Communication
Which action reflects therapeutic communication?
A. “Everything will be fine.”
B. “Why did you do that?”
C. “Tell me more about how you’re feeling.”
D. “You shouldn’t feel that way.”
“Tell me more about how you’re feeling.”
Rationale:
Therapeutic communication encourages expression without judgment.
Which client is at the highest risk according to Maslow’s Hierarchy?
A. A client refusing meals
B. A client upset about a roommate
C. A client anxious about surgery
D. A client with oxygen saturation of 88%
D.
A client with oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale:
Low oxygen saturation is a physiological emergency.
What is the best strategy when you don’t know the answer?
A. Look for absolute words like 'always'
B. Use elimination to remove unsafe options
C. Pick the longest answer
D. Skip the question
B. Use elimination to remove unsafe options
Rationale:
Eliminating unsafe or incorrect options increases your chances.
Which task is appropriate to delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Performing a sterile dressing change
B. Collecting a urine specimen
C. Administering oral medications
D. Teaching incentive spirometry
B. Collecting a urine specimen
Rationale:
UAPs can collect specimens but cannot perform sterile procedures or teach.
What is the safest position for a client at risk for aspiration?
A. Trendelenburg
B. High Fowler’s
C. Prone
D. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
Rationale:
High Fowler’s reduces aspiration risk.
When a question includes the phrase “select all that apply,” what should you remember?
A. At least one answer is always correct
B. Treat each option as true or false
C. Pick the longest options
D. Choose all answers mentioning safety
B. Treat each option as true or false
Rationale:
SATA questions require treating each option as a true/false statement.
Which phrase in a question usually signals an incorrect answer?
A. Monitor
B. Assess
C. Encourage
D. Always
D. Always
Rationale:
Absolute words like “always” or “never” are often incorrect.
Which action is appropriate when a client refuses medication?
A. Ask a family member to persuade them
B. Document and notify the provider
C. Force the medication
D. Ignore the refusal
B. Document and notify the provider
Rationale:
Refusal must be documented and reported.
Which client should the nurse assign to an LPN?
A. A client requiring IV push meds
B. A client requiring initial teaching
C. A new admission with unstable vitals
D. A stable client needing wound care
D. A stable client needing wound care
Rationale:
LPNs can manage stable clients and perform wound care.
Which statement indicates the client understands medication teaching?
A. “I’ll take it exactly as prescribed.”
B. “I’ll double the dose if I miss one.”
C. “I’ll share it with my spouse if needed.”
D. “I’ll stop taking it when I feel better.”
A. “I’ll take it exactly as prescribed.”
Rationale:
Taking medication as prescribed reflects correct understanding.
Which action is most appropriate when a client expresses fear before surgery?
A. Provide reassurance that nothing will go wrong
B. Tell them others feel the same way
C. Change the subject
D. Encourage them to express their feelings
D. Encourage them to express their feelings
Rationale:
Encouraging expression is therapeutic and supportive.
Which action should the nurse take FIRST for a client with hypoglycemia?
A. Provide a carbohydrate source
B. Give insulin
C. Start CPR
D. Call the provider
A. Provide a carbohydrate source
Rationale:
Carbohydrates quickly raise blood glucose.
Which statement reflects effective time management during NCLEX?
A. Change answers frequently
B. Answer every question even if unsure
C. Spend extra time on hard questions
D. Skip questions and return later
B. Answer every question even if unsure
Rationale:
You must answer each question to move forward.
Which action is appropriate for a nurse to delegate to a UAP?
A. Teaching a client how to use a walker
B. Measuring intake and output
C. Administering oral medications
D. Assessing pain level
B. Measuring intake and output
Rationale:
UAPs can measure I&O but cannot assess or teach.
What is the priority when caring for a client with an infection?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Administer antibiotics
C. Promote rest
D. Initiate isolation precautions
D. Initiate isolation precautions
Rationale:
Isolation prevents spread and is the immediate priority.
What should you do if a question contains unnecessary details?
A. Focus on the core issue
B. Memorize all details
C. Read it twice
D. Skip the question
A. Focus on the core issue
Rationale:
Focusing on the core issue helps avoid distractors.
Which client is the highest priority using ABCs?
A. A client with a fever of 102°F
B. A client with a headache
C. A client with wheezing and stridor
D. A client with nausea
C. A client with wheezing and stridor
Rationale:
Stridor indicates airway obstruction.
Which strategy helps reduce test anxiety during NCLEX?
A. Avoiding breaks
B. Rushing through questions
C. Deep breathing and pacing
D. Changing answers often
C. Deep breathing and pacing
Rationale:
Deep breathing and pacing help maintain focus and reduce anxiety.
What is the best strategy when two answers seem correct?
A. Pick the answer that mentions notifying the provider
B. Choose the answer that involves assessment
C. Select the option that prevents harm
D. Choose the option with the most steps
C. Select the option that prevents harm
Rationale:
When torn between two correct answers, choose the safest one.
Which answer choice is usually correct in a prioritization question?
A. The client with stable vitals
B. The client requesting pain meds
C. The client with chronic symptoms
D. The client with an acute change
D. The client with an acute change
Rationale:
Acute changes require immediate attention.
Which client should the nurse see FIRST using the ABCs?
A. A client with a temperature of 101°F
B. A client with a sprained ankle
C. A client with a respiratory rate of 10
D. A client with abdominal pain
C. A client with a respiratory rate of 10
Rationale:
A respiratory rate of 10 may indicate respiratory depression.
When prioritizing care, which client should be seen FIRST?
A. A client waiting for discharge instructions
B. A client requesting a sleeping pill
C. A client with a blood glucose of 65 mg/dL
D. A client with chronic arthritis pain
C. A client with a blood glucose of 65 mg/dL
Rationale:
Hypoglycemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening condition.
Which client is the highest priority using safety and risk reduction?
A. A client with a potassium level of 3.4
B. A client with a blood pressure of 88/50
C. A client with a heart rate of 102
D. A client with a sodium level of 130
B. A client with a blood pressure of 88/50
Rationale:
Hypotension can indicate shock or poor perfusion and requires immediate attention.
Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to a UAP?
A. Teaching a client how to use a cane
B. Performing the first postoperative dressing change
C. Assisting a stable client with ambulation
D. Assessing a client’s pain level
C. Assisting a stable client with ambulation
Rationale:
UAPs can assist with routine activities such as ambulation for stable clients. They cannot assess, teach, or perform initial postoperative care.
What is the best strategy when a question contains unfamiliar medications?
A. Look for clues in the stem and focus on safety
B. Skip the question
C. Pick the answer that mentions notifying the provider
D. Choose the answer with the longest explanation
A. Look for clues in the stem and focus on safety
Rationale:
Clues in the question and safety principles help guide the correct answer.