A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation
Welcome to our collection of free NCLEX practice questions to help you achieve success on your NCLEX-RN exam! This updated guide for 2022 includes 1,000+ practice questions, a primer on the NCLEX-RN exam, frequently asked questions about the NCLEX, question types, the NCLEX-RN test plan, and test-taking tips and strategies. Show
We have included more than 1,000+ NCLEX practice questions covering different nursing topics for this nursing test bank! We’ve made a significant effort to provide you with the most challenging questions along with insightful rationales for each question to reinforce learning. We recommend you do all practice questions before you take the actual exam. Doing so will help reduce your test anxiety and help identify nursing topics you need to review. To make the most of the practice exams, try to minimize mistakes to less than 15 questions and take your time answering the questions, especially when reading the rationales. Included NCLEX-RN question sets for this nursing test bank are as follows:
Quiz guidelines:
1. NCLEX-RN Practice Questions | Quiz #1: 75 QuestionsNCLEX-RN Practice Questions | Quiz #1: 75 QuestionsThis is the first set of 75 questions for your NCLEX-RN practice quiz! 1. NCLEX-RN Practice Questions | Quiz #1: 75 QuestionsWhat is NCLEX?NCLEX stands for National Council Licensing Examination. It is a test to determine if the candidate possesses the minimum level of knowledge necessary to perform safe and effective entry-level nursing care. The NCLEX-RN (for registered nurses) and the NCLEX-PN (for practical/vocational nurses) are examinations prepared by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), whose mandate is to protect the public from unsafe nursing care. The NCSBN members include nursing regulatory bodies in the 50 states of the US, the District of Columbia, and four US territories. How to Register for the NCLEX?So you’ve finally decided to take the NCLEX, the next step is registration or application for the exam. The following are the steps on how to register for the NCLEX, including some tips:
Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)Like most standardized tests today, the NCLEX is administered by a computer. The NCLEX uses a computer adaptive test (CAT), which reacts to your answers to determine your competence level. The selection of questions is based on the NCLEX-RN test plan and by the level of item difficulty. Every time you answer a question, the computer reevaluates your ability based on all the previous answers and the difficulty of those test items. Your first question is relatively easy; if you selected a correct answer, the computer supplies you with a more difficult question from its question bank. If you have selected an incorrect answer, the computer gives you an easier question. This process continues throughout the examination until the test plan requirements are met, and the computer can determine your level of competence. Additionally, there is no option to skip a question, you must answer it, or the test will not move on. You cannot go back and review previous questions and change answers. NCLEX-RN Test PlanThe NCLEX test plan is a content guideline to determine the distribution of test questions. NCSBN uses the “Client Needs” categories to ensure that the NCLEX covers a full spectrum of nursing activities. It is a summary of the content and scope of the NCLEX to serve as a guide for candidates preparing for the exam and to direct item writers in the development of items. The content of the NCLEX-RN is organized into four major Client Needs categories: Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, Physiological Integrity. Some of these categories are divided further into subcategories. Below is the NCLEX-RN test plan effective as of April 2019 to March 2022:
Safe and Effective Care EnvironmentThere are two subcategories under Safe and Effective Care Environment.
Health Promotion and MaintenanceHealth Promotion and Maintenance (6-12%) category includes content that tests the nurse’s ability to provide and direct nursing care of the client that incorporates knowledge of expected growth and development, preventing and early detection of health problems, and strategies to achieve optimal health. The Psychosocial Integrity category (6-12%) is content related to the promotion and support for the emotional, mental, and social well-being of the client experiencing stressful events and clients with acute or chronic mental illness. Physiological IntegrityIn the Physiological Integrity category are items that test the nurse’s ability to promote physical health and wellness by providing care and comfort, reducing risk potential, and managing health alterations. There are four subcategories under Physiological Integrity.
Item Writers for NCLEXWho writes questions for the NCLEX? The NCSBN sets the criteria and selection process for item writers who are registered nurses. Many of them are nursing educators who hold an advanced degree in nursing, so if you’ve completed an accredited nursing program, you have already taken several tests written by nurses with backgrounds similar to those who write for the NCLEX. Testing TimeThe maximum testing time for the NCLEX-RN is six (6) hours, and there is no time limit for each NCLEX question. The exam time includes all the tutorials and all the breaks. The first break is offered after two (2) hours, and the second break is offered after 3.5 hours of testing. All breaks are optional, and most test-takers may not need the full-time allotment to complete the examination. How to Pass the NCLEX?The NCSBN indicates that these three rules govern pass-or-fail decisions: 95% Confidence Interval Rule, Maximum-Length Exam Rule, and Run-Out-Of-Time Rule. 95% Confidence Interval RuleIn this scenario, the computer stops administering test questions when it is 95% certain that your ability is clearly above the passing standard or clearly below the passing standard. Maximum-Length ExamWhen your ability is close to the passing standard, the computer continues to give you items until the maximum number of items is reached. At this point, the computer disregards the 95% confidence rule and decides whether you pass or fail by your final ability estimate. If your final ability estimate is above the passing standard, you pass; if it is below, you fail. Run-Out-Of-Time (R.O.O.T.) RuleWhen you run out of time before reaching the maximum amount of items, the computer has not been able to decide whether you passed or failed with 95% certainty and has to use an alternate rule. You fail if you have not answered the minimum number of required questions. If you have at least answered the minimum amount of items, the computer reviews your last 60 questions. If your ability estimate was consistently above the passing standard on the last 60 questions, you pass. If your ability dropped below the passing standard, even once, during your last 60 questions, you fail. How many question are on the NCLEX?For the NCLEX-RN, the minimum number of questions you need to answer is 75, while the maximum number in the test is 265. Regardless of the number of questions you answer, you are given 15 experimental questions (pretest questions). Pretest questions are indistinguishable from other questions on the test, not indicated as such, are being tested for future examination, and not counted against your score. Question Types in the NCLEX-RNAlthough most NCLEX items are multiple-choice, there are other formats as well. You may be administered multiple-choice items and questions written in alternate formats. These formats may include: multiple-response or select all that apply, fill-in-the-blank calculation, ordered response, hotspot, figure, chart or exhibit, graphic, audio, and video. Multiple-Choice QuestionsMultiple-choice question format for the NCLEX Many questions on the NCLEX are in multiple-choice format. This traditional text-based question will provide you data about the client’s situation, and you can only select one correct answer from the given four options. Multiple-choice questions may vary and include: audio clips, graphics, exhibits, or charts. Chart or Exhibit QuestionsChart or exhibit question format A chart or exhibit is presented along with a problem. You’ll be provided with three tabs or buttons that you need to click to obtain the information needed to answer the question. Select the correct choice among four multiple-choice answer options. Graphic OptionIn this format, four multiple-choice answer options are pictures rather than text. Each option is preceded by a circle that you need to click to represent your answer. AudioIn an audio question format, you’ll be required to listen to a sound to answer the question. You’ll need to use the headset provided and click on the sound icon for it to play. You’ll be able to listen to the sound as many times as necessary. Choose the correct choice from among four multiple-choice answer options. VideoFor the video question format, you must view an animation or a video clip to answer the following question. Select the correct choice among four multiple-choice answer options. Select All That Apply or Multiple-ResponseSelect-all-that-apply or multiple response Multiple-response or select all that apply (SATA) alternate format question requires you to choose all correct answer options that relate to the information asked by the question. There are usually more than four possible answer options. No partial credit is given in scoring these items (i.e., selecting only 3 out of the 5 correct choices), so you must select all correct answers for the item to be counted as correct. Tips when answering Select All That Apply Questions
Fill-in-the-BlankFill-in-the-blank The fill-in-the-blank question format is usually used for medication calculation, IV flow rate calculation, or determining the intake-output of a client. You’ll be asked to perform a calculation in this question format and type in your answer in the blank space provided. Tips when answering Fill-in-the-Blank
Ordered-ResponseOrdered-response question format for the NCLEX In an ordered-response question format, you’ll be asked to use the computer mouse to drag and drop your nursing actions in order or priority. Based on the information presented, determine what you’ll do first, second, third, and so forth. Directions are provided with the question. Tips when answering Ordered-Response questions
HotspotSample hotspot alternate question format A picture or graphic will be presented along with a question. This could contain a chart, a table, or an illustration where you’ll be asked to point or click on a specific area. Figures may also appear along with a multiple-choice question. Be as precise as possible when marking the location. Tips when answering Hotspot questions
Want a trial run of the NCLEX? We highly recommend you complete the online tutorial by the NCSBN to help you familiarize yourself with the different question types for the NCLEX. Want more practice questions?Please visit our Nursing Test Bank page if you’re looking to answer more practice questions from different topics and different question formats. Recommended ResourcesRecommended books and resources for your NCLEX success: Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. For more information, check out our privacy policy.
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