asks the nurse to explain the risks of the procedure. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?
Correct — B. Obtaining informed consent — including explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives — is the surgeon's responsibility. The nurse witnesses the signature and ensures the client understands; unanswered questions must be referred to the surgeon before consent is signed. -
NCLEX-RN
Which situation requires the nurse to complete an incident (occurrence) report?
Correct — D. An incident report documents events that are not consistent with routine care, such as a client fall, regardless of injury. A medication refusal that is documented in the record, a routine transfer, and a family request are part of normal care. -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse is caring for a client who has a living will. The client's adult child insists that 'everything be done.' What should guide the nurse's actions?
Correct — C. A valid advance directive (living will) expresses the client's own wishes and legally directs care. The client's documented decisions take precedence over family preferences. The nurse should support the family while honoring the client's directive. -
NCLEX-RN
An RN is supervising a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN). Which assigned client is most appropriate for the LPN/LVN?
Correct — A. LPNs/LVNs may care for stable clients and administer many routine medications such as scheduled oral antibiotics. Initial assessments, complex first-dose IV chemotherapy, and teaching about a new diagnosis require the RN. -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse discovers that a colleague accessed the electronic health record of a client they are not caring for. What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct — B. Accessing a record without a care-related need is a breach of confidentiality (and HIPAA). The nurse is obligated to report the breach through the appropriate institutional channel. Charting accusations in the client record is inappropriate. -
NCLEX-RN
Four clients are awaiting care in the emergency department. Using triage principles, which client should be seen first?
Correct — C. Triage prioritizes the most life-threatening condition. Crushing chest pain with diaphoresis suggests an acute coronary event and must be seen first. The other clients are stable or non-urgent. -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse is creating the plan of care for a client. Which action best reflects appropriate client advocacy?
Correct — D. Advocacy means supporting the client's right to make informed, autonomous decisions. The nurse ensures the client has accurate information; it does not mean deciding for the client or steering them toward a particular choice. -
NCLEX-RN
A nurse is delegating to a UAP. Which instruction reflects the most appropriate delegation communication?
Correct — A. Effective delegation is specific and includes the expected outcome and what to report back. Telling the UAP exactly what value to report demonstrates clear, measurable direction; vague instructions risk errors. -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse is prioritizing care for a group of clients. Which principle should guide the order of care?
Correct — B. Prioritization is guided by urgency: actual, life-threatening problems (airway, breathing, circulation) come before potential problems and lower-acuity needs. Room order, family presence, and task batching do not determine priority. -
NCLEX-RN
A client tells the nurse they want to leave the hospital against medical advice (AMA). What is the nurse's first action?
Correct — C. A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment and leave. The nurse should notify the provider, ensure the client understands the risks, and document the discussion. Restraining a competent client is false imprisonment. -
NCLEX-RN
Which client problem is the highest priority for the nurse to address using Maslow's hierarchy of needs?
Correct — D. Physiological needs — especially airway — are the foundation of Maslow's hierarchy and take priority over safety, love/belonging, and self-actualization needs. An obstructed airway is an immediate physiological threat. -
NCLEX-RN
The charge nurse is reviewing documentation. Which entry by a staff nurse requires follow-up?
Correct — A. Documentation must be objective and free of judgmental or unsupported conclusions. Stating that a client is 'faking' is subjective and inappropriate. The other entries are objective and measurable. -
NCLEX-RN
A nurse is coordinating discharge for a client who will need home oxygen and physical therapy. Which action best supports continuity of care?
Correct — B. Coordinating referrals to case management and home care before discharge ensures needed equipment and services are in place, supporting safe continuity of care. Leaving arrangements entirely to the client risks gaps in care. -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse is assigned to care for several clients. Which task should the nurse perform personally rather than delegate?
Correct — C. Evaluating a client's response to therapy requires nursing assessment and judgment and cannot be delegated. Routine vital signs, ambulation assistance, and recording I&O on stable clients may be delegated to UAP. -
NCLEX-RN
A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for Clostridioides difficile infection. Which action is correct?
Correct — B. C. difficile spores are not reliably killed by alcohol-based rubs, so hands must be washed with soap and water. Contact precautions require gown and gloves; an N95 and negative-pressure room are for airborne precautions. -
NCLEX-RN
Which client requires placement in an airborne infection isolation (negative-pressure) room?
Correct — C. Active pulmonary tuberculosis spreads via airborne droplet nuclei and requires a negative-pressure room and N95 respirator. MRSA wounds need contact precautions and influenza needs droplet precautions; a UTI requires standard precautions. -
NCLEX-RN
Before administering medication, the nurse should verify the client's identity using which method?
Correct — A. The Joint Commission requires at least two client identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) that are not the room number. This prevents administering medication to the wrong client. -
NCLEX-RN
A nurse is applying a restraint to a confused client who is pulling at a critical IV line. Which action is appropriate?
Correct — D. Restraints must allow two fingers underneath to avoid compromising circulation, be secured to the bed frame (not side rails), use quick-release knots, and require a provider order and frequent assessment. Restraints are a last resort after less restrictive measures fail. -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse is teaching about fall prevention for an older adult at home. Which instruction is most important?
Correct — B. Removing throw rugs and clutter eliminates common tripping hazards. Adequate lighting should be available day and night, footwear should be non-skid and secure, and rising slowly prevents orthostatic dizziness. -
NCLEX-RN
A nurse discovers a small electrical fire in a client's room. Using the RACE protocol, what is the first action?
Correct — C. RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish. The first priority is to rescue/remove anyone in immediate danger, then activate the alarm, confine the fire by closing doors, and finally extinguish if safe. -
NCLEX-RN
Which personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse remove first when exiting a client's room?
Correct — A. When doffing PPE, gloves are removed first because they are most contaminated. The recommended order is gloves, then goggles/face shield, then gown, then mask/respirator (removed last, outside the room). -
NCLEX-RN
A nurse prepares to administer a high-alert medication. Which safety practice is most appropriate?
Correct — D. High-alert medications (e.g., insulin, heparin, opioids) carry a heightened risk of harm. An independent double-check by a second qualified nurse reduces dosing errors. Doses should never be rushed, copied, or rounded for convenience. -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse notes a client's wristband indicates a latex allergy. Which action is appropriate?
Correct — B. A documented latex allergy requires latex-free supplies for all care to prevent a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. The allergy band must remain in place to alert all staff. -
NCLEX-RN
A nurse is reviewing safe practices for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Which action is most effective?
Correct — C. Early removal of an unnecessary catheter is the single most effective measure to prevent CAUTI. Routine irrigation and unnecessary disconnection introduce pathogens, and the bag must stay below bladder level to prevent backflow. -
NCLEX-RN
A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and low back pain 15 minutes after it begins. What is the nurse's first action?
Correct — A. These signs suggest an acute transfusion reaction. The nurse must stop the transfusion immediately to limit exposure, keep the IV line open with normal saline, and notify the provider and blood bank. Continuing the transfusion could be fatal. -
NCLEX-RN
Which action best demonstrates correct use of standard precautions?
Correct — D. Standard precautions apply to all clients regardless of diagnosis; hand hygiene before and after every contact is foundational. Needles are never recapped by hand, gowns are not reused between clients, and gloves are used whenever contact with body fluids is possible. -
NCLEX-RN
A nurse is caring for a client with neutropenia. Which intervention is appropriate?
Correct — B. Neutropenic clients are highly susceptible to infection. Raw produce, fresh flowers/plants, ill visitors, and crowds all introduce pathogens and should be avoided (neutropenic precautions). -
NCLEX-RN
The nurse is preparing to move a heavy, immobile client up in bed. Which action protects both the nurse and the client?
Correct — C. Using a friction-reducing device (e.g., a draw sheet or slide sheet) with additional staff reduces injury risk for both the nurse and client. Bending at the waist, lifting alone, and pulling under the arms cause injury.
NCLEX-RN sample questions
Tap any question below to reveal the answer and a plain-English explanation.
Health Promotion A nurse is providing teaching about routine colorectal cancer screening for an average-risk adult. At what age does current guidance generally recommend screening begin?
A. At age 30
B. At age 40
C. At age 45 ✓
D. At age 65
Correct — C. Current guidance recommends average-risk adults begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Earlier screening is reserved for those with risk factors such as a strong family history.
Psychosocial A client newly diagnosed with a terminal illness says, 'There must be a mistake; I feel completely fine.' Which stage of grief is the client most likely experiencing?
A. Anger
B. Denial ✓
C. Bargaining
D. Acceptance
Correct — B. Insisting there has been a mistake and minimizing the diagnosis reflects denial, often the first response described by Kübler-Ross. Anger, bargaining, and acceptance are later, distinct responses.
Basic Care A nurse is assisting a client with a new diagnosis of dysphagia to eat. Which action promotes safe swallowing?
A. Have the client lie flat while eating
B. Position the client upright at 90 degrees and tuck the chin while swallowing ✓
C. Offer thin liquids through a straw quickly
D. Encourage the client to talk while eating to relax
Correct — B. An upright position with a chin-tuck reduces aspiration risk in dysphagia. Lying flat, thin liquids via straw, and talking while eating all increase the risk of aspiration.
Health Promotion The nurse is assessing the developmental milestones of a 12-month-old infant. Which finding is expected?
A. Pulling to stand and taking first steps ✓
B. Riding a tricycle independently
C. Speaking in complete sentences
D. Skipping on alternate feet
Correct — A. By about 12 months, infants typically pull to stand and may take first steps. Riding a tricycle, full sentences, and skipping are milestones of the preschool and early school-age years.
About the NCLEX-RN test
Study smarter for the NCLEX-RN, the U.S. registered nurse licensure examination. This app gives you original practice questions organized around the NCSBN NCLEX-RN Test Plan Client Needs categories, with a clear rationale for every answer so you learn the nursing judgment behind it.
What you get
- 120+ original practice questions covering Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential, and Physiological Adaptation.
- Detailed rationales for every answer focused on prioritization, delegation, medication safety, and nursing judgment.
- Timed mock exams that mirror a realistic test length and pass mark.
- Study by category to focus on your weak areas.
- Available in English, Tagalog, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
You will be tested on
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial and physiological integrity
- Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
How TheoryPractice helps you pass
- Real exam-style questions with instant, detailed explanations
- Full timed mock exams that mirror the real test format
- Flashcards & quiz modes from the same question bank
- Progress tracking so you know exactly when you're ready
Topics in this question bank
Safe and effective care environment
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial and physiological integrity
Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
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