Add These NCLEX® Example Questions to Your Study Guide

• Start preparing NCLEX® example questions by incorporating a diverse range of question formats. 
• Include both the client need and clinical judgment categories. 
• This will give you a framework to create a study plan, prepare for exam day, and pass the NCLEX®. 

Preparing for the NCLEX® requires careful planning and consideration of several key aspects. While it may initially seem overwhelming, thoughtfully organizing your study materials can significantly enhance your chances of success. 

Start by incorporating a diverse range of question formats in your NCLEX® example questions. When selecting NCLEX® example questions, include traditional style questions, which are the most recognizable format, as well as the new question types, such as bowtie questions, that further assess critical thinking and decision-making processes. 

Include Client Need Categories in NCLEX® Example Questions 

It’s essential to ensure that your NCLEX® example questions represent all eight essential client need categories that are evaluated on the exam. These categories include: 

1. Management of Care: Understanding how to coordinate and manage client care effectively. 
2. Safety and Infection Control: Emphasizing the importance of maintaining client safety and preventing infections in healthcare settings. 
3. Health Promotion and Maintenance: Focusing on strategies to promote overall health and prevent illness in clients. 
4. Psychosocial Integrity: Addressing the emotional and psychological needs of clients to foster a holistic approach to care. 
5. Basic Care and Comfort: Providing fundamental care and comfort measures to support client wellbeing. 
6. Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies: Knowledge of medication administration and intravenous therapies, ensuring safe and effective treatment. 
7. Reduction of Risk Potential: Identifying potential risks to clients and implementing strategies to minimize them. 
8. Physiological Adaptation: Understanding how the body responds and adapts to illness or injury. 

Include Clinical Judgment Categories in NCLEX® Example Questions 

Additionally, your NCLEX® example questions should fully integrate the six critical clinical judgment categories. These categories are designed to sharpen your clinical reasoning skills and include: 

1. Recognize Cues: Identifying relevant signs and symptoms that inform client assessments. 
2. Analyze Cues: Experience and interpreting the cues to form accurate clinical judgments. 
3. Prioritize Hypotheses: Determining the most urgent issues that require immediate attention. 
4. Generate Solutions: Crafting effective strategies and interventions to address identified problems. 
5. Take Action: Implementing the selected interventions in a timely and safe manner. 
6. Evaluate Outcomes: Assessing the effectiveness of the interventions and making necessary adjustments. 

By thoughtfully integrating these components into your NCLEX® example questions, you will build a comprehensive foundation that prepares you for the exam and your future nursing career. 

Question Roots for Your Practice Exam 

Here are some question roots for you to make your own NCLEX® practice questions.  

Priority Questions 

1. The nurse is currently providing care to a specific client. What is the first aspect of the client’s condition that the nurse should assess to ensure appropriate care?
2. Among the various interventions and actions available, which one should be prioritized to address the client’s immediate needs?

Delegation Questions 

1. The nurse has been assigned a variety of tasks for the day. Which specific tasks can be safely delegated to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) without compromising the quality of care?
2. A newly graduated nurse is responsible for caring for a complex patient with multiple medications and health issues. Which specific task would be the most suitable to delegate to a certified nursing assistant, given their training and scope of practice?

Safety, Infection, and Precaution Questions 

1. A client presenting with a known airborne, contact, or droplet disease is being admitted to the facility. What type of precautions (airborne, droplet, contact, and standard) should the nurse implement to prevent the spread of infection?
2. What is the proper sterile technique?

Pharmacology 

1. The healthcare provider has prescribed a particular medication for the client. What specific assessments should the nurse perform to determine both the safety of administering this medication and its effectiveness in addressing the client’s condition?
2. Addressing the fundamental principles of safe medication administration, any question should encompass the seven main rights: right person, right medication, right dose, right time, right route, right reason, and right documentation.
3. Dosage Calculation Questions

Leadership 

1. The charge nurse is tasked with coordinating client assignments among the nursing staff. Which client, based on their condition and needs, is most appropriate to assign to the newly graduated nurse in order to foster both learning and safe care delivery?
2. In the triage process, when facing a group of clients with varying injuries, which client should be classified as emergent due to the severity of their condition?
3. A group of nurses has expressed dissatisfaction regarding a recently implemented policy by the nurse manager. What strategies should the manager employ to effectively address and resolve this conflict while promoting a positive workplace environment?
4. During an unexpected surge of patients in the emergency department, the nurse manager must prioritize patient care. What key factor should be the primary consideration in making client assignments to ensure effective care delivery amidst the chaos?

Fundamental Questions 

1. When caring for a client diagnosed with a specific disease, what position should the nurse place them in to enhance their comfort and safety?
2. For a patient who has just been diagnosed with diabetes and is beginning insulin therapy, what crucial teaching point should the nurse emphasize to ensure understanding and adherence to the medication regimen?
3. In the event of a patient being admitted with symptoms such as fever, chills, and a productive cough, what initial nursing action should be taken to assess and address their condition?
4. When evaluating a client for signs of fluid volume deficit, which clinical manifestation should the nurse recognize as the most alarming indicator that requires immediate attention?
5. For a patient taking medication that causes orthostatic hypotension, what specific instructions should the nurse provide to minimize the risk of falls and ensure the patient’s safety?
6. What is the priority nursing intervention that should be implemented for a client who has a nasogastric tube in place to maintain proper function and prevent complications?

The Bottom Line 

Engaging with NCLEX® example questions is essential for your NCLEX® prep, as it familiarizes you with the format and style of the actual exam. This practice not only hones your critical thinking skills but also allows you to confront complex clinical scenarios that you will likely encounter on test day. By working through these practice questions, you will be able to pinpoint specific areas where your understanding may be lacking, in turn, exposing any knowledge gaps that need to be addressed.